A new DARK DIVINE story, my Salt Lake Comic Con schedule, and my whole new Avenue

Hey peeps! Salt Lake Comic Con starts tomorrow, so I thought I'd let you know where you can find me.

Bree Despain Schedule:

Thursday September 24, 2015

3:00 p.m. The Legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, Room 250A

4:00 p.m. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Icon and Heroine for the Ages, Room 151G

5:00-6:00 p.m. Bree Despain Book Signing, Shadow Mountain - Booth 1401

Saturday September 26, 2015

10:00 a.m. On Faith and Firefly: Belief and Doubt Aboard Serenity, Room 150G

1:00 p.m. The Winchester Brothers: We Need to Talk About Supernatural, Room 151G

2:00 p.m. Welcome to Mystic Falls: Vampire Diaries and The Originals Room 151G

5:00-6:00 p.m. Bree Despain Book Signing, Shadow Mountain - Booth 1401

New Dark Divine Story:

Speaking of Salt Lake Comic Con . . . The organizers of SLCC have put together a charity anthology called HEROIC: TALES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY. (All proceeds benefit the Aaron Allston Foundation--a group dedicated to helping struggling writers and artists get the medical help they may not be able to afford.) SLCC asked me to contribute an original story to the anthology, and since I get so many requests for more information about what happens to Daniel and Grace after THE SAVAGE GRACE, I decided to write a DARK DIVINE spinoff story for the anthology. The story is called "How to Babysit a Werewolf. (And Other Perilous Deeds I Don't Recommend.)"

If you've been wondering what happened to Grace and Daniel, this story will give you a fun little glimpse into their future lives. Right now, the anthology is only available for attendees of SLCC, but I am told it will be made into an ebook that will be sold to the general public soon. If you're going to SLCC and want to preorder your copy now, go HERE. Otherwise, stay tuned for more info on when the ebook will be available.

I would love, love, love to turn this short story into a full blown novel someday, so if you enjoy the story, let me know. I may be able to make that request for a fourth Dark Divine novel happen someday. ;)

My New Avenue

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have noticed that I've been up to something that has nothing to do with writing. And now I am announcing my new adventure--or new "avenue." I've been a very busy bee lately--not only did I spend the summer finishing the manuscript for Into the Dark 3, I also spent it getting my new business ready to launch.

My sister and I are so excited to introduce you to our Instagram Boutique, Avenue Be. Our focus is on women's clothing and accessories--and we hope to add children's clothing in the future.

More about Us: At Avenue Be, we understand that everyone has different aspects to their personality and style. One day you may want to be edgy, while the next day you may want to be girly. Or flirty. Or classic. Or preppy. Or romantic. (Or even a combination of styles.) Whatever you're in the mood for, you've found the right avenue for high quality clothing and accessories at fabulous prices that help you be you. 

Please help us get started by following us on Instagram @shopavenuebe! Please like and share our posts when you can. Tag friends or Family! Our main focus is on our Instagram store, where we will post new items every weekday, and offer special pricing, however, you can also visit our website at www.shopavenuebe.com. And because you visit my blog, you get a special coupon code for 10% off your first purchase. Use coupon code: breefriend10 (Expires October 15th, 2015.)

I so appreciate you visiting our instagram store and any shout-outs you may be able to give us to your friends. We can't make it without word of mouth! XOXOXO! (Our hope is to get big enough to add children's, plus size, and fitness wear in the future.)

It has been so nice to have something to focus on that has nothing to do with the ups and downs of publishing--especially after the year I've had. But don't worry, I am not retiring from writing. I'm well into two different manuscripts that I am very excited about.

BEARSKIN by Jamie Robyn Wood (Interview and giveaway!)

Hey Peeps! Long time, no post, I know. But I'm dusting off the good ol' blog for a very special reason. Today, I have the honor of hosting one of my old critique partners and friend Jamie Robyn Wood. Jamie and I knew each other back in the old days when my Dark Divine series was a baby of a manuscript. Jamie gave me so much valuable feedback on the first Dark Divine novel that I am pleased to return the favor in a small part by telling you all about her debut YA novel, BEARSKIN. 

