Anna Banks's Blog, page 4
January 9, 2014
OF NEPTUNE COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY #1
So there are 122 days left until the third installment of The Syrena Legacy trilogy, OF NEPTUNE, releases (May 13, 2014 people!). If you haven't had a chance to read the series yet, or you have a friend who has a friend who has a friend who hasn't read it yet, now is your/their chance!
Every Friday until OF NEPTUNE releases I'm giving away a signed set of OF POSEIDON and OF TRITON. These giveaways are open internationally, because I do adore my international fans. :)
Here's how you enter for your chance to win:
1.) Leave a comment below, explaining why you want to win. Don't worry, you don't have to write a novel to catch my eye. I hate giveaways that make you jump through fiery hoops so let's keep it simple, eh? One winner will be chosen randomly each week. If you don't win, try try again! I'll repost this each Friday, which will represent a new chance to win.
2.) A winner will be chosen the following Thursday and notified via Twitter. Winners will be announced on Twitter, not on this blog, so leave your Twitter handle in your comment. If you do not leave your Twitter handle, you will not be chosen. This is how I will contact you if you win. This is a Twitter based contest.
3.) That's it. Easy schmeasy, right? But remember, just because you don't have to jump through hoops, you *could* help me spread the word about the giveaway if you lub me and if you have time or whatever. You know. No pressure. So...
READY SET GO!!!!!!
Every Friday until OF NEPTUNE releases I'm giving away a signed set of OF POSEIDON and OF TRITON. These giveaways are open internationally, because I do adore my international fans. :)
Here's how you enter for your chance to win:
1.) Leave a comment below, explaining why you want to win. Don't worry, you don't have to write a novel to catch my eye. I hate giveaways that make you jump through fiery hoops so let's keep it simple, eh? One winner will be chosen randomly each week. If you don't win, try try again! I'll repost this each Friday, which will represent a new chance to win.
2.) A winner will be chosen the following Thursday and notified via Twitter. Winners will be announced on Twitter, not on this blog, so leave your Twitter handle in your comment. If you do not leave your Twitter handle, you will not be chosen. This is how I will contact you if you win. This is a Twitter based contest.
3.) That's it. Easy schmeasy, right? But remember, just because you don't have to jump through hoops, you *could* help me spread the word about the giveaway if you lub me and if you have time or whatever. You know. No pressure. So...
READY SET GO!!!!!!
October 18, 2013
DEGREES OF WRONG Sample Booklets Available
Calling all book bloggers!
Did you know I wrote a Sci-fi romance? Yep, it's called Degrees of Wrong (Samhain Publishing 2012) and here is what it's about:
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.
I'm offering book bloggers signed sample booklets of Degrees of Wrong, plus signed bookmarks to use as giveaways. And if you'd like to review the book on your blog as well, I'm happy to send you an e-copy. All you have to do is email me at byannabanks (at) gmail (dot) com.
I guarantee you'll find Nicoli worthy of all the swoons!
*If you're not a book blogger but would like a signed sample booklet, please email me and you got it!
Did you know I wrote a Sci-fi romance? Yep, it's called Degrees of Wrong (Samhain Publishing 2012) and here is what it's about:
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.
I'm offering book bloggers signed sample booklets of Degrees of Wrong, plus signed bookmarks to use as giveaways. And if you'd like to review the book on your blog as well, I'm happy to send you an e-copy. All you have to do is email me at byannabanks (at) gmail (dot) com. I guarantee you'll find Nicoli worthy of all the swoons!
*If you're not a book blogger but would like a signed sample booklet, please email me and you got it!
September 20, 2013
OF NEPTUNE Update
I know everyone has been waiting to hear what the heck is going on with OF NEPTUNE. The truth is, I wrote it. Then I rewrote it, because it wasn't good enough for you guys. It wasn't juicy enough.
The good news is, now it is. It's going to knock you on your proverbial butt, in fact.
The bad news is, my publisher has decided to put it on lockdown. There will be no ARCs. Not even on Netgalley. To which I said WHOA. It's top secret, this third and final book. You might have thought I wrapped up OF TRITON so nicely and neatly and put a bow on it, that there's no need for a third book. Ohhhhh how naïve you are.
