Rachel Rawlings's Blog

Wow! We are more than half way through the year folks, and you know what that means!HallowRead 2019 is getting closer! If you don't have your tickets yet, now's the time. Early Bird discounts are ending soon. Be sure to grab your spot and savings before it's too late!

And if the savings isn't reason enough to grab your tickets, check out these panels! More authors will be added to the panels as we get closer to the big day!

Keep Calm And Steam On - from airships to cogs and clogs, we cover the ins and outs of Steampunk with Victoria L. Scott, Anne Renwick, Katherine McIntyre and Michelle Schad
Origin Stories - authors share how and why they took the road less traveled with Kira Decker, Susan Viemeister, Anne Renwick, Misty Simon, Elizabeth Kirke and Michelle Schad
That's A Novel Idea - authors share the real life inspiration for some of their stories with Bryan Nowak, Susan Viemeister, Loni Lynne, Kim Alexander, Kira Decker, Katherine McIntyre and Misty Simon
I Love The Nightlife - from Vampires to Werewolves, Ghosts to Ghouls, we cover all your favorite creatures that go bump in the night with R.A. Boyd, Rebecca Rivard, Rue Volley, Cat Miller, Shadow Leitner and Heather Elizabeth King
Just Like Heaven - and ocassionally Hell, steamy demons and angels that are a cool drink ofwater will have you questioning which direction you really want to go with L.M. Pruitt, R.A. Boyd, Briana Michaels
Water And Wings - from a hidden cove to a treasure trove these creatures went from rare sighting to totally mainstream with Rebecca Rivard, L.M. Pruitt, Julie Wetzel, Shadow Leitner, Kim Alexander and Andrew Grey
The Magic Word - authors discuss everything from spells and charms to potions and plants with Rue Volley, Elizabeth Kirke and Rachel Rawlings
Keynote Speech - The amazingly talented Sherrilyn Kenyon

Meet The Sponsors
   

Hello HalowReaders!

Over the course of the next few months and weeks leading up to our seventh (that's right seventh) annual book festival, we'll be introducing you to our sponsors and authors. So without further ado, let's meet EverShade Publishing!

EverShade Publishing is on a mission to bring you the best in Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction Romance and Paranormal Romance. With seven different imprints, Storm, Scorch, Spark, Ember, Glow, Smolder and Enchant, authors within these genres are sure to find a home that's a perfect fit for their books and writing style. They've found their market and are zeroing in on the section of genre fiction with laser focus. We love that!

Did we mention they're open for submissions? Check out the submissions page on their website for more details on what they're looking for.

One of their widely anticipated releases is The Cursed Key! Ilona Andrews meets Tomb Raider? Sounds like a one click book to us! Read on for an excerpt!

Be sure to get your tickets for HallowRead 2019 before they sell out! Trust us, you are not going to want to miss out this year!

I had come to a dangerous place, eagerly and with abandon fully latched to my soul. Stepping out of the mud-splattered jeep, I mentally cursed the wretched thing for the banging and jostling I had received on my way up through the trees.After a quick check that I had my knife and packs, I walked into the treacherous mysteries of the Vale do Javari.The Amazon rainforest was vast, many portions of it unexplored, this place least of all. The ground was sodden and soft, rain-soaked leaves licking my pants as I passed. The possibility that it could have been thousands of years since humans had lived here thrilled me to the point of such utter disbelief that I didn’t hear the person behind me, at first.“Olivia, are you listening to the man?”I tore my eyes unwillingly from the vine-laden trees, branches twisting toward me like they were reaching for me, beckoning me to explore their depths.Sighing sharply, I glanced over my shoulder at Kelby. He was the newbie on the team and in my opinion took too much stock in precautionary measures. No doubt the Brazilian official standing near his shoulder had been touting exactly that.My silence giving him answer enough, Kelby shook his head. “He warns us that the area is heavily populated with an unusual amount of jaguars and to be cautious.”

