Dust Blog Tour: Cover Interview

Today I'm having a cover interview with Devon Ashley, the author of Dust, which will be released today, and for that is on sale! So make sure to get yourself a copy!

First I'd like to know who makes the beautiful covers, such as the cover of "Dust"? How are they made?

Right now I'm still doing my own by manipulating stock photo.

As you can see, the original photo had really muted colors. I altered the colors on a few objects and adjusted her skin tone to match that of her particular Hollow, then added a few effects to really make the photo pop and glow.

Also, the pic was awkwardly short for a book cover, so instead of trying to elongate her body, I decided to add some water and make it look like she's standing in her Hollow's river.

But the real reason I loved this photo for Dust, besides her being a total nature girl, was how her hands were set up perfectly to throw some pixie dust and make the butterfly a crazy shade of blue! :)

Voila! It's my favorite cover so far!

Here you can see the modifications, click to get a better look!

Where did you get the idea for "Dust" cover?

I was really looking to keep with the title and find something that I could work pixie dust around. I just got really lucky finding this.
The photographer is one of my favorites and he also created the original stock photo for my Falling In Between and Falling Away novels.



Are you a cover snob?

Absolutely! Sorry, but I spend so much time writing, reading, and working on publicity, that I have very little time to really search for new books. For me, the cover means everything.
If you haven't grabbed my attention with it, I'm probably not gonna read the synopsis, and if I haven't done that, I'm not gonna shelve it to-read.

I honestly wish some people would spend the time and put a little more effort into their covers cause so many leave me thinking "yikes!" Especially if they're gonna use the stock photo as is. I realize some people don't have a clue what to do to change it, but neither did I or any of my other writer friends until we actually tried to.
If you can't manipulate it, at least find something relevant to your story. I've read so many descriptions and realized the plot had nothing to do with the cover, which can also turn me off because I feel a little deceived.
It may be pretty, but if it clearly doesn't match, I'm turned off.



Favorite cover of all times (can be from one of your owns)?

Well, as much as I love Dust, I can admit I'm not graphic designer, so there are so many out there that are better. Undead by Kirsty McKay (*click*) cracks me up, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (*click*) is totally creepy with that little girl levitating on the cover, Paranormalcy (*click*) is pretty gorgeous and Sisters Red (*clickclik*) is creepy cool too!



Any specific theme you prefer in cover (people, animal, landscapes, anything really)?

People in action. Like the Rift girl getting ready to use her weapon (*click*).



If you should choose one cover to tattoo in yourself, what would that be?

The Catastrophic History of You and Me (*anotherclick*) would be pretty fun to jump into!



Don't forget to enter to win some of the great prizes in Dustapalooza (yeah, I totally just wrote that :p) and pick DUST up September 18th when I have it on sale for the release day only!

You can find all the blog tour stops here! And Devon is hosting some awesome giveaways, you can enter by filling out the form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview & Giveaways: Jody Gehrman + Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

I'm so happy to have an amazing guest here today! Let's welcome author Jody Gehrman!

Hi Jody, welcome to Mind Reading? today! Please introduce yourself!

I'm very happy to be here, Satu, thanks so much for inviting me. Let's see, what can I tell you about myself?

I guess I should mention that Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is my seventh novel. I write a lot of plays as well, which keeps me busy. I also teach English at a small college here in Northern California. I like yoga, swimming, hummingbirds and chocolate.



What's "Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft" about?

It’s about a 17-year-old witch-in-training who must hone her newfound magical powers in order to save her mother from an evil necromancer. Oh, and it has magical chocolate cake plus cute boys!



Tell us a bit more about the hero/heroine?

Here's how I feel about Audrey, though I'm sure every reader has his or her own take on her: she's fierce, a little snarky, somewhat insecure. During the course of the book she learns she's an alchematrix, a very powerful and rare sort of witch who can use the forces around her, mix them inside her body, and focus them into a laser-like weapon. She has other magical skills as well, but that's kind of her superpower.



I'm sure you love all your characters, but who's your favorite from "Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft"?

I'm pretty sure Sadie was my favorite (but don't tell Audrey!) I love her fashion sense, her innate stylishness, and her bewilderment in the "mundane" world. I also really love Megan, even though she's kind of bratty. Megan's a charismatic rock star, which I'd seriously love to be.
Audrey gave me some trouble, maybe because she started as a totally different sort of person in the earliest drafts, but once I found her voice, I was off and running. It took me many years to find the right protagonist to tell this story though.



What gave you the idea for the book?

I wanted to explore what I knew about real witches but also create a world where their power could be even more breathtaking and effective. I'm fascinated with witchcraft. It's fair to say I'm a pagan at heart--always have been, since I was a child. There's a thrilling power running through the natural world, and the idea of tapping that is just so intriguing. Even just living in tune with the seasons and the cycles is a kind of magic, I think. As a teen living in Northern California, I was surrounded by new age types, some of whom practiced witchcraft. I even dabbled in spells and ceremonies some myself--just basic stuff--so it wasn't that foreign to me.



