Manic Monday: Book Festival Booyah!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a weekend!

I spent the weekend at the Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) and it was AMAZING!

I shared a booth with my writer pal Janine Caldwell, also a writer of YA fantasy fiction (the Vortex Series). Saturday we braved unseasonably (for Tucson) cold, rain and wind. But the die-hard book fans of Tucson and the Southwest braved the weather to take in the festival and buy books.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who came out and took the time to meet us and hear about our work.

As an independent author, I meet most fans through my various internet connections. Virtual meetings are great and I couldn't have connected with other writers and fans as far away as India and Australia without the internet.

BUT, there is nothing better than seeing the eyes of a potential reader light up when you tell her about the book she's holding in her hand. And then to see the excitement of middle grade girls to read Emily's adventures. Some of them actually cradled the book in their arms! That is priceless.

And the high school girls were eager for Book 2, Emily's Trial. Seeing Emily on the cover, holding a dagger, made them want to hear more. Then when they heard that Emily was tempted to use her powers in a forbidden way by the desire to win over the boy, they could all relate. My hunch that aging Emily up with each book and giving her more mature issues to deal with proved to be correct to widen my audience.

Meeting real people who are eager to read your book -- BEST FEELING EVER! (Okay, for a writer I mean.)

Natalie Wright at the
Tucson Festival of Books, 2013

Being an exhibitor and selling your wares at a book festival is a large investment for an author, especially and Indie author with no big publishing backing or advances. I went into the weekend unsure of whether the cost would be worth the expense, planning and time.

Answer? Heck yes!! I'll be back at the TFOB next year with my Akasha Chronicles series completed and hopefully the first book in my new speculative fiction series (H.A.L.F.) completed as well.

Last night I was exhausted but exhilerated. Barely able to keep my eyes open, I began a search for more book festivals.

I feel a new addiction coming on.

The weather is nice in L.A. in April . . .

P.S. Click this link to go to the page with my March giveaway.

Vortex Series Blog Tour with Janine Caldwell

Please welcome my guest, Janine Caldwell, to my blog today as she stops by on her January book tour!

Author Janine Caldwell

Since I’m relatively new to the publishing scene, I thought I’d let you know a little more about me and my books. I’ve alway been a literature fanatic and have a degree in English to prove it. But pesty jobs and paying bills got in the way of my creative time, so it wasn’t until my thirties before I really could sit down and write seriously. I tried my hand at screenwriting and loved it, but when I began to discover the world of young adult fiction, I knew I found my calling to write novels.

About six years ago, I was involved with a local youth group. We were studying Diary of a Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson. The girls in the group also introduced me to the Twilight series. They were pretty early to jump on the twi-hard bandwagon since Stephenie Meyer is practically our neighbor. I know YA fans have varying opinions on this series, but hate it or love it, she pushed me to get going on my own series. Something about her living only miles away from me was truly inspirational.

I’m first to admit I’m a sucker for fantasy and romance. I knew my books would have to incorporate these elements because that’s what I like to read. I’m also currently obsessed with the idea of alternate worlds. Like what would happen if you could change your life to what you think you want it to be. And then, finally, there’s Sedona. A place so unique and amazing, it’s hard to describe. Lucky for me I only live 45 minutes away from this special place.

Sedona is known for its vortexes. I mean, come on. Vortexes? Mysterious supernatural energy? This place was just begging to be the center of a fantasy series. So, The Vortex Series (Rematch and Double Fault with Deuce still to come), is the accumulation of all the above things. I really hope readers will enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them.

As far as my dream cast for The Vortex Series, an eighteen-year-old Johnny Depp would be the perfect specimen. That dark, wavy hair, depthless brown eyes, and that jaw line! I can’t think of one teenage actor today who could do Trent justice like a young Depp. 

For Cassie, it would be Mary Ashleigh Green. She needs to be athletic, physically strong, have caramel-colored long hair and unforgettable, piercing green eyes.

Here's a bit more about Rematch:

In REMATCH, Cassie and Trent's worlds are about to collide, but not in the way you might expect. After a rocky start to their senior year, Trent is determined to hide from Cassie how their lives are supernaturally linked. But when Cassie's past continues to torment her, she's soon looking to Trent for answers. Trent must choose between admitting what he is and his role in her past, or running aware from her forever.

DOUBLE FAULT is the 2nd book in the Vortex Series and Cassie and Trent's problems have only just begun as they navigate through a parallel world filled with mind-blowing complexity. With Cassie's tennis career hanging in the balance, she continues to watch her world crumble while fiercely hiding a secret hat might cause her to lose what's most dear to her heart.

