Ch-Ch-Ch-CH-Changes!

Okay, so we have some big news! I'm back... I'm not leaving again, and I've decided to make some changes! Watch my first on-blog video to find out more! 

Author Service Provider Interview with JARED RACKLER

Okay, so I know this is a bit unorthodox considering I am a cover artist. However, a lot of people seem to think that being an indie author has to be a cut throat knife fight... 
Well, here goes to show you that although we author service providers PREFER to get the business for ourselves... We aren't all out to stab each other in the back... 

Today I have on the blog for an interview Jared Rackler from Jared Rackler Designs!

Before we get to the interview... a short bio from his blog:

Jared Rackler,  a Texas Native, haunts the lonely prairies. Roaming from town to town, he exorcises ghosts and banishes nasty spirits for the right price. In his downtime however, he offers quality cover art at reasonable prices. He has worked on all genres including romance (gay, lesbian and straight), horror, urban fantasy, and political thrillers.

In addition to regular cover art work, he is well versed in designing ads to spread the word of your great story across the Web.

And Now that we have learned a little 

about the man behind the company... 

Let's get to that interview!!

Bridgette Bandell

What are your favorite elements of art and design to use when designing pieces?

Jared Rackler

Light and shadow. I love using highlights and shadows to create depth and to draw the viewer’s eye where I want it to go while hiding what I don't want shown. I also love the way color can impact a viewer on visceral level.

Bridgette Bandell

When you use lines, do you create them to create certain textures and what textures do you use most often?

Jared Rackler

The medium I work in isn't hand drawn so I don't use lines very often. When I do use them, it's mostly for augmenting human hair.

Bridgette Bandell

What made you decide to become a digital artist?

Jared Rackler

I've had writers in my life for years. I even fancied myself one. I started out creating cover mock ups for those writers to send to their publishers as inspiration and the next logical step was then to do it myself.

Bridgette Bandell

Do you use the emphasis in your art to draw the attention to the work as a whole, or to get the viewer to mentally feel certain ways and see only the certain focal points you intend?

Jared Rackler

I try to make convey the tone of the piece to the viewer through things like color choice, heavy shading, serif v sans serif font etc. The focus usually tends to be the model because humans prefer to look at other humans.

Bridgette Bandell

What is your favorite piece that you have done so far? What makes it your favorite, or most fun when you did it?

Jared Rackler

My favorite piece has to be The Final Line cover I did for MLR. The design is simple. The color scheme plays well of itself. The whole thing has this polished look that I adore while still conveying the complex plot of the novel.

Bridgette Bandell

Do your common themes vary depending on the author, or the feel of the work as you're working it?

Jared Rackler

There tends to be a unifying theme of romance, but some are moodier than others. I've even created horror pieces, thriller pieces and comedy pieces.

Bridgette Bandell

Do you create designs yourself to add to your covers, or do you mainly do image layering?

Jared Rackler

Image layering is my bread and butter but if it doesn't exist, then it falls to me to create it. The hair in the Sebastian's Thorne cover was all me, for instance.

Bridgette Bandell

How do you use negative space to your advantage when trying to convey the author's desire in the design?

Jared Rackler

A creative use of negative space can make or break a cover. Some artists tend to cram every visually relevant element to the story on a cover, crowding the image and making a mess of their work. Negative can be used to draw the viewer's gaze where you want it or to suggest a concept like longing, loneliness. I did a redesign for The Song of Orpheus by Selena Kitt. This cover did not use negative space creatively and suffered from the jumbled mishmash.

Bridgette Bandell

Now for the awesome proud artist moment ^_^ 

(give me your favorite three pieces

and tell me why you did the feel and design for each)

Jared Rackler

Too Close to the Sun was my first foray into Sci-Fi. This cover was so much fun to work on. The solar color scheme speaks for itself and the novel features a galactic smuggler with a big gun.

Jared Rackler

The Final Line was the last book in the Recon Diaries, so the elements had to be cohesive with the first two, but this novel featured a hero suffering from PTSD. Instead of a desert background, I used a firefight to represent the chaos inside his mind.