 

Isn't that cover gorgeous?

Here's what I had to say about BEARSKIN for the back of the book: "With well thought out world building and magic systems, Bearskin is an intriguing fairytale about deception, family ties, and the search for identity."

If you love fantasy, magic, and books about family, this is the read for you!

Today, I am hosting a Q&A with Jamie as well as a giveaway for a signed copy of her beautiful book. (As well as a bag of chocolate covered cinnamon bears--my favorite!!!) Check them out below.

Synopsis:

The witch dropped to her knees. Blood spilled outward from her belly. 

Moiria broke her gaze away from her dying mother and turned, amazed to find Conrad standing in the room. What would he think? 

“You’ve killed her,” he said, his voice a whisper full of fear and awe. “You’ve actually killed her.” 

When their mother, an evil enchantress, tries to convince Conrad, Moiria, and Heppson to follow her ways, each one must decide where the line lies between good and evil, magic and myth. But it will take more than good intentions to defend their kingdom against the danger that’s coming. 

Bio:

Jamie Robyn Wood is a full-time wife and mother, and a part-time fantasy writer and essayist. Over the years she has handed out money at banks, taught ballet, and managed to make dinner for her family semi-regularly. Jamie never imagined the wind could blow so hard and so cold until she moved to the Midwest. Now she prefers to hunker inside the house with a story to write. Bearskin is her first novel. She, her husband, their five children, and their “pet” squirrels currently reside in Coralville, Iowa.



Q and A:

1. I know as an author this is a hard question to answer, but I find it is the one readers always want to know—What was your inspiration for writing your book?

My inspiration for this book came from a picture book called The Bearskinner (http://www.amazon.com/Bearskinner-Tale-Brothers-Grimm/dp/0763627305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441251728&sr=8-1&keywords=Bearskinner). My daughter and I picked it up in the fairytale section at the Orem, Utah library. Their fairytale section rocks. There's a part in the book where a dirty stranger asks a girl to promise she will marry him. While her sisters find the idea ridiculous, she makes the promise. This idea of a promise despite unknowns was very interesting to me. What kind of girl would she have had to be to make this kind of promise? Why did she do it, and what came from it?

2. Who are some of your favorite authors or creators (artists, directors, screenwriters, etc.)? How have you been influenced by their work?

Another picture book that really influenced Bearskin was the book The Lady and the Lion (http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Lion-Brothers-Grimm-Tale/dp/0803726511/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441251878&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Lady+and+the+Lion) The artwork in this book includes some of my very favorite pictures. I love Laurel Long's illustrations because they are intricate and also because they carry emotion. Emotional art is always more meaningful to me.

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer or was there a special moment or event that inspired you to start writing?

I was always a reader, and I always wanted to find books that I loved. Eventually that included writing the books I was searching for. I really started writing once I had children. I needed a way to escape and create. I needed a purpose that was apart from the everyday.

3. What does your writing process look like? Do you have any quirky habits or special snacks you need on hand?

I write during nap time, although now I'm trying to move that time to mornings so I don't feel so stressed about finding a way to make it happen. I like to get a certain word count every day, though that word count changes depending on what's going on with my children at the time. I usually write a draft as far as I can get it, and then when I get stuck, I start over at the beginning. I find that when I start over I always discover things about my characters and plot that illuminate where I should head next.

4. If you could spend the day with one of your characters, whom would you choose and what would you want to do together?

I think I'd either spend the day with Heart - because she has a quirky sense of humor and would be willing to try anything, or with the Summer Guardian - who's usually a fish. She seems to know a lot about what's going on and what's important and what's not. Maybe she could fill me in a little. 

5. If your book were ever made into a movie, do you have any actors in mind to play your main characters?

Honestly I see Bearskin as more of a Japanimation flick. I think the Anime minds could do some really cool things with the animal/people in my book. I also think that Moiria's flirtation with evil could be explored so well in that genre. 

6. Some of the characters in your book have special magical abilities—if you could choose a special (either natural or supernatural) ability what would you choose and why?

