tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87124497437395125552024-02-07T16:58:22.863-06:00Within the ShadowsJustin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-91761790032679954082023-03-28T09:30:00.001-05:002023-03-28T09:37:45.772-05:00<p> Some great news in my writing world! Flame Tree Press has picked up my manuscript, HELLWEG'S KEEP, in a nice deal and the novel is set to launch November 14th of this year. The cover is already in, see the deliciousness below, and the paperback is up for preorder wherever good books are sold. I really appreciate any all support from you guys!</p><p>If interested in preordering, here are several options: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hellwegs-keep/Justin-Holley/9781787588813">Clickity Click Click</a></p><p>And here is that amazing cover reveal:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6H6uD6IdZA0Go3Xc6uIooObNQt4HHbM0vJ8648n6LkSZcwBkZ_f1M3x5gdldrVXU5gR_1KoZi25LmCRv-FrwIjJ6OOQRoi1vf_v7p_Y1Jg4ACzSZaU9r90Mwm4rjEB459TRo9O8CRdcKPv_eZIWszRD9I5T21cNDjFFD0SUtmET0FkOl34f9wN000Q/s3409/Hellweg's%20Keep%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3409" data-original-width="2186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6H6uD6IdZA0Go3Xc6uIooObNQt4HHbM0vJ8648n6LkSZcwBkZ_f1M3x5gdldrVXU5gR_1KoZi25LmCRv-FrwIjJ6OOQRoi1vf_v7p_Y1Jg4ACzSZaU9r90Mwm4rjEB459TRo9O8CRdcKPv_eZIWszRD9I5T21cNDjFFD0SUtmET0FkOl34f9wN000Q/s320/Hellweg's%20Keep%20cover.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-54481613080597736472021-10-18T15:01:00.000-05:002021-10-18T15:01:07.765-05:00<p> Hey, Gang! So my writing life has gone bonkers. Four of my books will be launching in the next three months, and all are currently up for pre-order (e-book edition) on Amazon. Here they are! The covers are absolutely gorgeous. Couldn't be happier. A big thank you to the talented folks at Silver Shamrock Publishing and Raven Tale Publishing. You all knocked these out of the park.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>THE FALL</b> (Blood From the Stars, book #1 - Raven Tale Publishing). Launch: November 11th, 2021</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClX0d1a8b28yq2yvXTLGfpYCysI840Jt7L__5uy8wTck9SWJOH3miBqx7nV0Td_kKveR5bGpX6yKviZzjlHUjW5AR1CupwfPmRhY88w1vK3Zr4jq_H9iJ2S7Y31Hz9Zq2t8dto0YtyTQf/s1700/20211017_200550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClX0d1a8b28yq2yvXTLGfpYCysI840Jt7L__5uy8wTck9SWJOH3miBqx7nV0Td_kKveR5bGpX6yKviZzjlHUjW5AR1CupwfPmRhY88w1vK3Zr4jq_H9iJ2S7Y31Hz9Zq2t8dto0YtyTQf/s320/20211017_200550.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>TETHERED TO DARKNESS</b> (Silver Shamrock Publishing). Launch: November 16th, 2021</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoY1cfk0galxBtkA_l-_dlp_hE4D8X74eIUe6v9iGwYgfSRuMW0WN02MyvGeao0horJlIJRlbk_TWbU8OKzKnAzgqMl1h1XGj6jaAl42nUSmkLh-AcRgvfkO-MTbXi8Q9uen0wtxE7mIY/s1579/FB_IMG_1634495938888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoY1cfk0galxBtkA_l-_dlp_hE4D8X74eIUe6v9iGwYgfSRuMW0WN02MyvGeao0horJlIJRlbk_TWbU8OKzKnAzgqMl1h1XGj6jaAl42nUSmkLh-AcRgvfkO-MTbXi8Q9uen0wtxE7mIY/s320/FB_IMG_1634495938888.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>THE CAPTURE</b> (Blood From the Stars, book #2 - Raven Tale Publishing) Launch: December 14th, 2021</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPFPStDvdK98CspOuGLArp0FOpDQm9VQm72Tl_ky_zGT7tKi5TQmKwZBXfBwSgQLGx2JuP-tzm4uySjlJXXLGFgGZVRy-Sb5p_WrLWPwpJsbgR4MAZ31N56qk4_zkXNMTkcUelPDM1oE2/s1694/20211017_200529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPFPStDvdK98CspOuGLArp0FOpDQm9VQm72Tl_ky_zGT7tKi5TQmKwZBXfBwSgQLGx2JuP-tzm4uySjlJXXLGFgGZVRy-Sb5p_WrLWPwpJsbgR4MAZ31N56qk4_zkXNMTkcUelPDM1oE2/s320/20211017_200529.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>THE END GAME</b> (Blood From the Stars, book #3 - Raven Tale Publishing). Launch: January 11th, 2022</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eX-NjsYiKEoMcvQPMw7R83bp3a00qGO3q9hv8vjA5Q8ymeR4jnaSGBPNS2IzKb9ee3u5S6BLRRIvNGgs8WpKbr7Sea1Sahup38p9QVyfP0Ru0k8QblOPkrWyis_XqSHJAiJY0Re8OYb0/s1627/20211017_200506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eX-NjsYiKEoMcvQPMw7R83bp3a00qGO3q9hv8vjA5Q8ymeR4jnaSGBPNS2IzKb9ee3u5S6BLRRIvNGgs8WpKbr7Sea1Sahup38p9QVyfP0Ru0k8QblOPkrWyis_XqSHJAiJY0Re8OYb0/s320/20211017_200506.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p></p><br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-9380995535641592522020-03-24T16:03:00.001-05:002020-03-24T16:05:31.356-05:00SEVEN CLEOPATRA HILL (Kindle version) is up for pre-order! Order now and it will magically appear on your Kindle April 7th. Can't wait to share what other awesome horror authors who read out ahead had to say about the story...very kind words, indeed. And if you clickety click click down below you can not only pre-order but also read the official book description. Check it out:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/SCH-here" target="_blank">Clickety Click Click</a></td></tr>
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-90332231073341059562020-03-02T08:42:00.002-06:002020-03-02T08:48:23.455-06:00Hey, Gang!<br />
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So, a couple of appearances are now a go for 2020. One for the local peeps and another for the further-away fans. I'm excited about both of these events and I will add more as they become official. As always, I appreciate the support of each and every one of you!<br />
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<b>Author Fest</b><br />
June 20th, 2020<br />
Park Rapids, MN - Legion Club<br />
Time: 11-3<br />
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<b>Scares That Care</b><br />
Silver Shamrock Publishing vendor table<br />
July 31st - August 2nd, 2020<br />
Williamsburg, VAJustin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-83965686470834653752019-11-12T11:07:00.000-06:002019-11-12T11:07:26.701-06:00Cover Reveal: SEVEN CLEOPATRA HILLSEVEN CLEOPATRA HILL has a face! Silver Shamrock Publishing initiated the cover reveal yesterday and I couldn't be happier. Thank you Silver Shamrock and Elderlemon Design for this beautiful cover. And here it is...<br />
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-49696224541023986432019-08-28T10:49:00.001-05:002019-08-28T10:49:47.540-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, this happened not so very long ago. My latest novel, SEVEN CLEOPATRA HILL, will be published by Silver Shamrock Publishing in January 2020. I'm stoked. Silver Shamrock is a quality organization and the staff are incredible. More news soon! You know, things like official book blurbs and cover reveal and where to pre-order and all the good stuffs.</div>
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-90378662023664242962016-06-09T09:18:00.000-05:002016-06-09T09:18:05.745-05:00Goodreads Book Giveaway: THE GULLIES - Win A Free Copy!<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget190306">
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30142307"><img alt="The Gullies by Justin Holley" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1465061754l/30142307.jpg" title="The Gullies by Justin Holley" width="100" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30142307">The Gullies</a><br />
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2986988.Justin_Holley" style="text-decoration: none;">Justin Holley</a><br />
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Giveaway ends June 30, 2016.<br />
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See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/190306" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br />
