Krista Wayment's Blog

After not getting chosen for the PitchMadness agent round my first reaction was disappointment. I literally wanted curl up in a ball and cry. I have had so much rejection with this particular project. But I believe in it, and refuse to give up. I'm doing one more round of contests and agent queries and then I'm self publishing this thing.

I made a plan yesterday to send out 10 queries if I didn't get into PitchMadness--I am now turning this into a challenge for all writers (especially those who didn't get chose in the PitchMadness contest).

You have 24 hours to send out 10 queries

#10QueryChallenge Countdown

If you can't do it 24 hours--Make a plan and comment here or Tweet it.

You can contact me here--or through twitter if you want to swap or need help finding agents. I already have my list ready to go and will be starting to send out shortly.

Query Tips from a Non-Pro
Research the agent/agency on places like Absolute Write Water Cooler and Predators and Editors. You want a good agent. (also a google search works well too)Look up the submission guidelines and follow themGoogle the agent for tidbits that might help you stand out.Remember that MOST agents don't accept attachments, paste extra material in the body of the email.Have someone else read your query and submission materials.Here's how to write a One Page SynopsisDouble, Triple, Quadruple check for typos.

Places to Find Agents
Google Search (my personal fav)Agent QueryManuscript Wish List (also the twitter hashtag #MSWL)Query TrackerGood luck--and get querying!

This year I am participating in #PitchMadness with a middle grade science fiction book I have written. This is the countdown to the live Tweet of the draft for the top 60 who will advance to the agent round.

#PitchMadness Draft Countdown

To Celebrate the new year. Burned will be free the first four Friday in January and for a bonus day on the 27th. Enjoy :)

Today I am highlighting a new release by my fellow author, Charlie Pulsipher. Obsidian Threads (Book 2 of The Lost Shards).

About the Book
Rho has awakened. Its acolytes will tear worlds apart to release their deity from its prison. Any hope of Rho's defeat lies with two people lost in a strange universe. Kaden and Aren must learn to harness all their unique gifts if they are to rival the god of darkness reborn.

They will not fight alone. A brilliant geneticist, a furry dwaro, two less than friendly elves, dragons, and a spunky red-haired computer stand with them. But if Kaden and Aren fail to reach their full potential, all of reality will be devoured until nothing remains but Rho.

Purchase Links:
Obsidian Threads (book 2) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q6YMEBW
The Crystal Bridge (book 1) and free for the week of the launch on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IAHEMOK/



About the Author
Charlie Pulsipher is a were-hamster and lemur enthusiast living in Southern Utah with his lovely wife and neurotic dog. He writes sci-fi and fantasy, and sometimes both at the same time. He’s obsessed with surviving the inevitable zombie-pocalypse. It’s coming. Tell your friends.

He spends his time away from the keyboard hiking and camping in stunning Southern Utah. He also enjoys woodworking, painting, drawing, and pretending to have super powers.

He neglects his twitter account.

His velociraptor impression is worth seeing. Ask him to show you. It just may be the coolest thing about him.

Social media sites:
www.charliepulsipher.com
https://www.facebook.com/charlie.puls...
https://twitter.com/charliepulse

About the Book
Sacrifice. The single act capable of bringing both death and life simultaneously.

Thannuel Kerr is handsome, young and brash, fumbling through childhood toward his inevitable inheritance: the next Lord of the Western Province. He struggles to accept his arranged marriage and to grow into the man he must become. The journey toward that end, however, is fraught with more peril than he could possibly imagine. In the remote reaches of the Realm, an unknown, silent threat is growing. The Thoulden-sha of Mari-shaden is gathering his disciples, those who have relinquished their bloodlines to the Ancients and embraced Those Not Remembered, a forgotten race that inhabited Våleira long before the Age of the Ancients.