Jared Rackler

Moral Authority is a dystopian look at the future. The design is based on Russian propaganda posters. The shapes of this cover and the graphic nature are a departure from my usual projects.

Bridgette Bandell

If you could have three sentences to tell an author how you'd help them create their book cover to be their dream cover, what would you say to them?

Jared Rackler

"We all judge books by their covers.

Professional and dependable with a large knowledge of cover design,

I'll give your book the face it deserves so it can stand out on the shelves."

And.... 

there you have it ladies and gentleman!! 

     If you are an author needing a book cover feel free to drop Jared a line on his Facebook Page or Blog... LINKS BELOW!

Also, a HUGE thank you to Jared Rackler for spending his precious time with me to do this interview! 

RELAUNCH BLAST : SCHASM by Shari J. Ryan SPOTLIGHT+GIVEAWAY

Schasm

by Shari J. Ryan 

Re-Release Date: Jan 25, 2014 

Publisher: Booktrope Editions

Blurb:

Chloe Valcourt drifts between two worlds: the dark reality of her domineering mother and feeble father and the vivid fantasy of her imagination. With her condition comes the harsh observation of doctors who intend to cure her of it. But a chance encounter with a handsome and vaguely familiar young man in her dream world hints at the possibility of hidden truths—and a life she can’t remember. As her drifts become a greater escape from the cruelty of the real world, Chloe finds herself lost between what is real and what is imagined, questioning her very existence. Can she remain in the lush new imagined landscape to find happiness in a realm of her own invention? Is she doomed to return to the harsh reality of the outside world forever? Or will she become trapped somewhere between the two…unable to return to either?

How did you come up with the idea of writing a book? 

I needed a hobby that didn’t revolve around my children. I was in desperate need for an outlet. I’ve always been a writer, and I had promised myself I would write a book someday. It could be my great mental escape. Whether I had it in me or not, I wasn’t sure. But I started writing, and haven’t stopped since.

Where did your inspiration come from?

I decided to write a book, but I didn’t have an idea for a story just yet. I stared aimlessly out the window at three feet of snow, thick grey clouds, and flickering streetlights. It was a depressing New England winter day, and my mind wandered into a warmer place, like San Diego. I imagined the heat of the sun and the feeling of sand between my toes, but a cold draft stung my skin and snapped me out of my daze. I wished I had the ability to live in a daydream for a few minutes, just so I could enjoy the warm sun. I began to wonder if people had that capability, and that’s when the story began to flood my mind. 

Does writing take time away from your family? 

My family has and always will come first to me, but the second the kids are sleeping; my fictional world comes to life. My husband has been exceptionally understanding of the time spent on my book, and he’s been the most supportive person during this journey. 

Have you learned anything about yourself since you started writing Schasm?

I’ve learned that my wondering mind can land in some pretty crazy places. I’ve also learned that my lifelong passion for art has folded nicely into my love for writing. I’ve always been one to notice tiny details in art, and I learned to take those details and put them into words.

What advice would you give someone who might be thinking of writing a book?

The first book is the hardest. It might take a year, two years, or even three years to write it. Whatever you do though, don’t give up. The feeling you’ll get after you write the last word makes every second of the hard work worth it.

Who are your favorite authors?

Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, Katy Evans, and Amy Harmon are my current favorites. They are all inspirational in different ways. I especially love how they all connect with their readers. 

Have you written any other books besides Schasm?

Schasm is my debut novel, but I’ve written the second and third book of the Schasm series as well. I have plans for my fourth book, which will be separate from the Schasm series. 

What’s so special about your main character?

Chloe has an ability to take daydreaming to an extreme. Due to a condition that some might consider a disability, she learns that her capabilities are the key to her happiness. After living a sheltered life, she learns to live and grow on her own, but it’s only with the confines of her own mind.

Are you working on a book right now?

I’m editing the third book of the Schasm series. While I can’t give too many details away, I promise that it will tie up all remaining loose ends.

What genre are your books? 

Young Adult Romance with a dark psychological twist

When did you decide to become a writer?

I promised myself at seven years old that I would someday write a book. I’m glad I fulfilled that promise to myself.

