Announcing the Perfect Paranormal/Fantasy Pitch Contest

Are you ready for the "Top Secret Project" announcement?!

In celebration of Fade's release today, some of my favorite people and I are hosting the:



Temporary place-holder graphic. :)

 

Are you toiling away on the perfect paranormal or urban fantasy manuscript or gearing up to begin the submission process? Does your story have memorable characters? Exciting action? Solid writing? A surprise plot-twist or two? Something completely unique guaranteed to blow us away? Then this is the contest for you! We want your best young adult, new adult, or adult paranormal or urban fantasy, and you have 50 words to convince us, and 2,000 words to wow us.

One winning submission will be read by a Curiosity Quills Press Submission Editor for publication consideration!

Curiosity Quills Press is an independent publisher of hard-hitting dark sci-fi, speculative fiction, and paranormal works aimed at adults, young adults, and new adults. CQ Submission Guidelines can be found here.

The grand prize winner will also receive:

 

*A live plot session with C.L. Parker, author of the Supernova Saga. Plot session will be one hour long, held on GChat during a time mutually agreed upon by author and contest winner. C.L. will help tighten up plot, answer research questions, and more. 

 

*A first page critique by Jamie Ayres, author of 18 Things.

 

*A query critique by A.K. Morgen, author of Fade. (Yes, me!)

 

*Collaboration with freelance cover and graphic artist Amber Wilson on a story or author banner or graphic for your website or blog.

 

*A bragging rights banner designed by graphic artist Brandi Whitmer announcing you and your submission as the ultimate winner. Banner can be displayed on blogs/websites/etc. It will also be displayed on my website here.

Plus the grand prize winner will rake in the loot with:

*E-copies of Krystal Wade's Wilde's Fire and Wilde's Army.

 

*E-copies of Vicki Keire's Gifts of the Blood, Darkness in the Blood, Worlds Burn Through and Shadowed Ground.

 

*An e-copy of T.M. Franklin's MORE (Release Date: 10/4/12).

 

*An e-copy of Jessa Russo's EVER (Release date: 10/1/12).

 

*An e-copy of A.K. Morgen's Fade.

Your first round judges are:

*Sarah Aisling -Debut Author of The Weight of Roses.

 

*A.K. Morgen - Author of Fade.

 

*Jessa Russo - YA Submissions Editor for CQ and Debut Author of EVER.

 

*Gerilyn Marin - Author of Buried.

*Matthew Graybosch - Author of Without Bloodshed.

*Alternate Judge: Bella Leone - Author of Downpour.

 

 

Submission Guidelines:

 

1. First five pages (2,000 words max) of young adult, new adult, or adult paranormal or urban fantasy/fantasy novel.
2. Story pitch in 50 words or less.
3. Please include title, genre, author's name, and the 50 word pitch at the top of your submission!

4. Authors can sign up via the linky (below) beginning on September 15th, 2012 at 12:01am.

5. Authors must EMAIL their submission to us no later than 11:59pm CST on October 15th, 2012.

6. Submissions should be submitted in .doc .docx or .rtf formats. Additionally, please use industry-standard formatting (ie: 1 inch margins, 12-point font, double-spaced).
7. MS must be completed by the end of the contest to be eligible for CQ submission consideration.

 

Now for the rest of the pertinents:

* First round judging will be held from October 20th to October 30th.

* The Top 3 submissions will then advance to the Popular Vote round (October 31st to November 10th). Submissions will be posted on the blog here, and readers will help select the grand prize winner through polling (only 1 vote per IP address, please).

*The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on November 20th, 2012.

 

Sounds like fun, right?!?

 

We will see you on September 15th to begin the madness! :)

 

 

 





It's #Fade's Release Day! Plus: A Huge Announcement

Released today!!

Today is the big day! Fade has been officially released! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am over this, so I won't. Instead, I'll just tell you how awesome taking this crazy journey with all of you has been, and how much I adore all of you. I have some of the greatest readers and friends in the world, and I really do mean that.

Now, if you didn't already know (hehe) Fade is on sale today! But wait just a minute before you run off to check it out, and keep reading this post. I promise you'll like it! :)

You may remember me talking about a super huge announcement I would make today, and a top secret project in the works. I'll give you the super huge announcement now, and will post the top secret project news at 5pm CST today. Writers and readers, make sure you check back because you will not want to miss that reveal!

On to the first announcement of the day!

I firmly believe in getting involved and giving back. In that vein, I am very pleased to inform all of you that I will be donating 5% of royalties for the first six months of sales (from now until March 2013) to both the March of Dimes and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

And I could not be more thrilled to tell you that Curiosity Quills has generously offered to match my donation percent for percent. That's right, loves, they will be donating an additional 5% to both the March of Dimes and to Ronald McDonald House Charities, two organizations that have been working miracles in the life of my family for years.

The March of Dimes is a 501(c)3 non-profit first established by Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight polio. In the years since, the March of Dimes has grown to a global organization, and their mission has shifted to focus on prematurity and birth defects - two issues that have greatly impacted three of the most amazing children in my life, my niece and two of my nephews.

My niece, born at 25 weeks, weighing1 lb 14oz.

My nephews, born at 27 and 29 weeks gestation at 3 lbs.

The March of Dimes has been a global leader in research into the causes of birth defects and preterm birth, in educating new moms and medical professionals about best practices for healthy pregnancy, of promoting newborn screenings to help save lives, and of establishing regional Neonatal Intensive Care programs to care for preterm and sick infants. Thanks to their work, the survival rate of preterm infants has increased dramatically over the years, we know more than ever about birth defects, and my niece and nephew (all born three plus months early) have not only survived, but are thriving.

