Amazing Experiences: UTopYA & ROW80

UtopYA14 was amazing!

Last year, I kept hearing people go on and on about this awesome young adult conference in Nashville, Tennessee. All the talk was infectious. 

My first thought... Jo Michaels, my writing bud and editor. I knew she lived close by. After passing on the information, we decided to room together and share a table. I was as excited about meeting her as I was about attending the conference.

Anyone who's read this blog knows how I feel about Jo. She's taught me so much and made each of my books better, from editing to cover design. Not that I was worried, but I enjoyed every second with her. I wish I could touch my finger to her brain and absorb all her knowledge. Amazing!

There will be some big stuff coming from Tia-Jo land this year. Some stuff I can't even tell you about... yet.

Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some of the other amazing people I met at UtopYA, including two phenomenal guest speakers, Sylvia Day and Gennifer Albin. 

Before I do that, however, I want to mention a very special lady who attended with me. My oldest daughter, Jackie, is an avid reader and jumped at the chance to meet YA authors. When she started out, she said she wasn't sure she'd fangirl. She was just going to walk around and check things out, maybe buy a few books.

Then, my reserved child comes running up to me yelling author names and showing me swag. She had the time of her life, and I got Mom points. Score!

Note: Both of the pictures in this post are selfies, not a photo technique I feel comfortable with. There's a real art to it. I plan to perfect it by next year's UtopYA.

*****

Round 2 of A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) ended while I was living the UtopYA dream. This round flew by. Although I accomplished so much this round, including the release of my third book, I also let a few goals slip away. 

Round 3 begins July 7. If you don't know the awesomeness that is ROW80, check it out here. I can't wait to set new goals.

Cruising on Empty, but Cruising: ROW80

Wow, there's so much fun stuff to tell you about (which is why this post is late). I'm running around like a crazy woman thanks to a huge edit and getting ready for UtopYA. I leave Wednesday morning. Eek!

Okay, on with the stuff.

First, the lovely Jo Michaels--who I will finally meet at UtopYA--featured an interview with me on her blog this week. Plus, there's a giveaway for an eBook set of my Tala Prophecy series and also an eBook of Chasing Shadows. An excerpt:

Jo: I hear that. Maybe all kids do that. Mine are also ridiculously different. I know you’ve used all three of your daughters’ names in your Tala Prophecy series. Who does each character represent and why? 

Tia: My eldest daughter, Jackie, is an old soul who is wise beyond her years, so it made perfect sense for her to be the Wiccan grandmother. Reagan, my middle daughter, is the tough-as-nails heroine. She’s a lacrosse goalie and afraid of nothing, but she has a soft side and a love for family just like my main character. Finally, Madeleine, my baby. She’s all kinds of sassy and strong, but she loves fiercely. You don’t want to get in her way. Madeleine, the character, is the same. Life has thrown her major curveballs, but she perseveres and protects her own.

And I’ll share a little exclusive here on Jo’s blog… my daughter, Reagan, does not love to read (it’s not my fault!). I thought she might want to read a book where she was the heroine. So, yes, it was partly a sneaky-Mom trick.

*****

Speaking of giveaways, the wonderful Heather Topham Wood is running one to celebrate 4,000 Likes on her Facebook page. Check it out...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

Mondays are my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-ins. 

Speaking of ROW80, Kait Nolan needed a bit of help and I rushed her an inspiration post. It's a tribute to this amazing group. Take a moment and read it here.

Have you ever run around all day, and someone asks, "What'd you do all day?" You know you never sat down and kicked some to-dos in the butt, but you can't put it into words. That's me, right now! After UtopYA, I'll get back to writing and more standard ROW80 updates.

Hope everyone is well!

Winners, Progress & UTopYA: ROW80 Update

For the first time, I held a GoodReads giveaway with Chasing Shadows. I felt really good about it. 479 people entered to win three signed copies (US only). The winners were from California, Washington, and Georgia.

Late last week, I mailed the copies to the winners along with a business card, bookmark, and note to please leave a review if they enjoyed the book.

