Sixteen year old Carly wants to write her own life and cast herself as a superhero, but the story gets out of control when she stands up to a bully and he turns on her. His increasing harassment forces her to deal with flying hooks, giant thistles, deadly dragons and a suffocating closet. Dylan, a karate-trained nerd who supports her stand against the bully, turns out to be a secret admirer, and while he struggles to control his inner caveman, Carly searches for her own way to stop the bully. An old hippie shows her an inner magic that’s supposed to make her invincible, but will Carly learn to use it before Dylan resorts to violence?
This heart-warming story will inspire and empower teens and adults alike. As well as providing real solutions for the bullying issue, the unique magical realism style provides an exciting and unusual fantasy element.
Tahlia writes magical realism and urban fantasy for young adults & adults. She likes stories that are inspiring & empowering and that question the nature of reality, mind and perception. She is an avid reader, an extremely casual high school teacher, an occasional mask-maker and has studied philosophy & meditation for many years. After scripting and performing in Visual Theatre shows for 20 years, she is now a bone-fide expatriate of the performing arts. She lives in an Australian rainforest, is married with a teenage daughter and loves cats, but she doesn’t have one because they eat native birds.
Take a second to check out my Kickstarter project if you are thinking about buying my next book! I’ve got discounts and some fun ways to get my book before it’s available for sale.
Braedyn is a normal girl just trying to survive high school with her two devoted friends, Royal and Cassie. Together they’re doing a pretty good job of shrugging off the slings and arrows cast their way by the popular crowd when a new boy, Lucas, moves into the house next door. Suddenly Braedyn finds herself falling in love for the first time. But as her sixteenth birthday approaches, Braedyn discovers humankind is at war with the Lilitu, an ancient race of enticing demons that prey on human souls. Her father is a member of the Guard fighting against the Lilitu – and so are the new neighbors, including her crush, Lucas. As her world starts to unravel at the seams, Braedyn learns the right answers aren’t always clear or easy. And as for “good” and “evil” – it all depends on how we choose to act. Inspired by the ancient Mesopotamian myths of Lilith and her offspring, Thrall explores first love, strong friendships, and taking on adult responsibilities against the backdrop of powerful supernatural forces and life-and-death stakes.
Jennifer Quintenz is film and television writer, author, and graphic novelist. She has written for Twentieth Television, Intrepid Pictures, and Archaia Studios Press. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. “Thrall” is her first novel.
Hidden within Human society is an entrancing race of beings who look just like us. They are the Akataromai.Originating on Earth, they conceal themselves, blending within the Human population. Though they appear to be Human, mature Akataromai live for centuries and feed upon negative Human emotions. Angelina Quorra is an Akataromai, a Human-looking girl who might never die. But Angelina is unique among her people, absorbing pain as well as emotion and giving anyone who feeds her overwhelming pleasure. This is her story, told by the men who adore her. Her talent is called The Lustre, bringing her great fame, and great trouble.
Long Synopsis:
The Lustre weaves a new tale of Fantasy, revealing an entrancing race of people called the Akataromai. Originating on Earth, they conceal themselves, blending within Human society. Though they appear to be Human, mature Akataromai feed upon negative Human emotions. Angelina Quorra, a young woman with a rare gift among Akataromai, produces overwhelming ecstasy in those upon whom she feeds. No one who feels it can ever forget The Lustre.
Kate Policani weaves Angelina Quorra’s tale from a unique perspective, viewing her through the eyes of the men who adore her. Each provides a piece of Angelina’s life story, chronicling her trials and her salvation. From her father’s guilt-plagued love to the faithful devotion of her servants, all the men who have been touched by Angelina have their say.
Born to young and rebellious parents who selfishly flout their society’s standards, little Angelina flounders in poverty and isolation. Her savior is Luciano Quorra. He transports her into comfort and wealth in the bosom of her people, sheltering her until she can reach adulthood. Together they discover her unique gift, astonished at its power. Unfortunately, even love and marriage can’t save Angelina from the machinations of Jaques Trace. Through murder, kidnapping and treachery he will destroy her happiness just to taste her charms. Will he succeed in monopolizing that intoxicating experience and the only woman who can impart The Lustre?
