Spirit Giveaway - Open to International!

As you all know, I love to give things away! Today I am offering you a chance to win one of five signed copies of a paperback copy of Spirit: Book Five in the Elemental Series. And the awesome news? You will get it a whole month before it is available for purchase!

So how do you win? There are ten chances to win! Once you accomplish any of the following entry options, just click the appropriate button on the Rafflecopter widget below. But no cheating! I will be moderating all entries and if I find that you did not properly complete the task you claim to have done, that entry will be deleted. You have been warned.

Please note: you can do any or all of these tasks, the more you do, the more chances you have to win a copy!

The contest will run until 3/29/13 11:59pm. Winners will be selected on 3/30/13 and prizes will be mailed as soon as I have the winners' addresses, so watch your email! Winners will be announced here on the blog and on Facebook!

Option One: Creative Entry (worth three entries)
This is the most subjective option. Do anything you think is creative and show it off! I don't care what it is (so long as it isn't creepy of course - and yes, I am the final say on what is considered creepy). You can draw something, paint something, sing something and film it, take a cool picture of something, whatever! Just do something artistic or creative, post it online and provide a link to it on my Facebook page. If your creative project relates to the Elemental Series, all the better!

Option Two: Follow me on Twitter
If you are on Twitter, find me at @dyingechoes and follow me. Boom, that easy.

Option Three: Like my page on Facebook
If you are on Facebook, find me at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorShaunaGranger and like the page! (If you already like my Facebook page then you automatically qualify for this entry! Go click!)

Option Four: Follow me on Tumblr!
Pretty straight forward. Find me here and follow: http://shaunagranger.tumblr.com/

Option Five: Review Earth
Just post an honest review (I'm serious, just be honest) on Amazon and post a link on Facebook so I can verify it (if you already have a review posted, just provide the link and you qualify for this entry so go click it!).

Option Six: Review Air
Just post an honest review on Amazon and post a link on Facebook so I can verify it (if you already have a review posted, just provide the link and you qualify for this entry so go click it!).

Option Seven: Review Water
Just post an honest review on Amazon and post a link on Facebook so I can verify it (if you already have a review posted, just provide the link and you qualify for this entry so go click it!).

Option Eight Review Fire
Just post an honest review on Amazon and post a link on Facebook so I can verify it (if you already have a review posted, just provide the link and you qualify for this entry so go click it!).

Good luck everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post Writing Malaise – Or What Happens When You Finish a Book

As a full time writer, I write every day. I treat this like the job it is and only take off on the weekends and sometimes, not even then. When I had a day job I only asked myself to write 1,000 words each day, but now I expect 3,000+ each day. So when I finish a book I’m always at a loss.

I had a moment of pure, crystalline clear joy that it is finally done. Yesterday, when I finished the first draft of the Dystopian book I’ve been writing, I jumped up, ran out into the front of the house and just screamed. This book has been especially difficult for me since none of the characters could perform magic. And there were days that I never thought I would finish. There were days where I questioned why I ever wanted to write a book outside of my wheelhouse – after all I write Paranormal fiction, why would I risk hurting my brand by straying from it? There were days where I told myself, just put in zombies, or make someone a firestarter, or something, just add some magic and it’ll be easier. But I managed to keep with the plan and left out the magic and supernatural creatures. And, in doing so, I had a brilliant idea that will lead into the second book.

And yesterday I wrote for five straight hours, hearing the last words of the main character echo in my head, waiting for me to catch up in the story to type them, and I finished the damn thing.

Then I ran out and screamed. I jumped up and down and screamed some more.

Then I ran back to my office and quickly backed up the document in three different locations. Remember to back up your work people!

Then I went in search for food because the whole day all I had consumed was coffee and protein shakes, not wanting to waste time preparing food or eating it. But after I ate I sat down and just stared. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Wasn’t I supposed to be doing something?

Right, I’m supposed to be writing. But I finished.

So what do I do now?

Relax.

How?

Watch some TV.

But I’m supposed to be writing.

But you finished the manuscript. Now you need to take a breath and regroup.

Regroup for what?

For the next project.

The next project! Yes! I’ll start that!

No, the next project is editing and you’re too tired to do that right now. You’ll take a long weekend, decompress, get the end-of-the-world story out of your head and print off the Paranormal book on Monday.

Monday?

Yes, Monday – that is when you’ll start editing.

