A Shade Tree

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Becoming a Butterfly Book Trailer

I released the book trailer for Becoming a Butterfly today. It is my YA Romance novel that will be released in the spring. I'm very excited for this first installment of a three book chronicle. Be sure to mark it to read on your goodreads list.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12607835-becoming-a-butterfly

16 years old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed.

Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be - and it was only the beginning. In doing so she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately it was Farrah her online personality and not herself he was interested in.

She also attracted Chase the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated.

Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever, and she finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011: My Year in Review

January: In launching Entwined Publishing I was able to catapult my writing hobby into a career. I met a lot of wonderful people and made some amazing connections. Since then, I've learned so many things so fast that at times my head was both spinning and swimming in the new knowledge.

February: I celebrated my tenth year of marriage and was surprised that someone like El Senor has actually put up with me for this long.

March: I learned about book covers; Sheryl Clark Productions did a great professional job for The Ocean. She was attentive to details and produced a timely product that met my expectations.

April: I e-published my debut novel The Ocean. It was amazing at the support I received. I still remember how nervous I was. I was literally up all night freaking out wondering if I could really do this. When you create something, whether it's a novel, or art, music, or anything, you worry if it will be accepted, especially when you put all of your heart into it. That's how I felt.

May: I learned a lot about promoting. I made a lot of connections, and learned about print formatting. I'm surprised that I didn't get a bald spot on the side of my head from all of my hair grips of frustration.

June: I e-published Analogy of my Heart a collection of poetry that I had written from high school to present. I don't really talk a lot about this small book. I wrote poetry when I had difficulty working through my emotions, but this book is close to my heart also. Lyrics and poetry really are my first loves.

July: I printed The Ocean. My Grandmother bought ten copies immediately, and began passing them out to all of her friends. I was also able to share my book with those who didn't have e-readers.

August: My mother lost her battle with cancer. I didn't mention it publicly, because it was a personal matter. I mention it now because it has really impacted my life more than I thought it would. My mother and I weren't close, and she lived so reckless and carefree that I honestly thought she would out live everyone, even me. I find myself grieving for a mother and a relationship that I had already mourned for years, and thought that I had moved past. Love is blind, and still hurts when it is severed.

September: I prepared for the first simultaneous e-publish/print publish for Generations. Q7 Associates put together the covers for Generations. I really enjoyed working with them this year on this project and others, and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. It was another stressful time, though moved smoother than the first print formatting. I gained confidence realizing that the more I do this the faster and easier it will become. I also began learning more about creating covers.

October: Entwined Publishing had it's first public appearance in Avon, Indiana. It was a very exciting day for the company. I also released Generations 1: Book of Enlightenment. My debut Paranormal Series. I felt as though I was holding it up to the sky and watching it take flight. I'm so proud of the products Entwined has produced. I'm not the best at grammar, but I'm glad I have a great support team who is willing to help me with it.

November: I focused on writing. I wrote a large portion of Becoming a Butterfly. It is crazy how your personal life can affect you professionally and vice versa. I learned that lesson, and had to let go to move on.

December: Family, it is the most important commodity you can possess. In the end friends come and go, but your family will be with you, they know you better than anyone else, and they love you in spite of yourself.

This year has been full of peaking highs and deep lows for me, but what would life be without them. I just know that as long as I am feeling something, that means I'm still living. I am so grateful to all the people I have met along the way: the indies, the traditionals, the aspirings, the bloggers, the readers - all friends. Thank you for joining me in this journey. Happy New Year.