As a belated hurrah for INSPIRED’s 1-year anniversary, Annabelle Gray and I had the honor of being the first to play with the Character Edition of a fellow blogger’s fun feature! What accessory, book, and clothing item would send Annabelle swooning and why? Read all about it in her custom-written journey entry on Andi’s ABCs!
A grand giggle of a guest post today from my old friend/best nemesis forever, Rewan Tremethick, author of “Fallen on Good Times”. Be sure to read it in your best British accent.
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While hard selling gets you nowhere, it is a basic fact of being an author that there are times when you have to actually sell your book. As much as we’d all like it to be a case of ‘Release it and they will come’, unless the destination is a hospital and the ‘it’ is a weaponised virus, it really doesn’t work like that.
So here I am, paranormal detective noir coming out in two days’ time (or one and a half days, or four decades, or however time works in America), having to tell people they should buy it. All authors have a problem with this, as it involves being confident, outgoing, attention grabbing people. If we were all those things, we wouldn’t have spent our lives stuck inside writing books.
I have an extra problem. I’m British. Sorry about that.
It’s just not done
Being British has its upsides. We have the richest currency in the world, the most widely spoken language, and Led Zeppelin. We also have a lot of residual guilt about having invaded literally everyone at some point or another, and a crippling sense of politeness. The national pastimes in Britain are moaning, queuing, apologising for moaning, and queuing up to apologise for moaning whilst moaning about the big queues. Then apologising for that.
Quite frankly as a nation it’s amazing we’ve ever got anything done at all. But apparently our accents are cute, so I suppose that counts for something. Now, where are all the girls who also find copious apologies sexy?
Quite the dichotomy
So the author in me would like to tell you about this book I’ve written. People who have already had a peek have said it’s unique, funny and interesting. I’d quite like to say those things as well. The British person inside of me is scrabbling over the table, spilling his afternoon tea in the process, in order to chloroform me while shouting “By Jove, man, have you lost it? Apologise quickly and then tell them the book’s bloody awful just in case!”
Clearly this is somewhat of a problem. The inside of my head is like a rather dull Jekyll and Hyde, with one of me suggesting I say something positive about Fallen on Good Times, while the other shrugs and reaches for another muffin.
“Shall we promote the-?”
“No.”
“Fair enough, I suppose. Do you think we should apologise for something?”
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
“Right on.”
Thankfully the book can talk
Before you get too excited, it’s not a talking book. But its quality and the intricacies of plot and character will stand on their own. They are there for people to judge, and no doubt they will. People can make up their own minds after they have read it. My job is simply to communicate the fact that they should.
And why should they? Because, Britishness aside, no author, however humble they may be on the outside, publishes their book unless they think it’s good. So for me to pretend otherwise would be hypocritical.
And before my Britishness takes over again, I’ll simply say this:
I wrote the story I wanted to. I wanted to see a world in which gangsters and ghosts rubbed shoulders. Where the most unusual thing in a Speakeasy wasn’t the moonshine, but the creatures drinking it. A world seen through the eyes of a paranormal detective; not hard boiled, but with a runny yolk. A man trying to make his way in the world without getting stabbed, gored, possessed, disintegrated, bitten, infected, or tickled to death.
A world governed by a very simple rule: Fairy tales are warnings. Legend is history. Monsters are real.
Sorry about that…
Fallen on Good Times
Paranormal detective Laslo Kane learned the truth the hard way. He’s had enough of the supernatural trying to kill him, but his latest job offer could provide him with a way out. A desperate investor has come to him for help investigating the murder of his business partner, and the money he is offering could change Laslo’s life forever.
It quickly becomes apparent that the killing is just one of several and that they are all linked. Laslo must follow the trail, even though he knows exactly where it ends: the mob.
Fallen on Good Times is released in Paperback and on Kindle on the 31st of May. Visit www.rewantremethick.com/fallen-on-good-times-novel to sign up and get chapters 1-3 for free.
Author Bio
Rewan (not pronounced ‘Rowan’) Tremethick is a British author who was named after a saint. St Ruan was invulnerable to wolves; Rewan isn’t. Rewan is a fan of clever plots, strong women who don’t have to be described using words like ‘feisty’, and epic music. He has dabbled in stand-up comedy, radio presenting, and writing sentences without trying to make a joke. He balances his desire to write something meaningful by wearing extremely tight jeans.
Click here to see the “Fallen on Good Times” trailer playlist on YouTube.
Previously on Ever On Word, I reviewed yet-to-be-released urban fantasy “Caged” by J.A. Belfield, the latest in a series following the exploits of the Holloway Pack werewolves. As of yesterday, “Caged” is on the market, and as of right now, the author is here among us as a part of her new novel’s blog tour! Read on for her answer to the frequently asked question, “Why ‘any of large several predatory canids (genus Canis) that live and hunt in packs and resemble the related dogs’?”
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Why wolves? is a question I am asked a lot, and the answer is as simple as it is complex.
