Happy New Year!

I want to thank everyone for hanging with me in 2011.  Writing can be a very lonely profession.  It's so gratifying when you guys stop by to participate in a contest, or leave a comment on my blog, or a review on Amazon or Goodreads.  It let's me know I'm not writing in a vacuum, and that somebody is out there.  So please, keep stopping by from time to time.

Speaking of reviews, Boyfriend From Hell continues to garner excellent reviews.  The Earth Angel reviews have just begun.  There are currently seventeen reviews on Goodreads.  11 of them are 4 and 5 star reviews.  There are six reviews on Amazon--three 5 star reviews, 1 four star and 2 three star reviews.  I am so pleased so many of you are enjoying the books.  Those of you who haven't read them yet, I hope you give them a try. 

I have lots of exciting things coming in 2012.  I have a Twitter party scheduled for January 13th.  There will be an all new Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge, as well as some cool events and a new book.  I will have more details on the Twitter party in the coming week.  If you've ever wanted to chat with me or ask a question, the Twitter Party is the perfect opportunity.

Now it's time for me to start getting ready for my own New Year's Eve festivities.  Please have a safe New Year's Eve and I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.  And please remember to take some time to help those who are less fortunate.  You may think you're in bad shape, but I'm telling you there are people out there in worse shape than you.  Please lend a hand.  We live in a wonderful country, but imagine how wonderful it would be if we all took the time to help one another.

Peace.

Holly Zombie Christmas Winner

Happy Holidays everyone.  I know you're all here to find out who won all the cool swag in the Holly Zombie Christmas Giveaway.  I won't keep you waiting too long, but before I announce I want you all to know what a blast I had hosting the contest.  I love having contests.  Speaking of hosts, I want to thank the five bloggers who co-hosted the contest with me. I also want to thank Janiera, who liked the contest so much she co-hosted on her own.  Thanks, Janiera, that was awesome of you.

And now for the winner.  The winner of the Holly Zombie Christmas Giveaway is Ta-Taaaaaa! Jeanette Jackson.  Hey Jeanette, congratulations! Send me your mailing info. I will pop the swag bag into the mail.  Sorry you won't have it for Christmas, but some time during the holidays, you will be knee deep in zombie paraphernalia. The blogger who sent the most fans my way is Stephanie at Beauty Brite.  Thanks Stephanie for enrolling so many contestants into the giveaway.  A mini-swag bag will be going out to you as well.

If you like contests please stay tuned, I will be hosting another Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge very soon.  Guess the movie and win a free Amazon gift card.  It's that easy. And if you like good books, hopefully you will check out mine.  If you're not into my genre, why not give Boyfriend From Hell or Never Slow Dance With A Zombie as a gift. I'm an author, people.  If I don't sell these books I will have to go back to work in the salt mine.  You don't want that, and neither do I.  So please, please support me as an author.  If you're into horror, check out my alter ego Sal Conte, the author of the original Child's Play.  His ebooks are available on my site along with my own: http://evanlowe.com/

I hope everyone will hang around long enough to read my interview with cover artist Adara Rosalie. If you can't stay now, please come back and read it.  She's a terrific artist and an awesome person.  I know she'd love it if you left a comment.

Please be careful out there during the holidays.  I want to see you all back here real soon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.  PEACE ON EARTH.

*Correction.  Earlier I mistakenly posted it was Michelle at Beauty Brite who was the winning blogger.  I have corrected the error.  I apologize, Stephanie.
E

Interview With Earth Angel Cover Designer, Adara Rosalie

Since I've had the Falling Angles Saga covers redesigned, so many people have asked me "who does your book covers?  They're gorgeous!"  Today I am unveiling my secret weapon. I'd like everyone to meet the woman who created and designed the covers for Boyfriend From Hell and Earth Angel, my new friend Jayde, also known as Adara Rosalie.  First a brief bio.

Known as Adara Rosalie, Jayde, is a self-taught digital artist living in the Sydney Region of New South Wales, Australia. Her works bring forth the beauty in the dark, strange and Gothic. Her images are beautifully rendered, with a blend of photo manipulation and digital painting, showing a natural talent for creating new and fantastic visual artworks that are original in concept.