Do you write full-time or part-time?

I’m a full-time mom and a full-time writer. I wish there were more hours in the day. 

What is the hardest thing about writing? 

Trying not to contradict one scene with another. 

What is the easiest thing about writing? 

Letting my creative juices flow.

How long did it take you to write Schasm? 

Schasm took me just over a year, but my second book only took me four months. 

Do you ever get writer’s Block? 

I get writer’s block a lot. I’ve found that walking away, taking a shower, or listening to music seems to help clear up my mind a bit.

Do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? 

I prefer ebooks so I can read in the dark.

Do you have a trailer for Schasm?

I do have a trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsJNdx42-fc

Shari J. Ryan has always dreamt of becoming an author and finally decided it was time to pursue her lifelong aspiration by writing a young adult trilogy, The Schasm Series. She has long nurtured a passion for art, reading, and writing, and those hobbies have become a mental escape from her busy life. In the past couple of years, she has put her heart and soul into the creation of her novels, which has taught her that it is never too late and nothing is too hard. The author graduated with a bachelors of science degree from Johnson & Wales University and has written hundreds of articles for various online publications. She is married with two sons and resides in Central Massachusetts.



Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShariJRyan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsharijryan

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sharijenn82/dark-inspiration/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ShariRyan

Author Website: http://sharijryan.com/

Schasm Website: http://www.schasm.com/

MEET SHARI J. RYAN

March 5th, 2014 at 7:00PM

Barnes & Noble

1 Worcester Rd

Framingham, MA 01701

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR INTERVIEW Tiffany Toto +COUPON CODE

Today, we have a special guest that stopped by to answer some amazing questions for us and is giving us a little peek inside her world!!! Everyone Welcome Tiffany Toto!!!

My name is Tiffany Toto, author of the Pandora Romance Novels and would love to have you join me on my adventures in creating the ultimate Romance Novel experience.

Pandora Romance Novels are built around four main characters Samantha, James, Roger and Tyler. Each character has their own unique and fascinating personalities, and who play an important role in each of my books. You will always see all my main characters in every book along with new characters I create.

Me: Tiffany, thank you 

for taking the time to sit 

down with me and answer 

a few questions..

Tiffany: You tied me 

to a chair… :-P

Me: Well….you never sits 

still and you’re A.D.D…? 

I had to figure out something! 

lol

Tiffany: Okay, 

I’m totally serious now…

Me: Lol.. dork :-P

Tiffany: You love me

Me: You know it!! So, 

why don’t you tell us a 

few “Secrets” about 

yourself Tiff…

Tiffany: Do you want regular

 run of the mill secrets, 

or naughty ones Bridgette?

Me: How about one 

naughty, one silly, 

and one serious… 

and whatever else you 

feel like throwing in there…

Tiffany:  Sounds Fair… 

Okay,

My naughty one 

would be that I really 

thrive on having a stimulating 

and intellectual conversation 

with my significant other 

before I write a powerful 

and lusty scene. I am not sure 

how he does it but he 

ignites a fire that sends me 

into literary ecstasy and I 

just need to....write...and I do.

Me: Very nice… 

must be SOME guy!!

Tiffany: He certainly is.

**Swoon**

 

My silly one would be is that 

I have mini rituals because 

of my OCD...for instance...

If I have the urge to write 

I carry several notebooks 

and several pens everywhere I 

go...I have to mix and match 

the colors of my notebook 

and pen depending on my 

mood. Yesterday, I was in 

the middle of doing something 

and I stopped and pulled 

out my little hot pink 

notepad that says 

"Princess" on the cover 

along with my favorite 

green ink pen and I jotted down 

some notes for Pandora's Soldiers....

My favorite colors are green, 

hot pink and black so I have 

notebooks and pens for each

 color...it keeps me 

happy as strange as it sounds.

Me:  I can’t imagine 

the size of your purse lol… 

but hey, whatever helps you 

remember your epiphanies is 

awesome in my book!!

Tiffany: They are not huge 

notebooks, just travel size 

and I carry them in my pink 

Victoria Secret shoulder tote...

My serious secret...Yeah, 

I am going to have 

to plead the 5th on this one...