Author Bio:

Janine was raised in the Bay Area and has a B.A. in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. After 30 years in California, she and her husband moved to Arizona and are currently raising their two sons in Anthem. Janine has always had a passionate love for literature—anything from the classics to the hottest YA series. Inspired by her visits to Sedona, she wrote her first YA series (The Vortex Series) based on the romance and mystery of the red rock formations. She is also grateful for the students in her life who remind her what the teenage years are like, good and bad. When Janine is not writing, she’s practicing yoga, spending time with friends, and taking care of her family.

You can contact Janine at the following links:

www.janinecaldwell.com

www.twitter.com/J9fiction

www.facebook.com/AuthorJanineCaldwell

www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804836.Janine_Caldwell/blog

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13574626-rematch

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13600930-double-fault

http://www.amazon.com/Rematch-The-Vortex-Series-ebook/dp/B007JLRY7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334152543&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Fault-Vortex-Series-ebook/dp/B007JLS01O/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334152614&sr=1-2

You can purchase Rematch and Double Fault at Amazon by clicking the link below* 

As an Amazon "Affiliate", I receive a small commission if you purchase through this link ;-)

Writer Chat Wednesday: Janine Caldwell

I am so pleased to have as my guest today for Writer Chat Wednesday Janine Caldwell, a fellow Arizonan and debut YA author. Janine just released her first two novels and I'm glad she was able to stop by so you have a chance to get to know this dynamic woman.

Natalie Wright (NW): Do you have any news to share about your work?

Janine Caldwell (JC): I just released my debut YA fantasy series called The Vortex Series. The e-versions are available everywhere and the print versions will be available soon through Amazon.

NW: That is exciting news!  What books have you written so far?

JC: Rematch and Double Fault are the first two books of The Vortex Series.

  

NW: What was the inspiration for The Vortex Series? 

JC: A few years ago I was leading a Bible study in my house for a group of eighth grade girls when they introduced me to The Twilight Series. Not only did I fall in love with the books, my girls also informed me that Stephenie Myers lived in the next town over from us. Now, as an English major I’ve always loved literature and have even dabbled in screenwriting, but I had never tried to write a novel. Something about knowing an author such as Stephenie was creating these stories miles from my house inspired me to write again. I’m a sucker for all things fantasy and romance, so I dreamed up a story that I myself would want to read. Living about an hour from Sedona, naturally I was drawn to the mysterious nature of the Sedona vortexes and what hidden power they might have. Combine all that with learning that I’m a direct descendant of The Brothers Grimm, I felt my true calling was to write YA fantasy.

NW: What is one of  your favorite scenes from one of your books and why?

JC: In REMATCH, it has to be the last scene of the book when Trent’s heart is truly revealed to Cassie. We learn that even the best of intentions can still cause life to go terribly wrong if it’s not the destiny you are to follow.

NW: What genre do you write in?

JC: YA fantasy

NW: What works in progress do you have?

JC: I’ve completed about a third of a new novel entitled VISITED and am outlining DEUCE, the final book of The Vortex Series.

NW: Which character from your books do you like most / are most like?

JC:  I would have to say that in high school, I was most like Kelli, Cassie’s best friend. She’s sort of tough and mistrustful of high school boys and is very selective about who she gives her heart away to.

NW: Which book do you wish you had written?

JC: The Hunger Games--doesn’t everyone?

NW: What is your favorite movie – the one you can watch over and over again?

JC: Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” with Keira Knightley and every single Harry Potter movie. I could never get tired of either story.

NW:  What is your favorite band or musical performer?

JC: I’m hopelessly addicted to alternative rock and have been an avid fan of the Foo Fighters since Dave Grohl started the band. I wish I could’ve quoted every line from “Times Like These” in REMATCH because the song depicts Trent’s agony and crossroads in life perfectly. In fact, “Times Like These” would’ve been a great alternative title to REMATCH since there is an element of time traveling in the series.

NW: What do you hope readers will take with them from your writing?


JC: I hope that they will be entertained first and foremost, but for my teen readers, I also hope Cassie and Trent’s story will make them pause before they make any major decisions in their lives that will influence their future forever.

You can connect with Janine here:

Janine Caldwell, YA Fantasy Author

www.janinecaldwell.com

www.twitter.com/J9fiction

www.facebook.com/janinemcaldwell