Fast becoming sought after for her particular style, Adara has been commissioned for the design of a number of CD covers, promotional displays, and book covers.
She has also been featured in magazines such as Advanced Photoshop (Issue 81), won a number of awards on artist community websites (thanks to all her supporters, whom bolster and strengthen her and her art with their wonderful comments) and a variety of other wonderful things that are to be confirmed in the near future (including publication in a digital book by Quarto Publishing Ltd.).

Jayde currently lives at home with her family and her puppy-dog, Constantine, but has recently made another big change in her life by purchasing her first home with her partner, Michael.

1)      Hi Jayde.  Thanks for stopping by. I noticed when I first saw your work that you have an eye for making things pretty using Photoshop.  Where does this gift come from?

            I am an only child so developed a vivid imagination at an early age that developed in later years into a passion for visual arts. It was not until I enrolled into a visual arts diploma at TAFE (tertiary educational institution) that I was introduced to Photoshop in one of the core units. I was instantly captivated with the program (if a little over whelmed at first by all the tools and features) and branched out in my spare time in researching tutorials and practicing with it until I understood all aspects of the program. If I was unsure how to create an effect I took the initiative to contact other artists to ask their advice, or if available, discuss techniques with my teachers.

            Every artist develops their own individual artist practice and finds inspiration in a variety of ways (music, TV, movies, life experiences, appropriation of concepts, history, mythology, culture or subculture).  I find my inspiration from my love of Gothic subcultures, mythology, fables and life experiences.

            I was not always as proficient with Photoshop. My first works are devoid of finesse and were very raw. I did not have the knowledge to create special effects or produce professional quality images. It is only with hours and hours of practice that I was able to create high quality images that were visual representations of my imagination.

      Tell us a little about yourself?

            I have been subject to High School Bullying because I came from a low income household and saw things differently from others. In year 12 , I found the body of my Uncle who had committed suicide. In spite of this trauma I continued on to complete year 12 and receive my High School Certificate. It was through the support and care of my teachers and family that helped me to succeed.

I had to put off enrolling into university, and had to enter the work force to be able to pay household living costs. I waited 5 years before my family was financially stable, I took a leap of faith and quit my job, and enrolled into a diploma of visual arts course that ran for 2 years. It was in those two years at Tafe, working and developing my skills, that I discovered that working in an office as a paper pusher was not a career that makes me happy. In my last year of Tafe, I applied to the Australian Catholic University to enroll into a Bachelor of Teaching/ Bachelor of Visual Arts, and to my utter delight was accepted. I was a mature aged student. My education comes first. It is the basis for a career that I love and a solid income.

In the meantime it I have been working with digital art, and following my personal dreams of becoming a well-known artist and book cover designer. It has taken me 5 years to build my artist portfolio, reputation and network. I am continually reaching new heights and have never been happier with my life and choices.

The Falling Angels Saga covers are really gorgeous.  How hard was it to come with the design?  How hard was it working with E? (Be honest)

                Thank you! I was truly honored and blessed to be able to work with E. (and not only because I grew up with the Cosby Show)! Working on any commission for a client has its ups and downs, it is the most difficult thing to be able to take what another individual envisions and try to create a visual image. I have worked with a variety of clientele and found that E. was one of the most pleasurable and easiest clients to work with.

            E. provided me with an outline, or suggestion, on the type of images that he envisioned and gave me creative license to work within my own imaginative and artistic capabilities. This provided me with the freedom to work WITH E. on creating the perfect cover.

6)      What’s your favorite project you ever worked on?  Why?

            I don’t really have a favorite project, but if I had to choose, I would say working with E. on his book covers. I love being able to develop freely, creating new works of art that reach out and capture the imagination of people. I think that the act of creating, in itself, is a wonderful gift and I love every moment that I have creating.

7)      What are your guilty pleasures in life?

                Hmmnnn, guilty pleasures... I love pepperoni pizza! I know that it is not healthy, but so yummy! And I am a HUGE fan of Family Guy.

8)      Where can fans find you on the web?

            My works of art can be found in a variety of places. I have many artist portfolios, and am a member of a few sites where prints, posters and iPhone cases can be purchased of my work.

Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/jayderosalie

Deviant Art: http://jayderosalie.deviantart.com/

Advanced Photoshop UK: http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/user/adararosalie

The Untapped Source: http://www.theuntappedsource.com/artist_detail.php?category=344

Art Flakes: http://www.artflakes.com/en/shop/adararosalie

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adararosalie/

Shadowness:  http://shadowness.com/Jayde

Thanks for stopping by, Jayde.  For those of you who didn't get enough, we'll be hearing from Jayde again some time early next year.  Please stop by some of Jayde's sites, check out her work, and maybe even purchase something. 
Peace and Happy Holidays.

Have A Holly Zombie Christmas

Happy Holidays Everyone. T’is the season to be zombie.  To kick it off I am sponsoring a Holly Zombie Giveaway.  I am giving away a swag bag filled with goodies any serious zombie aficionado is going to want to own.  The contest starts today, December 9^th and ends next Friday, December 16^th.  There are six additional bloggers co-hosting the extravaganza.  They are:

http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/

http://maryanndeborde.blogspot.com/

http://booksfromthepurplejellybeanchair.blogspot.com/

http://www.beautybrite.com/

http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/

http://mardel-rabidreader.blogspot.com/

There is only one prize, but it's easy to win.  Just sign up for my newsletter at http://evanlowe.com/ For more details view the post below this one and watch the video.  On the 17th I will place all the entries into a fishbowl and draw the winner.  The six bloggers have a chance to win as well. The one who signs up the most contestants will win a special prize.  If you'd like to help a blogger win, leave a comment on my blog letting me know they sent you. I will post the winning blogger along with the winning contestant on the 19^th.

I promise you this is an awesome gift bag.  You are not going to want to miss out on it.  So scroll down and check it out.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good bite!

Holly Zombie Giveaway--Call For Host Bloggers

Holly Zombie Giveaway

December 9th thru the 16th

I am celebrating this holiday season in Zombie Style with my first ever Holly Zombie Giveaway. I am giving away a Swag Bag full of zombirific goodies any serious zombie fan will love. To see a presentation of the awesome goodies just click on the video link:

The goodies include:

My Uncle Enoch's 1964 Zombie High, High School Year Book: This is an authentic yearbook with blood spattered pages filled with photos of the graduating class, the faculty, and of course all the teams--including the track team who had the distinction of not completing one meet the entire season.  If you have any friends or family members who attended Zombie High, this is for you.

That's Not Your Mommy Anymore: Matt Mogk's illustrated children's book is a favorite at bedtime in my house because it explains to the little ones--in colored illustrations and verse--what to do when mommy starts acting strange.

Zombie Water or Juice Bottle: You can work up a tremendous thirst battling zombies.  This zombie green water bottle is perfect for the zombie fighter who wants to quench his thirst and look the part while doing it.



 

Autographed copy of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie--this special edition autographed copy comes with a hand written Christmas greeting from the author. Any true zombie lover will want to add this to their collection of zombie paraphernalia.

Three Never Slow Dance With A Zombie Bookmarks-- Why three? Because when you're reading while fighting zombies it's easy to lose your place. Duh!

 Zombie Love Button-- If you can't beat em join em. Sport this zombie pin while roaming among the zombie hordes to let them know you're not looking for a fight and would love to hang onto your braiins.

Zombie Love men's large TeeShirt--A zombie attack can come at any time--even while you're sleeping. Wear this tee shirt to bed so if you are ever dragged from your sleep by a band of marauding zombies, they will know you are a lover not a fighter.

Never Slow Dance With A Zombie Tote—Tired of carrying around all your zombie fighting gear in your hands? This stylish tote is perfect for carrying around all your gear and at the same time letting everyone know that you would Never Slow Dance With A Zombie.

This giveaway is available internationally

The rules to enter are simple:

Everyone can have up to five entries.  here's how.

you must sign up for my newsletter at http://evanlowe.com/  The sign up link is in the left hand column on the home page.

bonus entry if you also sing up for my blog (1 entry)

bonus II follow me on twitter (1 entry)

bonus III Like my Facebook Fan Page (1 entry)

bonus iV leave a comment on my blog telling me on whose blog you discovered the contest. (1 entry)

For those of my fans who have already done these, leave a comment on my blog and you will automatically have 5 entries.

NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED BEFORE DECEMBER 9TH

***Bloggers who'd like to co-host this contest don't leave a comment here.  Email me at info@evanlowe.com.  There's also a prize for the blogger who recruits the most entries.

I will accept blogger entries up until the 8th of December***