True Colors Release Day Blitz and Masquerade Ball!

I am so excited to announce the release date of my next book True Colors!

I really wanted to kick off this new release with a bang! I wanted to do something special!

So...

I have decided to make a Masquerade Ball Event on Facebook!

(Facebook is in no way affiliated with this event or its giveaways).

To join the event, click the beautiful photo above!

*If you are a #blogger and would like to sign up for my cover reveal on January 16, 2013 please do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4CADA82CA02-cover3

*#Bloggers can also sign up for the Release Day Blitz Post on the day of the Masquarade Ball! To sign up to post on February 16, 2013 please do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4CADA82CA02-release2

Thank you so much to everyone for stopping by! I hope to see all of you at the event! There will be tons of news and updates leading up to the event, so make sure you join asap! :)

So Many Things To Tell You!!

Man - I really do have SO many things to tell you. Having been on holiday with my family, it's been challenging to stay on top of all my writing stuff. But many things have been going on in the background and I want to tell you about them.

Firstly - The Elements Trilogy is nearly complete!! This is a big month - Unleashed will be published on Thursday 8th. On Friday 23rd and there will be Facebook Party run by Mrs Potter's Publicity Services to celebrate. If you'd like to join in, you can follow this link - The Trilogy Is Complete Release Party! There will be a bunch of prizes and competitions going on.

To celebrate the completion of the trilogy this month, I am running a sale on Unknown. You can pick up a copy of the book for only 99c! Unknown on Amazon.

There is also a Blog Tour scheduled for September. If you'd like to be a part of it, you can sign up here.
ATOMR - The Elements Trilogy Blog Tour.

And if you haven't had a chance to see it yet, here is The Elements Trilogy Book Trailer.

*****

In other news, I have started work on Before (a novella prequel to Betwixt). I am having SO much fun hanging out with Dale again. I really do love him. Keep an eye out for a cover reveal later this month and an announcement of the release date.

And finally, I'd like to highlight Indies Unlimited latest book - First Chapters. For only 99c you can grab a sampler book filled with new authors to discover. I've bought myself a copy and am really enjoying reading the first few chapters off all these books and adding a bunch of new reads to my TBR list.

Facebook Groups - What They Can Do For You.

I belong to several Facebook Groups. I was a little unsure when I first started out on Facebook and kind of fell into a couple of groups without meaning to. Initially, I don't think I took advantage of them at all.

However, after nearly a year of actively using Facebook, I'm getting a handle on groups and am SO grateful to belong to them.

Due to time constraints and writing deadlines, I can't participate regularly in every group, but there are four that have become very precious to me and here are the reasons why...

1. They provide me with a place to ask questions, vent my concerns, celebrate my successes and feel supported in a job that can sometimes be quite lonely.

2. I have learned so many cool things about the publishing industry, gleaned helpful tips on how to market successfully and how to write better.

3. Reading comment threads on interesting questions or topics has helped me to evaluate my own writing journey and given me ideas on how I can tweak and improve my work.

4. My writing groups help me promote my work, vote for my books on Goodreads lists, like my book pages and generally help me get word out about any new releases or giveaways I have going on.

5. Belonging to these groups gives me the opportunity to give a little back. I love being able to support and promote other writers. I love feeling part of a group and knowing that I am doing my part to help them in their journey as well.

If you are a writer and you don't belong to any decent groups or networks yet, seek some out. Or you could form one of your own with a few contacts you know. It's great to be part of a team and makes the process of writing and producing books a million times better.

To my precious Facebook groups (Inklings, IU, II, SSoFIYA), thank you so much for your awesome support and friendship. I love and appreciate you all so much xxxx

2012 - Things I'm Grateful For

YA writers and bloggers unite each week to share their thoughts on what it's like going indie in today's publishing world.

Yay for Thanksgiving!! We don't celebrate it in NZ, but it's always so well advertised that we all know about it... and it always gets me thinking.

At Indie Carnival we thought this would be a great chance to mentions some of the highlights from our year and the things we are grateful for.

I have a wonderful life and find myself with a million things to be thankful for, so I'll just stick with the writing related ones in this post.

2012 has been an amazing year for me. I have released three books - Pure Blood (#3 Time Spirit Trilogy), Forbidden Territory (#1 Mica and Lexy Series) and Betwixt.

I am so grateful for...

- every person who has purchased these books. You guys are helping me write my next book... and my next... and my next.

- everyone who took the time to review the book or tell me what they thought about it. I so appreciate all your support, enthusiasm and honesty.

- the marketing & writing lessons I've learned throughout the year. I have come so far and learned so much. I know I have a long way to go still, but I'm definitely a better writer than I was last year. Long may I be able to say that :-)

- the fun I've had putting these books together. I love writing. I just love it!!

 - Brenda Howson, the co-author of Forbidden Territory and the YAlicious blog. Also my graphic designer. I love you, chick :-)

- ZealousDesign, the website that distributes my books for me in New Zealand.

- the schools I've been invited to visit and the awesome kids I've met. Some of them even wanted my signature. How cool is that?!

- librarians!!! I have met so many of you this year and I think you are all wonderful. Your passion for reading and sharing books with the younger generations is awesome. I have so appreciated your support and enthusiasm.

- the amazing people I've met and connected with through Twitter and Facebook. There are so many cool writers and bloggers out there who love to support indies. I have enjoyed building friendships with you and helping to support your careers as well. The writing world rocks!! Squee!

- Inklings - my writing group that I can go to about anything and they always understand. I love you girls.

- Indies Unlimited - another amazing group that has given me so many opportunities this year. I have learned so much from all of you and I love being a part of this awesome team.

- YA Indie Carnival. You guys are an amazing bunch of writers and I am so honoured to be associated with you. Tina & Laura - I have to give you special mention. You have done the most amazing job with this group and I so appreciate your time and effort.

- the coming year. I have four books planned for 2013, plus the launch of my own website. Excitement!!! There is so much to look forward to and on the days I feel low, I just need to think of all the things I mentioned above and all the cool things that await me in the future and I can do nothing but smile.

If you'd like to find out what the other carnival goers are grateful for, you can follow the link below.

And you can also check out the YA Author Club for the latest updates and news on what we're all up to.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series	4.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
5.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	6.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
7.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	8.	Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
9.	Ella James	10.	Maureen Murrish
11.	YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings	12.	A Little Bit of R&R
13.	Melissa Pearl	14.	Terah Edun - YA Fantasy

NB: We are taking next week off, so there will be no Friday post from me on the 30th :-)