Kristie Cook: Indie Bookfest Blog Hop

Indie BookFest 2013 is an all day long event (starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM) celebrating Indie Authors and Artists and their freedom of expression. Join some of your favorite Indie Authors for a day filled with book signings, sessions, and lots of good food and great fun! You won't want to miss the sessions throughout the day, where several panelists will be speaking on a variety of topics relevant to writing, publishing, promoting your books, and all things indie.

Indie BookFest 2013 will be held at the Buena Vista Palace in Buena Vista, FL, on August 3rd, 2013 ... just minutes from all the Disney and Universal parks! Everyone attending Indie BookFest 2013 will have access to special room rates while staying at the Buena Vista Palace. Turn this one day event into a fun little getaway and indulge in the sunshine and parks while you are visiting the Orlando area.

Sessions, refreshments, morning gourmet coffee bar, lunch, & much more? = $20
Fun hanging out with a great group of your favorite Indie Authors? = PRICELESS!

Not only is Indie BookFest going to be a day filled with a lot of fun and fabulousness, but it will also be a time to come together and help a local organization, A Gift For Teaching. We will be raffling off an AMAZING prize to one lucky winner, so be sure to come prepared to purchase a few tickets, rub a lucky 8 ball, and by doing so, help out local teachers and children in the process!

** Be sure to bring in some school supplies to be entered to win another wonderful prize ... everyone who donates will receive some special Indie BookFest swag!**

Learn more about the 2013 charity Indie BookFest will be featuring HERE. We hope to see you all on August 3rd in Orlando, it is sure to be a great time!

Indie Bookfest is proud to announce that along with our stellar line up of over 45 indie authors such as: Shelly Crane, Kristie Cook, Tabatha Vargo, Amy Miles, Michelle Madow, Shanora Q. Williams, Quinn Loftis, C.A. Kunz, Tiffany King, G.P. Ching, Rachael Wade, Tawdra Kandle, Sarah Ross, and MANY OTHERS, that Isaac Marion (Author of Warm Bodies) will be a special speaker at the event!

Be sure to stop by the blog and show your Indie pride and love of books by picking up one of these AWESOME tees! All proceeds go to finance the event!

(Click on the pictures below to go to the blog to purchase!)

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Visit these blog in the blog hop!

A Momless Mom
A readers point of view
Adventures of Frugal Mom
Amid Summer Night Dreams
Andi's Book Reviews
Andi's Young Adult Books
Asteria's Blog
Author Tawdra Kandle
Beckstar Reviews
Black Words-White Pages
Books to Light Your Fire
Books, Beauty and Bodacious
Books, Brownies and Barkers
Cover Bound
Cu's Ebook Giveaways
Dina Rae's Write Stuff
Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf
Heather Allen
I escape into books
Identity Discovery
If the Book Fits
Jamie Loeak
Kathleen Valentine's Blog
Kats Reads
Life with Lesley
Literary Sweet
Little Read Riding Hood
Living, Learning, and Loving Life
Lynda's Random Ramblings
My Home Away From Home
Niki's book Corner
old things r new
Out There Reviews & Stuff
Paranormal book club
Passionate Book Divas
Pink Fluffy Hearts: Diary of a Coffee Addict
Pretty Opinionated
Readers Confession
Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!
Sizzle and Swoon
Taking Time for Mommy
Teracia's book hoarding problem
The Official Site of Inger Iversen
The Winey Reader
Theresa M Jones
Unexpected Destinies
Unputdownable Books
Wine Relaxation And MY Kindle
Writing on the Wall

Check out these Indie BookFest 2013 author interviews:

Amy Miles

1. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know about you?

I’m an introvert and as such I am a nervous wreck before and during each book signing that I do. I say “um” a LOT to try to deal with the nerves. Also…I fan girl just like everyone else. I’m always sneaking away from my booth to meet other authors.

2. What has been your favorite fan moment?

That would have to be when the bank manager of our local branch came rushing out to meet me in the car. That was surreal. Not just that she wanted to take a pic with me, while totally having the worst hair day of the year, but that someone in my area had read and loved my books. Best day ever!