at Goodreads.<br />
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/190306" type="text/javascript"></script>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-23547516878914359632016-06-01T13:27:00.001-05:002016-06-08T13:13:21.347-05:00Upcoming Book Signing Events<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrr8RMiegqLUwGGj4GwAyKZ2W3hV64XKjqiCDGD9YyHrNlPNR8T4fi36nCTDcn59gDFV9ogcMVB7twRRtrT4DaW2WNt4szSogIuBK8qPKFcsTJdhmYIMogp3iW15lpGeOzFblWz7MJHaD/s1600/Bruised3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrr8RMiegqLUwGGj4GwAyKZ2W3hV64XKjqiCDGD9YyHrNlPNR8T4fi36nCTDcn59gDFV9ogcMVB7twRRtrT4DaW2WNt4szSogIuBK8qPKFcsTJdhmYIMogp3iW15lpGeOzFblWz7MJHaD/s200/Bruised3b.jpg" width="125" /></a>Hey, Gang! For my Midwest peeps, or anyone on vacation "up north", I'll be signing books at the following two events in the month of June:<br />
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<b>Author Fest</b><br />
Armory Square Building<br />
Hosted by: Beagle & Wolf Books<br />
203 Park Ave S<br />
Park Rapids, MN<br />
June 18th, 2016<br />
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Books & Brew Bookstore<br />
Dorset, MN<br />
June 25th, 2016<br />
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Please check back often as I will be adding dates as they come along. I hope to see you all there!<br />
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-238359489114615112016-04-11T09:51:00.003-05:002016-04-11T09:56:10.670-05:00THE GULLIES: Pre-order Live Now!<br />
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The e-book version of THE GULLIES (book #3 in the Bruised series) is officially up for pre-order! Woo hoo!! You can take a gander at this here: <a href="http://ow.ly/10wGWL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/10wGWL</a><br />
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In celebration of this event, both BRUISED and WEDNESDAY'S CHILD (the first 2 books in the Bruised series) will be only .99 for a short time. If you've ever thought about reading the series, now's the time! They can be looked upon here:<br />
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BRUISED: <a href="http://ow.ly/10wHos" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/10wHos</a><br />
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WEDNESDAY'S CHILD: <a href="http://ow.ly/10wHwr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/10wHwr</a><br />
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<b>Thanks, as always, for your support!</b><br />
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Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-37051246998357642062016-04-05T07:00:00.000-05:002016-04-05T07:35:22.259-05:00The Cover & Blurb Reveal for Book #3 in the Bruised series, THE GULLIES by Justin Holley, is Now Live!After long last, Book #3 in the Bruised series has a cover and a description. Still on target for a May 1st, 2016 launch date, THE GULLIES has already received praise from early reviewers. Some of them even say it's the best in the series. In the end, only you can decide that. So, without further ado and carrying on, I present the book blurb just below...and if you keep scrolling, you'll run into the fantastic cover reveal.<br />
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As always, anyone who Tweets or Shares a post on Facebook in regards to this cover & blurb reveal will be entered into the drawing to win a free signed copy of the paperback edition.<br />
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Please enjoy!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Official Book Blurb:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tracey, Jason, and the kids are back in the third book
in the BRUISED series. For this case, they travel to the pine-shrouded
northwoods of Minnesota for what they think will be a routine funeral. But in
The Gullies, dead things live on while alive things die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Tracey’s cousin is found dead, apparently by his
own hand, she and the family head to The Gullies to mourn and help out. But
when they arrive, a rash of ritualistic murders break out, people found skinned
and mutilated, and Tracey soon learns that her cousin’s death may not be what
it seems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, when Janey is abducted, Tracey fears the cult
behind the attacks will try to exploit her clairvoyance for evil. With the help
of detective Clausen, Tracey must rescue Janey and put an end to the brutal murders
before the cult weaves their most dangerous ritual, and she loses yet another family
member to the beast of THE northwoods GULLIES.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Next, the cover reveal...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Enjoy!!!!</span></div>
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-3652716342702446942015-10-13T13:54:00.000-05:002015-10-13T13:54:55.961-05:00Book Giveaway Over At Goodreads: WEDNESDAY'S CHILD<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget157208">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26808628"><img alt="Wednesday's Child by Justin Holley" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443104442l/26808628.jpg" title="Wednesday's Child by Justin Holley" width="100" /></a><br />
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2986988.Justin_Holley" style="text-decoration: none;">Justin Holley</a><br />
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Giveaway ends October 31, 2015.<br />
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See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/157208" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br />
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/157208" type="text/javascript"></script>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-86249761797972805752015-10-06T14:38:00.001-05:002015-10-06T14:38:13.676-05:00Cover Reveal For The Anthology HORRORS: REAL, IMAGINED, AND DEADLYBelow you will find the awesome anthology cover-reveal for the first of my two short stories, THE GODS WITHIN, being published in the month of October. I am in this one with a bunch of other talented authors, several of which I am privileged enough to call friends. The anthology will be published by Elephant's Bookshelf Press, with the esteemed Matt Sinclair editing. Can't wait to sign some copies of this one!<br />
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This cover is awesome by the way! Created by the talented Charlee Hoffman. And here it is...<br />
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Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-67248929616804232782015-09-15T09:33:00.000-05:002015-09-15T09:33:05.286-05:00Cover Reveal: WEDNESDAY'S CHILD by Justin HolleyHello, fans, friends, and family!<br />
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Finally, book #2 in the Bruised series will release on October 1st...just in time for Halloween time. Very appropriate, I assure you. It's titled WEDNESDAY'S CHILD. As always, I wanted to share the cover art with all of you ahead of time. Let me know what you think in the comments!<br />
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-56033836744399675002015-07-02T07:54:00.000-05:002015-07-02T07:54:04.739-05:00Goodreads Book Giveaway - Enter to Win!<div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25494785"><img alt="Bruised by Justin Holley" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430944169l/25494785.jpg" title="Bruised by Justin Holley" width="100" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25494785">Bruised</a></div>
