Free Books For the New Year

Here is another of the eleven books I am giving away on New Years Day in my free book give away. To win all you have to do is be the first to claim one of the books. It's that easy. For more details Click here: E's blog: New Years Free Book Giveaway

Easter Eggs - Guest Post by Tatiana EL-Khouri

I've always been an inquisitive person, questioning everything. And I mean everything! It was not long that my questions of "Why?" and "How Come?" to my mother were met with, "The answer is in a book." I saw that response as an invitation to a land of exploration. Excitement would overtake me as I tried to figure out which book would hold the answer I sought. Till this day I love a good puzzle and can often be found doing logic puzzles and brain teasers in the middle of intense projects to get a moment of clarity.

When I was 5, I got a Nintendo 8 bit system from my uncle. It was the hottest toy at the time. When I stood in a fully stocked toy store and was told to pick anything I wanted, I made an instant beeline to the counter for the coveted Nintendo. I loved the video game system, despite not being very great at playing the games. It didn't take long for my younger brother to take over my game system and make it his own. Surprisingly, I didn't mind!

He was good! I played the games and barely passed a few levels. He played the same game and not only passed all the levels, but he started finding secret points and uncovering "Easter Eggs." I was amazed! Not only were the games entertaining, visually stimulating and all-around awesome; but the attention to detail the game developers and designers added were awe inspiring. I couldn't wait to watch my brother find the next secret coin room, extra life or any other secrets hidden throughout the games.

The idea of Easter Eggs stuck in my head. When I studied ancient history, I learned about everything from the secrets of the pyramids to the symbolism in the dollar bill to the insignia of a flag; I appreciated the thought that went into the planning process even more. About a year ago, I purchased an encyclopedia of symbols and signs as artistic reference. I was waiting for the right project to lace with hidden Easter Eggs. Then along came E's "I Want You Back." Instantly I knew this was the project I was waiting for. As E described the story and how the project would be a gift to his loyal fans, I thought it would be so cool to add hidden symbolism in the artwork and give an extra layer to the project the fans may not expect.

In the cover alone there are about 10 or so clues or hidden meanings that will be later revealed. So now that you know the Cover and the interior illustrations are filled with "Easter Eggs," I can't wait to hear from the readers and see what clues you pick up on. As the chapters come in, more and more will be revealed. Next week I will reveal the Easter Eggs that have been placed in the artwork and the Cover.

-Tatiana

Zombie Love at Christmas

To show a little zombie love for the holidays I have written and am giving away my YA paranormal novella I Want You Back! If you subscribe to my website (evanlowe.com) the first chapters will arrive in your mailbox just in time for Christmas.

This new book is to thank all my friends and fans for being there for me this year. If you enjoy it, or Tatiana's artwork, please go to the I Want You Back! page on my website and leave a comment. Thanks.

New Years Free Book Giveaway

In addition to all that's going on with I Want You Back (due out on Wednesday), I'm hosting a bit of a contest.

Since I purchase several new books a week, I must accept that some will never get read. And so, to start the new year in a giving fashion, I'm giving 11 new, unread books away.

Over the past year I have bought or received so many books that my office looks like a storage unit. And since I love buying books, I must clear away some that I have not yet read so I can buy more (strange, I know). I will post my giveaway list here on New Year's Day (January 1st). All you have to do to get a free book is be a subscriber of either this website or my blog. If you're a website subscriber, click on blog, then click on comments and tell me which book you want. If you're a blogger subscriber, just click on comments and leave your request. First come-first served. It's that easy. If someone hasn't already left a comment requesting the book--it's yours. I will mail it to you free of charge.

I will post the list of lucky winners a few days after the 1st with instructions on how to claim your book. DO NOT leave your address or email address or any personal information in the comments. All unclaimed books will go back into the queue for the next time.

So, if you'd like to win a free book, and you're not a subscriber, now's the time to subscribe.

Subscribers, check back on New Year's Day and win a free book.

Countdown to I Want You Back!

Four days until I Want You Back!, my free ebook novella. This is the book cover on the left. Let us know what you think. Tatiana would love to hear from you.

Also, I just updated my website. It now includes the I Want You Back! book cover, my New Years Book Giveaway contest, and a link to my entire NPR radio interview (I can't stand the sound of my own voice, so I have never heard it). If you'd like to check any of this out Click here: E. Van Lowe. And remember, if you want to receive the chapters of I Want You Back! in your email (starting on the 23rd) you need to be a subscriber. If you haven't subscribed already, now might be a good time.