3. Is there one indie author who has helped you about? What was their advice?

The best part about being an indie author is the love and support you find from other authors. I have developed so many lasting friendships with some truly amazing people over the past year.

The best advice I have been given, and now pass on to anyone who will listen, is to not sweat the reviews. The good ones make you think you are better than you really are, and the bad ones shake your confidence. Glean what you can, hone your craft and let the negative reviews wash off your back. They don’t define you as an author unless you let them.

4. At the bookstore, what is your favorite section to visit?

I write what I love to read, so you know I’m spending some quality time in the teen section. I am a diehard ya fantasy fan. I love paranormal anything. Sci-fi? Bring it on! Romance? Action? Yeah, I’ll take a double helping of those please!

5. Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Ideas are everywhere. In movies, books, dream, songs, etc. The question isn’t really where they come from, but what do you do with them? I keep a dream journal under my bed and if you were to drop by my house at 2am (totally creepy, by the way!) you would find me perched on my toilet, frantically writing down ideas under the bathroom light. I also have a notepad app on my iphone, a small notebook in my purse, in my car, in my desk, etc. Having enough ideas to write a book is never my problem. It’s having the time to work on all of them.

Andrea Heltsley

1. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?

Nathaniel Hawethorne. I read Young Goodman Brown and did a paper on him in college. I fell in love with his writing and the story. I loved the descriptiveness of that particular story.

2. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?

I will put on my Shakira playlist. I have almost every English and Spanish song she’s recorded.

3. Who has been your best cheerleader?

My dad has been. He helped read my stuff when no one else really got involved.

4. At the bookstore, what is your favorite section to visit?

I love the YA section. The covers are always awesome and I just love YA.

5. Do you have a writing ritual?

I have to have music playing and a candle burning when I write.

Peggy Sue Martinez

1. How long did it take you to write Contingency?
It took me two months from start to finish to write the first draft of Contingency.

2. What are the last five books you've read?

Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter, Death's Rival by Faith Hunter, Blood Trade by Faith Hunter, Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls, The Breeders by Katie French.

3. Do you have a book trailer?

4. Who has been your best cheerleader?

My husband has always been my number one cheerleader in everything.

5. What would be your advice to yourself before publishing your book?

Write. Don't stop, even when all the doubts begin and you think everything you've written is crap. Keep writing. When you're done writing, prepare to butcher your writing, do several rewrites, and then sew it all back together again. I'm a firm believer that the true magic of the writing process happens during editing and rewrites.

Raine Thomas

1. How long did it take you to write For Everly?
It took me six weeks to write For Everly. That’s the shortest amount of time it’s ever taken me to write a novel. It just flowed!

2. If you had one superpower, what would it be?
I would want the ability to manipulate time. Since I work three jobs and have a family, I never have time to read. I miss reading!

3. Do you have a book trailer?
I sure do!

4. Were you an exceptional English student in school?
I was. In fact, I majored in English with a focus in Creative Writing (graduating magna cum laude). Ironically, I didn’t realize I wanted to be an author until I was in my thirties.

5. What has been your favorite “fan” moment?
I was floored when a fan reached out to me and said she intended to dress up like one of my characters (Olivia from Central) for Halloween. That really made me feel like I’d made the “big time!’

Adam Kunz

1. Where did you come up with the idea for your books?

I got the idea for One Tiny Secret from many years of reading R.L. Stine, Stephen King, Agatha Christie Christopher Pike, Carolyn Keene, Franklin W. Dixon, and V.C. Andrews, and from watching many, many, horror/thriller films. When I decided to sit down and write my first standalone novel (after writing three with my mom under the penname C.A. Kunz) I knew that it had to be a thrilling mystery with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. Also, it absolutely had to take place around Halloween (my favorite holiday). I really wanted to craft a twisty-turny storyline that would have reader’s second guessing themselves when it came time to pick “whodunit”.

