Ninja Peas: Inside the Pod

Today is the official launch day for INSIDE THE POD: A Look Inside a Working Writers’ Critique Group — a weekly blog in which I’ll be participating along with my fellow authors and critique partners, Michelle Ladner and Alexis Lampley, aka “The Ninja Peas.”

We launch with a brief history of how we came to be critique partners, but more importantly friends who love and support one another through the trials and tribulations of the publishing industry… and who will gladly sacrifice one another during a zombie apocalypse due to highly developed senses of self-preservation.

INSIDE THE POD isn’t a “how to” blog for writers or a “guide” to publishing. Instead, it will focus on how our little band of misfits works together to make each of us the best writers we can be. We’ll also discuss books we’ve read — not reviews but actual discussions — and off a glimpse into the chaotic silliness that comes with our weekly critique meetings.

It’s all in good awesome nerdy fun so be sure to head over to the POD and say “Hi!” to the Ninja Peas.

Sleeping Beauty: An Alexandra Sabian Short Story

Today, as part of Fantastic Fables Month at Tynga’s Reviews, I’ve written an expanded version of Varik Baudelaire’s marriage proposal to Alexandra Sabian. You will only find this short story on Tynga’s site.

Go. Read. Enjoy.

Sleeping Beauty: An Alexandra Sabian Story

(Oh…and a signed copy of BLOOD SECRETS is also up for grabs…in case your interested. International readers are welcomed as always.)

BLOOD SECRETS Giveaway on Goodreads

Up for grabs: 2 signed copies of BLOOD SECRETS. Click link below for details.

Dollmaker Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Dollmaker Contest!! All have been contacted by email as well as announced here. Thanks to all who entered. I hope everyone enjoyed the contest. I’m on tour at the moment but will be offering more contests in the future so be sure to check back often.

- Jeannie

WINNERS

1. Carmen R

2. Carolsue

3. Ruth Thompson

Shot Glass Contest – Winner

With the help of Random.org, a winner for the Crimson Swan shot glasses has been selected and notified via email.

Congratulations, Tracy, who found BLOOD SECRETS on sale in SFBokhandeln in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden!!!

Dollmaker Contest – CLOSED

Dolls.

They can be cute and cuddle playmates for children. They can also be evil creatures intent on eating your soul. They can be beautiful pieces of art. They can also be the stuff of nightmares.

But for the Dollmaker in BLOOD SECRETS, they are… special…

Chances are good that you’ve encountered dolls somewhere in your lifetime. Either you’ve enjoyed their company or you’ve run screaming in terror. I would be the latter if the doll in question is a clown. I used to think clowns were great. Then I saw Poltergeist. Nuh uh. No, thank you. And then, because I just can’t leave well enough alone, I read Stephen King’s IT…and saw the movie adaptation. Pennywise…Tim Curry… Yeah, that ended my relationship with clowns and clown dolls. Nope. Not interested. Beat it, Bozo.

So now I want to hear your best — and it can either be happy or creepy or somewhere in between — doll-centric memory or story. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few lines. Whatever you’re comfortable telling.

Here are the rules:

1. Leave your stories in the comments section for this post.

2. Contest will run until midnight (CT) July 11, 2011. Winner will be announced July 12, 2011.

3. One entry per person.

4. THREE winners chosen at random will receive signed copies of BLOOD SECRETS.

5. Contest is open to international readers.

There you have it, folks. Have fun.