Counting Down

 

Hi guys!

 

The launch for Five Poisoned Apples is just three short days away. I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement.

 

So here is the inside scoop for everything you need to know on launch day.

 

We are having a Facebook party!

 

It will take place December 1st, starting at 7 PM, EST. All you have to do to take part is join the Rooglewood Fairytale Contest page.

All five of the Apple authors will be there. There will be a chance for Q&A, as well as fun games.

And let's talk about prizes for just a minute.

Rooglewood Press is hosting a game for each story in the collection, and giving away five print copies for the winners.

Alongside that, the authors are providing prizes handpicked to represent their individual stories.

Here's a look at what I'm offering up.

 

 

I had a hard time finding prizes I thought the majority of people would like. Since Red as Blood has a Victorian gothic type setting, some of the things I considered were just a little too creepy.

 

The other prizes are all fantastic as well, and I'm really sad I can't take part in the games too, because I would be thrilled to win any of them.

 

The book is now available for preorder.

 

If you just can't wait another moment, you can preorder the kindle copy now on Amazon.

The print copy is going through the final approval, and should be available at any minute, so stay tuned if you're waiting for a book you can display on your shelf.

I should also probably mention, since there has been a little confusion, that I'm not making any money off of this book. Since these collections are of contest winners, we received our prize initially and the profits go to the publisher.

Don't let that dissuade you from buying the book. You are still supporting me and the other authors by reading our work, leaving reviews, and spreading our name around. Some of us have  other published works you can look into, and others have more projects up and coming. So even though we aren't gaining any sales through this collection, the publicity and reader base is invaluable.

So if you decide to buy a copy, thank you very much.

 

Not sure what to expect?

 

I've had several people ask for more details about the book before they buy it for their children/grandchildren.

The stories in the collection are all considered Young Adult, but we were specifically told to write with an age of 13+ in mind, so there's nothing horrifically graphic, in my opinion.

These are Snow White retellings after all, so there is the usual variations of poisoning, cutting out hearts, witches, and magic.

The authors are all lovely ladies and did an excellent job of crafting deep stories, while still keeping the idea of a fairytale happily ever after.

 

I love each and every one of the stories. Falling Snow is probably one of my favorite since I've seen it grow and develop since the very early stages, but the others are each so unique and put a completely different spin on the fairytale.

 

Here are the teaser blurbs for each story.

 

A TALE SO DARK AND LOVELY.

Falling Snow: The strange dark circus is the only life she’s ever known—but is Snow a performer or a prisoner?
Raven’s Heir: Taking her in could risk the lives of his rebel band—but how can Damien leave the young woman at the huntsman’s mercy?
The Fairest One: Her people look for the prophesied Fairest One—but can Livna find courage to step out of the shadows and save her nation?
Red as Blood: He’s been hired to assassinate the princess, no questions asked—but how can Zaig take the life of one so young, so innocent?
Snowbird and the Red Slippers: She longs to be worthy of the scholarship that changed her life—but can Jeong Hayan survive the bitter rivalry of a prestigious New York dance school?

Experience the haunting beauty of Snow White in five thrilling retellings.

 

A bit about the authors.

 

I can't very well talk about the book all day without also talking about the authors who created it.

 

Skye Hoffert

Skye Hoffert is a dreamer, who always had her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. She has spent more time in Narnia and Middle Earth than in reality. She makes her home in Canada, with her family of ten.  She spends her days writing, painting, and procrastinating.

She blogs here.

 

Jenelle Hovde

A former audiologist, Jenelle Hovde decided to take the road less travelled and return to a love of all things creative. She currently juggles many hats as a pastor’s wife, a homeschooling mother of three, and a writer in her spare time. She lives on the windswept prairies with her family and one very large Great Dane who insists on being a lapdog. Her favorite pastimes include sketching characters from books, reading historical romance and YA fantasy, and exploring the Great Outdoors.

You can find her blog here.

 

Cortney Manning

Cortney Manning resides in Kansas City, Missouri with her amazing family and a grown Labrador who still thinks he is a puppy.  When not at home, she can be found teaching, studying at college, or working at a magical place in Orlando.  She has loved exploring different stories from a young age and is excited to share her own writing with the world.  In her free time, Cortney enjoys drawing, traveling, and afternoon tea.

Her blog is here.

 

Rachael Wallen

Rachael Wallen lives in New Zealand, with her husband Andy, in a house full of books. She is a full-time Christian and Paramedic, a part-time ballet student, photographer, and world traveler. An alumni of Writer's Window, "Snowbird and the Red Slippers" is her first published work.

You can find her here.

 

And then there's me!

 

I've had so much fun this last year with these ladies. It's been scary, hectic, and mind boggling at times, but we've all been able to talk it out together. They are all such sweethearts, and I'm so glad there were five of us because I think I might have gone off the deep end if I was trying to navigate edits alone.

I'm so thankful for Anne and the rest of the Rooglewood team. They've been so helpful and gracious, and have pushed me to make Red as Blood into the best story it can be.

I've loved getting to work with the editors and really come to understand how the process works and to continue to grow in my writing through it.

 

I am beyond excited to be bringing Red as Blood to you all this weekend. The characters are special to me and I can't wait to share their story with you.

Red as Blood was the first real writing I've done since a two year break and it's more than a little frightening to be sending it off into the world.

But at the end of the day, I know I did my very best with writing it and that's all I can do.

I'm excited to move forward now and keep writing and pursuing other avenues of publishing.

 

Are you ready to party?