2. Do you have a certain process you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I know this is going to sound backwards from a lot of writers, but when I start a new book, and need to get the creative juices flowing, I immediately attack the back book blurb and try to get the whole idea for the novel down to just a few paragraphs. Then I write down the bios for each character to get them all out of my head and onto paper. The next step of my process is to create a skeletal outline, expanding on the back book blurb that I worked on earlier. Then the last step before I begin to actually write is to draw up how I envision the cover for the book to look. I keep this drawing by me while I write as a visual stimulant for my writing. I find that this process helps a ton when it comes to actually writing the book, and has worked for me for quite some time now.

3. How long did it take you to write One Tiny Secret?

From start to finish it took me about three months to write One Tiny Secret. I wrote the first three chapters in about a week or so, and then took a month break to focus on the day job. Then I committed all of my time after that to writing, and finished from the third chapter on in about a month and a half.

4. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?

Wow, there are literally too many to name, but here are a few that I’ve been inspired by since I was a kid, and continue to still love today: J.K. Rowling, R.L. Stine, Stephen King, Agatha Christie Christopher Pike, Carolyn Keene, Franklin W. Dixon, and V.C. Andrews.

5. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?

Okay, so I have to admit that I’m kind of obsessed with coffee. This is even in my author bio, so you know it has to be true, hahaha! And when I go to Starbucks, Panera, Dunkin Donuts, or pretty much any other coffee shop, I tend to order the seasonal drink. Pumpkin spice lattes are my favorite, but coming in a close second is anything caramel.

Mandie Stevens

1. Where did you come up with the idea for your books?
I got the idea for The Edge of Eden when I was perusing pre-made book covers on Once Upon a Time Covers Facebook page. When I came across the cover fell in love and I went back to it multiple times over the next week before finally decided that it was meant for me. I was working on another project and pulled off of it.

The story about an alchemist and the world she lived in poured out of me. Anya has become one of my favorite characters to write about.

2. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?
Always a caramel macchiato, the only difference is if it's hot or iced.

3. Is there one Indie author who has helped you out? What was their advice?

There has actually been a group of authors who have helped me a lot but if I have to choose only one it would be Liz Schulte. She is simply amazing and has a website http://thestorymavens.com/ which offers writing advice. The best advice has been to finish. You can't do anything else until you have a manuscript.

4. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?
It depends on what I'm writing but right now it has been Gin Wigmore, Imagine Dragons, and a lot of Awolnation.

5. If you had one super power what would it be?
The ability to write super quickly. Maybe then I could get all of the ideas for books out of my head before I get more!

Devyn Dawson

1. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?
I am hopelessly addicted to McDonald’s vanilla cones. I’m not a fan of their food, but I do like cones and tea.

2. What do you look forward to the most at Indie Bookfest 2013?

I am really excited to meet some authors who have been my online ‘friends’ for a while, and to get up with some old fans.

3. What has been your favorite ‘fan’ moment?

I was at the opening night of Breaking Dawn part 1 and someone was yelling my name out loud across the crowded lobby. The girl even asked if I wanted to sit with her and her friends. That was awesome.

4. If you had one super power what would it be?

I’d have the ability to heal the sick.

5. At the bookstore, what is your favorite section to visit?

I go to the Teen section first, and then the bargain books :)

Tawdra Kandle

1. What character was your favorite to write? Why?

Easy! Nell was my favorite. She speaks loudly, and she is so much fun. She was only supposed to be in the first book, and then she was supposed to disappear. And then one night, in the middle of writing the second book BREATHLESS, Tasmyn had a dream, and it was Nell. It was one of the scariest scenes I had ever written--so much so that I freaked myself out. Shortly after that, Nell told me more of her story, and it turned out that she was in all four books. . .and then also needed her own. I am so excited to write her book! It is called UNDENIABLE and will be the second book in the Serendipity Duet

2. What is the story behind your title and cover?

I am not the type of writer who comes up with a cover and/or title before I write the story. So I didn't have a title for FEARLESS until I was more than halfway through it. I just called it Tasmyn. Then one night I was leaving a restaurant, thinking about a particular scene. . .about how Michael makes Tasmyn feel. . .and a song from the (then brand-new) Taylor Swift album came on the radio. The whole idea of the line about the first kiss was so evocative of Tasmyn and Michael's first kiss, and the title captured one of the main themes of the series, which is Tasmyn moving from a place of fear and hiding to confidence and power. As for the cover. . .I was not a cover person when I first indie published. I happily am surrounded by people who are wise and talented. I wanted a sense of Tasmyn being tossed into a world far outside her experience to date, and I wanted the magic there, too. My youngest daughter took several photographs of a small town near us, and the cover artist was able to use the picture in the background. I LOVE this cover!!

3. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?

I am a song slut, I'm afraid. My most frequent go-to artists are probably Blue October, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri.

4. What do you look forward to the most at Indie Bookfest 2013?

Writing can be somewhat lonely. I love any chance to hang out with other authors, meet new friends and talk books and writing. It's going to be a blast!

5. Who has been your best cheerleader? All of my family has been extremely supportive from day one, but my youngest daughter has made my writing life possible. She takes over all household chores and cooking when I am on deadline, gives me ideas, feedback, takes photos and proofreads. . she is my cheerleader all the time and I am so grateful!

CHRISTINA MOBLEY

1. What has been your favorite ‘fan’ moment?

My favorite ‘fan’ moment came just a few days ago. I received my first fan letter in the mail. It was from a fifth grader who had read both books. It made me realize how far the book is starting to reach.

2. Do you have a writing ritual? My ritual is crazy. I usually squeeze some time in ever few days after the kids are asleep. I turn up the music, read back a few pages, and everything starts to flow. My favorite writing accessory is caffeine and my big comfortable chair.

3. A character from your book comes to life, who would it be?

That’s a hard one. I think it would have to be Thomas. He’s the southern warrior every girl could want. I’d like to bring the main character, Ava to life too, but I’m sure some huge catastrophe would follow. LOL

4. Where you an exceptional English student in school?

No. Honestly, even eight years ago I would not have dreamt that I would one day be an Author. I think for me, the story came and I had to find a way to put it on paper. I never imagined I would fall in love with the writing process.

5. If you had one super power what would it be?

Time Travel. I would love to be able to go back in time or make the day just a little longer.

TONI SINNS

1. Who has been you biggest cheerleader?

Probably my cohort, partner in crime, and the reason I hear voices in my head to begin with Shannon Morton (author of Tempted by Evil book 1 of The Light and Shadow Trilogy). My running partner and I spend many an evening pounding the pavement and harping about the characters in our heads, and what the may are or may not be sharing with us at the moment.

2. Who has been your best cheerleader?

Definitely without a doubt my Husband. It doesn't matter what I say or want to do or talk about trying to make happen he is right beside me telling me to do it and that we will find a way to make sure it gets done. After that would be my mom.

3. Is there one Indie author who has helped you out? What was their advice?

There has been multiple actually. My two biggest help with advice or suggestion have been Karina Gioertz, and MCV Egan. Another couple who are always so sweet and supportive are Joan Lane and Paulette Mahurin. And lately Eileen Register has helped me out a bunch too.

4. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

Well that is really hard to think of. I am not very good with keeping myself hidden. Most of my fans know I have stories in multiple genres coming out over the next few years, most of my fans know I'm the owner of Turning The Pages Magazine, most of my fans know that I am not only a writer and reader but I am also a huge crafter and video game nerd, and most know the fun facts like I'm married, have 2 dogs 3 guinea pigs, live in FL. Blah blah blah. I guess something that many don't know about me is how crazy shy, skittish, and unsociable I really am. I can talk to you every day all day on the computer but face to face or on the phone I get nervous and freak out lol.

5. How long did it take you to write "I've Got You Covered"?

Well to be honest the whole idea behind the series has been written, tweaked, rewritten, stopped, restarted, for I'm thinking it is going on 5 or 6 years now. But the last rewrite which is what you get in book one only took about 6 months to write down and say this is how it is going to be.

