E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 8

I am a guest again this year at Boskone in Boston, MA.  This is a fantastic gathering of science fiction and fantasy authors, including Brandon Sanderson, Max Gladstone, Dana Cameron, Scott Lynch, John Langan, Charles Stross, Sarah Beth Durst, Elizabeth Bear, Paul Tremblay, and many more!

What: Boskone 54 Fantasy and Science Fiction Convention When: February 17-19thWhere: Westin Waterfront Hotel, Boston, MAWebsite: www.boskone.org
Keep reading for details on my Boskone programming schedule.  I hope to see you at Boskone 54. 

E.J. Stevens' Boskone 54 Schedule
FRIDAY

Wizards, Warlocks, and Witches
Friday 3-4pm, Harbor II

Victorian Vampires
Friday 9-10pm, Harbor II

SATURDAY

Reading by E.J. Stevens
Saturday 11:00 - 11:30, Griffin

Great Ghost Stories
Saturday 5-6pm, Harbor III

SUNDAY

Autographing: Dana Cameron, Leigh Perry, Allen M. Steele, E.J. Stevens
Sunday 12-1pm, Galleria - Autographing

Shelley and Austen
Sunday 2-3pm, Marina 3 

Are you going to Boskone 54?


Get the complete Boskone 54 schedule here.

We have a special sneak peek book excerpt and signed book giveaway for urban fantasy fans today to celebrate the release of Rattle the Bones, the sixth novel in the fabulous (seriously, if you haven't read these books, go fill your ereader now!) Vesik series by Eric R. Asher.

Keep reading for a chance to win one of three RATTLE THE BONES paperbacks signed by the author!


Rattle the Bones (Vesik #6) by Eric R. Asher.

Much has been lost in the conflict with the Fae king and his allies, a conflict we hadn’t known we were in until one of our own fell at his hand. And while a great Seal between realms may have been rebuilt, dark things slipped through in the chaos, creatures who would overrun this world. Our allies are many. Our enemies are terrible. And someone ate my last chimichanga despite the fact I had marked it with a note that clearly said it was mine.

 Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes
Genre: Supernatural Suspense, Urban Fantasy Keywords: #Necromancer #Paranormal #Supernatural #UrbanFantasy
Book Excerpt: Rattle the Bones
     “These are the best effects I’ve ever seen,” an older girl said, maybe a teenager or just out of those awful years. “It feels like stone.”
     “Momma says all the people in that shop love Satan,” a little boy said.
     “I have lived enough millennia to know evil,” Aeros said. “Despite any transgression those people may have committed, they are benevolent.”
     A woman on a bench nearby started fidgeting. She either didn’t realize Aeros was with us, or she thought this was all for fun.
     “You have him talking to people?” Edgar said. “They think it’s a show?”
     “Some of them,” Zola said as she turned and lowered her voice.
     “And not an advertising gimmick?” I asked. I raised my voice. “Maybe we should hang a sign around his neck, could get some extra business.”
     The Old God turned to look at me. I was fairly certain he had a few choice words for me, but he kept them to himself. There were kids present after all.

What did you think of the book excerpt?  Have you read the Vesik series?  Do you have a favorite character?  I'm excited to see Edgar the Watcher and Zola the necromancer return in Rattle the Bones.
Rattle the Bones Giveaway
We are giving away 3 signed copies of Rattle the Bones (Vesik #6) by Eric R. Asher.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is international.  Giveaway ends February 9th.

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Good luck!

Do you love audiobooks?  Want to win Ivy Granger series audiobook swag?


Ivy Granger Audio Swag Giveaway
We are giving away an Ivy Granger Prize Pack, including custom earbuds (choice of green or black), an Ivy Granger button, and signed postcard.
EarbudsButtonSigned Postcard
To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is open to US/CA/UK.  Giveaway ends January 27, 2016.

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Want to enter the world of Ivy Granger?  SHADOW SIGHT, the first novel in the award-winning Ivy Granger urban fantasy series, is Whispersync for Voice-Ready.  Grab the Kindle ebook for $3.99 and get the audiobook on Audible for only $1.99.

Whispersync for Voice-Ready books in this series:

SHADOW SIGHT - Kindle | Audible
GHOST LIGHT - Kindle | Audible
CLUB NEXUS - Kindle | Audible
BURNING BRIGHT - Kindle | Audible
BIRTHRIGHT - Kindle | Audible

Happy listening!