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2986988.Justin_Holley" style="text-decoration: none;">Justin Holley</a></div>
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Giveaway ends July 24, 2015.</div>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/144577" type="text/javascript"></script>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-8121849974153512632015-06-22T12:59:00.001-05:002015-06-22T12:59:17.237-05:00Book SigningsHey, Readers!<br />
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Since the release of BRUISED things have snowballed and its been a ton of fun. I've met many awesome fans of the thriller and horror genres...and would like to think I've made a fan of a few more. Reviews are trickling in slowly and the novel seems to have been well received thus far. Very humbling!<br />
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I've been a part of two book signings now and BRUISED has sold out at both. What? Yes! A big thanks to Vagrant Books and Beagle & Wolf Books for having me and for your ongoing support. Your staff and customers both are fantastic!<br />
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Here are a few pics from both of the events:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attacked by an Anime character! Dealt with swiftly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing book 1 of 70 of the evening at Vagrant Books!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Kent Krueger and I at Beagle & Wolf Books</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing BRUISED for a fan</td></tr>
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Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-72256613928336643302015-05-28T09:25:00.001-05:002015-05-28T09:25:04.589-05:00Release Party For BRUISEDHello, Readers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEXPbTDcUcxAjulKNuKXVqFn5H1BaC9MDz5jStxnKG9G7maynr_jJg-IRv0tbYDeTTguxqsU7wwKZyPgAVcr5Szlp6f-Sl4zuXhB3u5bNWYEFEjj4Az2Zx52A47CTnx3sJ4ypj1iCdJQZ/s1600/Bruised+Cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEXPbTDcUcxAjulKNuKXVqFn5H1BaC9MDz5jStxnKG9G7maynr_jJg-IRv0tbYDeTTguxqsU7wwKZyPgAVcr5Szlp6f-Sl4zuXhB3u5bNWYEFEjj4Az2Zx52A47CTnx3sJ4ypj1iCdJQZ/s200/Bruised+Cover.JPG" width="125" /></a>So, the cover reveal for BRUISED was a smash, and we gave away some awesome books, posters and swag. With the swell of support, BRUISED released on May 13th and briefly stuck at #27 on the Supernatural Thrillers list! Hopefully that initial interest can be sustained.<br />
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You can purchase BRUISED anywhere books are sold (if your local bookstore isn't carrying, please ask) and also here: <a href="http://www.justinholley-author.com/writing.shtml">http://www.justinholley-author.com/writing.shtml</a><br />
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As a celebration of sorts for the success of this project, there will be a release party on June 5th, hosted by my friends over at Vagrant Books. There will be music, food, beverages, giveaways throughout the evening, signed copies, and readings from BRUISED, as well as, a sneak-preview of the sequel, WEDNESDAY'S CHILD. Please see details below:<br />
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Hope to see you all there!!<br />
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------Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-18121657187207134442015-05-01T00:30:00.000-05:002015-05-02T16:12:23.463-05:00Cover Reveal Contest: BRUISED by Justin Holley<br />
Hello, Bruisers! Thanks for stopping by...<br />
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So, I finally got to see the intense and spooky cover for my debut novel, BRUISED, which releases May 13th 2015. And now, you can see it too. In fact, I'm so grateful to the many people who helped make this happen, I'm throwing a party, a contest, with giveaways from some of my friends. I'll also throw in a signed copy of BRUISED to round out the prizes.<br />
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It's simple! All you need do is check out the prizes below and the reveal of my cover at the very end. Then you can get your name in the hat up to four times: once when you comment on this blog post, twice more when you mention me and BRUISED on Twitter (include @justin_holley) and Facebook (please also post on my author site Justin Holley - Author to be sure I see it), and yet again if you recruit someone else to do these things and they drop your name. That's right! Your name could go in the hat up to four times if you care to put in the work. This shall go on until Friday, May 8th and then I'll draw "the names". I'll contact each winner either via e-mail or discreetly through social media for mailing details.<br />
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Thank you for your support!<br />
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A.G. Howard, best-selling author of the Splintered series, brought over five--yes five!--awesome posters from the YA horror anthology her work is featured in, entitled Slasher Girls and Monster Boys! Did I mention they're signed?? What? Yes!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LdWIx7ynPc/VMWqJVWz7RI/AAAAAAAACv4/l0v12CAWB7s/s1600/OFFICIAL%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Available NOW!" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LdWIx7ynPc/VMWqJVWz7RI/AAAAAAAACv4/l0v12CAWB7s/s320/OFFICIAL%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a><br />
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Angela V. Cook, author of the awesome-book Into A Million Pieces, brought a signed copy of her novel. Just look at that beautiful cover!<br />
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Awesome-author Bethany Crandell brought over a bag of swag all tied into her fantastic novel Summer On The Short Bus.<br />
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A. Lyndon Rolland, awesome-author of the deliciously spooky book Of Breakable Things, also brought over a signed edition of her novel.<br />
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A huge shout-out to my friends above for the awesome prizes! And an equally enthusiastic hooray to each and every one of you! I understand there are plenty of blogs to read out there, so the fact you're on mine, right now, is humbling. So, thank you! And good luck in the contest...<br />
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Okay, finally, the cover reveal of BRUISED. Please refrain from licking your screen as it can lead to electrocution.<br />
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Getting closer...<br />
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And here it is...<br />
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Available May 13th, wherever books are sold.<br />
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<br />Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-47191043866383256812014-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-14T07:31:09.312-05:00Cover Reveal: PRESS PLAY By Eric Devine<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">My good buddy, and awesome-author, Eric Devine, has hijacked my blog! He threw a bash to celebrate the release of his cover for PRESS PLAY, and now he wants to give away the gifts we gave him. Okay! And he really wants to unveil his new cover to you, his fans! So please...PLEASE participate, and just maybe I'll get my blog back. Ha! Ha! You're gonna love it! Without further ado, I give you: the talented, Mr. Eric Devine:</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">I threw a party and want to give you my gifts!!</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">So I finally got to see the awesome, amazing, and intense cover