So you will have to wait until Spring 2014 to find out what happens in the grand finale. And I will have to wait until Spring 2014 to see what you think about the grand finale. Yep, we're screwed.
That said, I will do everything in my power to make the first five chapters available to you somehow, someway. And I'll be tweeting quotes from the book. Not that the quotes will ease your pain. They won't. But there will be quotes.
I haven't seen the cover yet, but when I do, I'll let you know. I expect it to be epic. But even then, you won't be able to guess what happens in this final installment.
This has been an official OF NEPTUNE update.
Thank you.
The good news is, now it is. It's going to knock you on your proverbial butt, in fact.
The bad news is, my publisher has decided to put it on lockdown. There will be no ARCs. Not even on Netgalley. To which I said WHOA. It's top secret, this third and final book. You might have thought I wrapped up OF TRITON so nicely and neatly and put a bow on it, that there's no need for a third book. Ohhhhh how naïve you are.
So you will have to wait until Spring 2014 to find out what happens in the grand finale. And I will have to wait until Spring 2014 to see what you think about the grand finale. Yep, we're screwed.
That said, I will do everything in my power to make the first five chapters available to you somehow, someway. And I'll be tweeting quotes from the book. Not that the quotes will ease your pain. They won't. But there will be quotes.
I haven't seen the cover yet, but when I do, I'll let you know. I expect it to be epic. But even then, you won't be able to guess what happens in this final installment.
This has been an official OF NEPTUNE update.
Thank you.
August 20, 2013
Multi-Author Charity Auction!
Welcome to the Multi-Author Charity Auction. All proceeds will be going to Alaqua Animal Refuge, which over the weekend rescued 97 dogs and 6 horses. They are in desperate need of donations to help cover the care of their newly gained residents. This refuge is a NO KILL SHELTER so they are with the animals for the long run.
Some very generous authors have agreed to donate their time or their books to help this wonderful cause. There is something here for avid readers AND writers, so be sure to look at all of the packages up for bid.
How to Bid Leave a comment below stating the package you're bidding on and the dollar amount you're bidding. For instance, in the comments, you would say "Package C $100".
The bidding opens today when this post goes up, and ends Friday at noon CST. If you've won, you'll be asked to mail me a check or money order made payable to Alaqua Animal Refuge. Open to US/Canada residents only.
You can bid on one or all of these Five Awesome Packages:
The Packages Package A--BOOKS!In this package you will receive ALL of the following signed books:
1.) Signed hardcover of CREWEL by Gennifer Albin
2.) Signed First Editions of SHADOW AND BONE and SEIGE AND STORM, plus a map,
from New York Times Bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.
3.) Signed copy of MONUMENT 14: SKY ON FIRE plus a Greenway tote bag and a swag pack from Emmy Laybourne.
4.) Signed copy of THE KARMA CLUB and signed copy of UNREMEMBERED by Jessica
Brody.
5.) Signed ARC of the up coming VITRO by Jessica Khoury, and a signed paperback plus
signed swag of her first novel, ORIGIN.
6.) Signed copies of OF POSEIDON and OF TRITON by Anna Banks.
7.) Signed copy of DEGREES OF WRONG by Anna Scarlett.
PACKAGE B--Partial Manuscript Critique by Leigh Bardugo! Get 30 pgs of your manuscript critiqued by this New York Times Bestselling author!
PACKAGE C--Partial Manuscript and Query Critique by Lindsey Cummings!
Get your first chapter and query letter critiqued by this up and coming author of THE MURDER COMPLEX (2014 Harpercollins) and BALANCE KEEPERS (2014 Harpercollins).
PACKAGE D---Partial Manuscript Critique plus a phone call from Anna Banks! If you don't have a manuscript ready and just want to talk to me, by all means, bid on this package. We can talk about anything and everything you want to discuss. :)
PACKAGE E--Name a character in Anna Bank's upcoming YA novel JOYRIDE!
JOYRIDE is a YA Contemp which is a mashup of Pretty in Pink meets Bonnie & Clyde. Highest bidder gets to name one of the characters in it!
