Thursday, June 10, 2010

Big Huge Reader Contest - Day 10!


They Call Me Death by Missy Jane
Buy Paperback from Samhain Publishing
Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Blogging Bloggers and Being Bogged Down

Three years ago the word “blog” didn’t mean much to me. I knew what a blog was and the basic idea behind blogging, but I’d never thought of it as a tool I could use to reach out to the masses for any real purpose. I wasn’t a published writer yet and hadn’t seriously considered becoming one in the near future. Writing was something I did in my spare time to get the characters in my head to leave me alone. Then I took a beginner writer’s course, met a few authors and publishers and got serious. Now I’m published and blogging isn’t only available, it’s necessary. So, how in the heck do I start?

I’ve been extremely lucky to meet generous authors such as Tilly (the awesome [he he he, Missy, you're such a sweetie!]) who’ve invited me onto their blogs to test my wings. It’s been fun, entertaining and a learning experience. So after much debate I decided to create a blog myself. There are already a ton of blogs on writing, reading and reviewing. I wanted mine to stand out and be uniquely mine. I also brainstormed over how often I should post and exactly what to post. At the end of the day I decided my characters are really more interesting than I am. So, why not give them their own blog? And The Theodereiks Pack blog was born.

Located at http://www.theodereikspack.blogspot.com/, the blog is dedicated to the world of shape-shifters I introduced in my paranormal romance, They Call Me Death. Sandulf Theodereiks is the Alpha of an entire country of shifters called the Federal Nation of Therianthropes, or FNT for short. It comprises the entire northern half of North America. The southern half of the continent is inhabited by humans and called the Combined Human States, CHS. I gave a brief bit of history as well as introduced the main characters on the blog through Sandulf’s “voice”.

It’s been a couple of months now and the blog has been looked over by a few readers, but not much. I do plan to do a lot more with it, including posting small free stories on other minor characters. My biggest obstacle is the blogging format. It’s not like simply writing a story. I have to post as the character in short bursts. Some day I’ll get the hang of it. Overall I’ve been very happy with the blog and the whole blogging experience. That’s why I’ve decided at the end of June, and my “Birthday Blog Tour”, I’ll create a Missy Jane blog. There I’ll blog as myself and hopefully find something interesting to say at least once a week. Who knows, maybe Tilly Greene will then be one of my guests ;-) (hint, hint) [Hint taken and happily accepted!]

As promised I plan to add to the awesome prizes Tilly is offering with one of my own. For a complete run-down on the prizes visit http://www.msmissyjane.com/contests. Just add a comment here and I’ll pick one lucky reader. If you win you’ll also be entered for a grand prize at the end of my Birthday Blog Tour! Good Luck!

Missy Jane
*make reading a guilty pleasure…*

Buy Paperback from Samhain Publishing

Missy Jane WebsiteBlog

AUTHOR GIVEAWAY TODAY
Leave a comment and/or query today for Missy Jane to be entered in her special author drawing.


REMEMBER
Commenting and/or asking questions on an author’s blog for the day will enter you into the Big Huge Reader Contest for a Pink Sony eReader or one of three boxes packed full of RT Booklovers Convention goodies. Unfortunately, due to the grand prize being an electronic and weight of the other three boxes, this contest is for US residents only.

51 comments:

SiNn said...

i loveee lovee lovee this book i have read it twice already its awesome if u havent read it relal go buy it !@

Kristabel Reed said...

I'm not a big urban fantasy fan, though I couldn't tell you why. Maybe it's the idea (right or wrong) that each book isn't a contained HEA? Or that the series isn't? I don't know, but maybe I ought to read some to figure that out.

This concept of 2 different countries 1 human, 1 not caught my attention. Course, it's like 7:30 here, but I don't think that has much to do with it. :)

Deb830 said...

Good morning Tilly & Ari!

I haven't read your books yet but I'm always looking for new shifter books. Now that you've test your wings, what do you like most about blogging? As a reader I know I can barely keep up with yahoo groups let alone go to everyones daily blog.