for my next novel,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Press Play</span></i>. And then the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Book
Buzz 2014 Young Adult</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span>edition
released, which has the first two chapters in it. I was so excited that I threw
a party to celebrate.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Bethany Crandell came with a signed copy of her novel,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Summer
on the Short Bus</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and
a swag pack with bookmark and pin.</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.0pt;"></span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">AG Howard brought an awesome 18x24”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Unhinged</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>poster, as well as a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Splintered</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>series swag pack.</span></span></span><br />
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<img alt="Unhinged poster" class="alignleft wp-image-2166 size-medium" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/unhinged-poster.jpg?w=233&h=300" /><img alt="Splintered.UnhingedSwag" class="alignleft wp-image-2167 size-medium" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/splintered-unhingedswag.jpg?w=176&h=300" height="300" width="176" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Lisa Ann O’Kane rolled up with an e-copy of her debut,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Essence</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and some sweet swag pins.</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i></i><br /></span>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span><img alt="Essence. Book image" class="alignleft wp-image-2169 " src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/essence-book-image.jpg?w=226&h=303" height="303" width="226" /><img alt="ESSENCE Pins" class="aligncenter wp-image-2170" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/essence-pins.jpg?w=219&h=275" height="275" width="219" /><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">A. Lynden Rolland rocked the place with a signed copy of her debut,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Of
Breakable Things</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and
her swag pins and bookmark.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> </span><img alt="Obt.BookImage" class="alignleft wp-image-2172 " src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/obt-bookimage.jpg?w=285&h=360" height="360" width="285" /><img alt="OBT button" class="alignleft wp-image-2173" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/obt-button.jpg?w=234&h=255" height="255" width="234" /><br />
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<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">And then Justin Holley scared us all with his contribution: a
signed copy of the horror anthology,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Amanda’s Recurring Nightmares</span></i>, in which
his short story, “Wildflower” is featured</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Amanda's Nightmares" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2177" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/amandas-nightmares.jpg?w=193&h=300" /><br />
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<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">We had a blast, and because I’m so thrilled with my cover and the
sample chapters,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I WANT TO GIVE ALL MY GIFTS AWAY</span></b>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">So let’s reveal my cover and then you will have a chance to win
all that you saw above, as well as a signed copy of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Press
Play</span></i>. Awesome, right?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">*Drum roll*</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">And for the teaser:</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8.0pt;"></span></div>
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<img alt="Press Play cover teaser" class="aligncenter wp-image-2192 size-full" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/press-play-cover-teaser1.jpg?w=490" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Scroll for the real deal</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">*</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">*</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">*</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">*</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><img alt="Press Play cover" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2193" src="http://ericdevine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/press-play-cover.jpg?w=490&h=734" height="734" width="490" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Holy-in-your-face-what-is-going-on-with-these-kids-in-this-glitchy-video-image?</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Let me explain:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">About<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Press Play</span></i></span></u><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Does the truth really set you free?</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Pound by sweaty pound, Greg Dunsmore’s plan is working.
Greg is steadily losing weight while gaining the material he needs to make the
documentary that will get him into film school and away from the constant jeers
of “Dun the Ton.”</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">But when Greg captures footage of brutal and bloody hazing
by his town’s championship-winning lacrosse team, he knows he has evidence that
could damage as much as it could save. And if the harm is to himself and his
future, is revealing the truth worth the cost?</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">With unflinching honesty, author Eric Devine explores the
debatable truths and consequences of the choices we make to get through each
day intact.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">You’re pumped now. I can feel it. Well, if you need a fix, here
are the first two chapters: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/BuzzBooks" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/BuzzBooks</a> But don’t forget to enter, below, to win the prize
pack.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;">Thanks for stopping by, and happy winning, and even happier
reading :)</span></span></span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">The
Giveaway:</span></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8pt;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fcc39c1/" target="_blank">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fcc39c1/</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Eric Devine is the author of multiple works of Young Adult fiction, most recently <i><a href="http://ericdevine.org/books/">Dare Me</a></i>.
He is also a veteran high school English teacher, where he spends as
much time teaching as he does completing field research for his novels.
