I'm also celebrating the beginning of my school visits for the 2014/2015 school year. My first visit will be this Thursday at an elementary school I have presented to twice already! The teachers there love my book and author visits so much they have invited me back for a third time.
If you are a children's picture book, chapter book, or YA author, I recommend you reach out to schools, libraries and bookstores to represent not only your books, but you as a person. I firmly believe in word of mouth which is why my children's book work has been such a success. You might get nervous at first but eventually, it will be like riding a bike!
AND NOW, THE SOULLESS BLOG TOUR!!
Title: SOULLESSSeries: Maiden of Time
Author: Crystal Collier
Pages: 263
Pub Date: October 13, 2014
Publisher: Raybourne Publishing
ISBN: 9781629830032
The Soulless are coming.
Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she’s forced to unleash her true power.
And risk losing everything.
What reviewers are saying:
"5 Stars." - Invincible Love of Reading Book Blog
"I LOVED it! So good. Seriously...exceeded my expectations." -Kristin Smith, advanced reviewer
"Entirely unique and chilling." Gabby @ What’s Beyond Forks
"Unputdownable." T.C. Mckee, BookFish Books
Excerpt:
A shadow stepped from the trees, a woman with long, auburn hair and ghostly-pale skin. She smirked wickedly at Alexia before turning her attention to Kiren. She rubbed her temples.
Kiren shuddered. The woman glared at him. He grabbed his head with one hand, toppling onto an elbow.
Alexia stepped forward. The woman’s face slackened, hands dropping.
Bellezza leapt between them, her hideous snarl turned to the attacker. “Only a coward fights from the shadows. I hate cowards.” Her chin lifted toward Alexia. “Cover your ears!”
Alexia obeyed but the girl’s shriek pierced through her fingers. Her heart clenched and ceased beating. Red lines zipped across her vision. She landed on her hip, begging for Bellezza to stop. The sting of pollen haunted her nose, like the sick perfume of soon-to-be decay.
Silence.
Her heart thudded again. Alexia’s head snapped up.
The deadly child crouched, muscles tight, head turned—as if listening to something behind her. Their attacker was gone.
Alexia twisted.
The estate sat on the shoulders of thick blackness. At least a hundred red eyes pierced through the darkness, a blanket of ragged pitch writhing across the yard.
The Soulless.
Giveaway:
Author Bio:
Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, or follow her on Twitter.
Have you read Moonless or Soulless? How awesome does this series sound? Wish me luck for my author visit and don't forget to grab your copies of Moonless and Soulless!!!
Gina, how exciting! Good luck with your school visits this year. I know you're going to do great. And congrats, Crystal! Wishing you much success on your latest release! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Quanie!
DeleteThanks, Quanie! Your support is greatly appreciated=)
ReplyDeleteSo excited for Crystal!!
Congrats to Crystal! It's been great seeing her book all over the place! And hope you have a blast at your school visits!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meradeth. It's all about visibility, right?
DeleteThank you, Meradeth! And Crystal's book sure has been getting around the blogosphere. Can't wait to read it myself.
ReplyDeleteSchool visits are great. I have two set up on December 1st.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Kelly! You are going to rock.
DeleteGina, thank you so much for hosting today, and I'm seriously loving how you get out and share. I think school visits would be a blast--one day. You make me want to hop into it now, but we have to know our limits, eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, we sure do! You have accomplished so much already and have quite the plate to be proud of. You will know when you are ready and when you are, kids are going to love you and your writing!:)
ReplyDeleteGood idea on the school visits. I should start building relationships with local teachers and librarians sooner rather than later! Is SOULLESS the sequel to another book? It sounds so action-packed. Thanks for hosting the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteIt totally is (both action packed and a sequel)--Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy. Nice to meet you, Kiersi!
DeleteKiersi, you would enjoy Crystal's writing. I loved Moonless, the first book, and have Soulless waiting for me in my Kindle=)
DeleteI highly recommend building those relationships! Schools like to welcome in people who have built a name for themselves. Most of my visits have been from teachers who have had me in their schools and recommended me to others.
I have already added to my list. Looks fab.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like a great read!
DeleteHow awesome!!! I haven't done a school visit yet! The only offer I've gotten was for a school that was 3 hours away and couldn't pay and I just couldn't justify taking the day off from my freelance writing clients for no pay. I'd do a local one for free, though.
ReplyDeleteYea, that's a tough one Stephanie. I definitely wouldn't take off from my day job to travel all that way for a school visit. But I do most of my local presentations for free and don't mind at all. I love gaining the experience and getting my book out there. I do know authors such as Dan Gutman and Patricia Polacco earning anywhere up to $2500 dollars for one day visits! Plus travel expenses. Wouldn't that be nice!!
DeleteCongrats on your impending school visits, Gina! Yay for Crystal's new book and the fabulous giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lexa! I'm excited for my visit this week and rooting for Crystal's success for her new book=)
DeleteYay! I'll second everything.
DeleteCongratulations on the visit! Sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Good luck with the giveaway!
Delete*thumbs up*
DeleteHave a wonderful time with your schedule. I need to move Crystal's books higher in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering to share my cover. :)
Anytime, Medeia! I will email you about the details.
DeleteI have so many books in my TBR but Crystal's has already been bumped up!
I love seeing Crystal here on your blog, Gina! I have read Moonless and I LOVED IT! I can't wait to read Soulless.
ReplyDeleteHi, Crystal! Here's some cheese. :D
So cool you read Moonless too, Chrys! And we all know how much Crystal loves her cheese=)
DeleteGreat meeting you at Christine's blog, Gina. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteCool seeing Crystal here!
Nice to meet you too, Carol! Thanks for stopping by:)
DeleteGo Crystal, go!! I'm so excited for you :) And congratulations to you both! Gina, I love how much joy and fun you get out of the school visits, and I love what you said on my blog about defining success that way. That makes me even more excited for you to start these visits - and to be asked back!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Go Crystal!=)
DeleteIt's so true, Liz! The children really make a HUGE difference on the outcome of the fulfillment of my heart's desires. I literally have tears in my eyes sometimes, especially when I visit low income schools who can't afford author visits. My job as an author is a blessing and I am uplifted by every single visit.
Congrats to Crystal!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's great that you are doing the school visits, Gina! I'd be so nervous doing them.
[And thank you so, so much for the fantastic review of Reborn! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. It completely made my day!]
I was really nervous for my first visit but to be honest, the children are always so well behaved and pleasant. Plus, they ask you tons of questions so by the end of the visit, you don't even realize how much time has gone by.
DeleteI loved Reborn! Looking forward to the next book=)
I'd definitely be one of the nervous ones ... probably too nervous to even dare to ask them if my little book might find a place with them. :P But you're right! I should get over that. hehe
ReplyDeleteTrust me, it took a lot of confidence and courage to read and present myself for the first time. I started small, in classrooms and when I felt more comfortable, I moved onto libraries and eventually, assemblies. Start small and end big!
DeleteCongratulations to Crystal on the release of 'Moonless!' That's a gorgeous cover and a fabulous giveaway. And best of luck with the school visits, Gina, not that you'll need more because you sound like you're having such a grand time already!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claudine! I totally agree, the cover of Soulless is beautiful=)
ReplyDeleteVery cool of you to reach out to schools. Also cool that you did this hop!
ReplyDelete