Tatiana will be guest blogging next week on the 24th. Please stop by and show her some love.

Keke Loves Zombies

Check it out! Keke Palmer, star of the amazing film, Akeelah And The Bee, and currently starring on Nickelodeon's True Jackson VP Click here: True Jackson Keke Palmer Nickelodeon wants to play the lead in Never Slow Dance With A Zombie. How cool is that? All we need is someone who wants to make a movie out of the book. Okay, I know that's a lot, but still. This is very cool.

Keke shot this video for me, and I thought now was the perfect time to share it with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRJsoay8jP8

Drat!

I've been in a funk for a while now, and I can't seem to pull myself out of it. Then yesterday I heard that Alloy Entertainment passed on reading my recently completed manuscript, Hollyweird. That really bummed me out. I love the Gossip Girl series and books (although I've only read the first three) that Alloy publishes and produces. I thought Alloy would make a nice home. *sigh* I sure hope my editor at Tor gives it a read, and likes it. I'm doing one final edit before I tell her about it. I know, I think I've said that before.

I am meeting with Tatiana tomorrow to check out the completed (I hope) book cover for I Want You Back. That should cheer me up. The progress shots of her artwork are in the previous post. I think she did a darn good job.

I Want You Back is my free ebook novella available on the 23rd, just in time for Christmas. If you don't know about it, and you'd like to receive it, check out this earlier blog that tells you how: http://vanlowe.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-want-you-back.html

If the book cover is approved it should be posted on this blog later in the week. Meanwhile, I've got to get out of this funk.

Progress shot #2

I Want You Back!

I've had a headache all day.

A short while ago I realized I haven't had any coffee all day, and I'm sure that's the source of my headache. I'm probably hooked on the stuff. But now as I write a cup of Starbucks is by my side. With any luck the headache will be gone by the time I'm done.

I've been working on I Want You Back exclusively today--no Christmas shopping, no malls--and I'm nearly done. I've been exploring delivery formats, and now think I'm just going to convert the chapters to a down loadable pdf. Tatiana had suggested using My ebook. It's free ebook service where authors (published and unpublished) can share their books with the public. Some of the book covers are stunning, which is one reason we thought of using them. Click here: Myebook - get it out there! You can have flash on your book cover, and we thought it would be neat to have our hand holding couple in a shroud of mysterious, rising smoke.

But I didn't like all the hoops my readers would have to jump through to subscribe (since they've already subscribed to my website). I also felt when I hit the button to enlarge the page that I could never get it to the right size. It was either too big or too small. So, I'm still looking around, but for now I'm thinking pdf. If anyone has any better ideas please let me know.

The photo above is a progress shot of Tatiana's painting for the book cover. Yes, she's actually doing a painting for each illustration. I know she'd love to hear your comments on her work. Leave them here.

My head is still hurting.

A Very Good Excuse

I've been totally remiss in posting lately. Can I blame Christmas? Yes, I'm blaming Christmas. Christmas has totally thrown me for a loop. Mostly because I've been fretting--what to get, what to get, what to get? While I love Christmas, this is a most difficult time of year for me, because I never know what to get anyone. Every year I say I am going to listen to what people want and need, and come Christmas I will be prepared. And every year I don't listen, and wind up going to all after mall, walking around like a zombie. This year has been no different.

Anyway, that's my excuse, and here are a few things I should have mentioned but let slip. My friend, Jill at Reading Is Bliss is hosting 25 Guests of Christmas. She is having a guest blogger each day from the 1st thru Christmas. It's the 8th, so you've missed a few. I am her guest on the 21st. If you'd like some Christmas spirit, who doesn't Click here: Reading is Bliss.

This past Saturday I was a guest author at the Christmas party at Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego. There were 11 authors present, including Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures) whom I sat right next to. They were delightful, and signed a book for me. Yay! The party was a blast. We answered questions, signed, ate, and met new friends and fans. Mysterious Galaxy Books is now my favorite Indy book store. Thank you Mysterious Galaxy for showing me such a good time. If you'd like to know more about the party or Mysterious Galaxy Click here: Mysterious Galaxy Books.

I will have more updates coming about Hollyweird and artwork from I Want You Back (my free, e-book novella with illustrations due out at Christmas), but I felt I had to at least catch you up. And now I must go Christmas shopping, or as I like to call it, Zombie Time. Ugh!