Okay guys, that's a lot of motivation to make a bid here for such a great cause! Thanks to all the authors who donated, and thanks in advance for bidding.
Ready, set, GO!
Some very generous authors have agreed to donate their time or their books to help this wonderful cause. There is something here for avid readers AND writers, so be sure to look at all of the packages up for bid.
How to Bid Leave a comment below stating the package you're bidding on and the dollar amount you're bidding. For instance, in the comments, you would say "Package C $100".
The bidding opens today when this post goes up, and ends Friday at noon CST. If you've won, you'll be asked to mail me a check or money order made payable to Alaqua Animal Refuge. Open to US/Canada residents only.
You can bid on one or all of these Five Awesome Packages:
The Packages Package A--BOOKS!In this package you will receive ALL of the following signed books:
1.) Signed hardcover of CREWEL by Gennifer Albin
2.) Signed First Editions of SHADOW AND BONE and SEIGE AND STORM, plus a map,
from New York Times Bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.
3.) Signed copy of MONUMENT 14: SKY ON FIRE plus a Greenway tote bag and a swag pack from Emmy Laybourne.
4.) Signed copy of THE KARMA CLUB and signed copy of UNREMEMBERED by Jessica
Brody.
5.) Signed ARC of the up coming VITRO by Jessica Khoury, and a signed paperback plus
signed swag of her first novel, ORIGIN.
6.) Signed copies of OF POSEIDON and OF TRITON by Anna Banks.
7.) Signed copy of DEGREES OF WRONG by Anna Scarlett.
PACKAGE B--Partial Manuscript Critique by Leigh Bardugo! Get 30 pgs of your manuscript critiqued by this New York Times Bestselling author!
PACKAGE C--Partial Manuscript and Query Critique by Lindsey Cummings!
Get your first chapter and query letter critiqued by this up and coming author of THE MURDER COMPLEX (2014 Harpercollins) and BALANCE KEEPERS (2014 Harpercollins).
PACKAGE D---Partial Manuscript Critique plus a phone call from Anna Banks! If you don't have a manuscript ready and just want to talk to me, by all means, bid on this package. We can talk about anything and everything you want to discuss. :)
PACKAGE E--Name a character in Anna Bank's upcoming YA novel JOYRIDE!
JOYRIDE is a YA Contemp which is a mashup of Pretty in Pink meets Bonnie & Clyde. Highest bidder gets to name one of the characters in it!
Okay guys, that's a lot of motivation to make a bid here for such a great cause! Thanks to all the authors who donated, and thanks in advance for bidding.
Ready, set, GO!
June 7, 2013
ONCE UPON A DARKNESS--EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY!
Today yous guys get a special treat. My good friend Aria Kane has agreed, after much begging on my part, to let me host an excerpt and giveaway for her upcoming novel ONCE UPON A DARKNESS!
As soon as she said "It's kind of like Hansel & Gretel & Zombies" I was totally like pleeeeeease let me do something with this pleeeeeeease oh pleeeeeease. Only ten times more obnoxious than you're imagining.
So, let me introduce you to the epicness that is this book which releases June 17th, so probably you should preorder it rightfreakingnow:
ONCE UPON A DARKNESS BY ARIA KANE
Gretchen and her twin brother, Hank, were abandoned to a zombie horde when they were five years old. Intended to be a sacrifice by their zealot parents, they were instead rescued by The Company. Raised to become soldiers in the war against zombies, they now provide safe passage through danger zones, one contract at a time.
Clint's only skill is war, but he's weary of killing other men. When his contract with the Marines runs out, he takes a job on Gretchen's team, hoping that the search-and-rescue life will suit him better.
On Clint's second day, their four-man team is attacked, drugged, and taken to a prison full of frightened civilians. The only way in or out is by helicopter and, here, their enemies are human. One by one, the captives are culled from the holding area. Rumors say the facility director uses the prisoners as experimental subjects for the testing of a zombie cure.
When Hank is taken, Clint and Gretchen must put aside their personal feelings and find a way out of the prison, surrounded by thousands of starving zombies, before Hank becomes just one more disposable guinea pig in the hands of a twisted mad woman.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
HOW COOL DOES THAT FREAKING SOUND!?! See why I begged to host this???