Me: Ohh no you don’t

 missy…. Spill :-P

Tiffany: Spill what? 

I have Noooooooo idea 

what you're talking about.

Next…  

Me: you get a free pass... 

this time but only because 

I want to know more stuff... 

but we will come back to this one..

Tiffany: Hahaa!! Okay!

Me:  Getting to know your 

characters was amazing! 

Are any of them based on 

anyone real life?

Tiffany: I do write most of my 

character experiences based 

on past experiences of either 

myself or people that I have 

known, exaggerated of course.

The character images 

on my facebook page are people

 chosen that have some

 influence in my life as well...

Samantha my main heroine, 

she is my beautiful niece!

Me: Alright… 

now to the nitty gritty… 

You said it took you 11 years 

to write The Pandora Affair… 

How come it took so 

long to get there? 

Writers block extreme?

Tiffany: I am guessing my A.D.D 

had something to do with......

OH look at the kitty......

where were we? 

It also went on hiatus 

during my divorce. 

So once it was done, 

I needed feedback to see 

if it was worth publishing....

so I had a small group of guinea pigs

 read it and every single person 

loved it and told me 

I HAD to get it published!!

Me: So, since it took 

eleven years to write the 

first one... are we going to 

have to wait another 11 years to 

find out what is happening in book two?

Tiffany: No, 

The Pandora Affair started out 

as bucket list item, 

after I let my sister in law 

Babette and my cousin Jessi 

read it before it was published 

I was given a MUCH stricter deadline 

to get the next book, 

Pandora's Soldiers in their hands 

in less than 12 months...

greedy bitches! 

That was more time than

 my friend James Gouine gave me,

 after he finished 

The Pandora Affair 

he told me he would need 

Pandora’s Soldiers finished 

and in his hands no later than

 the following week…LOL

Me: Sounds like you have

 a wonderful support system there…

Now, Do you have any favorite authors?

Tiffany: Ok, favorite Authors...

my all-time favorite is Stephen King, 

I have read his books since I can remember...

I also like John Grisham, 

Edgar Allan Poe, J. K. Rowling 

and yes...Stephanie Meyer...

don't judge me! 

LOL...I love my Twilight!!

Me: EEEKK!! I <3's Twilight...

 Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Tiffany: Team Both.. :-P

Me: I am so 

How can you be both?? lol

Tiffany:  Hahahaaa 

ok so let me tell 

you the story 

behind Team Both..

Me:  Yes Please Do!!

Tiffany: I LOVE Vampires, 

love them...from Buffy, Angel, 

Spike and Twilight...

one of my best guy friends Jesse

 is not only awesome but he loves

 wolves...so there is a running

 joke with us that I am Bella and

 he is Jacob...and whenever I 

needed him for comfort when I 

was mad at my Vampire (LOL), 

he was there... 

Me:  lol now that's cute… 

So, I am going to list a couple things

 and we are going to play this or that.

.. and you are going to pick one ready??

Tiffany: Sure!

Me:  Good because after

 a few of these.... 

I have a couple juicy questions

 to ask before I let you go!

Tiffany: Oh Lordy! LOL

Me:  Chocolate:

Dark, White, or Milk?

Tiffany: Milk..

Me:  Movie night:

Scary movie and cuddling 

with your lover, or chick 

flick with the gals!

Tiffany: Scary movie

 cuddling with lover...

Me:  I can’t do ANYTHING 

without music going… SO….

When you're writing: 

Quiet and focused, 

OR music/tv going?

Tiffany: I can do either, 

depends on my mood.

Me:  does the music 

affect your writing?

Tiffany: honestly if I

 do listen to music when I write

 it will always be classical.

Me:  Alright... Now I 

got to read a little into 

Pandora's Soldiers and 

I got a taste of one of your 

HAWT sex scenes... 

Now, in The Pandora Affair, 

they were good, but in this one, 

the people involved seem to have 

QUITE a bit more dominance 

and the sex does in a little bit of a 

different direction 

(In a good way of course) 

What changed or made you decide

 to make it so different..?

Tiffany: Well....