When is your favorite time to write?

Morning, before my brain gets too cluttered.



If you'd have to become any kind of creature from paranormal genre, which would that be?

A fairy or a mermaid--I can't decide!



Ever visited, or even heard about, Finland? (Something I have to ask from everyone :))

I've never been to Finland, though I have spent time in Scandinavia a couple of times. Last summer my husband and I did a home exchange with four twenty-somethings from Copenhagen. They came and stayed at our house in California and we explored Denmark for almost a month, staying in their adorable apartment. It was fabulous! We did venture to Sweden for the day, but we never made it to Finland, though not from lack of interest. I loved Denmark; everything is so smart and efficient and beautifully designed there. Christiania is a wild, fascinating wonderland!



What's the best book(s) you've ever read? Which authors do you admire?

I can never seem to answer this question simply! So many writers have seduced my imagination at different times in my life. Some of my favorites in the realm of “classics” include Nabokov, both of the Brontes (but especially Charlotte) and Jane Austen. I love funny British writers like Helen Fielding, Nick Hornby and Sophie Kinsella. I read a lot of YA these days and some of my favorite writers are Beth Fantaskey, Nina LaCour, Maggie Stiefvater, Katie Crouch and Stacey Jay. Right now I'm listening to the audio version of a book called Dare Me by Megan Abbott and it's blowing me away.



Free word, anything you would like to say to my readers?

Just that Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is free every Dark of the Moon, because I really want to get the word out about this book; using the moon cycles to promote it seemed witchy and fun. Readers can find the details on my website. Also, I hope to visit Finland someday. It looks amazing.

Some links
Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft in Amazon
Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft in Goodreads
Jody's homepage
Jody's blog

Thanks again, Jody, for stopping by, it was great to have you here! :)
And now there's time for some awesome giveaways! Jody will be giving away four copies of Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft!


Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by
Jody Gehrman

Published June 30th 2012
(first published June 29th 2012)
Publisher: Magic Genie Books
Series: Audrey's Guides #1

Amazon |

Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer —
it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training.

When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

RULES
There's two giveaways!

First giveaway is open internationally:
There will be three winners, each winner gets an ebook of Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft.

Second giveaway is open US/CA:
There will be one winner, who will get signed print copy of Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft.

Entries are verified.

Both giveaways end September 26th 2012 12:01 AM You can enter both giveaways by filling out the forms below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview & Giveaway (INT): Veronica Blade

Thanks again Veronica, for this interview! She's also hosting a givewaway for her latest novella, A Bite's Tale, and there will be two lucky winners!

Hi Veronica! Thanks for joining us at Mind Reading? today!

My pleasure. Thanks for having me!



Please introduce yourself and your latest book, A Bite's Tale.

I’m a YA paranormal addict who loves to write. It’s my very favorite thing to do. My hubby will attest to how grumpy I get when I miss a day.

A Bite’s Tale is about werewolf girl (Cinderella) who desperately wants a normal life, especially after her werewolf alter ego physically hurts the boy she's fallen for. Since she’s afraid she’ll hurt someone again, she closes herself off and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t forget the boy she loved.



You've written some paranormal romance now. Is there a reason you chose that genre?

Because I love it! For the most part, it’s all I read. When I do occasionally veer off, it’s to write chick-lit (like Blind Date, Checkmate) which is super fun as well.



Would you mind telling us what you're currently working on?

Blind Date, Checkmate has been doing so well that I got inspired to write another Chick Lit. From Fame to Shame (temporary title), a YA novella, will be released in a few weeks. This is about twin sisters — one a starlet and the other a good girl — who switch places. With lots of romance, of course, but no vamps or anything.

However, this coming spring, My Wolf’s Bane will be available, if anyone's itching for another of my paranormals. My Wolf’s Bane is about a teenage shifter who’s caught in a centuries-old battle between her kind and werewolves. Of course, as with anything I write, it’s more about the romance and less about the werewolves, vamps or witches.



Both Something Witchy This Way Comes and A Bite's Tale have very unique titles, how did you came up with them?

I agonize over my titles. I’ll think on it for days or weeks before I come up with something I really like. Then I survey my friends, family and beta readers. A Bite’s Tale was originally attached to a different novel, but the title worked so well for the Cinderella story, I stole it and renamed the other book Icing on the Stake (vamps and witches – this will probably be released in the beginning of summer).



I'm sure you love all your characters, but who's your favorite from A Bite's Tale?

I like Dunston. Yeah, I know I’m weird, but I just love how he’s an ancient vampire, possessing all the scariness of someone who has that much power, yet he’s still capable of loving our hero, Remy, to the point of doing anything to protect him.



Which is cooler, vampire or werewolf?

