Cover Reveal

Apparently Blogger has decided not to keep the cover picture up....sooo if you want to see it, please click on the goodreads link below! Sorry for the inconvenience, it's probably something I did wrong, but I can't seem to fix it either. :P



Here it is! The shiny new cover!

Awakenings will be available August 26!

Evie Shepard's nightmare begins when she finds herself buried alive, with no idea how she got that way. As she struggles to remember what happened to her, she begins to notice changes about herself. Her senses are heightened, her movements are quicker, she is incredibly strong....her heartbeat has stopped. It's then she makes a disturbing discovery. She wasn't buried alive. She was murdered. Somehow she has come back...

And she wants revenge.

Awakenings on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17786348-awakenings

About the Author

. 

J. E. Shannon currently lives in Florida, but is a Missouri native. She spends most of her time reading, writing, and taking care of her small child and two crazy dogs. 

You can connect with her on Twitter (@JEShannonauthor), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-E-Shannon/433304970085317) or at her blog (http://jeshannonauthor.blogspot.com.au/).

The Zax

My daughter wanted to watch Green Eggs and Ham today. After agreeing, I started digging through the mass quantities of children's movies we had until I finally located it. We snuggled up on the couch together and started the movie.

I had forgotten that on the DVD there is also another short cartoon called The Zax. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, let me fill you in.

 It is about two creatures called the Zax (obviously). One is a south going Zax, the other a north going Zax. They are walking the same road and eventually meet in the middle.

After colliding with each other they argue about who is going to move. Both are unwilling to go an inch off of their designated course. And they stand there, both feet planted firmly in the ground, both unwilling to compromise, for years as the world goes on around them.

It got me thinking, how often do we do that in our everyday lives? I often tell my daughter, if something doesn't work, try to do it another way until you figure it out. But do I follow that lesson myself? I try, but I admit that it can be so very difficult. I think sometimes we get so set on the course we are on that we forget that there are many paths that lead to the same destination.

Its so easy to stare at our feet as we travel down the straight-as-an-arrow road that we believe we are on, that we miss all the signs that there are curves ahead. In these times I think there are two types of people. The ones that eventually see the curve and swerve with it, and those that go straight off the cliff, throw their hands up, and say I Quit.

And I will be the first to say the second option can sometimes be so inviting. It's much easier to give up than work through the hard times. But the rewards for sticking with it and hugging those curves (even if it takes an inch of skin with it) are, oh so great.

Getting published wasn't an easy road. I received my fair share of rejections, and will admit to getting dangerously close to falling off that cliff. When querying straight forward didn't work, I changed direction. I entered a Twitter contest.

That contest garnished some interest. I had a few full requests. I was tempted to stop there, to sit back and see what happened. But there was another Twitter pitch party the very next day...what should I do?
Finally I decided to enter it as well. The interest from one contest flowed over to the other, and I received even more requests. Now I am happily signed with Entranced Publishing.

I guess the reason behind all of this rambling is this, there is no one way to do anything. There is always an alternative, you just have to look up once in awhile to find it. Had I  stayed on the path I was on, there is a good chance I would still be stuck. Stubbornly saying,

Never budge! That’s my rule. Never budge in the least! Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east!
I’ll stay here, not budging! I can and I will
If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still! 

Thank you, Dr. Seuss for all of your words of wisdom.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzP-_PoOg8k

Giving Spirit

There are lessons that we try and teach our kids everyday. Lessons like, say please and thank you. Don't hit when you are angry, use your words. Don't put peanut butter on your leg so the dog will chase you. Ok, so maybe that last one is exclusively for my kid.

But there is one thing that I have never had to teach my child, it's something that she has come by naturally. And that is a giving spirit. She loves to share, she loves to give things away. She loves to give presents, so much so that I have to tell her not to give all her toys away. Seeing her do these things brings joy to my life.

When we go on walks she will pick flowers along the way. A lot of the time she doesn't bring them home because she has given them away to people she sees walking past us. Most people smile and say thank you. There of course has been the crotchety person who sneers and walks off, but she doesn't let those people dissuade her. She just keeps on giving. One prime example happened last year at Christmas.

That was the year we helped my dad ring the bell for the Salvation Army.  I worried that my active 4 year old wouldn't have the patience for standing for an hour ringing a bell. And I was right, she didn't. However, one of the volunteers brought a large stocking stuffed full of Dum Dum's to hand out to people. This was right up my daughters alley. In fact, a little too much so. I had to catch her several times as she chased after people, lollipop in hand, yelling, "This is for YOU!"

One of the ladies told her only give out lollipops to people who donated money. Then she would know which ones wanted the candy and which ones did not. Good advice, I thought. Until she started shouting, "Hey! You forgot to put money in the bucket so I can give you a sucker!" Sigh....