The first in our new series of recommended reading is The Cursed Key. Check out the blurb to see why:
A forgotten past, a dark mage, and an unyielding curse.

Another team beat free-spirited archaeologist Olivia Perez to the dig of a lifetime, and now she’s left with the choice to wait for scraps or brave a dangerous, dusty tomb in hopes of finding other priceless artifacts. Her reward? A mysterious key she has no idea is cursed. Soon, Olivia realizes she’s brought home more than just an ancient rarity.

Malevolent visions begin to plague her. Unnerved by what they reveal, she casts away the key…unknowingly placing it into the waiting hands of a dark mage bent on destruction. Only when a shifter agent from the Paranormal Intelligence and Tracking Organization arrives searching for the key does Olivia realize what a huge mistake she’s made. 

Forced to team up with the ill-tempered shifter, her journey to reclaim the cursed key leads down a twisting path of dark histories, dangerous magic, and deadly obstacles. But Olivia’s efforts to take back the ancient relic before the dark mage can destroy the lives of humans, shifters, witches, and fae alike are thwarted by her own dark past…and a price steeper than what she’s willing to pay.

Fans of Tomb Raider and Ilona Andrews will love the blend of urban fantasy, magical adventure, and paranormal romance in THE CURSED KEY from Miranda Brock and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton!

Let me redirect you to fans of Tomb Raider and Ilona Andrews... Um, yes please!!!!!!!!!! If you want to check out a few chapter samples they're available now on Wattpad.

Stay tuned for more recommended reading. We'll be featuring authors from 2019 HallowRead next!

Our 2019 keynote is #MySherrilyn! We are so proud of her, not just of her literary accomplishments but of all of her life accomplishments - her strength and perseverance. She is amazing and continues to write her own story. One day at a time.

Meet R.A. Boyd 


After silently stalking one of my favorite authors’ Facebook page for months, I finally met her at one of her speaking engagements. She invited me to attend the first annual HallowRead mini-con held in Ellicott City, Maryland, and when I got there I felt like I’d fallen into nerd-girl/fan-girl Heaven.  Classes about shifters and fairies and gods were held throughout different buildings along Main Street featuring indie, and traditionally published, authors. I was able to meet writers, face-to-face, and ask them questions in a relaxed yet charged atmosphere. To be around readers and writers who shared the same passions as I did made me feel less like the odd girl in the room jotting down random notes and more like one of the awesome nerds who had found an awesome group to be with. Their message to me about being an author was all the same: get off your keister and start submitting, and if you can’t find anyone willing to publish your work then do it yourself. Two self-published books, two short stories and an article later I told myself that I would cross the invisible line and be a contributing author at the 2016 HallowRead. Rachel Rawlings, founder of the HallowRead and amazing author, was one of my original encouragers and when she told me I would be a participating author at this year’s event I felt like the newly crowned prom queen. The HallowRead is mini-con where lovers of Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Steam Punk go to find books, new favorite authors, and maybe even a ghostly encounter. Writers can find encouragement and sometimes a pushy author telling them to make it happen. So whether you’re a reader, writer or are trying to figure out exactly what Steam Punk is, the HallowRead is the place to figure it out and have a hell of a good time doing it.
Hunted by Angels: Demon/Angel RomanceAMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CR0GVUEB&N: http://bit.ly/1OnZVMh
Lady and the Packhttp://www.amazon.com/Lady-Pack-Line-Lilith-Novel-ebook/dp/B0194VAW76
WEBSITE: raboyd.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RABoydwriterTWITTER: https://twitter.com/ra_boydAMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/R.-A.-Boyd/e/B00CR2SC54GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092266.R_A_Boyd

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker- Kami Garcia Kami Garcia is the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures Novels and Dangerous Creatures and the author of the instant New York Times bestseller and Bram Stoker Award nominated novel Unbreakable in the Legion series.
Books for Kami Garcia will be available courtesy of Books A Million. YOU MUST PURCHASE AT LEAST ONE BOOK FROM BAM FOR THE SIGNING EVENT. There is also a 1 book limit for outside books. While we understand reader enthusiasm to get beloved copies signed, n order to ensure all readers have an equal opportunity we have to set limits. * Note E-readers are considered books.