And if the blurb alone didn't sell you, how about an excerpt, mkay?
EXCERPT:
"Can we try something else?" Clint swung the practice sword in a wide sweep. "I think I got this motion down."
"When you're facing a crowd of zombies, there's no time to think," a woman's voice said behind him.
He spun, sword in hand. She lunged at him. He had enough time to register pale skin and straight white-blonde hair atop a lithe frame before her arms crashed into his shoulders with shocking force. Air rushed painfully from his lungs as his back hit the ground. His sword rattled out of reach. She crouched on top of him, somehow holding him down with not much more than a hundred pounds to her. Eyes the color of ice on an Alaskan glacier stared back at him.
"If I were a zombie, you'd be a three-course meal right now." The woman, who was maybe a few years younger than him, snapped her jaw and laughed.
"Or a new zombie, yourself," another male voice said. Clint looked over her shoulder to find the male version of his attacker standing about twenty feet back from the scene. Next to him, a mountain of a man smirked with amusement. All three of them were nuts.
She shaped her hand like a gun and pressed it to his forehead. "No, I'd kill you before I let that happen." She said it casually, like telling someone lunch was ready.
"Thanks?" Was this some sort of weird initiation?
The woman leapt to her feet and yanked him up after her. She tapped the back of his skull. "When you're attacked, your lizard brain takes over. You have to do something like a sword swing or a roundhouse kick thousands of times so that it becomes instinctual. Hesitation is fatal." She punctuated her words with practiced movements; the swinging of an imaginary sword and a roundhouse kick aimed at the practice target.
"Right." He had known this, of course, but had forgotten it in the absolute boredom of swinging the sword the same way for hours.
The woman stood there with her hands on her hips as if she were waiting for some kind of applause. He didn't know what else to say that would keep her from jumping him again. Though, now that he got a good look at her, maybe he wouldn't mind another roll in the dirt. She was tall, with long legs bared by khaki shorts. A tiny white tank top stretched over a black sports bra that definitely earned its keep. Lean muscle stretched along the full length of her arms, torso, and legs. Strapped to her legs and waist were weapon holsters of all varieties that - in his mind, at least - only made her sexier.
"What are you, Zombie Slayer Barbie?"
GIVEAWAY:
Leave me a comment below telling me how much you want this book, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a SIGNED copy! (Open US/CANADA only).
About the Author:
Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. She lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua. She is the author of ONCE UPON A DARKNESS and A TITAN FOR CHRISTMAS. You can learn more about her at ariakane.com
Or even better, CONNECT with her:
Website: http://www.ariakane.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aria_kane
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ariakaneauthor
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ariakane/
As soon as she said "It's kind of like Hansel & Gretel & Zombies" I was totally like pleeeeeease let me do something with this pleeeeeeease oh pleeeeeease. Only ten times more obnoxious than you're imagining.
So, let me introduce you to the epicness that is this book which releases June 17th, so probably you should preorder it rightfreakingnow:
ONCE UPON A DARKNESS BY ARIA KANE
Gretchen and her twin brother, Hank, were abandoned to a zombie horde when they were five years old. Intended to be a sacrifice by their zealot parents, they were instead rescued by The Company. Raised to become soldiers in the war against zombies, they now provide safe passage through danger zones, one contract at a time.
Clint's only skill is war, but he's weary of killing other men. When his contract with the Marines runs out, he takes a job on Gretchen's team, hoping that the search-and-rescue life will suit him better.
On Clint's second day, their four-man team is attacked, drugged, and taken to a prison full of frightened civilians. The only way in or out is by helicopter and, here, their enemies are human. One by one, the captives are culled from the holding area. Rumors say the facility director uses the prisoners as experimental subjects for the testing of a zombie cure.
When Hank is taken, Clint and Gretchen must put aside their personal feelings and find a way out of the prison, surrounded by thousands of starving zombies, before Hank becomes just one more disposable guinea pig in the hands of a twisted mad woman.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
HOW COOL DOES THAT FREAKING SOUND!?! See why I begged to host this???