Did you know that you can follow E.J. Stevens on BookBub ?  Follow me on BookBub and be the first to know about book launches and limited-time discounts!



*Hint: New books and discounts coming soon!*

Celebrate the Super Simple Guide to Self-Publishing and Super Simple Guide to Book Marketing release day and win a 2017 Planner!


Happy book birthday to the Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Self-Publishing and the Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Book Marketing!  To celebrate, we're giving away a gorgeous 2017 Planner.


Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Self-Publishing by E.J. Stevens.

Want to self-publish a bestseller?

This simple introductory guide will give you the basic information you need to begin self-publishing.

Whether you are writing your first novel or looking to breathe new life into your backlist, this guide will give you the tools you need to successfully self-publish. Useful information, direct links to resources, checklists, and step-by-step tutorials will help you create a professional quality book.

Simple tips will save you time that you can spend on writing, publishing, and promoting your next bestseller.

This book provides an introduction to:

Building a Writing TemplateCopyrightBeta Readers and EditorsISBN and BarcodeFont LicensingBook CoversARCsEbook FormattingPrint Book FormattingSEO, Keywords, and BISAC CategoriesRetail Product PagesPricingAudiobooks and NarratorsTranslations and Translators
Each chapter will take you one step, leap, or bound closer to successfully publishing your book. Grab your cape. It's time to be an indie publishing hero!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes
Add to Goodreads.
ISBN: 9781946046024  |  ASIN: B01M3QJJW5


Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Book Marketing by E.J. Stevens.

Want to improve book sales?

This simple introductory guide will give you the basic information you need to begin promoting your book. Learn how to find readers, increase sales rank, and become a bestseller. Both independently published and traditionally published authors will benefit from the tips, strategies, and checklists provided in this how-to guide.

This book provides an introduction to:

Building an Author PlatformWebsite and BloggingSocial MediaEmailMedia KitCreating a Marketing PlanBook Swag and Promotional ItemsBlog Tours, Cover Reveals, and Book BlastsGiveawaysInterviews and Guest PostsBook Reviews and ARC ReviewsRetail Product PagesSEO, Keywords, and BISACAdvertising and Price PromotionsBuilding a Newsletter Mailing ListBookstores, Libraries, and Sell SheetsBook Signings and Conventions
Begin using these simple methods to help your book sales soar.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes
Add to Goodreads.
ISBN: 9781946046031  |  ASIN: B01M257XCK


Super Simple Guides Release Party Giveaway
We're giving away a custom pen and a gorgeous 2017 Planner. 

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  Giveaway is open to US/CA/UK.  Giveaway ends January 31, 2017 midnight EST.

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We have a special giveaway to celebrate Jeremy Remy's worldwide distribution of I.AM.MAINE and the release of C.L. Alden's debut novel THE EMPIRE.  Keep reading for a chance to win fabulous prizes!


Maine Author Giveaway
We are giving away a Maine Author "Taste of Home" prize pack, including:

Signed copy of The Empire by C.L. AldenSigned copy of I.Am.Maine by Jeremy FlaggAuthentic Maine Sea GlassPredict-A-PenStrand Coffee MugStrand Postcard
To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is International.  Giveaway ends January 20, 2017 7:00 PM EST.

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Have you lived in or visited Maine?

We have a special giveaway today sponsored by Jeremy Flagg the author of the Children of Nostradamus series, including NIGHTHAWKS.


X-Men Adventures and Nighthawks Giveaway
We are giving away an X-Men Adventures Prize pack, including:
X-Men Adventures #1Animated X-Men Adventures (Disc 1 - 4)Generation X Jubilee Action FigureNighthawks Logo T-ShirtNighthawks Dogtags
To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is International.  Giveaway ends January 18, 2017 at 7:00 PM EST.

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Good luck!

Please welcome today's guest author, Bec. R. Robertson.  Bec is the author of The Fallen paranormal romance series, including FALLEN HEART. 

Q+A with Bec R. Robertson
EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Bec:  I first started writing (terrible poetry) when I was about 12 or 13 years old.  Looking back I cringe at the awfulness but the time it was a much needed way to express all those bottled up feelings of adolescent frustration I felt.  As well, another motivating thing for me was my English teacher in high school.  He was one of the only teachers in my rather staid and conversation school that I liked and actually got on with.  He was a rather flamboyant character and he just totally inspired me as he had such a passion for fiction.  When he used to read books out to us he really made them come alive.