Friday, October 23th 2015 EventsAuthor Workshops at the Roger Carter Center11:00pm – 4:00pmWriting For Anthologies
Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly HarmonBeginner’s Guide To Self Publishing
With L.M. PruittWhere There’s Smoke There’s Fire
Writing scenes that smolder with L.M. Pruitt **Adult content**Yappy Hour Costume Contest 6:00-9:00pmSpecial Event at The Wine Bin
Bring your canine companions dressed up for Halloween in a one of a kind costume contest. May the best dog win!Wine and Dine Down Main StreetBefore the after dark activities start!Haunted Ruins at Patapsco Female Institute7:00pm-10:00pmGhost Tours
7:00 pm
Saturday, October 24th 2015 EventsGrab your swag bags when you check in at Roger Cart Center!Panels held at the new Roger Carter CenterFull Panel List9:00-9:45- Coffee Talk- All Access Pass holders enjoy pastries, light breakfast items, beverages and a meet and greet with authors, book trailer and movie trailer showcase. Get a sneak peek at what’s up and coming!10:00-10:45 Decoding The GenresPavarti Tyler, Elizabeth Kirke, Jackie Mae, Andrew Gray,  moderated by L.M. Pruitt10:15-11:00 Ghostly Encounters
Sharon Buchbinder, Mary Behre, Loni Lynne, Sharon Saracino, Nikki Evans, moderated by H.D. Gordon11:00-11:45 Crossing Over
Jackie Mae, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Elizabeth Kirke, Toni Decker, Pavarti Tyler, moderated by L.M. Pruitt11:00-11:45 Paranormal Romance Guild
E.J. Stevens, Sharon Buchbinder11:15-12:00 Dead Of Night Paranormal Investigation Team Presentation- Mystery and history of the Ouija board12:00-1:00- Lunch Break1:00-2:00 Story Time with Jackie Mae and Stefani Milan– elementary through mid-grade reader event1:00-1:45 Gods, Myths, Magic And The Supernatural
Jean Murray, Kelly A. Harmon, Sharon Saracino, Dylann Rea, L.M. Pruitt moderator and panelist1:30-2:15 Holding Court
Rachel Rawlings, Dina M. Givens, Vonnie Winslow Crist, E. J. Stevens moderator and panelist2:00-2:45 Wham Bam, Fang You Ma’am
Kym Grosso, Suzy Rigdon, Loni Lynne, Sandra R. Campbell, J.D. Brown, Cat Miller, H.D. Gordon moderator and panelist2:15-3:00 Don’t Know How You Do That Voodoo That You Do, It’s A Spell
Felicia Starr, E.J. Stevens, Karina Espinosa, Stefani Milan, Kelly Harmon moderator and panelist3:00-3:45 Name That Vampire
Kym Grosso, Cat Miller, H.D. Gordon, Suzy Rigdon, Rachel Rawlings, L.M. Pruitt moderator and panelist3:15-4:00 Shifting Gears
Karina Espinosa, Lark Adams, Eri Nelson, E.J. Stevens, Rebecca Rivard, Jean Murray moderator and panelist3:30-4:15 Author Game Show
Mary Behre, Lynne Silver, Andrew Gray, Rochelle Maya Callen, Felicia Starr4:30 Book Signing and Photo Op 2nd floor Roger Carter Center handicap accessible meet and greet with your favorite authors, take pictures and get your books signed, fill your swag bags and find new books to read! Featuring award winning horror director and film maker Chris LaMartina, Nerdy Book Diggers and other great artisan vendors! MidNight Crew Studios – Jimmy George and Chris LaMartina (left to right)Haunted Ruins at the Patapsco Female Institute7:00pm-10:00pmSteamPunk Concert
8:00 Night Watch Paradox enjoy the music of this talented local Steampunk band. Be sure to dress your best for the costume contest!
at the Vintage Vault and GalleryGhost Tour7:00pmMovie Showcase Zombieland (free outdoor movie at the parking lot of the Wine Bin)8:00pm