Kate Policani has a wild imagination and an addiction to reading and writing. Her hobby is exploring and analyzing all kinds of stories. She uses them like a literary chemistry set to examine a variety ideas and concepts and to fuel her own writing. She prefers writing in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres because the exciting flights of fancy make a thrilling plot.
Excerpt:
The evening sun was warm on my face when I stepped out of the chilly, musty woods. The abrupt transition was disorienting because I was climbing up a winding, hilly trail in a heavily-wooded state park one minute, and the next I was standing at the edge of an orchard—apples from the heady smell. It topped the hill I had been climbing, wading into the lush green grass that grew high and overgrown all around.
As I stood catching my breath, I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye and heard a rustle. I turned just in time to see a flash of golden hair and a slender ankle disappear behind an immense tree at the edge of the woods to my left.
“Hello,” I called to the form, walking slowly in that direction. I reached the tree and peered around the other side, but no one was there. “Hello?” I called again. There was no sign of anyone around now. Then I heard a rustling above me.
On a branch above, too high for me to reach, stood a stunning girl. She was around seventeen, willowy and vibrant, with huge blue eyes and creamy skin. Her shining golden hair floated around her and her little wispy blue dress danced around her knees. I’m not sure if I imagined it, but it was almost as if she had a golden glow about her.
“Hey,” I called up to her, hungry for her attention. “Do you know where this place is?”
She stared with disapproval for a moment, and then said in a melodious but stern voice, “Didn’t you see the signs at the edge of the trail? You’re on private property. The park ended more than 500 feet that way.” She pointed a graceful finger into the woods. “Uh…” I stammered, struck by her beauty which changed from moment to moment like a rippling pool. “Sorry…”
“You should go now,” she warned.
“Oh…” I fumbled, buying time now so I could keep looking at her. “Uh…why?”
She shot me with a heartbreaking and gorgeous frown, and an exquisite flush of frustration bloomed on her cheek. “Lucci doesn’t tolerate intruders. He won’t show you any mercy.”
“Who’s Lucci?” I stalled some more.
She gave me another dazzling frown and shook her head in silence. Then she looked up with a flash of her eye and her whole face changed from distrust to anticipation, her succulent coral lips parted. “Here he comes,” she whispered. I could barely hear her, but her words sent a sudden shock of panic through me. Something was coming toward me—I could feel it. I almost dashed away right then, but I couldn’t leave without something.
“Please,” I stammered nervously, “what is your name?”
“Angelina,” she murmured, still gazing with those sapphire eyes down the grassy, tree-spotted hill toward the yet invisible Lucci. Whatever this Lucci was, it was awful enough for me to sense it in a way that was almost supernatural.
Now I ran. I had never felt any kind of instinct like it before, but terror raced in my veins and I know I ran faster than I had ever run. I didn’t stop till I got to my Jeep. I don’t even remember my flight except for the driving fear and the trees rushing past me. Once I was inside with the door locked and the engine running, I realized that I was gasping for breath so hard that I almost vomited. Tears were streaming out of my eyes—from wind or from fear? My nose had run and I had drooled all down my face and chin and I was soaked in sweat. Whatever Lucci was, he must be horrible. Still I vowed to find Angelina again. Was she a captive? She didn’t seem afraid of this Lucci, even though I was.
In the woods behind the park … buried beneath the ground … a secret waits.
Thirteen-year-old Gabe Wrenn has always taken refuge in his imagination. Refuge from his hovering mom and bullying brother. Refuge from the smirks and stares of his classmates. Refuge from his epilepsy. But now his imagination seems to be running wild. And he can’t stop it. And the only person Gabe can confide in is a girl who thinks his “weird brain” is the key to unlocking the secret of the Brynmor Witch.
Steve is a native Oregonian with a wife and one teenage son who is as passionate about his lacrosse as he is about writing. Spare time? There is none. He just tries to be fully present for his family and cram as much reading into each day as possible, which means that the garage will never be tidied up enough to make room for the car..
Do you want a blog tour but don’t have $1000 to spare to buy one from a fancy company? Why don’t we make our own?!?! We’re all authors who have great books to share. Lets share them together!
The plan:
First come – first served for slots in the blog-in. Email me at katepolicani@gmail.com with the subject “Author Blog-in”.
Everyone who signs up gets to join in, one book per Blog-in. (Lets set our maximum at 10 authors per blog-in so we aren’t posting into eternity.)