All the magical abilities in Bearskin come with strings, and the people who ignore the strings end up in worse trouble than they started. With that said, I would love being able to change locations on a whim. There are so many amazing places and experiences in this world, it would be awesome to not be tied down by airplanes and dollars when it came to travel. 

Thank you so much, Jamie, for visiting the blog and doing a giveaway.

Jamie will be having a launch party for BEARSKIN at the King's English Bookshop this Friday, September 11th, at 7pm. I hope to see some of you there! More info: http://www.kingsenglish.com/event/jamie-robyn-wood-bearskin
 

For more info about Jamie, her book, and her giveaway, visit her blog here:

http://www.jamierobynwood.com/2015/08/26/the-lead-up-to-bearskins-release-and-a-giveaway/

And you can enter her giveaway with the Rafflecopter below: 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Character Name Contest Winners!

Thank you everyone who entered the contest! The entries have been tallied and the winners have risen victorious from the ashes . . . or something like that.

In case you were wondering, the answer to the anagram is:

A SHARE UNTOLD = HEART AND SOUL
(As in the gifts that Daphne needs to use to get the Eternity Key.)

Most entrants got the answer right, though there were a few interesting guesses as well. The grand prize winner and the runner up winners are below.

The grand prize winner who will have a character named after her in Into The Dark Book 3, as well as win a $25 iTunes giftcard and a Cupid's Arrow ring is:  

Jessica Ball 

The runner up winners who will receive a Cupid's Arrow Ring and an Into The Dark swag pack are:

Emily Smith
Molly Maurer
Danelle Kovenich Simons 

Winners, please email me at readbree@gmail.com with your shipping address in order to claim your prize. You must claim your prize within the next 30 days or else it will be forfeit.  

If you didn't win, be sure to check back on the blog often (or join my newsletter so you'll be in the know) because I love hosting giveaways. There will be more to come!  

 

Contest: Be a Character in Into The Dark Book 3!!!

My big news: Yes, there will be a third book in the Into The Dark series! Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Lerner Books, will be publishing Book 3 (most likely in Fall 2016). That means Haden and Daphne will get the ending to their story that I always envisioned!


I cannot tell you how excited I am!!! So to show you, I am celebrating with a contest . . .

One lucky winner will receive the Grand Prize:
Have a character named after you in Into The Dark Book 3.
A Cupid's Arrow Ring.
And because Daphne and Haden love music so much: a $25 iTunes giftcard.

Three runners up will win:
A Cupid's Arrow Ring and an Into The Dark swag pack.

All you have to do to enter is solve the following anagram and then use the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

A SHARE UNTOLD

Hints:
3 words
Reading THE ETERNITY KEY will help you solve the puzzle.
Daphne's gifts. 

Rules:
U.S. Residents only.
The contest is open for two weeks (so if you need a little help solving the puzzle, you have enough time to read THE ETERNITY KEY).
The winners names will be posted here on the blog on May 28th. Winners will have 30 days to claim their prize or else their prize will be forfeit.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Eternity Key book trailer, launch party, ebook snafu, and more!

Hey all! It's been one week since the release of THE ETERNITY KEY in the US. I can barely believe it. My book and I celebrated it's launch by visiting the Eiffel Tower after participating in the Teen Author Smash at the American Library of Paris. We hung out, took pics, and toasted each other with bottled water in plastic champagne glasses. It was great fun!

Eiffel tower fun! Also pictured, author J.R. Johansson

But the celebration isn't over--in fact the real party is coming up this Saturday!

Official THE ETERNITY KEY launch party deets:

Saturday, May 9th, 2 p.m. at The King's English Bookshop. I'll be doing a short booktalk, reading, Q&A, and signing. If you can make it for the whole thing, or even just stop by (I imagine I'll be there until about 3:30p.m. or 4p.m.) I would love to see you!

As an added bonus, everyone* who gets a book signed at the launch party will get one of these awesome Cupid's Arrow rings. Each color has a different meaning--and if you've already read Eternity Key, you know how important Cupid's arrows are to the story.

If you can't make it to the launch party, you can pre-order a signed copy of the book from King's English, and I'll include a ring for them to send to you in your shipment. Be sure to tell them you want a signed copy!)