Editing?

Yes, that’s the next project!

That’s not writing! I’m supposed to be writing! See! Even Neil Gaiman says I should!

Editing is writing, it’s re-writing, much more important in the process.

So what do I do now?

Sit. Relax.

Oh.

That is the inner monologue that goes through my mind when I finish a book. I used to try to plan little trips when I finished a book, giving myself a deadline to meet so that when I finished that last sentence I knew the next day I would be out of the office and didn’t have to think about “what now?” But I didn’t do that for the last book or even this one. I finished a the first book in a new series in January and then the next week I started writing the Dystopian book, again the first in a new series. And again I have nothing planned to get me away from the computer. 

One of the things I always tell my writer friends is to make sure you do something nice for yourself to celebrate the victories, big and little. Even if the celebrations is as small as treating yourself to your favorite cup of coffee, an hour on the couch and your favorite show. I did this after the first week I managed to write 20,000 words in five days. 

Maybe buy yourself a small present. I bought myself some sparkly pink slippers after I finished writing that Paranormal book in January.

Now I’ve added up the numbers and I’ve found that I have written over 155,000 words in two months. So I have to do SOMETHING for myself. I think my husband and I will pile into the car this weekend and we’ll take a drive down the coast, get some seafood, watch the waves and the sunset over the ocean. I’m going to buy some lilies and plant them in the front yard. And I’m going to read for pleasure. It’s not much but it is more than I’ve been able to do for myself in the last two months.

When you are your own boss you have to remember to treat your employees well or they’ll quit on you. So I’m giving myself a few, hard earned days off.

Do something nice for yourself, I’m sure you deserve it.

Fire Blog Tour!

We're at it again! Another blog tour! With Fire releasing in just a week, we're doing another tour with another awesome giveaway! I encourage all of you to follow along for your chance to win.

Prize includes: a signed paperback copy of your choice of the Elemental Series, a matching bookmark, a $10 Amazon gift card and the beautiful scarf Shay knitted for Deb in Fire for her Solstice present!

And of course the $10 Amazon gift card!

Here is a list of the tour schedule:

Covers: Before and After

You would be amazed how many people ask me if I am the cover model on my books (well, except for Fire that is!). Every time someone asks me, I blush a little, laugh a little and shake my head vigorously. I definitely don't see the resemblance to any of my models, though I am flattered by the very idea.

So I thought you all might like to see what the evolution of my covers has been. I know it blows my mind every time I think about it. I've been very lucky to work with two awesome cover artists, who have given me actual pieces of artwork for my covers.

For my first cover, Earth, I worked with the amazing Claudia McKinney of Phatpuppy Art. Here is the original picture she started with an what we ended up with:

I never saw what the original picture looked like, Claudia just sent me the finished product, but I gotta say, I am so impressed with what she did.

Then I started working with Stephanie Mooney of Mooney Designs. Like me, she was new to the publishing world and I wanted to give her a chance, and I am so glad I did. Now Stephanie does all of my covers!

The first cover she did for me was Air. With Stephanie I was in on each step, helping pick out the models and the backgrounds. I will say, when Stephanie first sent me the mock-ups, I was a little apprehensive. I had no idea how she was going to make this look as awesome as my cover of Earth, but I shouldn't have worried.

I still have no idea how she did this. Isn't it incredible? (And yes, I picked out a different background than what is in the mock up, in case you're wondering.)

Obviously the next cover was Water. This is probably the most complicated cover of the whole batch and most of my readers' favorite. I can't say I blame them. You'll be amazed at what Stephanie did. And to be honest with you, when she picked out the cover model, told me it was the best for her to work with, I had my doubts. I actually hated the pick of the model, but again, I shouldn't have been worried!

I have NO IDEA how she did that.

Finally we're up to Fire. I love what Stephanie did for this one. Stephanie is a pretty busy girl and hasn't read my books, so when I describe characters to her, she just has to go off of my quick comments in an email. This time she used two male models to make the gorgeous Steven we see on the cover. She didn't send me the two pics, I just happened to see them after I approved the mock up. Dude. Again, flabbergasted. I would have NEVER approved the dude who is the body model, his face is just... well. And the guy who is his face? It's kind of a sexy pic so I would've just move right on by it, not giving it another glance. So glad I'm not the one doing my covers!

So there you have it! Kind of amazing right? It is so much fun for me to watch the evolution of my covers. And I canNOT wait to see what Stephanie comes up with for Spirit.