Aloshua, who was born at 27 weeks gestation with Spina Bifida and a number of other serious medical conditions, overcomes new obstacles every day, thanks in part to the dedication of the March of Dimes and organizations like them. The baby we weren't sure would make it through the first year is seven now, and just reached his first one year hospital-free milestone! Because of the research of the March of Dimes, our little superhero has been able to have a normal childhood surrounded by the people who love him.

Niece and nephew at ages 3 (niece) and 6 (nephew).

Like the March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House Charities is a global organization dedicated to helping children and families facing medical crisis. Over three hundred Ronald McDonald Houses exist world-wide, allowing families to stay near their children during times of illness and hospitalization for little or no cost.

Everyone from cancer patients to transplant patients to the families of burn victims and children and infants in intensive care units have found a home away from home with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. These homes allow families to remain together to support their children in a safe, loving environment that offers all the amenities of home with none of the cost, but that's not all RMHC does.
Their Care Mobiles provide free dental care year-round to underserved children, and their Family Rooms inside hospitals allow parents and siblings to catch a few moments of quiet, cook a meal, or take a quick nap or shower without ever stepping foot outside the hospital. In addition, RMHC provides grants to organizations fighting to improve the health and well-being of children around the world.  

As you can see, both RMHC and the MoD are doing amazing things for children and families around the world. My family has been touched by both organizations in big ways, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward now. I hope you'll join us in our quest by picking up a copy of Fade, and by making your own donation to two organizations fighting to save and better the lives of the most vulnerable children.

What better way to celebrate release day than with an announcement like this?!

See you a bit later for the reveal of the top secret project! And don't forget: I'm also at Witness Protocol today, talking Fade, mythology, pet elephants, crime, and so much more with the amazingly talented Matthew Graybosch. Stop by and say hello. :)

xoxo,
A.K.M.

Wilde's Meadow by Krystal Wade - Cover Reveal

The Fade blog tour is well under way, but we're switching gears here today for a very big reveal. Wilde's Meadow (Darnkess Falls - Book Three) by Krystal Wade has an amazing new cover! Check it out.

So what can you expect from Wilde's Meadow?

Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

Wilde's Meadow will release from Curiosity Quills Press on November 5th, 2012. You can follow the book on GoodReads and Krystal Wade's blog. And don't forget to pick up the first two books, Wilde's Fire and Wilde's Army!

xoxo,

A.K.M.

And the Fade Pre-Release Winners Are...

We have winners to announce!

The three winners for the Fade Pre-Release Giveaway (posted as part of the Buccaneer Blogfest last month) are Shadow K, Naomi N., and Sheri L., Congratulations, loves!  I've contacted each of you with prize claiming details. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We also have a winner for the Fandom Fanatic Giveaway.

Tracey won a digital copy of Fade. Congratulations, Tracey!

If you didn't win, don't fret. The Back to the Books Bloghop Giveaway is still going on, and you can win one of two digital copies of Fade, or a $5 Amazon giftcard. You also have until October 3rd to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for a chance to win one of two autographed copies of Fade.

See? Lots of chances!

Also, Fade made the cut for the Most Exciting Upcoming YA Books list. Woohoo! We're tied at #225. It's the little things! :)

I will see you all tomorrow over at Ed and Ems Reviews ro continue the Fade Blog Tour!

Four days to go!

 

xoxo,
A.K.M.

#Fade's Blog Tour Line-Up

Fade's blog tour has officially begun! For the next two weeks, I will be blogging here, there, and everywhere in celebration of Fade's release in six days. Yes, six days. Eek! Here's where you can find me over the next two weeks. I hope you'll stop by these amazing blogs for a visit. :)

September 1st - Fandom Fanatic - Guest Post & Giveaway (The Crazy Transition to Published Author)
September 2nd - Fandom Fanatic - Interview
September 3rd - Fandom Fanatic - Promo Fun
September 3rd - Goodreads Giveaway begins!
September 4th - Ed and Em Reviews - Guest Post (The Story Behind Fade)
September 5th - TBD
September 5th - Wilde's Meadow by Krystal Wade - Cover Reveal Here
September 6th - Author Krystal Wade's Blog - Guest Post (Shared Quirks)
September 7th - Super Special Announcement and Release Day Festivities Here
September 7th - Release Day Festivites on Facebook and Twitter
September 7th - Author Matthew Graybosch's Witness Protocol Blog - Interview
September 8th - Keeper of the Cheerios' Blog - Guest Post (My Obsession)
September 9th - Coffee Time Romance - Guest Posts (I'll be winging these!)
September 10th - Author Gerilyn Marin's Blog - Guest Post (Ghost Stories)
September 11th - Author Sharon Bayliss' Blog - Guest Post (Wolves)
September 12th - Author Jamie Ayres' Blog - Guest Post (Writing New Adult)
September 13th - Author Jessa Russo's Blog - Guest Post (TBD)
September 14th - Ed and Em Reviews - Interview
September  15th - Author Jade Hart's Blog - Guest Post
September 19th - Author Victoria Smith's Blog- Character Interview

Don't forget to check back here throughout the rest of the blog tour for contest winner announcements, and other Fade and writing related fun-times, too! :)

Want me to bring my random craziness to your blog? Email me! I love sharing the crazy.

The Back to the Books Giveaway Hop post can be found here.

Six days! Eek! 

 

xoxo,

A.K.M.