As excited as I am for how Chasing Shadows is doing, my goal is to finish Chasing Forgiveness (and have it to my editor) by the end of summer. 

Marketing Chasing Shadows and writing Chasing Forgiveness are the focus of my ROW80 round. So far, so good.

Next Wednesday, I leave for Nashville and UtopYA. I am beyond excited. Not only will I meet some amazing writers for the first time (including my rocking editor and friend, Jo Michaels), but I can't wait to learn everything I can from the panels and experience.

Plus, my oldest daughter will also be attending. Whatever panels I can't attend, she will. It's like having a Personal Assistant. Score me!

Hope everyone is having an amazing Hump-Day.

Girls on Fire: A Dauntless Collection Cover Reveal

Today, I'm thrilled to share an awesome set of books with you. Check it out...

WITCH FALL – Amber Argyle

High Fantasy

Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the witches. Born of witches but raised among their enemies, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.

ETERNAL STARLING – Angela Corbett

Paranormal Romance

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie Starling. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

AWAKENING – Christy Dorrity

Fantasy

When an ancient curse threatens McKayla McCleery's family, she must decide what in her life is real and what is fantasy. Based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy that is rife with magic, romance, and mystery.

INEVITABLE – Tamara Hart Heiner

Suspense

Visions of death plague Jayne, who thinks watching her sister die is the worst that could happen to her. But when she witnesses a murder, Jayne realizes that the next death she sees might be her own.

WATCHED – Cindy M. Hogan

Romantic Suspense

Change. She longed for it.

A murder. She will never be the same.

THE FORGOTTEN ONES – Laura Howard

Fantasy

ELEMENTAL HUNGER – Elana Johnson

Futuristic Fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno that kills 17 schoolmates. Gabby will have to learn who she can trust, how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six feet under.

THE FAERIE GUARDIAN – Rachel Morgan

Fantasy

Kickbutt faerie Violet is about to graduate as the top guardian trainee of her class, but when an assignment goes wrong and the human boy she’s meant to be protecting follows her back into the fae realm, a dangerous plot is set in motion.

PERCEPTION – Lee Strauss

Dystopian/Romance

Eternal Life is to Die For.

A spoiled genetically altered girl needs the help of a jaded “natural” boy to find her missing brother.

INTRINSICAL – Lani Woodland

Paranormal

The gene that allows the women in Yara’s family to see and communicate with spirits seems to have passed her over. Until the night she rescues a local hottie from an attacking ghost. Her act of heroism attracts the attention of the evil spirit, and she finds herself entrenched in the middle of a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening her own life as well as that of her friends.

Publication date: June 16, 2014

Price: 99 cents for 10 amazing YA novels!

Links:

Goodreads 

Amazon

About the Authors:

Follow each author’s link to learn more about them and their books.

Amber Argyle

Angela Corbett

Christy Dorrity

Tamara Hart Heiner

Cindy M. Hogan

Laura Howard

Elana Johnson

Rachel Morgan

Lee Strauss

Lani Woodland

Check back here on Wednesday for my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update and other cool happenings. Happy Monday!

Certain Cover Reveal (NA & YA Compilation)

Another great cover to share today.

I'm particularly excited to share this cover, because it looks like a great set of stories. Check it out...

There are moments in life that take you by surprise - an outcome you weren’t expecting, an instant connection with a virtual stranger, or those warm tingles of new love. No matter what happens, you are certain that you will never be the same. Step inside and join these best-selling authors as they offer you a glimpse into the hearts and minds of some of your favorite characters. From dystopian to paranormal to contemporary romance, this collection provides a taste of all that you love.

Coming Soon to:

Available now!

Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

About the Authors:

Anna Cruise

Anna Cruise has been writing and drooling over boys since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change...

Her books include the best-seller IT WAS YOU, IF I FALL (Mature YA) and MAVERICK (Contemporary Romance. Additional titles include DOWN BY THE WATER (Romantic Suspense), SET IN STONE (YA Paranormal) and IT WAS ME and IT WAS US, the follow-up stories to IT WAS YOU.