As Thannuel learns more about his heritage, he begins to understand why powers that seem greater than anything the world of Våleira has ever seen are targeting him. As a young man, he and his beloved intended, Moira, will face assassination attempts, civil war, and foreign invasions that could tear the Realm—and Våleira itself—apart.

Sacrifice. It is what the Thoulden-sha demands. It is what the world desperately needs. To save all he loves, Thannuel will be called upon to lay himself upon the Altar of Influence.

About the Author
Jacob Cooper writes fantasy and epic fantasy books. His first effort, Moon Monsters, was written when he faked sickness one day in first grade to stay home and write. This book received the acclaim of his parents and sits in a black 3-ringed binder somewhere in their basement.

The Dying Lands Chronicle is a planned trilogy in the epic fantasy genre. Book 1, Circle of Reign, marks Jacob's first major effort on the fiction side of writing. Altar of Influence, the prequel to the Dying Lands Chronicle, is also available.

Aside from writing, Jacob is an accomplished percussionist, pianist, and composer. He enjoys power sports on land and water, as well as spending time with his family.

To find out more, visit: circleofreign.com
Facebook.com/jacobcooperCOR
twitter: @AuthorJacobCoop

Buy the Book

Amazon Kindle
Nook

Today I am highlighting the new release of my writerly friend Mikey Brooks. It is the last installment in his series, The Dream Keeper Chronicles.


About the BookThe exciting conclusion of the bestselling middle grade fantasy adventure THE DREAM KEEPER CHRONICLES by award winning author Mikey Brooks.

When Mares escapes into the world of Awake, it is left to Gladamyr and his teen bonds, Parker and Kaelyn, to stop him. They must return the most evil nightmare ever to exist back to Dreams before the barrier between the two worlds crumbles and darkness reigns forever. But to do so, Parker and Kaelyn must heal broken friendships and unite an army of children who are brave enough to conquer their fears.

Alice called it Wonderland. Dorothey called it Oz. Nightmares call it HOME.

What others have said about The Dream Keeper Chronicles:

“Uniquely imaginitive and very creative...I will be recommending it to all my middle grade and young adult friends!” ~The Kindle Book Review

“I'd recommend this book for its imagination and adventures!” ~Camp Half Blood Reviews

“Few stories strike me as being unique like this book did.” ~Amazon Reviewer

“This is an adorable middle-grade novel that has a little bit of everything—adventure, fantastic worlds, a hero's quest, and romance.” ~Amazon Reviewer

"My heart hammered and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page. I felt every emotion the characters did, I laughed, I cried, I felt fear while reading this book."~Amazon reviewer

"If you like the Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, or the Harry Potter series, you'll love this!"~Amazon reviewer

"The Dream Keeper is a fun, fantastic ride through both Dream and Nightmare. Brooks has written a book that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Bravo!" ~Michaelbrent Collings, bestselling author of The Billy Saga

“This really is a cracking novel. Action-packed and spellbinding!”~Cas Peace, author of The Artisans of Albia series

About the AuthorMikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you'll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is an award winning author of the middle-grade fantasy adventure series The Dream Keeper Chronicles. His other middle-grade books include: The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis and The Stone of Valhalla. His picture books include the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures, Trouble with Bernie, and Bean's Dragons. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works fulltime as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to 'writing stories on the hearts of children' (emblazoners.com). You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com.

Buy it now on Amazon.com

About the Book
Lands Die
The Living Light Fades
An Ancient Darkness Awakens

The Living Light that sustains Arlethia is dwindling.

An unknown, vicious enemy approaches in stealth from beyond the northern glaciers, a wasteland of ice that spans hundreds of miles. A clandestine brotherhood of assassins, held in check by the Light for millennia, seeks to break their maledictive shackles and unleash their bloodlust upon the world. Those that should stand with Arlethia clothe themselves in betrayal, desiring her secrets for themselves, leaving Arlethia to stand alone.

