Vicky Savage's Blog

Hi Everyone - Hard to believe that I haven't updated this blog since December of 2014. A lot has happened since then. I've been writing short stories (a couple of which have won awards), begun writing a new sci-fi series (still in progress), taken a number of writing and screenwriting workshops, and become certified as an editor. In any event, my social media guilt has caught up with me, and I'm endeavoring to streamline my life a little. Accordingly, I will not be posting regular updates to this blog--unless something spectacular happens *fingers crossed*. If you are interested in keeping up with me, please visit either of my websites: http://www.vickysavage.com and http://www.savageeditor.com, both of which have blogs. Or my Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/vickysavageau..., where you will find more frequent updates on what I'm currently up to.
TTFN and stay in touch!

Wishing you the best this holiday season. May your heart be filled with peace and joy, and your days be filled with magic! I hope you have someone to love and at least one someone who loves you back. Thanks to each of you for following me on Goodreads. I'm working on a number of new projects for the new year, and hope you will stick around with me to see how they turn out!
In case you didn't know, for the last few days the Transcender Trilogy Complete Box Set (all three books) has been on sale in Kindle format on Amazon for only $1.99. Today is the last day. Makes a great gift for yourself or someone special. :-) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UQM6O
Hope your coming year is the best one yet!
Much love!

I know it seems odd to be writing about death during the holiday season when joy and good cheer are the order of the day, but I’ve been thinking a lot about death lately for a couple of reasons. First, I began writing a new novel in the fall with a wisecracking, smartass narrator who just happens to be—you guessed it—dead! After a night of hard partying, he died from an accidental overdose, and while heaven is everything it was touted to be, it’s really not his cup of tea, so he’s trying to earn his way to another life on earth.

“If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character...Would you slow down? Or speed up?” ~Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters

The second reason death has been on my mind is that a longtime friend of mine just passed away only weeks after being diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. Her death has deeply shaken me not only because it came so quickly and unexpectedly, but also because she was so full of life and had so much to live for. She is survived by a loving family—including two daughters who are left asking why?

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I was forced to confront my ideas regarding death back when I was in my twenties. My husband died tragically in a freak accident only months after our daughter was born. Within days of his death, my boss and mentor suffered a major heart attack and also passed away—leaving me widowed and unemployed within the span of a week. I had an infant to care for, a large mortgage to pay, and an IRS audit to get through, but my greatest concern was Where are my husband and mentor? Are they safe and happy?

I read everything I could get my hands on about death and dying, near death experiences, and people who have stumbled upon life between lives while undergoing past life regression. I gained a lot of comfort from the fact that the accounts are remarkably similar and remarkably positive. Collectively, it seemed to be an affirmation that the spirit does go on. I don't have room to go into it all here, but the most poignant and inspirational account I’ve read is in Anita Moorjani’s amazing book Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer to Near Death to True Healing. I recommend this book to everyone, even if you’re not searching for answers about life after death. It’s also a guide to living an authentic life. The bottom line is this: we’re all spiritual beings whose essence is pure love, and the only thing we’re here to do is be our true selves. If we can accomplish that, we’ve lived a worthwhile life.

“Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.” ~Mitch Albom.

My friend Nancy was a remarkably authentic individual—smart and sassy, but always concerned about making others feel loved and accepted. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by the many who loved her.

Hope I haven’t been too much of a Debbie Downer today. I’ll close with my favorite funny quote about death:

“I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.” ~Woody Allen

Happy Holidays, everyone! Watch for the upcoming kindle sale of the Transcender Trilogy Complete Box Set during Christmas week. Details will be announced here and elsewhere.

Hi Everyone -
Just a quick heads up to let you know that the Transcender Trilogy Box Set: Books 1 and 2 is on sale for a limited time for only $0.99. That's an 84% savings! Treat yourself or make someone else happy by gifting it to them for under a buck! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8CTRTK
Also, please stop by my website blog and check out some new fan art by the talented artist Kat Gavin and read the Five Reasons I Love YA. Thanks! Hope you enjoy. http://vickysavage.com/blog/

Hi everyone! It's been an amazing summer! The Transcender Trilogy blog tour and giveaway was tons of fun. I loved meeting all the awesome bloggers and sharing some of my favorite guest posts and character interviews yet! Congratulations to Christine, Courtney, Lindsay, and Kelly, winners in the giveaway. And special thanks to the extraordinary Christina Hickey of Ensconced in Lit for organizing and coordinating everything!