And if the blurb alone didn't sell you, how about an excerpt, mkay?
EXCERPT:
"Can we try something else?" Clint swung the practice sword in a wide sweep. "I think I got this motion down."
"When you're facing a crowd of zombies, there's no time to think," a woman's voice said behind him.
He spun, sword in hand. She lunged at him. He had enough time to register pale skin and straight white-blonde hair atop a lithe frame before her arms crashed into his shoulders with shocking force. Air rushed painfully from his lungs as his back hit the ground. His sword rattled out of reach. She crouched on top of him, somehow holding him down with not much more than a hundred pounds to her. Eyes the color of ice on an Alaskan glacier stared back at him.
"If I were a zombie, you'd be a three-course meal right now." The woman, who was maybe a few years younger than him, snapped her jaw and laughed.
"Or a new zombie, yourself," another male voice said. Clint looked over her shoulder to find the male version of his attacker standing about twenty feet back from the scene. Next to him, a mountain of a man smirked with amusement. All three of them were nuts.
She shaped her hand like a gun and pressed it to his forehead. "No, I'd kill you before I let that happen." She said it casually, like telling someone lunch was ready.
"Thanks?" Was this some sort of weird initiation?
The woman leapt to her feet and yanked him up after her. She tapped the back of his skull. "When you're attacked, your lizard brain takes over. You have to do something like a sword swing or a roundhouse kick thousands of times so that it becomes instinctual. Hesitation is fatal." She punctuated her words with practiced movements; the swinging of an imaginary sword and a roundhouse kick aimed at the practice target.
"Right." He had known this, of course, but had forgotten it in the absolute boredom of swinging the sword the same way for hours.
The woman stood there with her hands on her hips as if she were waiting for some kind of applause. He didn't know what else to say that would keep her from jumping him again. Though, now that he got a good look at her, maybe he wouldn't mind another roll in the dirt. She was tall, with long legs bared by khaki shorts. A tiny white tank top stretched over a black sports bra that definitely earned its keep. Lean muscle stretched along the full length of her arms, torso, and legs. Strapped to her legs and waist were weapon holsters of all varieties that - in his mind, at least - only made her sexier.
"What are you, Zombie Slayer Barbie?"
GIVEAWAY:
Leave me a comment below telling me how much you want this book, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a SIGNED copy! (Open US/CANADA only).
About the Author:
Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. She lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua. She is the author of ONCE UPON A DARKNESS and A TITAN FOR CHRISTMAS. You can learn more about her at ariakane.com
Or even better, CONNECT with her:
Website: http://www.ariakane.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aria_kane
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ariakaneauthor
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ariakane/
June 3, 2013
BOOK TRAILER CONTEST WINNERS! (AND A GIVEAWAY)
Okay. So.
You guys blew away with your entries. It was a hard decision. I think I'm going to stop having these contests, because choosing is just too freaking difficult. Remember the bookmark contest? And how I made YOU choose? Yeah.
This time, I did choose (well, I chose two Honorable Mentions too. Can you imagine shoe shopping with me?) Thank GAWD I offered three prizes, so I could narrow it down to the best three instead of just one winner.
But not only am I offering fantabulous prizes to the winners, I'm also giving YOU the chance to win a signed set of OF TRITON and OF POSEIDON! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me which video you enjoyed and why. Be warned, if you leave a mean remark, you will not win, and I will fantasize about locking you in a classroom with kindergarteners armed with squirt guns full of vinegar.
So without further delay, here they are:
1st Place-Laura Kolar
This one literally gave me goosebumps when I first saw it. I was in my car, pulled it up on my phone, and listened to it through my car stereo, surround sound effect, and all I could think was Holy. Crap. Everyone I showed it to was all "WOW", including my agent. (P.S. If you have motion sickness issues, beware of the water tunnel at the end!)
2nd Place-Emma Smith
Emma's entry was just so swoon worthy. The music, the soothing ocean scenes. I fell in love.
3rd Place-Tiffany Bernardo
I love the color scheme in Tiffany's entry. The whole thing is so chick and stylish. I felt intimidated because I could never be as cool as Tiffany. Obviously.