His work has been listed by YALSA and Booklist for <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks/2013">reluctant readers</a> and for <a href="http://booklistonline.com/%28X%281%29A%28w80gi1FozwEkAAAANDEzZDk5OGYtMmJmNS00NWFiLTkzYWEtOGI3OGY2M2E4ZWU1iB1XiynBJSzbwlOTZ4e3t13vQIU1%29%29/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=6292091&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">Best in Sports</a>. He and his wife have two wonderful daughters and two not-so-wonderful Labradors. Eric’s next novel, <i>Press Play</i>, will be released 10/28, and he is currently working on two novels. Find out more at his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ericdevineauthor">blog</a>, his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ericdevineauthor">Facebook fan page</a>, or <a href="https://twitter.com/eric_devine">Twitter</a>: @eric_devine</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About the Giveaway Authors</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Bethany Crandell</b> writes
young adult novels because the feelings that come with life’s “first”
times are too good not to relive again and again. She lives in San
Diego with her husband, two kiddos (one of whom is differently-abled),
and a chocolate lab who has no regard for personal space. She believes
that avocados are better than chocolate and that Jake Ryan is going to
show up at her door any minute now…. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/bethanycrandell"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">twitter</span></a></span>: @bethanycrandell <a href="http://ericdevine.org/2014/05/07/press-play-cover-reveal/www.bethanycrandell.com">website</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethanyCrandell">facebook</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>A.G. Howard</b> is the author of the Splintered series, a young adult gothic spinoff of Alice in Wonderland. Here are her online haunts: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5186274.A_G_Howard">Goodreads</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authoraghoward">FaceBook</a> <a href="http://pinterest.com/authoraghoward/">Pinterest</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/aghowardwrites">Twitter</a> <a href="http://aghowardwrites.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.aghoward.com/">Website</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Lisa Ann O’Kane</b> is a
young adult author and former vagabond who once camped out in Yosemite
National Park for an entire summer, an experience that inspired her
debut novel ESSENCE. Her background is in zookeeping and environmental
education, and she has been kicked, cornered, bitten and chased by
nearly every animal she has ever loved. She currently resides in
Florida, and she is now a huge fan of shooting stars, indoor plumbing
and keeping both her feet planted firmly on the <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">trail.Find</span> out more: <a href="http://lisaannokane.com/">Website</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaAnnOKane">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LisaAnnOKane">Facebook</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/lisaannokane">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/lisaannokane/">Pinterest</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>A. Lynden Rolland </b>was
born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She spent much of her childhood
compiling dramatic stories of tragic characters in a notebook she still
keeps. As a former English teacher, she enjoys visiting classrooms to
discuss reading, writing and publishing. When she isn’t writing or
chasing her two young children around town, she moonlights as a writing
tutor and gymnastics instructor. <i>Of Breakable Things</i> is her first novel. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">You can connect with <a href="http://www.alyndenrolland.com/">A. Lynden Rolland</a> online through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ALyndenRolland">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/amyrolland">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541831.A_Lynden_Rolland">Goodreads</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Justin Holley </b>is the author of several scary books and short stories, many of which are published in magazines and anthologies around the world. Outside of writing, Justin likes to spend time with his family, investigate the paranormal, and play volleyball pretty much year round. You can interact with Justin at his <a href="http://www.justinholley.com/">website</a>, at <a href="http://www.minnesotaghosts.com/%20">Minnesota Ghosts</a> or on <a href="https://twitter.com/Justin_Holley">Twitter</a>: @Justin_Holley</span></span><br />
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<!--more-->Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-60308573634396979712014-01-31T22:23:00.000-06:002014-01-31T22:25:56.002-06:00Author Interview: Wade Alan Steele<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPKeEcc289KvFCYlDMlvZM_34wGeF18Ijve9_9PX7eDIzmHfCn51Nu55TVUIjJcK6lC-wOhX6PlaXBQDveaOEhcN5BMw-CJiHYisPu5QFP0S7iJZ5Ao5HJhC3BImuApae5iTEbTTCrGBY/s1600/Alan+Steele.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPKeEcc289KvFCYlDMlvZM_34wGeF18Ijve9_9PX7eDIzmHfCn51Nu55TVUIjJcK6lC-wOhX6PlaXBQDveaOEhcN5BMw-CJiHYisPu5QFP0S7iJZ5Ao5HJhC3BImuApae5iTEbTTCrGBY/s1600/Alan+Steele.JPG" height="200" width="151" /></a><strong>Bemidji, Minnesota—not usually equated with being a hotbed
of cultural style—has per-capita, perhaps, a stable of authors who can hold
their own with the denizens of the smarmiest of literary abodes. Even though he
now lives elsewhere, I would like to spotlight one of these folks in
particular. I present to you, a dear friend of mine, the talented author, Wade
Alan Steele. He is the author of PLAGUE SEED and other fantastical delicacies.</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>So, we went to school
together, you and <st1:place w:st="on">I.</st1:place> Seems like an eternity
ago to most, but like yesterday to us writers who never forget anything. Now,
we sang in choir, you acted in many a production, but never, not even once, did
I hear you mention writing as an interest. So, when and how did you first get
the bug for this thing? <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br />
I blame New York City Transit.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had just graduated from the National Shakespeare
Conservatory (1995) in NYC and had escaped the next logical career step as an
actor, being a waiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was working at
a new movie theater in uptown <st1:city w:st="on">Manhattan</st1:city> and was
living in <st1:place w:st="on">Brooklyn</st1:place> at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant an hour commute by subway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t making very good money, certainly
not enough to do a lot of book shopping, and I had a fine at the Brooklyn
Public Library that was growing by the week, so I was reading the same books
over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also dating a
lovely woman from <st1:place w:st="on">Staten Island</st1:place> – another
trek, believe me – and had a great deal of time to kill in transit.</div>
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I purchased a Mead Composition Book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had done some writing in high school and
college, but had never finished a story, so I decided I would use that wasted
subway and Staten Island Ferry time to write.</div>
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I started with a poem to the woman I was dating: “It was her
autumn eyes that began my fall”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
continued writing, it started to sound like a character, and he sounded like a
jerk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been a Dungeons and Dragons
player since the age of 13, so I had a whole world already built—I threw the
character into that world and into a brothel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poem became
the first chapter of the Plague Fall Trilogy.</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Six filled to the last page Mead Composition Books
later I had finished a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
hooked.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Writing means a lot
of different things to a lot of different people. What are some of your
long-term goals? How ‘bout short-term?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Originally I saw dollar signs, someone optioning the book
for a movie, mad bling—I’m not ruling those things out, but my goal now is to
finish book two and three in the next year and a half and tell a good story.</div>
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<br />
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The hardest part of the self-publishing path, especially on
a shoestring budget, is that you have every job; writing, marketing, web
design, book trailer creator—all of it falls to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend money where it matters; an awesome
editor, Lexi Klenow and a crazy talented cover artist, John Amor, but the rest
of it, all me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have serious respect
for those self-published folk who can not only turn out awesome material, but