EJ:  What brought you to the fantasy genre?

Bec:  I have always been a fan of the fantasy genre, ever since I fell in love with CS Lewis's fantastic Chronicles of Narnia.  I had the seed of an idea in my head before I came to write The Fallen Trilogy series but it was a while before I got down to the nitty gritty of actually committing fingers to keyboard.  When I did, I had the most fun I've had writing in any genre, so you can definitely expect me to return to the genre again, even after the series is all wrapped up.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal creature or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Bec:  I think I would be an angel, as I would like to be able to help people and guide them while also not having to fear death or dying. Angels have always held a particular fascination for me, and I find a lot of the artwork inspired by them beautiful too. This love of angels and the myths and legends surrounding them is partly what inspired me when I sat down to write Fallen Heart.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Bec:  If you enjoy urban fantasy that's heavy on suspense, secrets, and lashings of epic romance, you should definitely check out Fallen Heart.  Full of the mythology of angels, demons and other celestial beings, it's perfect for fans of YA fantasy romance and paranormal suspense.

The story is told from the point of view of Bailey, a cute sixteen year old fallen angel sent to earth to guard Celeste, a mortal, and is centered around their forbidden love for one another.  Bailey's passion for Celeste arouses the ire of the Elder Gods, putting her in danger. But to save her, Bailey will discover he must make the biggest sacrifice of all- his own happiness, and possibly even his life...

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Bec:  I would cast Selena Gomez as Celeste as she would absolutely fit the bill, and for Bailey, I think it would have to be Zac Effron, for his cherubic adorability.

Thank you, Bec, for joining us here at From the Shadows.

You can learn more about Bec R. Robertson on her website.  Learn more about the book FALLEN HEART below.


Fallen Heart (The Fallen #1) by Bec R. Robertson.

What happens when a fallen angel forbidden to love defies the Gods and falls for a mortal girl?

Trained from a young age to take part in the ancient tradition of the Fallen, sixteen year old Bailey is instructed to guard and protect his mortal charge Celeste. When his mission's completed, like all Fallen he'll be recalled to serve one of two Arch Angels - Thorus or the Lightbringer. It's been that way for millennia, or so his Guardian, Ganor says.

What he's not supposed to do is fall in love.

Warned from getting romantically involved with Celeste by an ex-angel, Bailey decides to ignore advice and follow his heart instead. But when he defies the laws of the Unseen Gods and tastes love with a mortal, he sets a chain of disastrous events in motion, placing himself and Celeste in danger. On a mission to protect her, Bailey uncovers a dark secret - Thorus was overthrown by the Lightbringer long ago. Now the Lightbringer reigns supreme and intends to use the Fallen to bring a reign of terror upon earth.

When the only item allowing Bailey to exist in the earth realm disappears, he must race against time to protect Celeste and save a world on the brink of crisis. But if Bailey wants to rescue humanity from darkness and ensure the safety of the girl he loves, he might have to make the greatest sacrifice of all – his own life.

Add to Goodreads.

Do you have any questions for Bec?

Creative Market is giving away FREE UNICORNS.  

Creative Market and designer Gluiki have teamed up to bring you a set of gorgeous unicorn graphics (and adorable baby unicorns!) free for one week.  These graphics are great for bloggers, web designers, and for use in crafts.

Get your free unicorns now.
But don't procrastinate.  There are only 6 days and 12 hours left to get these unicorns before they disappear in a puff of rainbow glitter (and return to full price).  Happy Holidays!


*This blog is a Creative Market affiliate, so we do make a commission on sales, but the above deal is free.  No strings.  No subscription or purchase required.  Free unicorns for all!*

Nothing says the holidays like redcaps, necromancy, and murder.

Blood and Mistletoe ON SALE TODAY #99Cents Holiday Sale!
The holidays just got interesting. For a limited time, you can download this holiday novella and hit the bloody streets of Harborsmouth for 99 CENTS.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
Happy Holidays!
Want to read this book in German?  Blut und Misteln available for just $2.28 (Amazon US), $2.99 (iTunes), or 1.97 Euros (Amazon DE).
Blood and Mistletoe audiobook only $6.95 from Audible.