Anna loves to hear from readers and authors. 

Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African Debut Author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her First Young Adult Dystopian Novel "The Broken Destiny. She is not only an author but works as a Sales Rep and Marketing Manager by day. She holds a diploma in creative writing through the writing school at Collage SA. Loves to swim, fights for the trees, food lover who is driven by her passion for life. Carlyle writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive - Help build a library in Africa project.

"My goal as an Author is to touch people's lives and help others love their differences and one another."

A firm believer in - YA saves!

CL Foster is eclectic, geeky, positive, nature-loving and completely non-"normal" (just the way she likes to be). She has been a fan of literature since she was a small child and finally decided to take her dreams (both waking and sleeping!) and do something positive with them.

CL has lived all over the world and has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Forensics. Which means you don't want to cross her because she knows how and where to hide a body so it's never found! She proudly admits to hearing voices in her head, but at times, her characters' impromptu visits can be rude and annoying. Thankfully, she has adequate patience for their shenanigans and can out ninja them any day of the week.

CL's voice is boisterous, sassy, and not finished yet! Stay tuned!

 

Delphina Henley is a stay at home mother of four, an avid reader and a shifter crack addict.  Her NA paranormal romance, Unless You Can Be A Unicorn, is set to release in October 2014. The prequel, "Always Be Yourself" is a part of the anthology, Certain.

E.L. Todd

My journey to this profession was slightly unorthodox. I received my bachelor's degree in biological sciences, worked as an award-winning researcher, and worked various jobs to pay the bills. While I enjoyed every moment of this adventure, it wasn't my passion. I've been writing since I was a young girl and have read anything that I can get my hands on. When people ask me what my favorite book is, I always respond, "All of them."

After I showed my work to my closest friends and gained their confidence, I realized that this is something I could commit my life to, something that I love. I never imagined--dreamed--that I could make a living as a writer. This is the greatest profession that I ever could have asked for, and I am so thankful for the support from everyone in my life. How many other jobs let you work in your pajamas?

I'm very grateful that I've had success with my various series. The Forever and Always Series is very close to my heart. I realize all the characters are fictitious, but in reality, they are real people living in my mind...as creepy as that sounds.

The Hawaiian Crush Series, The Essence Series, The Soul Saga, and the Southern Love Series are all also extensions of who I am, just played out in word. It's the greatest job in the world to explore different places and people and actually get to write about it. What makes it even better is when people love reading it.

When I receive fan mail through email, my website, or on Goodreads, I'm extremely flattered and humbled that people take the time out of their lives to compliment my work. I appreciate all the love and support. Without it, I would be nothing. I really would.

Kelly Risser knew at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the world of creative business writing where she worked in advertising, marketing, and training at various companies.

She's often found lamenting, "It's hard to write when there's so many good books to read!" So, when she's not immersed in the middle of someone else's fantasy world, she's busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten.

Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.

N.L. Greene is a writer of YA and NA Contemporary and Paranormal Romances. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two beautiful daughters. When she isn't writing or reading, she enjoys traveling around the world with her family, shopping and doing other girly things with her girls, or playing video games with her husband. She is a lover of dogs, chocolate, and anything pink!

 Randi Cooley Wilson was born and raised in Massachusetts where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she moved to California where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years. Randi now resides in Massachusetts with her husband and daughter.

 Sharon Rose Mayes lives in Lufkin, Texas with her two sons. She chronicles her daily life at her personal blog Not Your Mom Blog and has been active in the blogosphere for seven years. When she is not chasing her kids and playing soccer mom she writes and dreams of all of the places she can't wait to travel.

 Susan Burdorf has loved fairy tales since she was old enough to read. The story of Sleeping Beauty, on which Affliction is based, is one of her favorites. Susan lives a quiet life in Nashville TN where she enjoys taking time to explore her second childhood with her grandchildren,with whom she continues to read fairy tales long after they have fallen asleep. She can often be found searching for fairy rings in her backyard.