Silent was selected as the 2014 Rainbow Award Winner in the Gay & Lesbian Young Adult Category! 😀
I was curled up in bed, watching The Avengers with my husband (after launching a steady campaign promoting a re-watch of all the Marvel movies in order for…reasons) when the news came through. I made him pause it, because my eyes were inexplicably blurry for a moment there.
Cheesy as it may sound, I really don’t feel like I’m the winner, so much as Alex and Seb. Perhaps even more than my usual characters, those two have their own voices and their own lives and their own (possibly) continuing story. The book is fiction, but it’s a fiction full of truths, and the fact that others are reading and therefore experiencing and understanding the boys’ stories…means the world to me.
So thank you to the judges, to Elisa, and to all the readers who give Silent continued life by sharing in Alex and Seb’s journey.
I’ll be doing a giveaway soon to celebrate. 🙂
*Also, if anyone’s interested, coupon code 82LJJ555 at Createspacewill give you $4.00 off the paperback
To celebrate ACX finally getting Social Skills in the right category, (I think. Oh, ACX and their shenanigans!) I’m doing a giveaway. I’ll select 2 winners who can choose from a copy of the audiobook from Audible, or 2 signed paperbacks (Silent and Social Skills, unless you really want Pura Vida :P) and a tote bag. 🙂
*My first time using rafflecopter…hope I did it right! Nothing is ‘required’ except an email addy so I can contact winners, so if it tries to tell you otherwise, let me know. Thanks!
It’s here!! After all the false starts, I can finally, finally say that the Social Skills audiobook is now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. My first audiobook! \o/
Awesome Cover Art by Dani Alexander
My narrator (Andrew Eiden) did an amazing job, and really went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied with every line of his reading. He’s an actor and an experienced narrator, and as such normally would have been out of my price range to hire. Luckily for me he was interested in the title and agreed to do it for a royalty share. I hope the audiobook listeners enjoy his narration as much as I did! (especially the Connor/Jared scenes…those were so good IMO. 🙂 )
Andrew Eiden
To celebrate, I think I’ll do a giveaway for some paperbacks and tote bags/other goodies shortly. 🙂
Haven’t been here for a while– the past year was not my favorite. But the upcoming one promises to be better! It’ll be a full one, so I’ll be trying to squeeze in writing when I can. My life has definitely taken some twists I never saw coming, but I’m happy to go with them, since one of those previous twists led me to being an author and to sharing my stories with wonderful readers. 🙂
On to the news:
Last month I was interviewed by Sequential Tart as part of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, which was pretty neat. You can read it here.
And, I’m very excited to announce that the Social Skills audiobook is complete! It’s processing at the moment and should be available for purchase by next week. I almost thought the day would never come, as I had really bad luck with two previous narrators (the last one never did the work and broke contract). Then, just a couple of months ago, a quality narrator/actor who would normally be out of my price range took an interest in the book and agreed to do the narration for a royalty share.
This Sunday I decided to do something off the beaten path, so I packed up the husband for a trip to a place I’d only heard about in rumors—The Last Bookstore.
A friend mentioned once that there was a magical store in LA where books became works of art and plenty of good reads could be had for just a dollar. After a bit of googling, I located the two-story independent bookstore. Turned out it was only nine miles away, in downtown LA (although nine miles is kind of far in LA’s space-time continuum).
The Last Bookstore is a used bookstore that accepts donations and trade-ins, and also offers cash for items in like-new condition. But it isn’t just the fair-priced books that entice potential customers in a day and age when the brick and mortar stores are rapidly disappearing. There is a sense of magic and wonder, from the moment you walk in the door and spot the sales desk made of stacked books, or look up to see the waves of books hanging high on the wall. Little nooks and crannies beckon with cool artwork or popular books from different genres on display. And that’s just the first floor.
The upstairs is called the Labyrinth, and there you will find a maze of books, more book art instillations, and random surprises, like a Fonzie Fire Hydrant.
For when you really feel like a green or blue book.
Our Lady the Queen of the Last Bookstore of Los Angeles (written in Spanish beneath her)
Aaay!
And, of course, stacks upon stacks of books, in almost every language and from all different time periods. Being that it’s a labyrinth, areas aren’t that well labeled (except for the crime novels vault—the building might’ve been a bank in a previous life).
But then, that was always the fun of libraries and bookstores…that “let me drag my eyes along this shelf and see what jumps out at me” thing that we don’t get to experience as often these days. As much as I love the internet, sometimes it’s a little too easy to tailor it to give us just what we want, which cuts down on accidental but possibly wonderful discoveries.
I was tempted to buy a few writing/publishing advice books, but their publications dates in the 70’s and 80’s made me wonder if they’d be all that helpful. I was still tempted to buy them, just for fun, but if you saw the boxes of books I have at my parents’ house and in our garage, you’d understand why limits have to be placed.
I found my temporarily lost husband in the woodworking section about an hour later, and we made our way back downstairs. I bought a couple of books by Anne McCaffrey, who was my favorite author when I was a teenager, and then finally located the LGBT area. This is where I have to say I was a little disappointed…in this huge, well-stocked store, there were only two tiny rows on a shelf that were LGBT. It could be that some of the fiction is mixed in among different genres, but I didn’t come across anything in my travels. There was also a section under remodeling, so I’m hopeful that there are more books to be found. I’ll probably make a return visit sometime and keep my eyes open—I’m positive I could wander around there for hours and still not see everything!