Anyway, after our hour was up and we left, all my daughter could talk about was giving away more lollipops. So when a couple days later, we needed to finish some last minute Christmas shopping, I decided to load up a small purse for her to carry and pass out candy canes. Before we hit the stores we stopped for breakfast. My daughter wiggled and squirmed and was so ready to leave, eager to start handing out those candy canes and say, "Merry Christmas!"

Before we left a perfect opportunity opened up to us. As we finished our meal a group of soldiers, dressed in fatigues, walked in the doors. I told her to get those candy canes ready. She was so excited, she ran off...in the wrong direction. After corralling her back around I pointed to the soldiers and told her to say, "Thank you for your service and Merry Christmas."  She dutifully went up to the first young man and positively shouted, "Merry Christmas, Service!" The guy blinked at her then smiled, and took the candy cane. He looked up at me a bit confused, and I stuck my hand out.

"What she meant was, "Thank you for your service, and Merry Christmas." He laughed and shook my hand. I didn't get to say another word, as my daughter had already dashed off to the next person. The problem was, he was in the process of ordering and paying for his food. I caught up to her just in time to hear the guy say nastily, "I don't want that."

My poor kid just stood there, not knowing what to do next. I was already pulling her away when a big voice boomed out behind us. "I'll take that candy cane." My daughter hurried off in that direction and I quickly followed. That voice belonged to another solider. This one was older and much more decorated than the others around him. His gaze was fixed on the young guy that had just rebuffed my daughter. It was not a pleasant look. But, when my daughter finally reached him, he was all smiles. He knelt down and talked to her a minute and laughed when she said, "Merry Christmas Service!" I shook his hand, and that of the others around him, and thanked them all for their service.

As we headed for the door I noticed that the older soldier's stare was fixed once again on the kid that turned my daughter away. It was still not a nice look. I had a feeling some pushups was coming that guy way. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

What a better world this would be if we all had her giving spirit. And a lesson can be learned here. If a child hands you a candy cane, you better take it. You never know who is watching and how many pushups it will cost you. :)

In Stone Give Away!

IN STONE eBook + Kindle Fire Giveaway
How Awesome is this?!?

IN STONE eBook + Kindle Fire Giveaway

IN STONE will be available July 29!

Beau Bailey is suffering from a post break-up meltdown when she happens across a knife in her local park and takes it home. Less than a week later the new boy in school has her trapped in an alley; he’s sprouted horns and is going to kill Beau unless she hands over the knife.

Until Eighteenth century gargoyle, Jack, shows up and saves her.

Jack has woken from a century long slumber to tell Beau that she’s accidentally been drafted into a power struggle between two immortal races; Demons and Gargoyles. The knife she picked up is the only one in existence capable of killing immortals and they’ll tear the world apart to get it back. To draw the warring immortals away from her home, Beau decides to go with Jack to Bulgaria in search of the mind-bending realm known as the Underworld, a place where they’ll hopefully be able to destroy the knife and prevent all hell from breaking loose. That is providing they can outrun the demons that are chasing them.

About the Author

Louise is a graduate of Garstang Community Academy, currently studying for a BA (Hons) in English language and literature with special emphasis on creative writing. YA aficionado. Brit bird. Film nerd. Identical twin. Junk food enthusiast. Rumoured pink Power Ranger. Zombie apocalypse 2012 survivor. Avid collector of book boyfriends.

Blog: www.bookishblurb.wordpress.com  

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Rock_andor_roll

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-D-Gornall/111420465709804

Giveaway – Open Internationally

To celebrate her upcoming release, Louise is giving away an ecopy of IN STONE and a Kindle Fire to one lucky reader! One runner-up will also win an ecopy of IN STONE. UK and US residents are eligible to win the Kindle Fire. If you live outside the UK or US and your name is drawn, you will receive an Amazon gift card valued at £160 (GBP) instead. The winners will be announced July 29. Good luck! 

Giveaway code: 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/620e831/

Toddler Logic

Most times logic will lead to the solution to a problem. But when toddlers use logic it can totally screw you as a parent. While I applaud my daughter for the new discoveries she makes everyday using said logic, it can also teaching her anything a complete pain. Here are some conversations that we have had that has caused me to create a permanent head shaped dent into my desk.

1.
Her: "Mommy, that dog is ruffing at me."
Me: "You mean that dog is barking at you."
Her: "No, dogs say ruff ruff, not bark bark."

2.
Her:"How do you spell love?
Me: "L-O-V-E"
Pause.

Her:"But love doesn't have the eh sound. You told me e makes the eh sound, like elephant."
Me: "It does but E can also make other sounds like..."
Her: "That's just confusing."

No argument there.

3.
Me: "Don't draw on the concrete with a rock. Here use the chalk and you can draw as much as you want."

5 minutes later.