Honorable Mention-Heidi Liles
I appreciated that Heidi actually chose a cast and directed this video herself. I think she might have a future in the cinematic arts!
Honorable Mention-Merrina O'Malley
Merrina's entry really appealed to me because for one, it's completely adorable. And for two, she explains how I'm the best author in the world, in case you didn't already realize. And for three, did I mention it's completely adorable???
You guys blew away with your entries. It was a hard decision. I think I'm going to stop having these contests, because choosing is just too freaking difficult. Remember the bookmark contest? And how I made YOU choose? Yeah.
This time, I did choose (well, I chose two Honorable Mentions too. Can you imagine shoe shopping with me?) Thank GAWD I offered three prizes, so I could narrow it down to the best three instead of just one winner.
But not only am I offering fantabulous prizes to the winners, I'm also giving YOU the chance to win a signed set of OF TRITON and OF POSEIDON! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me which video you enjoyed and why. Be warned, if you leave a mean remark, you will not win, and I will fantasize about locking you in a classroom with kindergarteners armed with squirt guns full of vinegar.
So without further delay, here they are:
1st Place-Laura Kolar
This one literally gave me goosebumps when I first saw it. I was in my car, pulled it up on my phone, and listened to it through my car stereo, surround sound effect, and all I could think was Holy. Crap. Everyone I showed it to was all "WOW", including my agent. (P.S. If you have motion sickness issues, beware of the water tunnel at the end!)
2nd Place-Emma Smith
Emma's entry was just so swoon worthy. The music, the soothing ocean scenes. I fell in love.
3rd Place-Tiffany Bernardo
I love the color scheme in Tiffany's entry. The whole thing is so chick and stylish. I felt intimidated because I could never be as cool as Tiffany. Obviously.
Honorable Mention-Heidi Liles
I appreciated that Heidi actually chose a cast and directed this video herself. I think she might have a future in the cinematic arts!
Honorable Mention-Merrina O'Malley
Merrina's entry really appealed to me because for one, it's completely adorable. And for two, she explains how I'm the best author in the world, in case you didn't already realize. And for three, did I mention it's completely adorable???
May 31, 2013
RAVENS GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Hi all! *waves*
I know some of you have been asking if the winners have been announced---they weren't officially announced yet. Sorry. I've been in author prison. They only serve us hotpockets and Coke Zero in author prison.
But here are the winners, and congrats to them!
Hannah the syrena_girl
and
Holly Bryan
They're getting a signed copy of RAVENS by Kaylie Austen, and a signed bookmark! Can I get a woot woot?!?
Thanks to all who entered. Your comments had me cheesin'. :) If you haven't already picked up this literary gem, you should hussle and do so for some great weekend reading!
I know some of you have been asking if the winners have been announced---they weren't officially announced yet. Sorry. I've been in author prison. They only serve us hotpockets and Coke Zero in author prison.
But here are the winners, and congrats to them!
Hannah the syrena_girl
and
Holly Bryan
They're getting a signed copy of RAVENS by Kaylie Austen, and a signed bookmark! Can I get a woot woot?!?
Thanks to all who entered. Your comments had me cheesin'. :) If you haven't already picked up this literary gem, you should hussle and do so for some great weekend reading!
April 23, 2013
On Writing
With the release of my second book next month, I've been reflecting a lot on my publishing journey. I remember the painful rejections from agents, the late nights I spent perfecting my query letter, the lunch hours spent in my car writing down scenes as they struck me. The maddening feeling of "Am I crazy for putting so much energy into this? What if I'm no good? Is this going to be something I'll be embarrassed about in ten years?"
We all fight our doubts. We all let ourselves get in our own way. I did. I even had people telling me I would never make it. That I was wasting my time.
But I had other people too. I had the writing community, and without them, without you, I wouldn't have made it. I know that with every fiber in my body. Soldiers fighting a war in the trenches always became close, like brothers. They looked out for one another, they were loyal to each other, and they truly cared.