Other items of business:

Ebook snafu: If you were one of the kind souls who pre-ordered the ebook version of THE ETERNITY KEY, you may have received an email from Amazon or B&N saying that the book has been canceled. THIS IS NOT TRUE. There was a snafu in the transition between publishers (from Egmont to Lerner Books) and all of my ebooks were temporarily removed all major retailers. The bad news is that everyone who pre-ordered the book had their pre-order canceled. (Boo!) The good news is that everything has been ironed out, and all of my ebooks are back up for sale. So if you had your order canceled or weren't able to find the ebook last week, you can order it now without any problem.

The Eternity Key book trailer:
While I was away in France, my number one fan made me a book trailer for THE ETERNITY KEY. I think it's pretty cool! Check it out:



RT Convention and Dallas book signing!
The celebration continues for one more week as I head off to the RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas, Texas from May 12th-17th. I'll be speaking on a panel about author cross promotion and reading some really embarrassing stuff I wrote as a teenager during RT Teen Day. You'll also be able to find me at the YA Spooky Slumber Party and the You're Never Too Old Party. 

I will also be signing at the Giant (and I mean GIANT) Book Fair on Saturday, May 16th, from 11am to 2pm. The book fair is open to the public but does require the purchase of a ticket. Details HERE. 

That's all for now. I hope to see some of you soon! 

 

Into the Dark Series Character Profile: Tobin Oshiro-Winters

Releasing in paperback 4/14/15

Name: Tobin Oshiro-Winters (a.k.a. Toby--but only his mother calls him that, and he hates it).

Hair color: Black

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5'6"

Build: Slim but toned and muscular from years of dance training.

Favorite food: The Oshiro family's infamous spider roll . . . or Swedish Fish.

Favorite drink: Mountain Dew Code Red

Special Skills: Singing, dance, sailing, amateur conspiracy theorist, occasional hacker and code breaker.

Releasing in hardcover 4/28/15

Weaknesses: Under the thumb of a controlling mother, overly obsessed with exposing conspiracies surrounding strange disappearances of teenaged girls from his town,  jumps to quick conclusions.

Life goal:  Become the next Bruno Mars--and find his missing sister, Abbie.

Character inspirations: Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Christian Reed from Dance Academy, and Sammy Lieberman from Dance Academy. 

Into the Dark Series Character Profile: Daphne Raines

Releasing in paperback 4/14/2015

Name: Daphne Raines (a.k.a. The Cypher)

Hair color: Golden blonde

Eye color: blue

Height: Just little over 6 feet

Build: Tall and curvy--often described as looking like an amazon.

Favorite food: BBQ bacon cheese burger with avocado and a single onion ring.

Releasing in hardcover 4/28/2015

Favorite drink: Rootbeer!

Special skills: singing, guitar, floral design, animal charming, can hear special tones and music put off by all living/organic things. Uses these tones and sounds to read people and situations. (May be able to do even more with this ability--like control the elements.)

Weaknesses: Abandonment issues from being raised without her father, has difficulty letting people in, overly focused on her goals, can't drive. 

Life goal: Become a world famous musician on her own merit--not because her father is a the Joe Vince "the God of Rock." 

Character inspirations: Taylor Swift meets Dean Winchester from Supernatural + Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Into the Dark Series Character Profile: Haden Lord

Releasing in paperback 4/14/2015!

Name: Haden Lord (a.k.a. Lord Haden, Prince of the Underrealm)

Hair color: Dark brown hair in daylight. Appears midnight black in the dark.

Eyes: Jade green with amber fire rings around his pupils. Sometimes, especially when vexed or otherwise emotional, it looks like he has actual flames dancing in his eyes.

Height: about 6'4"

Build: Big and muscular like a Spartan warrior.

Favorite food: Braised hydra in plum sauce and steamed griffin's milk  . . . or pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Favorite drink: Pomegranate nectar--definitely not soda like Daphne, it burns!

Special skills: tracking, hunting, sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, languages, stealth--to the

Releasing in hardcover 4/28/2015

point of being almost invisible in the dark, playing the guitar and singing (he just doesn't know it yet!)