On another equally exciting note, the cover of ILLUMINOSITY has made the finalists for sci-fi in the Bookgoodies cover contest. The gorgeous cover was designed by talented actor, writer, producer (and my dear friend) Carrie Drazek. It's my favorite of the trilogy! Please stop by and vote for the cover by leaving a comment on the Bookgoodies site and sharing the link on social media. (You’re allowed to stop by once a day. ☺) http://goo.gl/p1jyQh Thanks so much!

Hey Goodreads Readers - Thanks to everyone who entered the Goodreads giveaway of ten signed copies of ILLUMINOSITY, and congratulations to all those who won! You’ll be receiving your books soon.
If you missed out this time, never fear, on Monday, July 21, I am beginning a week-long, whirlwind Blog Tour and Giveaway—two posts a day with some amazing bloggers! The grand prize is a $50 Amazon gift card and a set of signed Transcender Trilogy books. Second and third place prizes will be awarded also, with a chance to win a Transcender T-shirt. I hope you’ll follow along and join in the fun! Take the Transcender Character Quiz to see which character you are most like, and don’t miss my Dream Cast for the Transcender Movie. Should be a great time with plenty of opportunities to win!
Transcender Blog Tour Schedule:
July 21: Ensconced in Lit http://cahreviews.blogspot.com/ - Review;
Crystal in Bookland http://crystalinbookland.blogspot.com/ – Guest Post.
July 22: Pandora's Books http://www.pandorasbooks.org/ - Guest Post;
Ensconced in Lit http://cahreviews.blogspot.com/ – Character Interview.
July 23: YA Book Nerd Reviews http://yabooknerdreviews.blogspot.com/ - Review;
Wonderland of Reading http://wonderlandofreading.com/ - Review.
July 24: The Whimsical Mama http://armywife2310.wordpress.com/ – Guest Post;
Fly to Fiction http://flytofiction.blogspot.com/ – Review.
July 25: Tea and Fangirling http://teaandfangirling.blogspot.com/ – Review;
A Reading Nurse http://areadingnurse.blogspot.com/ – Guest Post.
July 26: I Heart YA Fiction http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/ – Author Interview;
Mary Had a Little Book Blog http://knoxdiver.blogspot.com/ – Guest Post.
Also, please sign up for my Newsletter, if you haven’t already. I only send them out occasionally when there is something special to announce! http://vickysavage.com/join-our-maili...
Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the Giveaway!

Hi Everyone!
It's a sunny and gorgeous Father's Day here in Florida. I'm thrilled to announce my first Goodreads Giveaway! Enter to win one of ten SIGNED copies of ILLUMINOSITY. The giveaway runs from June 15 to July 15. Please stop by the giveaway page and send the link to all your friends! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh....
Also, here is a link to an excerpt of the first three chapters of ILLUMINOSITY, just to whet your appetite.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9...
Hope you enjoy!

Woohoo! It's here at last! ILLUMINOSITY, Transcender Trilogy, Book 3 is now available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC7IVPW. I'm so excited this day has finally come and so grateful for the loyal readers who have stuck with me until the end of the trilogy. I'll miss Jaden and Ryder and all the rest, but I'm looking forward to moving on to my other projects.
Thanks everyone!

Hi Everyone -
In anticipation of the May 15th release of ILLUMINOSITY, Book 3 of the Transcender Trilogy, a new box set of Books 1 and 2 has just been released on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8CTRTK. It's a great way to catch up on the series. Also makes an awesome Mother's Day gift. Tell your friends!

Hi Everyone -
Today is the day of my Big Cover Reveal for ILLUMINOSITY, Book 3 of the Transcender Trilogy, and guess what? Goodreads won't let me upload my own cover because my librarian status has expired. Huh?
Don't despair! Things should be fixed in a day or two. In the meantime, please go over to Christina Hickey’s fine blog ENSCONCED IN LIT to see the new cover and enter the giveaway for a $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD and signed copies of the first two books of the trilogy http://goo.gl/SdJxfq. The cover can also be seen on my blog http://vickysavage.com/blog/ . The official book release date is May 15, 2014. You first readers will get it on or before May 1st. Don't forget to add it to you "to read" shelf. Hope you enjoy!