also execute the backstage things so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a crazy learning curve, takes up a lot of creative time, and I’ve
got a lot to learn.</div>
<br />
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I have a survival job and am a father of two rambunctious
boys, so my creative/business planning time is short (when it comes) and often
happens either late at night (like now) or before sunrise, but it will always
get done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a story to tell, damn
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will get done.</div>
</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plague Seed (book one
in your planned trilogy) has managed nothing but positive reviews, with many
reviewers clamoring for the next installment. Can you give us an indication of
how long this wait may be? Any advance plot-lines you’d care to share with the
public at this time?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Plague War, Book Two of the Plague Fall Trilogy is with the
editor as we speak and my cover artist is working on the layout for the
cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hope is for a late February,
early March release.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am 25,000 words into Plague Fall, the final novel in the
trilogy, and am very happy with it so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am shooting for same release time 2015.</div>
<br />
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The events of Plague Seed, book one, were unkind to our
hero, Drayvus Varden, banished elven knight turned professional mischief maker
and killer, but as the novel closed it looked as if he would start down the
hero’s path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plague War finds Drayvus
trying to drink himself to death in the makeshift refuge <st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Gate</st1:placename> Town—he’s Nick Cage-ing the
place Leaving Las Vegas style; <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Leaving</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Gate</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
that’s what I’ve been calling the first third of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs to be dragged kicking and screaming
to save his people from the disease he was used to bring back.</div>
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any plans for other
future new projects that you can share?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I’ve got a few ideas I’m very passionate about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a horror writer, you probably know a
little bit about witch hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
a 15<sup>th</sup> century witch hunter’s manual called The Malleus Maleficarum,
or the Witch Hammer, written by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, two
Dominican monks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hateful
handbook, sanctioned by the church, laying out the process of finding,
interrogating, and setting up a trial for an accused witch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Malleus Maleficarum became the standard
guide to the massive witch burnings of the Inquisition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to write a historical fiction
novel using this book as source material.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I also have a comic book in the works with my cover
artist, John Amor called Geek Gods, about five 13 year old roleplaying geeks
who find a planet in a box and become gods to its inhabitants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That one has been in the works for a while,
but it’s going to be worth the wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amor’s work is really stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="http://johnamorartist.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://johnamorartist.com/</span></a>)</span><br />
</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I happen to know
several of your best-kept secrets, the fact you find the song “Talk Dirty To
Me” by Poison a guilty pleasure not least of which. But please, it’s been a
long time. What can you share with my blog-readers that they might not know by
visiting you on social media?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dear lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can it get
anymore embarrassing than “Talk Dirty to Me”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am still lost in that era of music, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t help myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love the Hair Band stations on Pandora!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I’m a TV junkie like you wouldn’t believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love my Supernatural, Community, and Parks
and Recreation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really quite dull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s my secret; I am really quite dull!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What advice might you
give to an aspiring writer who is just trying to break in to the madness?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read multiple
styles and genres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get to know what you
like, what you don’t like; what works for you, what doesn’t. Pick up a strange
history book or a repair manual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inspiration can come from the
least expect places. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write every
chance you get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you start writing
crap, keep writing; the likelihood that something brilliant will come next is
greater than if you let crap writing defeat you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Get yourself a copy of The Elements of Style or, at the very
least, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grammar and Style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how brilliant you are in this
regard, you will always learn something useful.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share your
writing with someone you trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
something called the final “Wife Read”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My wife is the world’s greatest reader!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If a sentence passes the wife test, I’m golden; I know I have a sentence
that kills.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hire an editor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you’re going to spend money, do it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You want your finished product to sparkle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rushed into my first self-publishing
endeavor; a book of short stories called A Sudden Dominance of Shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories could have used a copy and story
editor to be sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some day I will
revisit the book; there are many worthwhile tales in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The first grammatical or formatting error will cause even
the most forgiving reader to drop your book like a hot stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dress that child of yours up!</div>
</div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s the best way
for your fans to connect with you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am a social media pygmy, but I’m trying to build a greater
online presence.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Amazon page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plague-Seed-Fall-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00B0JP334"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Plague-Seed-Fall-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00B0JP334</span></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Website: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="http://wadealansteele.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://wadealansteele.com</span></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Facebook: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wadealan.steele?fref=ts"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/wadealan.steele?fref=ts</span></a></div>
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Twitter: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/wadealansteele"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/wadealansteele</span></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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Blog: <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><a href="http://steelethisblog.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://steelethisblog.wordpress.com/</span></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
…or directly:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="mailto:steeleshadows@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">steeleshadows@gmail.com</span></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any last words? (You
are being interviewed on a horror author’s website, after all).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, thanks
for sharing your corner of the internet with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss you, bro!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I am a Minnesotan once more, we must