Me: "Are you drawing on the side of the house!?!"
Her: "You said I could draw as much as I wanted."


4.
Me: "Why are you burying your dolls!?!"
Her: "You said if we plant things they will grow bigger and bigger. I want bigger dolls."


I think logically, I could use a drink.

Questions Not to Ask an Author

There is a lot of misconceptions about the life of an author. From the actual art of crafting a novel to the end game of being published, there is a whole world in-between that most people are blissfully unaware of.

So here are some questions/comments in each step of the process that you simply shouldn't ask/say to us.


While we are writing a novel.


1. So, when will your book be out?

I have no idea. In fact my idea has no idea.


2. You know, Paranormal books are hot right now, why don't you write one of those?

Sure! Let me scrap this book that I've been laboring over and jump right on that!


3. You're working? Oh, you mean you are writing?

Writing is working for us. Please don't get confused on that. Remember that we have wicked imaginations so if you piss us off enough, we will name a character after you and horribly abuse them. You have been warned.


4. Oh, your book sounds like.....

It's no secret that almost everything has been done before. Someones book will always sound like something that is already out there. We are not trying to rip anyone off. Saying this will make us narrow our eyes in a threatening way.


While we are Querying.


1. When will your book be out?

I have no idea. That is the point of querying.



2. Why are you even bothering with that? I mean you earn more per book if you just throw it on Amazon.

Thank you, person who knows nothing about publishing, for that stunning insight. However, as a person who actually does this,  I know that most self published books get lost in the mix. Sigh...yes, I know Amanda Hocking did it, but self publishing just isn't right for me. *grumble, grumble*


3. How do you know they won't steal your book?

Well, because I actually researched the people who I am submitting to. The people who had email addresses like yourbookisnowmine@gmail.com, I stayed away from.



4.  What happens if everyone says no?

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think I'll go drink now.



When we finally sign and agent/publisher


1. When will your book be out?

I have no idea, I just signed yesterday. There are edits to be done, editors for the book to be sent too, more edits to be done, publishers for the book to be sent to, MORE edits to be done....This all takes an enormous amount of time. I promise you, the nanosecond I have a release date I will be shouting it from the roof tops.



2. You're making how much per book? That's not very much, you should have self published.

Really? You are now going into my next book. Horrible things will happen to you in it. You were warned.


3. I'm not sure I would have gone that route. (Whatever the route is that you went)

Please, person who STILL knows nothing about this industry, tell me more.



Yay, we have a release date!


1. When is the movie coming out?

A you *($*#*$) kidding me?

Authors Helping Authors

After years of helping my husband achieve his dream to become a chiropractor, I decided that it was time I chased my own. To be an author.

I will openly admit I had no idea how to become a successful author. Obviously, I would have to write a book, but what next? How do you take that book and make it a success? I was completely clueless about the process. So while I was writing, I started researching as well.

I went to conferences. I read countless blogs about writing and publishing. I bought books on the subject. But I was failing to utilize the best tool that exists in the market today. Other authors.
That's right folks, those people you are competing against will be your best allies. Sounds like a really good plot twist doesn't it? Kind of fitting if you ask me.

This was a new experience for me. I spent ten years in the banking world. Not once in my working career did I say, "Hey, I know we have a great checking account program, but so does First Federal down the street. You should go check them out." I would have been fired before I hung up the phone.

That is where the writing world is so extraordinarily and wonderfully different. Writers (for the most part) want to see other writers succeed. They really and truly do. Why else would they host Twitter competitions, query critiques, and even offer their own publishers or agents to pitch to?

I'm sure I have some cynical people who will read this and say, "Well by helping others they are helping themselves." That's true. It does. I can't tell you how many people I recommend to follow  Brenda Drake  (@BrendaDrake) on Twitter because she hosts so many contests. Does it help Brenda? Absolutely. I've probably sent around a hundred people her way. But honestly, she's making authors dreams come true. Why the hell wouldn't I want to help her? It's the circle of life, without all of the killing.

When I won Pitchwars, I was amazed that the awesome Fiona McLaren (@bookomnivore) would take so much of her time to make my book shine. I was awed at how supportive the other contestants were of each other. Even now it gives me the warm and fuzzies. I made some great friends from that competition and we are still cheering each other on now.

Now that I am an author at  Entranced Publishing (@EntrancedPub), I find that my astonishment at the camaraderie of that group of authors grows all the time. I couldn't ask for a better group of ladies to have my back, and I'm equally willing to put my time and effort into helping them succeed as well.

So many people helped me get to where I am today. People that I had never even met before and I can't tell you how eternally grateful I am to them. They are an inspiring group of people.  I can't wait to return the favor to some new author just looking for a way in. Just like I was.