That's how it is in the query trenches. You won't stay there forever. Like soldiers, you'll suffer injuries. But it will be in the form of rejection, and it will maul your pride instead of your physical body. The scars will either make you stronger or make you quit. I remember the soldiers in the query trenches with me. And it seemed like when one of us got an agent, the rest of us did. I fought with Mindy McGinnis, AG Howard, Valerie Cole, Heather Rebel, and many more. I got an agent. They all got agents. What are the chances of that? Do you see the pattern here?
We were there for each other. And we made it out of the trenches together.
So if you're an aspiring writer, don't keep to yourself. Give and receive. Get involved. Learn your craft, teach your craft. Share information and doubts and worries and excitement and encouragement.
Get each other out of the trenches.
You can do it.
We all fight our doubts. We all let ourselves get in our own way. I did. I even had people telling me I would never make it. That I was wasting my time.
But I had other people too. I had the writing community, and without them, without you, I wouldn't have made it. I know that with every fiber in my body. Soldiers fighting a war in the trenches always became close, like brothers. They looked out for one another, they were loyal to each other, and they truly cared.
That's how it is in the query trenches. You won't stay there forever. Like soldiers, you'll suffer injuries. But it will be in the form of rejection, and it will maul your pride instead of your physical body. The scars will either make you stronger or make you quit. I remember the soldiers in the query trenches with me. And it seemed like when one of us got an agent, the rest of us did. I fought with Mindy McGinnis, AG Howard, Valerie Cole, Heather Rebel, and many more. I got an agent. They all got agents. What are the chances of that? Do you see the pattern here?
We were there for each other. And we made it out of the trenches together.
So if you're an aspiring writer, don't keep to yourself. Give and receive. Get involved. Learn your craft, teach your craft. Share information and doubts and worries and excitement and encouragement.
Get each other out of the trenches.
You can do it.
April 1, 2013
OF TRITON PRE-ORDER BONUS CONTENT!
There are many reasons you should pre-order the hardcover of OF TRITON (unless you never need to know what happens after that horrible cliffhanger in OF POSEIDON, but whatevs, right?). But now the shiz just got real.
Because there is EXCLUSIVE bonus content you'll get if you do pre-order OF TRITON or purchase it between the dates of May 28th through June 2nd 2013 .
1.) You'll get the first chapter of OF TRITON right-freaking-now. It will not be available anywhere else until the date of release. You know you want to read it. And yes, you will love-hate me when you do.
2.) You'll get a bonus scene from OF POSEIDON, told by Toraf's point of view. (Remember that part where Toraf does something to Emma on the beach in front of the twins? Well this is the scene right AFTER that scene, with all the feels Toraf has about it.! Insert squeal here.) This will also not be available anywhere else. (Hence, it's EXCLUSIVE).
So, to get all this fantabulous content, you must email me proof of your pre-order, which could be a picture, scan, or email confirmation of your purchase receipt. Send the email to [email protected].
We'll respond with a PDF designed especially for this content. It's purdy. And the words are good, too. :)
It's that easy.
Because there is EXCLUSIVE bonus content you'll get if you do pre-order OF TRITON or purchase it between the dates of May 28th through June 2nd 2013 .
1.) You'll get the first chapter of OF TRITON right-freaking-now. It will not be available anywhere else until the date of release. You know you want to read it. And yes, you will love-hate me when you do.
2.) You'll get a bonus scene from OF POSEIDON, told by Toraf's point of view. (Remember that part where Toraf does something to Emma on the beach in front of the twins? Well this is the scene right AFTER that scene, with all the feels Toraf has about it.! Insert squeal here.) This will also not be available anywhere else. (Hence, it's EXCLUSIVE).
So, to get all this fantabulous content, you must email me proof of your pre-order, which could be a picture, scan, or email confirmation of your purchase receipt. Send the email to [email protected].
We'll respond with a PDF designed especially for this content. It's purdy. And the words are good, too. :)
It's that easy.
OF TRITON BOOK TRAILER CONTEST
Yes, thaaaaaa's right.
You guys blew me away with your entries for the Of Triton bookmark contest. (Truly. Madly. Deeply.)
Soooo I've decided to hold a contest for creating the book trailer for Of Triton. Now, since book trailers involve a bigger time investment than designing a book mark, I've decided to offer prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. If you're an aspiring writer, you'll be interested in these prizes. If you're a reader, you'll be interested in these prizes.