Spookaganza Giveaway: 33 Prizes, 3 winners

I am happy to be part of the Indie Spookaganza Giveaway! Me and 20+ other indie authors are giving away copies of our spooktastic books! Just enter in the rafflecopter below for your
chance to win! The contest opens tomorrow, October 20th, and will run through October 30th, ending just in time for Halloween!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here is a list of participating authors:

Ami Blackwelder
http://twitter.com/amiblackwelder
She Speaks to Angels
Midnight

T.S. Welti
https://twitter.com/TS_Welti
DARKLANDIA

Anya Allyn
http://twitter.com/Anya_Allyn
DOLLHOUSE

Imogen Rose
http://twitter.com/imogenRoseTweet
PORTAL & INITIATION

Vivi Anna
http://twitter.com/ViviAnna
Blood Red

Tawny Stokes
http://twitter.com/TawnyStokes
Demon Whisperer

Lisa Grace
http://twitter.com/LisaGrace
Angel in the Shadows

Claudia Lefeve
http://twitter.com/claudialefeve
UnDead Dixie Debs

Kate Danley
http://twitter.com/katedanley
Maggie for Hire

Laura Schaefer
http://twitter.com/teashopgirl
The Forever contract

Lisa Maliga
https://twitter.com/LisaMaliga
An Author's Nightmare
Satan's Casting Call
The Wilkes House Haunting

Jonathan C. Gillespie
https://twitter.com/JCGauthor
Cindered Souls

Stacy Juba
Dark Before Dawn

Christiana Miller
https://twitter.com/writechristiana
Autographed SOMEBODY TELL AUNT TILLIE SHE'S DEAD

Sherry Soule
http://twitter.com/WriterSherry
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN

Anna Kyss
http://twitter.com/AnnaKyss
Wings of Shadow

Kathy Carmichael
https://twitter.com/KathyCarmichael
YOUR MAGIC TOUCH

Shauna Granger
http://twitter.com/dyingechoes
Earth, Book One in the Elemental Series

Melissa L. Webb
www.twitter.com/melissalwebb
Bell, Book, and Sandals

Kathleen Valentine
http://twitter.com/Kathleen 01930
Ghosts of a Beach Town in Winter

J. A. Huss
https://twitter.com/jahuss
Autographed CLUTCH

Steve Vernon
https://twitter.com/StephenVernon
TATTERDEMON

Brendan Carroll
https://twitter.com/BrendanCarroll7
Hounds of Oblivion

R.M. Prioleau
http://twitter.com/rmprioleau
Autographed The Necromancer's Apprentice

Lola StVil
http://twitter.com/guardiansgirl
Guardians:The Girl

Tristan J. Tarwater
http://twitter.com/backthatelfup
Botanica Blues

Grace McDermott
http://twitter.com/RequireCookie
Mirrorfall: Episode One

Gregory Thompson
https://twitter.com/Gregorythompson
Night Cry

Andrew Van Way
https://twitter.com/andrewvanwey
FORSAKEN

All Hallow's Read, Neil Gaiman and the Awesomeness

Halloween is 33 days away. I am very excited about this.

I love Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve or Samhain, whatever your flavor. But this year I'm doing a bit more than just giving out candy to my trick-or-treaters; this year, I am participating in All Hallows Read.

This is an awesome concept started by the even more awesome Neil Gaiman. The concept is to simply give out books (preferably scary books) as well as candy to the goblins and witches that come a'knocking.

I already have 10 copies of Coraline squirreled away and am on the hunt for more. Every year I say I'm going to do this but every year I have a hard time finding enough affordable books to make it worth while. But you know what? Even five books would be worth it.

So I'm on the hunt and I will have at least 20 books to pass out. Coraline is an awesome book to give to both girls and boys, but I imagine the girls will want it more. I can recommend (very highly) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman as a more appropriate "boy" book but the girls will enjoy it too. You can also find Goosebumps sold in huge lots all over the internet and in used bookstores, good for boils and ghouls. Another inexpensive idea would be comic books because anything that gets kids reading is awesome. And we know there are oodles of books appropriate for the older trick-or-treaters so just go crazy with those.



But I wouldn't recommend giving books INSTEAD of candy; give both - you don't want to clean up eggs and toilet paper in the morning.

Information on All Hallows Read can be found here.