I go back and forth on that, depending on what I’m writing. Right now, I’d say werewolves, because I’m in love with Zack from My Wolf’s Bane. And I don’t even care that he’s too young for me.



If you'd have to become any kind of creature from paranormal genre, which would that be?

Shape shifter. Why be limited to turning into a wolf? And why be a vamp who can only drink blood? I like real food.



Ever visited, or even heard about, Finland? (Something I have to ask from everyone :))

I’ve heard of it, of course! I’m not big on traveling, but I’ve seen pictures. Beautiful!



What's the best book(s) you've ever read?

I’m a bit of a book whore, so picking a favorite is like choosing between children. But if you had a gun to my head, I’d say Jemima J by Jane Green or Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Totally different genres, but both are so good! I had the honor of reading Susan Hatler’s upcoming release, Shaken, which was gripping. Y’all probably shouldn’t expect a nice relaxing read on that one.



Free word, anything you would like to say to my readers?

You rock for having me on your blog and stop by my Facebook page to say hi — I love hearing from readers!

Thanks again Veronica! :)

Some links
A Bite's Tale in Amazon
A Bite's Tale in Goodreads
Veronica's homepage

And now, the giveaway!

RULES
Giveaway is open internationally

There will be two winners; US winner will win a paperback copy of "A Bite's Tale" novella; international winner will win an ebook copy of "A Bite's Tale" novella

Entries are verified.

Contest ends Feb 3th 2012

Here's the FB pages mentioned in the first question:
Veronica's FB page and
FB page for Something Witchy This Way Comes

Giveaway is over!

Interview & Giveaway (INT) : Anthea Sharp

This is really a Christmas special, since it's not only my first author interview ever, but there's also a giveaway!

Thanks again Anthea, for this interview! She's also hosting a givewaway for an e-copy of her novel Feyland: The Dark Realm to one lucky winner, so thank you for that, too! :)

Let's say welcome to Anthea!


Thanks, Satu, for having me as your guest at Mind Reading! I’m excited to be here, answering your questions and sharing a bit about my brand-new YA fantasy book.



First of all, could you tell something about yourself?

I’m short, live in the Pacific NW of the US with my small-but-good family, play the Irish Fiddle, and have loved reading fantasy for as long as I can remember.


Your new book, Feyland: The Dark Realm, came out few days ago, could
you tell something about it?

Feyland mixes high-tech gaming with the treacherous realm of Faerie, and features two teen gamers—Jennet and Tam—who have to overcome their differences and work together to save one another, and ultimately the mortal world, too.


You've written historical romance earlier, what made you write YA Fantasy?

I’ve always read fantasy. Once I realized I could write and sell a book, writing the genre I loved best was a natural next step. I still write romance—and enjoy it a lot!—but fantasy is where my true heart is.


Are you currently working with a new book and will that be about the
Feyland, too?

Yes, I’m working on the sequel! Titled Feyland: The Bright Court, it will be out in spring of 2012. I’m very excited to keep telling Jennet and Tam’s story—there are lots of new adventures in store.



I'm quite sure you're a gamer, am I right? :)

Is it that obvious? lol


What kind of games do you play? Name your favorite(s)?

I’ve been playing World of Warcraft for a few years now—that’s really my game of choice. I can beat the pants off of most people in Boggle, and I play Just Dance with my daughter. First Person shooters spike my adrenaline too much, and I always go off the track in Kart racing, so I tend to stick more with the fantasy-based MMOs.


The class of your choice (IRL and if you were in Feyland)?

Ooh, good question. Healer of any kind—but in Feyland I’d want a character that could do some serious damage. Probably a caster or ranged dps. I’m more like Jennet than Tam in that regard.



Ever visited (or even heard about) Finland?

I’ve never visited, but I read the Moomintroll books when I was younger. I also know a woman from Finland—our daughters go to school together. I’d love to visit some day!


Weapon of your choice (can be anything from throwing stars to mage's staff)?

Magic wands have always appealed to me. Mad barehanded ninja skills would be nice, too.


Favorite thing to do when you have some spare time?

Read! And then write.


What's the latest book you've read and how did you like it?

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. I loved the first half of this book—his worldbuilding is just incredible—and enjoyed the second half.



Free word, anything you would like to say to my readers?

Never give up on your dreams, no matter how far-fetched they might seem.



I’d be delighted to answer any questions people leave in the comments, and thanks again to Satu for the interview!

Thanks again Anthea! :)

Some links
Feyland in Amazon
Feyland in B&N
Feyland in Goodreads
Anthea's YA fantasy homepage
Anthea's Historical Romance homepage

And now, the giveaway!

RULES
Giveaway is international!
One lucky winner will win a copy of Feyland: The Dark Realm in any digital format the winner prefers!
Entries are verified.
Contest ends Jan 8th 2012

Giveaway has ended!