Wham Bam, Fang You Ma'am- Kym Grosso, Suzy Rigson, Loni Lynne, H.D. Gordon, J.D. Brown, Cat Miller
Holding Court- E.J. Stevens, Rachel Rawlings, Dina M. Givens, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Shakuita Johnson
Shifting Gears- Alexa Egan, Karina Espinosa, MaryLynn Bast, Shakuita Johnson, Adrianne James, Lark Adams
Ghostly Encounters- Sharon Buchbinder, Mary Behre, Loni Lynne, Sharon Saracino
Name That Vampire- Kym Grosso, L.M. Pruitt, Cat Miller, H.D. Gordon, Suzy Rigdon, Rachel Rawlings
Author Game Show- Mary Behre, Lynne Silver, Andrew Gray, Tiffany Caramouche, Rochelle Maya Callen, Stephanie Julian
Don't Know How You Do That Voodoo That You Do, It's A Spell- Stephanie Julian, Felicia starr, Kelly A. Harmon, J.D. Brown, Karina Espinosa
Crossing Over- Jackie Mae, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Elizabeth Kirke, Terri Decker, Pavarti Tyler
Decoding The Genres- Pavarti Tyler, Elizabeth Kirke, Adrianne James, Jackie Mae, Andrew Gray
Gods, Myths, Magic And The Supernatural- Jean Murray, L.M. Pruitt, Alexa Egan, Kelly A. Harmon, Sharon Saracino, Dina M. Givens 
Paranormal Romance Guild- E.J. Stevens, Sharon Buchbinder
Tickets are on sale now!www.hallowread.com 

 As promised ladies and gents- the full panel list for HR2015!

Wham, Bam, Fang You Ma'am - The rise of the vampire, from Nosferatu to Eric NorthmanHolding Court - Seelie, Unseelie and the creatures in their kingdomsShifting Gears - from Skinwalkers to Werewolves, why we love therianthropy and lycanthropes.Ghostly Encounters - Authors share their experiences with the other sideName That Vampire - Authors read quotes from famous vampires, some they've written, some they just love. Guess the write vampire and win some swag!Author Game Show - Mad Libs and Scattergories with your favorite authors! Need we say more?Don't Know How You Do That Voodoo That you Do So Well, It's a spell! -Mysticism and magic in novels, where authors find their inspiration.Crossing Over - Transcending an age barrier, creating worlds that inspire readers young and old alike. Going beyond the Little Golden Books for young readers!Decoding the Genres - UF, YA, NA, PR, and more, what the codes really mean and why they're important. Includes other codes used by the publishing industry and authors to explain content.Gods, Myths, Magic and the Supernatural - History is rich with opportunity, an author’s playground and a reader’s delight. This diverse panel will discuss the implications of using gods, myths, magic, and supernatural elements in their writing.Paranormal Romance Guild - Info session and panel.
We're loving the line-up and know you will too! Look for the updated post with which authors will be speaking on which panel!

We keep adding to our line-up! We have some exciting new authors to announce for the third annual HallowRead convention- like JR Roper, Eri Nelson, Adrianne James, Pavarti Tyler and so many more! The amazing haunted house will be making a return appearance under the new name Mt. Misery! And we're expanding our Steampunk activities with an awesome live performance from the Night Watch Protocol! 
We'll be working on panels, more activities and booking more authors! Tickets are already on sale! Only 260 days to go!