Mmmmm about that question ...

When I wrote The Pandora Affair 

I was married to a semi smarter 

version of Rainman.....

I am currently dating Ironman...LOL  

Me:  well well.... 

now that my mouth is watering...

Which character in the 

books is your Ironman and 

why do you call

him Ironman?

Tiffany: Well, unfortunately 

he was not around for the

 creation of The Pandora Affair,

 but he is a significant part

 of all of my characters in 

Pandora’s Soldiers. 

Every time I get stuck 

and need help we discuss what a 

scene is going to be like and we 

go over scenarios to see which 

one works best for 

that character. 

Let’s just say 

his inspiration 

is unrelenting.

The reason I call him 

Ironman is because it is 

damn near impossible to win a

 debate on certain subjects 

with him and god knows 

I’ve tried. His sarcasm and 

intelligence on certain subjects 

outweighs my own and 

he is not big on being in the 

limelight, so that is why I use 

Ironman instead of his name.

Me:  Ooh what a stud! 

 He's a sexy character. *fans self* 

 I like James... but then again,

 I am a horse of a different color lol!!

Tiffany: I love James too, 

and Roger...

all my characters...

I am being very biased!!

Me:  hehe Alright, now I have

 interviewed a couple 

authors and some say that they 

decide the story... and some say

 that it's more like, the characters

 write out their story inside their 

head and the author is just the one

 to put their story on the paper..

Which one are you?

Tiffany: I am the puppeteer

 and control the characters...

based on audience reaction to 

the characters themselves, 

I write from there...

I am truly about the twist 

and turns of the shock factor...

does that make sense?

Me:  sURE DOES!!

Apparently my Caps 

Lock loves you! Lol

Tiffany: Haaa I make 

everything hard and big

Me:  

Tiffany: That came out wrong…

Me:  That’s what she said.. 

Me:  Okay, Okay, 

I will go back to being good.. 

hehe

Tiffany: *pokes Bridgette*

Me:  So, I have to ask... 

I have one author friend 

DL Roan who is an advocate 

for human trafficking.. 

and trust me, you'd be 

SHOCKED to find out how 

much of it is going on here 

under our own noses!!

Is there anything that you 

feel strongly about or want 

to tell my readers about?

Tiffany: I am a HUGE 

advocate against Animal Abuse 

and Canine Cancer, 

I just recently lost my best friend, 

companion and therapy dog 

to bladder cancer 

and it turned my world upside down...

now a portion of the proceeds 

from my books will go to 

the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

  

Me:  that is so sweet!! 

I am sorry for your loss, 

but maybe this will give 

you a chance to make some 

new canine kiddos..?

Tiffany: We got a puppy 

on Halloween right before 

Buddy was diagnosed, 

but yes I always adopt.

Me:  You've been so 

wonderful and I hope 

I am not taking too much 

time away from your writing.., 

but I HAVE to ask...

If you could pick any movie stars, 

(current or past) to play 

these characters, 

who would you pick?

James:

Samantha:

Roger:

Tyler:

(Remember...I want an all star cast!! *winks*)

Tiffany: 

Me:  Okay, Okay, 

I know I said that was 

the last one,…. 

But I can’t help myself!! 

I have one more!! 

Hehe I PROMISE 

I will stop after this one! :-D

Tiffany:  Alright :-D Shoot..

Me:  There are quite a few 

main characters that I met 

in that teaser you sent me 

from Pandora’s Soldiers… 

How about showing me a 

couple Top Notch Movie Stars 

to play a couple people from 

Pandora’s Soldiers!! 

Give my fans a little taste 

of the men in book two!! :-D

Tiffany: 

Me:  My Oh My!!! 

I can’t wait to be able 

to read more bout these 

smexi men in Book two!!  

Thank you for spending 

time with me and letting 

me pick your brain! :)

Tiffany: Anytime hun! 

Thanks for the interview!

I have something for your readers....
From today until My Birthday (FEBRUARY 11) 

When you buy

The Pandora Affair on Smashwords, 

when you use the code WY65F you get it for half price!!

Just click the link below to go to 

The Pandora Affair 

on Smashwords!!