Recommended place to visit if you’re ever in the LA area 🙂
Just wanted to wish everyone happy holidays, vacation days, or whatever you have in store for this time of year. 🙂
I haven’t been writing, or thinking about writing, for a bit as my furry best friend (black and white kitty) became very sick and had to have surgery. She’s doing well now but it was a tough time for us. I’m going to take this holiday season as a little break and a chance to officially ‘move in’ to my house, which we’ve owned for two years now with nothing up on the walls and a room full of still unpacked boxes (Crazy, I know. My husband and I are lost causes.).
I’m also a bit late in sending out the giveaway prizes (sorry!) as it took a while to find the time to get over to Santa Monica with everything going on. But I did spend a nice crisp winter day there yesterday, and it doubled as my 4 year wedding anniversary celebration.
As promised, here’s the video of the winner’s artwork being created (if you listen closely, you can hear me say a word or two. 😛 Well, actually, just the same word twice).
*If you’re looking for a place to do a little donating, recently engaged M/M authors TJ Klune and Eric Arvin are dealing with unexpected serious health concerns. Surgery and a lengthy hospital stay are in Eric’s future and they could use the support. http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/eric-arvin-support-fund/116877
I was surprisingly away from a computer when the Rainbow Awards were announced, and had other readers/authors break the news that Social Skillsplaced 5th in the Gay Young Adult category and 7th in the Debut Novel Category. 🙂 Pretty awesome to be up there on the website with the list of winners. You can find a complete list here: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/#entry-3971911.
In other news, Social Skills, Silent, and Pura Vida have been nominated in the Goodreads M/M Romance Group Member Choice Awards. Not sure who nominated me where, but thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed! 🙂
For Silent:
*Best Book of the Year
*Best Contemporary
*Best Story that Should/Must Have a Sequel
*Best Young Adult Genre
*Best Young Adult Characters
For Social Skills:
*Best Athletes
*Best Book of the Year
*Best Coming Out
*Best Gay/Out for You
*Best Performance Arts
*Best Story that Should/Must Have a Sequel (If I placed in that category, would that mean I have to write it?? Lol)
*Best Virgin Sex Scene
For Pura Vida:
*Best Free Story
*Best Story that Should/Must Have a Sequel
*Best Young Adult Genre
Here’s a $2 off coupon code for Createspace, good for the next two weeks: S2XQ6E63
My cat is very excited.
Giveaway Winners
My apologies on being a day late on the announcement– had some car and cat troubles. I used a random number generator to select the winners out of the 47 entries.
Winner 1: Peaches
Winner 2: JohnRay
I really loved reading the comments you guys shared on all the posts. If I had infinite resources, I’d send you all paperbacks, but until that day, I’d like to offer anyone who participated a postcard from LA, if they’re interested. Just leave a comment here letting me know (using the same email address you used for the giveaway posts) and I’ll send you a private message. 🙂
Last stop, at least for my photos. Santa Monica is only a few miles north of Venice–they share a border–but the feel is slightly more upscale. The Promenade is a pedestrian mall lined with the latest fashionable department stores, fancy boutiques, and mix of fast food and fine dining restaurants. There are also street performers and occasionally (sadly) a nut job with a microphone who spews hate to a crowd that (thankfully) either ignores him or throws his stupidity in his face with counter-arguments. A few blocks west you’ll come to the beach, where families from all over can be found enjoying the sun and the sand–though few swim in the water unless they’re tourists, as it’s not known for its cleanliness.
The pier is the focal point of the beach, and houses an amusement park with the famous Santa Monica Ferris wheel. Street artists who create unique works of art by request also set up shop on the wooden planks. You could spend an entire day just out on that pier–eating a meal or two at various restaurants, maybe doing a little fishing off the far end, going on the rides at the park and playing a few games. There are also several shops and a trapeze school to occupy your time. Have your face sculpted in clay, or your name painted in bright colors. It’s an entertaining place where you’re sure to find love of all ages–from teenagers on their first dates to elderly couples out for a sunset stroll.
This is where Alex learns about love and sacrifice.
Third Street Promenade
Bridge to the beach
Santa Monica Pier
Well, that’s it! I’ve really enjoyed sharing these images of LA, and hope they were able to provide readers with a glimpse into Alex’s world. 🙂
Giveaway!
I’m giving away 2 prizes at the end of the month:
Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).
Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?
Here’s a clip of one being made:
Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂
Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.
Rules/Entry Info
~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).
~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on December 1st.
~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 2nd.
And now we’ve gone west again. Venice Beach is the people-watching capital of Southern California. You’ll see everything here—tourists from all over the world, locals from every part of LA (which by now you know is pretty diverse), artists, musicians, body builders, break dancers…you name it, Venice Beach probably has it. Street vendors line the boardwalk, selling everything from popcorn to life-size statues of movie characters.
I love the atmosphere here—the laid-back, anything-goes kind of feeling that I have walking the beach. You can dress up or dress down, you can purchase expensive works of art or just a few kitschy odds and ends. You can eat at a fancy café or grab a hot dog and some curly fries. Or you could just sit back and watch the vibrant scenery around you, both natural and man-made.
Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).
Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?
Here’s a clip of one being made:
Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂
Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.
Rules/Entry Info
~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).
~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on December 1st (extended a day because I have one more post :P).
~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 2nd.
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