JOCELYN STOVER

1. If you had 1 super power what would it be?

Fortunately for me I already have a killer super power, I’m a redhead. My temper is flash fire rage that levels everything and everyone in the surrounding vicinity. Despite what many think I do have a soul and most certainly am not from the devil. However, given my incendiary nature I can see how many people may have gotten confused.

2. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

The first person to post on Facebook about the return of Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the fall goes on my shit list. I hate anything that reminders me winter is real and for whatever reason that stupid drink is the start of a chain reaction wherein everyone is in a frenzy to embrace the change of season and destroy my dreams of eternal sunshine.

3. What are the last five books you’ve read?

Finally after months of writing I took a break and devoured Amy Bartol’s Premonition series, Michael Siemsen’s A Warm Place to Call Home, and Tarryn Fisher’s The Opportunist and Dirty Red. I loved them all.

4. How long did it take you to write Out of Reach?

It took me six months to write Out of Reach. Being my debut novel I have no idea if that’s fast or slow. What I can say is I wish I had more time to dedicate to writing.

QUINN LOFTIS

1. Where you an exceptional English student in school?

LMBO, no really that's my answer

2. You’re stranded at the beach for the weekend - you can take two books with you, one is an Indie book and the other is ‘mainstream’ - which two are they?

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

Opal Jennifer L Armentrout

3. What has been your favorite ‘fan’ moment?

Had a book signing in Texas with the amazing Heather Self and met to amazing teens who just chatted my ear up for an hour, and they were awesome. Talking to them made my characters come alive and it got me all excited to go write some more.

4. What do you look forward to the most at Indie Bookfest 2013?

Meeting all these authors face to face. I'm soooo going to have fan girls moments, repeatedly.

5. At the bookstore, what is your favorite section to visit?

Typically the teen section, but I also like the dystopian/scifi section as well.

KRISTIE COOK

1. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

I really don't like feet. I think they're disgusting! If you really want to gross me out, just put a dirty foot near me. Yuk!

2. If you had one super power what would it be?

I would love the ability to stop time. Not to reverse it, like a time-turner because I think that could be too dangerously tempting. But to just stop time for a bit—let everyone else relax under my personal ‘pause’ button—so that I can add more hours to my day to write and do my mundane responsibilities. Then I’d just hit my ‘play’ button and be able to hang out and have fun!

3. Would you prefer going to the park for a relaxing picnic or are you an amusement park rollercoaster person?

Can I do both? Seriously, I’m a bit of an adrenaline junky and love amusement parks, motorcycles, and even hope to get my pilot’s license one day. But with that being said I also love taking a step back and just sitting still and watching people—especially in places like a park or beach. It’s times like that where I come up with some of my favorite ideas for scenes and characters. Besides, picnic food is awesome!

4. Do you have a book trailer? Yes, and I love to share it!

5. What has been your favorite ‘fan’ moment?

This April my publisher and I went to London for the London Book Fair. We were able to get a signing at alocal indie bookstore called Treadwell’s. That day I had the chance to meet my European “Crew” a group of seven of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders who came from locations throughout England-- and even the Netherlands and Estonia just to meet us and to meet each other. It was such an amazing time to realize that my stories had facilitated these wonderful friendships.

Heather Allen

1. What character was your favorite to write?

I have found that I love writing from the male point of view. Crazy? Yes! I loved writing from James’ perspective in the second book – Barely Breathing. But in the final book- forever Breathing Ever and Jack are my favorite characters. I think each book has been a journey in itself.

2. If you had one super power what would it be?

If I could have one superpower it would be to travel through time. This is the most dangerous one right? Alter events and change time…I choose this one though because I have no patience. I want to know things as soon as I can. Waiting in anticipation is good but knowing facts to make the best decisions is better!

3. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?

I am an avid reader. I will just about read anything, romance, horror, mystery, YA, NA… But I accidentally stumbled upon the Indie world because of one author. I wrote Just Breathe over the course of a year but didn’t know what I would do once it was finished. While trying to go the traditional route, I picked up a book by Abbi Glines and devoured it. I found later that she was self-published and it just felt right for me.