Weaknesses: Impulsive, sometimes selfish, occasionally compassionate of the less fortunate, sentimental about his deceased mother, too human.

Life Goal: To have his honor restored and to reclaim his standing as heir to the throne of the Underrealm. (Or so he thinks.)

Character inspirations: Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sam Winchester from Supernatural, Castiel from Supernatural, Thor and a little bit of Loki. 

Eternity Key launch party info and YASH winners!

Announcement: The launch party for THE ETERNITY KEY will be Saturday, May 9th at 2pm at The King's English Bookshop. I would love to see you there! If you can't make it, you can pre-order a signed copy of the book from TKE online and they will ship it to you. You can even request a personalization. Just be sure to mention that you want the book signed/personalized in the comments of the order form.

Reminder: THE SHADOW PRINCE ebook is still on sale for $1.99 on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I imagine this deal will go away once the paperback edition of the book launches on April 14th. If you want an inexpensive ebook, grab it now!

YASH Winner:

The winner of my giveaway of a The Shadow Prince paperback and swag pack is: Isabella Plummer.

Winner, please email me at readbree@gmail.com with your shipping address to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you within 30 days, your prize will be forfeit. 

Become an Into the Dark Series Ambassador!

Edit: Due to overwhelming response (thank you!) I have gone ahead and closed the application form for series ambassadors. Everyone who applied will be contacted by Sunday evening. 


Hey all, I have 3 big things to share with you!

First: 

The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark book 1) ebook is currently on sale on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for only $1.99!  I don't know how long this sale will last, so you might want to take advantage while you can!

Second:

The release dates for The Shadow Prince paperback and The Eternity Key (Into the Dark book 2) hardcover in the U.S. are coming up fast.  The Shadow Prince paperback will be available April 14th and The Eternity Key will be available in hardback and ebook on April 28th, a full 3 weeks earlier than was originally announced!

Third:

Become an Into the Dark Series Ambassador! (Pretty please?)

With the roller-coaster of news of my original publisher, Egmont USA, closing it's doors and my books being acquired by Lerner Books, the future of the Into the Dark series is a little bit up in the air at the moment. Which means I need a little help from my friends (and fans, or just general book loving people). I'm looking for a few good folks who would be willing to become ambassadors for my Into the Dark series in order to give The Shadow Prince paperback and The Eternity Key hardcover the best possible send off into the world this coming April. The better these books do out of the gate, the better the chances that Book 3 in the series will be published. And believe me, once you finish The Eternity Key, you are going to want Book 3!

I've already experienced an overwhelming show of support and best wishes from many of you (seriously, just thinking about it makes me a bit verklempt) and so many people have said to let them know how they can help--so I've decided to create a very tangible way for people to help give the Into the Dark series a well-needed boost.

Here's the deal:

The Into The Dark Series Ambassadors will be a consortium of friends and fans all working together to tell others about Haden and Daphne. If you would like to sign up as a series ambassador, I will provide you with the tools you will need, including books, content, and swag to help promote and talk about the Into the Dark series.
  

As an ambassador you will receive:

1. 3 to 4 copies of The Shadow Prince paperback. 1 personalized to keep for yourself and 2 or 3 signed pass-along copies to give away. How you give them away is up to you--host a contest, gift to a "loudmouth" book loving friend, donate to a high school class . . . however you think will spread the word about the series in the best way.
2. 1 signed The Eternity Key ARC. (To keep for yourself or pass along.)
3. Additional pass-along swag (i.e. bookmarks, charms, etc.)
4. Exclusive teaser content to be posted on your social media platforms once a week for 6 weeks. (For the 4 weeks leading up to the release of The Eternity Key in the U.S. and the 2 weeks after.) Content may include teaser quotes, book excerpts, character profiles, videos, and exclusive interviews. Don't worry, I will do all the work--all you have to do is post the content on its designated day.
5. A Series Ambassador badge that you can post on your social media sites if you choose.
6. Your name listed in the acknowledgements of Into the Dark book 3 (when it's published because y'all are going to rock getting the word out about the series.)
7. A special exclusive thank you gift from me. (Every ambassador who posts all 6 weeks worth of content and gives away their pass-along books will receive a very special gift from me as a thank you. Trust me, you'll want it. It's adorable!)