Congrats on "They Call Me Death". Have a great Thursday.

deb ;0)

Carol L. said...

Hi Missy Jane,
What a great Birthday tour. You are a new to me Author and that will change with They Call Me Death. Looks like a good read for me. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Tilly Greene said...

I love your ideas for your blog - they're interesting and often helpful for you to do as the author and those are the types of things that make me, the reader, want to read a book and the rest of a series.

Looking forward to delving into a new shifter world - love new shifters :-)

Tilly

Lovie said...

Always on the lookout for new shifter stories. And happy early birthday Missy Jane, looks like a good birthday blog tour.

Suzette said...

Yeah I like the sound of this one. Entered a different contest to try to win this recently.

Suzette F
latinlady6929@yahoo.com

JeanMP said...

Your book sounds really good. Enjoy books that aren't of the norm.

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

Best wishes on your blogging future! And thank you for the generous prize offers.

Miranda
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, another new author for me to try and I do enjoy shifter stories too.

I've bookmarked the blog and will go visit.

Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com

Pamk said...

loved this book and I want more. Are you going to write more stories in this world. Hopefully pretty please.

Anne said...

I am a big urban fantasy fan and this is a great cover that makes me want to visit your website to read the blurb.

The title works for me too.

Sherry said...

I went to your blog and really liked it. Your a new to me author but your book sounds very good I love a good shifter book and I can't wait to read this.

sstrode@scrtc.com

Jennifer Mathis said...

ur a new to me author as well but the book sounds hot and ur blog is great

meandi09@yahoo.com

*yadkny* said...

Hi Missy,
I love the shifter world and will definitely be reading about yours. Cute pic of you on your blog covered by books. And...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
My birthday is this month too, but I am a Cancer.

yadkny@hotmail.com

CrystalGB said...

Hi Missy. Your book looks good. :)
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jane said...

Good luck with the blog and have a Happy Birthday.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Cathy M said...

Hi Missy,

Happy Birthday! It's stories like yours that have converted me to an urban fantasy fan. They Call Me Death was one of my favorite reads from last year.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Judy said...

I have seen this book at several websites!! It has caught my attention every time!! It definitely looks like a must read!! I have it on my TBR pile!!


Judy
magnolias_1@msn.com

Rosie said...

Love the cover of this book. It definitely makes me want to buy it immediately! Thanks for stopping by today.

rosie0512 @ hotmail . com

booklover0226 said...

Missy,

You're a new author for me so I look forward in reading your works.

I just became a follower on your blog and look forward in reading your future posts.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Stacey Smith said...

I'm running a small blog on my myspace and it ca be hard coming up whit things mostly i tell people that come to my blog where all the contest are and stuff like that.I became a follower of your blog.
I'm a follower of this blog.

sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

The Scarf Princess said...

Even though I've never read these books, I've been fascinated by this heroine. She looks like she can seriously kick butt.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

practimom said...

Missy,

i am about as clueless when it comes to blogging. i have only been at it for about 3 months. but i am glad i started because i get introduced to tons of authors who i might not have heard of another way! i love paranormal and your books look right up my alley! good luck with your blog!

Author Missy Jane said...

Wow! 24 comments, all right! Sorry I took so long to hop on today. Had to work late at my "day job". Thank you everyone for your comments and kind words about They Call Me Death, and for the birthday wishes. I sincerely appreciate it.

SiNn, Pamk and Cathy M, THANK YOU for reading and liking They Call Me Death! I'm thrilled :-)

Keep the comments coming and tomorrow afternoon I'll pick a winner for my Birthday Blog Tour prize pack!
-Missy

LORETTA CANTON said...

I haven't read any of your books but I love shifters and I will read them. I will check out your blog too.

lorettaC

lbcanton@verizon.net

Lanae T. said...

They Call Me Death looks like a great book. But that wasn't the only one on the page that caught my eye. Holy cow!!! Talk about some awesome covers!