On the complex end of the scale: due to having dreamt of (not just wolves but) werewolves from an early age, I feel a connection to this species. I have dreamt of myself as wolf. Hunted as wolf. Raced as wolf. I’ve also witnessed werewolf changes in others—including in Mr. B—and been hunted by wolves. So, werewolves and wolves are a huge presence within my subconscious.
On the simpler end of the scale: wolves intrigue me. Or more to the point, the ability to become one, whilst still maintaining your humanity, intrigues me.
In my mind, it’s like the best of both worlds.
To have the ability to make conscious decisions not driven by instinctual urges and needs alone. To live amongst the human world, because humanity is a big part of who I am, so I’d be grieved to lose that completely in order to become something else.
But also, to know I could release my inner animal, the wild side of me that allows me to become one with nature, to soar amongst a forest I’ve claimed as my own, to experience the unity that comes from a pack hunt, to mate with the intensity that far too many marriages of today lack (maybe my belief that this is the way to go is why I’m still with Mr. B after 23 years), and to be so perceptive of the world around me as every sense is heightened, adding colour and flavour and sensation to the experience that might normally have gone amiss.
And all of this with the safety net of returning to my human life, and allowing the mundane to connect that less savage side of me to an existence I love just as much.
So, yes, the idea of this draws me, intrigues me, and excites me enough to want to investigate it further.
THIS is why I write wolves. This is also why I chose to write my wolves in the way I do. I didn’t want to head toward the monstrous beasts so prevailing in the dark urban fantasy or horror of today, but rather a creature with the ability to blend into their surroundings, whichever of their forms they took. And so, the Holloway Pack was born.
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About J.A. Belfied:
One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination, as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …?
Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.
One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.
J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, four cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
She also book blogs over at Bookaroo-Ju.
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You can buy copies of “Caged” here:
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
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Haven’t read “Blue Moon (Holloway Pack #2)” yet? Well, you’re in luck, because during the “Caged” blog tour, “Blue Moon” will be on sale for just $0.99! Nab a copy here:
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
There’s also a raffle going on!
For more posts and interviews and giveaways and all that awesome book launch-type stuff, follow along on the “Caged” blog tour. And don’t forget to wave “hi” to J.A., for me!
It’s Day Three of the Blogger Book Fair! And since I’m not scheduled to host any authors today, I thought I’d spend today’s post directing your attention to Aisazia (or Aisa, for short), a blogger who was kind enough to not only read and review my fairytale novella, but to offer me a chance to write a guest post for her blog, OriginiquEquanimity.
So, to read about how much Aisa likes “The Swan Prince (Book One of The Wilderhark Tales)” – which, I’m pleased to report, is rather a lot ^.^ – click here!
And to read my gastronomic metaphor for reading and writing – which is kind of ironic, given how often I forget to eat while deep inside of Storyland – click here!
Thanks for the time and double web space, Aisa! And any/everyone, leave a comment below for entry into my Blogger Book Fair Raffle! One lucky-duck winner will receive a free paperback copy of “The Swan Prince (Book One of The Wilderhark Tales)”, a set of “Swan Prince” bookmarks, AND the bookmark set for the upcoming Book Two of The Wilderhark Tales, “The Stone Kingdom”! Only two days left to enter! Winner announced: Friday, July 26th!
AND, ALSO, ADDITIONALLY, PLUS: Sheri of the Shut Up & Read blog is hosting the Blogger Book Fair Reader’s Choice Awards, in which “The Swan Prince” is entered in the Fantasy/Young Adult category! To win in my category, I NEED YOUR VOTES! When last I checked, I had a pretty decent lead, but my competitors could turn it around if we give them the chance, so… let’s not! Winning would mean an invaluable promotional opportunity for my book, so please, I ask you – all and individually – on my knees, with whipped cream and cherries or whatever tasty thing makes you happy: Go here and cast your vote for “The Swan Prince”. (You’ll find it under “Fantasy-Young Adult (3)”!)
Let me know you did so, and I’ll throw in another 5 raffle entries for you. And if your votes end up carrying me to victory… I’m doubling my BBF raffle prize! Two names drawn, two paperbacks, two sets of “Swan Prince” and “Stone Kingdom” bookmarks! (And yes, the rules totally allow shameless campaigning for support, so I will not be above begging for the entirety of BBF week, nor will I cry foul if any of you wish to campaign on my behalf. On the contrary, I may go teary-eyed with appreciation.)
That’s all for today, kids. Come back here tomorrow for more Blogger Book Fair fun!
It may mean “to [have taken] reservations beyond the capacity for accommodation”, but when I hear the word “book”, my mind goes in a reading/writing direction.
For instance, it might make a good term for a writer who’s suddenly got so many awesome things happening on the publication side of things, she sometimes worries she doesn’t have the time to write anything new.
Anyone been there? ‘Cause I’m there right now.
I’m also talking about it over in the web space of writer/blogger Michelle Proulx, who put out a call for guest posts over the weekend which I was only too happy to answer.
For my full five-minute reflection on life as I currently know it, hit up the link. And if it sounds like a phase you’ve been through, feel free to leave your pearls of wisdom in the comments, hers and/or mine. (:
Ever On Word 