All I ask in return is that you spread the word about The Shadow Prince and The Eternity Key by posting, talking, and sharing. There are a few of restrictions though.
  

1.  This opportunity is unfortunately only open to U.S. residents or people with a U.S. shipping address--because international shipping costs are a bear. 

2. You need to have a social media presence where you can post content--and agree to post the content you are provided with each week for the 6 weeks. (All content will be PG friendly.)

3. I only have so many books to give away, so I will have to limit the number of official ambassadors to 20 individuals/households.  (However, that doesn't mean you can't participate by linking, sharing, and talking as much as you want in an unofficial capacity.)

4. Postage is expensive and I only have so many supplies, so please, please, do not sign up to be a series ambassador if do not plan to (or are unable to) fully commit to posting my content for the 6 weeks and to finding a great home for the pass-along books.

So how do I sign up you ask?  Great question!  Just fill out the form below before Noon MDT on Saturday, April 4th.  We will review all applicants and contact you once you have been selected, which will likely be sometime on Sunday, April 5th.  The first content post will be sent out to ambassadors early next week. If you have any questions, be sure to let me know either in the comments or by using the contact button above. If you know someone who would be interested in being an ambassador, please pass this information to them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who is even considering becoming a series ambassador! I am able to do what I do because of people like you!

#LastListEgmont Blog Hop: List of places you can enter to win my books

The wonderful Kat Kennedy at Cuddlebuggery has put together a huge blog hop to help spread the word about Egmont's Last List. There are guest posts, author Q&As, and giveaways galore. Here's a list of where you can find Q&As with me as well as giveaways of signed copies of my books. Even with many of Egmont's books being picked up by Lerner, the Last List authors still need a lot of support during the transition--so be sure to check out the blog hop, enter some giveaways, and tell your friends and followers to do the same!

Confessions of a Book Geek (The Shadow Prince giveaway- International) https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2015/03/02/last-list-blog-hop-interview-with-bree-despain/

 Pili from In Love with Handmade (The Shadow Prince giveaway- International) http://pili-inlovewithhandmade.blogspot.com/2015/03/last-list-blog-hop-q-with-bree-despain.html

Reading Teen (The Eternity Key giveaway- International) http://www.readingteen.net/2015/03/the-last-list-blog-hop-giveaway.html

Wonderland Novels (The Eternity Key giveaway- International) http://wonderlandnovels.blogspot.com/2015/03/blog-hop-q-with-ya-author-bree-despain.html

Chasm of Books (The Eternity Key giveaway- International) http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/03/last-list-egmont-interview.html

There should be a couple of more coming, so I will update this list if needs be. 

My new publisher: Lerner aquires Egmont titles

 

Good News: My books have found a new home at Lerner Publishing! My five existing books (including the very soon to be released THE ETERNITY KEY) will now be published through Lerner. 

What does this mean for the third book in my Into the Dark series? Hope! 

I don't know yet if Lerner will want to publish Book 3, but the reality of it happening is much more likely now. Every preorder, every post of support, and every time you mention one of my books to a friend, that reality comes a little closer. Thank you so much to everyone who has shown their support through this rough month. Xoxo.

2015 Comic Con FanX Schedule

Woohoo! I'm headed back to one of my favorite events: Salt Lake Comic Con FanX! Here is where you can find me (talking about some of my absolute favorite shows that inspire my writing). I will have a bunch of free advanced copies of THE ETERNITY KEY to give out at my signings. Come see me! 

Ten Years of Supernatural

Thursday, January 29, 5:30 pm-6:20 pm. Ballroom B

The Whedonverse: The Past, Present, and Future of Joss

Friday, January 30, 11:00 am-11:50 pm. Room 250A

Book Signing

Friday, January 30, 1:00-2:00 pm 

(at Shadow Mountain booth between the #2000-2100 aisles on the expo floor.)