My to-read list just took a huge jump, thank you vey much!

It's awesome to find new books to hunt down! Thanks so much!

ftatman5 at yahoo.com

Author Missy Jane said...

Lol, Tilly's covers caught my eye too. It took a minute before I cold avert my gaze and comment on my own post ;-)

Anonymous said...

I have to add this to my TBR pile.

deslauree3 at aol dot com

*yadkny* said...

Hi Missy,
Do you plan on writing more books in the Therianthrope world? And what made you want to venture out into the paranormal romance genre?

yadkny@hotmail.com

SiNn said...

Your welcome Missy! i have recomended your book to everyone i know because its that good

Author Missy Jane said...

Pamk and yadkny, I've recently finished the sequel to They Call Me Death, tentatively titled Much More Than Human. It's Emily's story. I need to tweak it bit before submitting it to my editor and crossing my fingers ;-)
Thanks for your interest!

Author Missy Jane said...

...and yadkny, Happy early Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I like your cover and what an interesting choice of title. What was the first book you ever wrote? did you always want to be an author? Hope you are having a great summer and hope you have fun with your writing.

starryann2000@yahoo.com

Paige Purnell said...

I added to the wish list!

Booksrforever123 said...

this sounds like a great book. I remember you and your lead character "talking" on the Sanhaim chat one weekend and thought he was great. I've bookmarked your blog, but have been so busy that I haven't taken the time yet to read it further. Sorry-will have to make some time soon to do that.

Stephanie said...

This was such a Terrific story! I really hope your editor picks up the next story, I'd love to see the series continue.

Unknown said...

Wow I love your Excerpt of Lush Velvet Nights. I have a few friends who have suggested I start reading your books. I can't wait to dig in. I Love reading and as soon as I can get my hands on your books I will probably become 1 of your biggest fans. Keep up the good writing!
Corie

Author Missy Jane said...

Starryann, I actually wrote a huge fantasy novel first but it hasn't been published. It needs a LOT of editing before I consider submitting it. I actually only started writing about six years ago. I actually always wanted to be a photographer :-)

Author Missy Jane said...

Paige, Booksforever and Stephanie, Thank you!!!

Author Missy Jane said...

Corie, that was actually the post for today. Oops ;-)
My book is They Call Me Death, but the cover for Lush Velvet Nights is HOT!!!!

Author Missy Jane said...

All righty and it's now time to choose a winner of a prize pack that will include one or more of the following: paperback romance novel, Missy Jane t-shirt, mousepad, pens, Cavemen cards and other promo items.
And the winner is...
stacy (sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com)!!!
Congratulations!!! You're also entered into the grand prize drawing!

Thank you everyone for your comments and don't forget to follow along with me on the rest of the Birthday Blog Tour for another chance to win!

mrsshukra said...

Great meeting you here, Missy, and all the best to your blog!!!!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Author Missy Jane said...

Tina, some attributes of my shifters have been explored before, but I've never read another world quite like mine. Alexia is actually the first character that popped into my mind for this story, and she is human. I'd like to think my world is unique enough to keep my readers interested ;-)

etirv, thank you!!!!

Anonymous said...

love THE COVER!




GYPSYWITCH36@YAHOO.COM

Author Missy Jane said...

Thank you! I was very happy with the cover when I first saw it. Very close to how I pictured Alexia in my mind.

Andrea I said...

You're a new to me author, but I've added this book to my TBB list.

ainfinger@comcast.net

Fedora said...

A belated happy birthday, Missy! And thanks for sharing your post--I'll have to check out your shape-shifter world's blog!

f dot chen at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fantastic urban fantasy (They Call Me Death). I will have to go check out your blog! Happy belated bday wishes to you as well.

Pam S
pams00@aol.com

Nicole Zoltack said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicole Zoltack said...

Happy belated birthday!

~Nicole
Nicole.Zoltack AT gmail.com