needs hang! Second, read Plague Seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is Joss Whedon meets Dungeons and Dragons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a lot of fun and touching too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Swords, dragons, elves, dwarves and… heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yup, I do my own marketing!</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So,
there you have it! Thank you so much, my friend, for allowing me the interview,
and for dressing up my blog with flare and moxie. And here’s to—hopefully not
in the too-distant future—you and I sitting around the fire with snotty drinks
in hand. We will discuss the old days, the new days, and toast to the small
dent we have managed to put in the publishing world. </span></b>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-31653145888408808202011-07-19T15:35:00.000-05:002011-07-19T16:09:54.036-05:00Short Story: COMPLICATIONS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Okay, I don't usually post stories on my blog, BUT, I need YOUR (yes your) help to win the cute little thing found at Michelle Simkins blog, here: <a href="http://twe.ly/wxob">http://twe.ly/wxob</a> -- It'll sit right between my signed copy of TERMINAL and my crystal skull. So, please go to this site and vote for my story (if you like it). PLEASE! Thank you. Now, enjoy the story (it's free):<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">COMPLICATIONS<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>If he need sit any longer, they’d better find him a cot. Damn his ass hurt—and just what the hell could take so long?<span style=""> </span>An animal bite sure as hell shouldn’t take all evening.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The shadows, deeper now, seemed to mock Jake.<span style=""> </span>The sun, pleasant and bright on their arrival, threatened to sink below the tree-line.<span style=""> </span>And the tiny waiting room—the one with an even tinier TV and a fricken pop machine too loud to hear the TV anyway—offered little to preserve the small bit of sunlight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“Yer gonna need to be patient,” the cranky old nurse had said, early on.<span style=""> </span>“There’s been a small complication…nothin’ to worry yourself about.”<span style=""> </span>And Jake wondered why the old crone hadn’t retired yet—and why the hell she kept itching at her ass cheek.<span style=""> </span>Instead of staring at her cigarette-wrinkled-upper-lip and her thinning gray hair, maybe he should’ve asked her what kind of complication his girlfriend had.<span style=""> </span>But he didn’t—and he hadn’t seen a soul since.<span style=""> </span>Not one damn white-smocked nurse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>For the tenth time, Jake wadded up a Snicker’s wrapper and tried to hit the ridiculously small trash can.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The wrapper missed, lilted off the side of the can and careened toward the white-tiled hallway.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>When he went to retrieve the stray, Jake stared at the white and red emergency-room door.<span style=""> </span>Nobody had come or gone from it in over an hour.<span style=""> </span>Sure, a small town, Jake got that, but an hour?<span style=""> </span>Just maybe nobody else decided to get hurt or sick today, but he found that highly convenient.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jake paced and tried to sneak nonchalant glances through the small square window.<span style=""> </span>The window, hard to see through to begin with, harbored a set of smudges which rendered seeing through it nearly impossible.<span style=""> </span>And just what the hell was that white shit in the corner of the window? Had it been there before?<span style=""> </span>Jack didn’t think so.<span style=""> </span>He eyeballed it from where he stood and couldn’t decide if it consisted of cotton or something else—yarn maybe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>He crept closer.<span style=""> </span>Ice spiders wriggled their way up his spine, his neck, and then finally his scalp came alive with the little electric pulses.<span style=""> </span>“What the fuck?” he whispered to nobody.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The door swung open easy enough.<span style=""> </span>A cool breeze hissed out past Jake like an unsealed vacuum.<span style=""> </span>And then the stench hit him—something like mildew and blood.<span style=""> </span>He expected to see moths flutter about in the musty din.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>But all remained quiet—calm before a storm.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Bits of what looked like material, tiny chunks of yarn, lay strewn across the floor of the emergency-room and disappeared behind the lone examination table like a trail of bread crumbs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jake crept closer, following the trail, the stench building in his nostrils.<span style=""> </span>He thought briefly about plugging his nose, but the smell, pleasant now, soothed his frayed nerves, lulled him like the gentle swing of a rocking horse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>And then a quiet moan brought Jake back from his burgeoning nirvana.<span style=""> </span>The soft gasp sounded weak yet alive, satisfied somehow, like dead leaves settling after a fall rainstorm, or earthworms sucking back into the sanctity of their holes, damp and natural—guttural.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Then a scraping noise—a shoe on tile.<span style=""> </span>More soft moans cascaded.<span style=""> </span>This time Jake thought he noticed a note of pleasure in the breathy rasp.<span style=""> </span>“Hello?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>A sigh, then, “Here…right here behind the table.<span style=""> </span>No hurry.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jake noticed a white shoe sticking out from behind.<span style=""> </span>It rocked back and forth in a rhythmic motion.<span style=""> </span>He walked over slowly, curious, but not wanting to interrupt anyone’s good time.<span style=""> </span>Better not be his girlfriend down there with one of them fancy-pants docs!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>More sighs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>With a bit more calm than he felt, Jake leaned over—and stared.<span style=""> </span>“What the hell?”<span style=""> </span>Down below, on the cold floor, the old crone of a nurse lay there fingering a gash in her throat like it was her clitoris.<span style=""> </span>“Are you hurt?” he asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The nurse glanced up with a dreamy look.<span style=""> </span>“I suspect I’m dying…but…but what a way to go…”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“Who did this to you?” Jake felt a chill in his belly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“Not a who, dear,” she moaned.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“What?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“Exactly—a what,” she muttered, still preoccupied with the bloody hole in her neck.<span style=""> </span>Blood pooled below her on the white tile, soaking into her hair like an old mop.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“Okay—okay, <i style="">what</i> did this to you?” he asked.<span style=""> </span>“And where’s my girlfriend!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>“The most darling little thing you ever saw!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Then Jake noticed the little pieces of green yarn all over the old crone’s neck.<span style=""> </span>“<i style="">What</i> was it?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The nurse stuck her finger a bit deeper into the wound, blood spilling quicker to the floor.<span style=""> </span>“You’ll see.<span style=""> </span>And you’ll be all the better for it—right through there.”<span style=""> </span>She pointed toward a solid steel door.<span style=""> </span>“You’ll probably find your girl in there too, although I’d wager she ain’t yours no more.<span style=""> </span>No way you can compete with that cozy little bundle.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jake, without hesitation, scared now, raced to the door and pulled it open.<span style=""> </span>Before him on the floor, between an office chair and an old metal desk, his girlfriend lay naked on the tile.<span style=""> </span>On top of her belly, some kind of knit creature, a stuffed rabbit, jumped up and down.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The rabbit, no a bunny, he was sure it was a bunny and not a rabbit, appeared to be made of yarn.<span style=""> </span>One yarn eyeball hung down out of its socket, looking like one of those snappers the kids used to play with.<span style=""> </span>Red stuffing bled out of the thing’s right ear, left paw, and neck.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>His girlfriend, bleeding profusely where the bunny had taken a bite out of her inner thigh, squealed.<span style=""> </span>“Oh, Jake, can we take it home?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jake stared, nodded, then shrugged.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Why the fuck not?