From Aang to Zuko - The Legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra

Saturday, January 31, 1:30 pm-2:20 pm. Room 151G

Book Signing

Saturday, January 31, 5:00-6:00 pm
(at Shadow Mountain booth between the #2000-2100 aisles on the expo floor.)

Publishing news and the future of my books . . .

 If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that I've been holed up in my deadline cave for the last few weeks, working on book 3 of my Into The Dark series. The first draft was supposed to be due on February 1st, and Wednesday morning I was riding high on having written 4300 words the day before and was just settling into my writing routine . . . when my phone rang. I jumped to answer it as I do any time a call comes in from New York, just in case it's my editor or agent is calling. This time it was my editor, but what she had to say was wholly unexpected.

Egmont USA, my publisher, will be closing its doors on January 30th.

The word heartbroken doesn't even seem to cover how I am feeling right now. I sold my very first book to Egmont USA in January 2009, and I was working on my sixth book for them when I got the news. It feels like I am losing part of family. I have so much respect and gratitude for the wonderful staff who will all be out of jobs at the end of the month. I am grief struck for all of the authors who have had books canceled (including myself), utterly upset over what this means for my characters and their stories, and disappointed on behalf of my readers who have so graciously invested themselves in my writing.

I find myself rotating through the stages of grief, but most of all, I feel determined to make sure this is not the end of the road for me or my books. I am also immensely grate for all the calls, texts, emails, messages, flowers, and offers of support and help. The best thing about bad news is the outpouring of love that comes afterwards.

So what exactly does this all mean? I don't know a lot at this point, but here is what I do know:

1. The paperback edition of THE SHADOW PRINCE and the hardcover of THE ETERNITY KEY will still be published within the next few months.  They were originally scheduled to be released in April and May respectively, but those dates may move up. (So hurray, you may get to read THE ETERNITY KEY even sooner than originally planned!) However, with my publisher leaving, that means most of my marketing and publicity will go with it. I will be brainstorming ways to spread the word on my own.

2. My backlist books (THE DARK DIVINE, THE LOST SAINT, THE SAVAGE GRACE, ant THE SHADOW PRINCE hardcover) will continue be available through one of Egmont UK's distributors. However, I don't know exactly for how long. (So if you ever wanted to buy one of my books but haven't yet, now is the time to do it.) I'll keep you posted if anything changes with my books' availability. The same goes for THE ETERNITY KEY--it will be available, but I don't know for how long.

3. As far as the future of Into The Dark Book 3, that's all up in the air right now. I have 2/3rds of a first draft written of the book so far--and I have to admit, I really love how the story is going so far. I love Haden and Daphne, and I will be absolutely devastated if I don't get to finish their story. Right now, I am exploring options for getting Book 3 into the hands of my readers. 

4. A lot of people have been asking how they can help and I am so incredibly grateful for this. So here is how people can help: pre-order, post, tell a friend, spread the word of mouth about THE SHADOW PRINCE and THE ETERNITY KEY.  I have gotten so many sweet messages from friends telling me that Book 3 will certainly find a new home with a new publisher--but the reality of this is unlikely. Most traditional publishers won't be interested in picking up a third book in a series. However, the better THE ETERNITY KEY sells, the better those slim chances get. And on the other hand, if I decide to self publish Book 3, the better THE ETERNITY KEY sells, the more likely I will be able to afford the expenses of going it alone. So yeah, if you've ever had the inclination to buy either THE SHADOW PRINCE or THE ETERNITY KEY, now is the time to do it. I hate asking people to buy my books, but if you can spare a pre-order, please do so. If buying a book isn't something you can do, that's totally cool. Requesting the books from your local library is also very helpful. Tweeting, reviewing, Facebooking and Goodreads-ing (is that a word? it should be) makes a big difference. Word of mouth is vital in this business, and right now I could use every word I can get.

5. I'll probably be looking to set up a blog tour and reviews for THE ETERNITY KEY soon. If you're interested, please let me know either through the comments or by clicking that contact button in my header.

Thank you so much to everyone who has ever bought, read, or shared one of my books. My stories exist because of YOU.