If you're both, you're super duper interested.
FIRST PLACE:
A FULL manuscript critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson of The Friedrich Agency.
AND
A $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
AND
You get to name a major character in OF NEPTUNE, the third and final installment in the Syrena Legacy series.
SECOND PLACE:
A 50 page manuscript critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson.
AND
A $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
AND
A signed (and/or personalized) copy of OF TRITON.
THIRD PLACE:
A query letter critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson.
AND
A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Here are the rules:
1.) You have to use the blurb for OF TRITON to create the trailer. As in, you get no extra spoilers. I'm not saying you HAVE to include a single word from the blurb (but it's a good idea), I'm just saying that's all you have to go on. And remember, the goal is to make the viewer want to read the book right-freaking-now.
2.) The trailer should be at least 30 seconds long. (This is a suggestion, not a strict rule.)
3.) By entering, you agree that you have access/rights to all content used in the trailer. As in, some dude's not coming after for me for using his music/images when I post the crap out of this book trailer. And post the crap out of it, I will.
4.) By entering, you agree that I can post it wherever the fancy strikes me. I'm going to be bragging about this, rest assured. If you're one of those shy artist types, this contest is not for you. You also NEED to include your information in the credits. GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT, peoples! Show the world the shiz you can do!
5.) The contest is open to US/Canada residents only. For legal reasons only, I promise. I LOVE my international fans. Sorry. :(
6.) When your entry is complete, email it to byannabanks (at) gmail (dot) com as an attachement. You are not officially entered if I do not respond to your email indicating I've received it! Feel free to harass me until I acknowledge receipt. Seriously.
7.) Have fun. Because if you don't, and you stress out about it, then you'll hate me, and possibly Galen, and I couldn't stand for that. Mkay?
UPDATE: DEADLINE IS APRIL 30th!
You guys blew me away with your entries for the Of Triton bookmark contest. (Truly. Madly. Deeply.)
Soooo I've decided to hold a contest for creating the book trailer for Of Triton. Now, since book trailers involve a bigger time investment than designing a book mark, I've decided to offer prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. If you're an aspiring writer, you'll be interested in these prizes. If you're a reader, you'll be interested in these prizes.
If you're both, you're super duper interested.
FIRST PLACE:
A FULL manuscript critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson of The Friedrich Agency.
AND
A $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
AND
You get to name a major character in OF NEPTUNE, the third and final installment in the Syrena Legacy series.
SECOND PLACE:
A 50 page manuscript critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson.
AND
A $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
AND
A signed (and/or personalized) copy of OF TRITON.
THIRD PLACE:
A query letter critique from my agent, the magnificent-in-every-way Lucy Carson.
AND
A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Here are the rules:
1.) You have to use the blurb for OF TRITON to create the trailer. As in, you get no extra spoilers. I'm not saying you HAVE to include a single word from the blurb (but it's a good idea), I'm just saying that's all you have to go on. And remember, the goal is to make the viewer want to read the book right-freaking-now.
2.) The trailer should be at least 30 seconds long. (This is a suggestion, not a strict rule.)
3.) By entering, you agree that you have access/rights to all content used in the trailer. As in, some dude's not coming after for me for using his music/images when I post the crap out of this book trailer. And post the crap out of it, I will.
4.) By entering, you agree that I can post it wherever the fancy strikes me. I'm going to be bragging about this, rest assured. If you're one of those shy artist types, this contest is not for you. You also NEED to include your information in the credits. GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT, peoples! Show the world the shiz you can do!
5.) The contest is open to US/Canada residents only. For legal reasons only, I promise. I LOVE my international fans. Sorry. :(
6.) When your entry is complete, email it to byannabanks (at) gmail (dot) com as an attachement. You are not officially entered if I do not respond to your email indicating I've received it! Feel free to harass me until I acknowledge receipt. Seriously.
7.) Have fun. Because if you don't, and you stress out about it, then you'll hate me, and possibly Galen, and I couldn't stand for that. Mkay?
UPDATE: DEADLINE IS APRIL 30th!