</i><span style=""> </span>The thing was cute as hell.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The bunny leaped off Jake’s girl and stood before him.<span style=""> </span>It opened its mouth and hissed softly, arms spread wide, “Come…Zombunny wants to love you!"</p>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-32477192906646508652011-07-08T09:29:00.000-05:002011-07-08T09:33:22.592-05:00WRITER'S SLUSH<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Blogged by popular demand: the recipe for Writer’s Slush!<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah, guaranteed to make you a better writer…or, at the very least, make you not give a shit if you suck.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> It drinks better in the hot summer months, but alcohol is alcohol, right?<span style=""> </span>Drink it whenever the fuck you want! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> WRITER’S SLUSH<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">6 C’s H2O</p> <p class="MsoNormal">½ C Sugar</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1 can frozen OJ</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1 can frozen Lemonade</p> <p class="MsoNormal">½ can frozen grapefruit juice</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1 tsp powdered/unsweetened ice tea mix</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2 C’s Vodka or Brandy</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Heat water and sugar (in a big pot) until sugar dissolves (do not boil, God NO; we don’t wanna ever boil the alcohol—it’ll go bye-bye. *Tears*)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Then add everything else (except the alcohol) and stir the shit around ‘til it’s all melted and mixed together into one big liquid concoction.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> And now for the best part: add the Vodka or Brandy.<span style=""> </span>Stir it all around some more…get it good and blended!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Pour the whole conglomeration into an ice-cream pail (it will fill it to the top) and put in freezer for 28 hrs.<span style=""> </span>Now, I know, when you’re all geared up, it’s hard to wait the 28 hrs, but it’s worth it…so do it.<span style=""> </span>Have some willpower for goodness sakes!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Enjoy, my friends! And, for fuck sakes, drink responsibly. Don't make me write a bunch of fricken small print...<br /></span></p>Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-3197203631084217762011-03-23T08:44:00.000-05:002011-03-23T10:31:53.656-05:00Writing In The First PersonMany people don't, but I absolutely love writing in the 1st person--a lot! And I love reading books written that way as well. The main reason is because, to my tastes, the protagonist seems to come alive so much more brilliantly. When forced to concentrate on the internal thought process of one character, said character usually turns out more dynamic and interesting, someone who readers can rally behind and care about. You can almost taste their emotions, feel their pain, and when they bleed we bleed.<br /><br />But here's my predicament now. Along with RED STRAIN (3rd person thank the Lord), I am currently penning the follow-up novel to JEWEL in the 1st person. The protag is a female (Tracey from JEWEL) paranormal investigator. At first I thought I could pull it off without too much difficulty. I'm married, understand women, well, at least in theory, and after all everyone has the same kinds of emotions, right? Wrong!<br /><br />Every good book has a degree of sexual tension. I don't care if you are the prude of all prudes or the king of porn, we all like sex. And if you say otherwise you're a liar liar pants on fire!<br /><br />Anyway, you can now understand my predicament. What runs through a woman's mind when she's aroused, feels amorous, or otherwise just wants to tear off a chunk? For men it's easy; I can just write from experience. But I know that women differ. Some are simple to understand, others more complicated, and others, well, impossible at all to predict. So where does that leave me?<br /><br />To help alleviate some of my worries, and it does stay true to her personality from JEWEL, I've made Tracey to be a tomboy. She chews, cusses, hangs out with men mostly because most women (according to her) are bitches or worse. And that all helps, but...<br /><br />Any feedback from my female fans would be most appreciated here. My wife has been a tremendous help of course, but she is only one woman, and well, I'd love to see varying view points on how to handle this delicate situation. Because you all know what will happen if I don't nail this dead on (ahem).<br /><br />So please, feel free to respond in any way you feel inclined. Please share your thoughts on the female psyche. Thanks!Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-15914949404219118732011-03-02T15:52:00.000-06:002011-03-02T16:11:10.183-06:00Novel Updates and Other Bits of CarnageAnother long hiatus, I know, and thank you to the many peeps surfing the social networking wave who pointed that fact out to me and got me back in the blogospherical saddle. I should be a more religious blogger, no doubt!<br /><br />Some updates though--finally: <br /><br />I am eleven chapters into RED STRAIN, my newest novel, which has been accomplished in only two weeks time, and so I am very optimistic of an April/May completion date (first draft). Somewhere closer to that time, I'll have the artistic representation and blurb posted on my website under the <span style="font-style: italic;">writing</span> tab. Think zombieish peeps!<br /><br />In addition to RED STRAIN, I am picking away ever so slowly at the sequel to JEWEL (currently being read by a major publishing house), entitled WEDNESDAY'S CHILD. Like JEWEL, the novel is written in the first person, but this time, I'm writing from the perspective of the opposite gender--very fun and interesting, have learned a lot! Stay tuned, please!<br /><br />Shortly, there will be some exciting anthology news regarding my short story, VANDRAVEN'S TICK. I can't say too much yet, but soon...<br /><br />So anyway, I got some stuff in the works, and will try my butt off to keep my blog updated. Thanks again for all who cared to remind me.Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-91594810004017796662010-09-24T14:19:00.000-05:002010-09-24T14:36:04.371-05:00Sherlock Holmes!Cool! My short story and subsequent stage-play by Roy C Booth, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE DIABOLICAL NECROMANCER, will be produced for the first time at The Wild Rose Theater on November 12th and 13th.<br /><br />I can't say enough about how excited I am to see Roy's and my version of the great sleuth come to life. This will be an absolute treat! Any fan of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are going to love this. And my hope is that any Conan Doyle fans will as well. I believe that we have stayed true to the Sherlock Holmes legacy, yet added a flavor not yet tasted.<br /><br />I have heard some rumors of more good news to come with this play in regards to performances. More details as things firm up.Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712449743739512555.post-48821826684454655022010-08-18T10:20:00.000-05:002010-08-18T11:00:11.744-05:00Writerly UpdatesI have known for some time now, but it bares repeating once more (at least), that writing is as much about patience/perseverance and attitude as it is about the craft. Ask my wife, but patience isn't something that has come naturally for me--however, after several years of practice, I would like to think that I have learned how not to drive agents/editors out of their minds. And so I wait...<br /><br />As of right at this moment, I have more than one, but no more than five agents/editors reading JEWEL and INHUMAN. It feels good. That's how I feel now, choosing to think that these kind folks are seriously considering my work, feverishly racking their brains as to how to possibly market my prose. But then, and more likely, they may just be behind on their reading. (Sigh). It's all good...<br /><br />But I do not wait in vain! For the first time in my writing career, I find myself working on two projects simultaneously (ZEALOT & THE GULLIES). Both are horror novels and I like them equally in their own ways (much like children I would guess). They are very different from each other; and so each time I return from one to the other it is a breath of fresh air--invigorating. Below is a list of all my projects (novels only) and my progress to date:<br /><br /><u>Horror</u><br /><br />THE GULLIES - 12,000 words<br /><br />ZEALOT - 24,000 words<br /><br />INHUMAN - 91,000 words (completed)<br /><br />JEWEL - 71,000 words (completed)<br /><br /><u>Supernatural Thrillers</u><br /><br />BROKEN MIRROR - 88,000 words (editing)<br /><br />VESSEL OF THE DIABLO SI - 144,000 (editing - and yes I went crazy)<br /><br />NO INNOCENT VICTIM - 22,000 words (currently on hold)<br /><br />So there we are--projects galore. This of course does not include my short fiction and I should have some exciting news soon regarding a couple more anthologies that will include my work. In addition, there <u>will</u> be some exciting news regarding SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE DIABOLICAL NECROMANCER and Roy Booth's subsequent theatrical representation. Please stay tuned!Justin Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01416168399904398878noreply@blogger.com0