4. Do you have a book trailer? Link

Just Breathe – the first book in the Trilogy - Book Trailer

5. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?

Each book is inspired by different songs and artists. I absolutely love alternative music but some books warrant other music. I just go with whatever inspires me for each book. As I write- if an inspiring song comes on, I save it and add it to the playlist. A little teaser – my next book which will be a NA is inspired by Blink 182.

CANDACE KNOEBEL

1. Where did you come up with the idea for your books?

I had previously thought of the idea back in 2007, but never tried to sit down and write. Probably because I didn’t think I could. It came back to me in 2009 after I finished a series that left me feeling empty when complete. I didn’t want to read anything else for awhile and for some reason, the idea popped back up and I figured I would write some of it down. At that point in time I had no idea that it would shape into a novel, thusly changing my goals in life.

2. What character was your favorite to write? Why?

I’d have to be partial and go with Aurora-the main character. She’s feisty, courageous, hard-headed, kind…everything I’d want to read in a heroine. Her journey to self-discovery and control is one that I find encouraging.

3. If you had one super power what would it be?

I would have to choose the ability to fly. It would make getting places a lot easier!

4. What would be your advice to yourself before you published your book?

I would tell myself to set up my author platform first. It's better to branch out to your peers and learn about them and how everything works before you dive in under your head.

5. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?

I have more go-to artists than just a particular song. Thirty Seconds to Mars always gets me pumped and ready to write. I also enjoy M83 and most any indie alternative artist. It helps me zone out and think.

CHELSEA CAMERON

Chelsea M. Cameron photo IMG_1834Rcrop.jpg

1. Do you have a writing ritual?

I always have to have music on when I'm writing. I can't STAND silence (it freaks me out), so I always have loud music going. I write a lot at a local cafe, so I have to make sure I have my caffeinated beverage of choice, some water and am sitting at my favorite table.

2. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?

My favorite thing to get is the Dirty Vanilla Chai. It's a vanilla chai with an espresso shot. That really gets the writing juices flowing :)

3. What is the story behind your title and cover?

The title, Deeper We Fall, wasn't the original title. I knew I wanted to use the word "deeper" somehow. So I looked around at other book titles and then I found a line of poetry on google and that was it. Plus, no one else had it. The cover was done by Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations. I told her I wanted to have the hands reaching out, and she helped me choose the image, but the rest was all her. When I saw it the first time, I was completely in love.

4. What are the last five books you’ve read?

No Attachments by Tiffany King, Catching Liam by Sophia Bleu, On The Island by Tracy Garvis-Graves, Point of Retreat and Slammed by Colleen Hoover. I'm on a contemporary kick lately.

5. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

I'm crazy short. Only five feet tall. Someone once said that she pictured me as tall and willowy and it was one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.

Heather Allen
1. What character was your favorite to write?
I have found that I love writing from the male point of view. Crazy? Yes! I loved writing from James’ perspective in the second book – Barely Breathing. But in the final book- forever Breathing Ever and Jack are my favorite characters. I think each book has been a journey in itself.

2. If you had one super power what would it be?
If I could have one superpower it would be to travel through time. This is the most dangerous one right? Alter events and change time…I choose this one though because I have no patience. I want to know things as soon as I can. Waiting in anticipation is good but knowing facts to make the best decisions is better!

3. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?
I am an avid reader. I will just about read anything, romance, horror, mystery, YA, NA… But I accidentally stumbled upon the Indie world because of one author. I wrote Just Breathe over the course of a year but didn’t know what I would do once it was finished. While trying to go the traditional route, I picked up a book by Abbi Glines and devoured it. I found later that she was self-published and it just felt right for me.

4. Do you have a book trailer? Link Just Breathe – the first book in the Trilogy - Book Trailer

5. What’s your go-to songs to get the creative juices flowing?
Each book is inspired by different songs and artists. I absolutely love alternative music but some books warrant other music. I just go with whatever inspires me for each book. As I write- if an inspiring song comes on, I save it and add it to the playlist. A little teaser – my next book which will be a NA is inspired by Blink 182