Everyone gets one day on the Blog-in.
All Groovy Cats (participants) in the Blog-in will post each day for all the other authors.
All Groovy Cats will post on day 1 about their own book, including the Blog-in logo in their post.
We are live with my Kickstarter campaign! This one is more chill than my previous campaign, and more of a pre-order platform than anything else. There are several ways you can get your hands on my digital pre-release copy without committing to a pre-review. I have Day-of-release paperback options as well as some fancy stuff.
If you want to buy my book, I’d encourage you to go this route because you can get things earlier, and because you get a discount! If you want more swag, I’ve got it there too. (I do still believe firmly in the 99 cent ebook, but I’m going to start my book at $2.99 so I can discount it later and boost sales.)
If you are interested in pre-reviewing my book, you don’t need to buy it. I’ll send you the e-copy as soon as Kathleen has finished her fabulous editing magic on it. Email me katepolicani@gmail.com to get on my pre-review list.
This time I worked my project as more of a pre-order program with some extras included. If you wanted to buy my book, this is a fun way to get it, with extras available if you want more than just what you can get on Amazon.
I learned more about how to better run the Kickstarter project.
1. Make your low earnings goal as your project goal, not your maximum amount. You can earn and keep money above your goal amount, but you lose it all if you don’t reach your goal.
2. Don’t run the project too early before rewards will be available. I’m closer to the time when I can give buyers their rewards for contributing.
3. Provide plenty of inexpensive rewards. If I were thinking of contributing, it wouldn’t be $20 to some stranger’s book.
Been tweaking the cover more! Special thanks to Cynthia Mael, Marc Policani, Tahlia Newland, and Maria Tatham for their input! The back cover will be the same for all, except the first will have a tan back instead of red.
I’m not claiming ultimate authority, or that I can see your personal future. But there are some things you shouldn’t expect to happen when you self-publish.
You shouldn’t expect that anything is going to be easy. This is going to be a lot of work. Formatting is hard work. Promotion is hard work. Social Media and building a platform is a lot of work. Everything that a publishing company does, you have to do for yourself or pay someone to do it.
You shouldn’t expect things to take off quickly. I’m not saying they won’t, but they probably won’t. This isn’t the cusp of the e-publishing era anymore. Just look out there and see the many, many books. It’s hard to stand out among those even if you have a great book.
You shouldn’t expect to do it all for free. You’ll spend money somewhere. There’s no way to escape it. If you go the super-cheap route like me, you’ll still spend more money than you thought. Amazon wouldn’t bother if they weren’t making any money off of selling your work.
You shouldn’t expect everyone to be excited about your work. This one was hard for me. I had really hoped that I could get at least 50 sales out of my 250 Facebook friends. Didn’t happen. I don’t know if it is just that they aren’t readers, or that they aren’t readers of Fantasy or Science Fiction, but they weren’t very interested. They have been less interested in subsequent books too. It’s not as if it was too expensive for them. Just because I would get excited about a friend writing a book, doesn’t mean anyone else will. Also, almost a year into my journey, people are still just noticing that I wrote a book. I don’t know what to say about that. I’ve bugged them enough about it, I’m sure.
You shouldn’t expect anyone else to do it for you. They do, frequently. People you never expected support from just appear and do amazing things for you because they are so cool! But you can’t go at it expecting it. You have to roll up your sleeves and attack it yourself. People respect that and offer to help because you are taking the initiative.
The reason I still love self-publishing:
Even though it isn’t what I expected, it has brought so many unexpected, wonderful things to me! I now know and work with people around the world. The work that I slogged through myself is now knowledge that I own like treasure, saved up. I can help others with what I know. I can drop everything and make cinnamon toast for my kids, but still write things I love and share them with others. (My kids just interrupted me asking for cinnamon toast.) I can reach people all over the world with my experience, all while sitting in a chair in my living room, in my bathrobe. (Yep. I really did.)
OK! Decisions! I’m going with my gut (and all your suggestions) and changing the title to “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Magic”!
Thanks for all your help! This title is actually one I made up. (Blush!) So I randomly chose from all the entrants for the special post during my launch party (With random.org) The winner is Nadia Riell! I will give you the post and the copy of the book.
I Seattle-ized this one. Is blue really better?
Kate Policani 