The rebirthing of lands ceased decades ago. The world of Våleira is dying. Only Arlethia, the Western Province of the Realm, remains untainted by the Ancient Dark’s Influence.

Reign, the young daughter of Arlethian Lord Thannuel Kerr, becomes entangled in a perilous web of deceit, greed, and assassination plots after witnessing something horrific, something that will destroy all she knows and loves. As threats culminate, she and her twin brother, Hedron, must battle demons on every side, both external and internal, to try and save Arlethia from extinction as they reach for their own personal redemption. But they have become pariahs to their own people. There will be few that dare to stand with them in the dimming Light…even fewer that will survive.

The world of Våleira cannot endure without Arlethia. And the Living Light is fading…

About the Author
Jacob Cooper writes fantasy and epic fantasy books. His first effort, Moon Monsters, was written when he faked sickness one day in first grade to stay home and write. This book received the acclaim of his parents and sits in a black 3-ringed binder somewhere in their basement.

The Dying Lands Chronicle is a planned trilogy in the epic fantasy genre. Book 1, Circle of Reign, marks Jacob's first major effort on the fiction side of writing. Altar of Influence, the prequel to the Dying Lands Chronicle, is also available.

Aside from writing, Jacob is an accomplished percussionist, pianist, and composer. He enjoys power sports on land and water, as well as spending time with his family.

To find out more, visit: circleofreign.com
Facebook.com/jacobcooperCOR
twitter: @AuthorJacobCoop

Buy the Book

Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Audible

Below is the schedule for the Burned Blog Tour. Be sure to scroll to the end for the Amazon.com Gift Card givaway!

Schedule November 1st
Author Interview with Mikey Brooks

November 2nd
Book Highlight by Ann Hunter

November 3rd
Guest Post on Bonnie Gwyn's blog

November 4th
Review by Laura D. Bastian

November 5th
Book Highlight by Krysten Lindsay Hager

November 6th
Book Highlight by Lindzee

November 7th
Author and Character Interview with Jenna Eatough

Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway

It's time to announce the Something Wicked Blogfest winners!

Most Villanious - Krista W.'s Winner: Poisoned Rose (Cheryl)

Most Suspicious - Krista W.'s Runner-up: L.G. Keltner

Most Evil - Krista M.'s Winner: Jennie Bennett

Most Creepy - Krista M.'s Runner-up: C.M. Brown
We will be contacting you to hand out the prizes :)

How it WorksAre you ready to party? Here how the Online Launch Party for BURNED is going to work. You can either enter here in the comments or at the Facebook Launch Party.

If you choose to enter here simply leave a comment with the number assigned to the game, an acknowledgement that you completed the assigned task and anything else that is required. Like links or additional comments. You can do either do one comment for each game, or combine games into one comment.

Directions for entering on Facebook can be found in the pinned post.

You have ALL DAY to enter. (Well, maybe a little more :) Basically from when this post goes up to when I go to choose the winners.)

Winners will be announced here and on Facebook Saturday the 1st or Sunday the 2nd. (And will also be notified by FB Message, Email, or reply to comment below.)

Grand Prize Anyone who enters any of the games below, either here on the blog or on Facebook will automatically be entered in a chance to win the grand prize:

A Kindle Edition eBook of BOTH Trusted and Burned.

Note: You only get one entry into the grand prize drawing. So you only have to enter one of the games below.

The GamesNote: All prizes may be exchanged for an Amazon.com gift card of equal or similar value.

Number 1:

The Prize: Fallen by Ann Hunter (eBook)

To Enter: Like/Follow Ann's Facebook Page
Report in the comments that you liked/followed. Also, name (and link if you can) your favorite fairy tale retelling. Number 2:

The Prize: The Dream Keeper by Mikey Brooks (eBook)

To Enter: Like/Follow Mikey's Facebook Page
Report in the comments that you liked/followed. Also, tells about your favorite or weirdest dream. Number 3:

The Prize: The Stone of Valhalla by Mikey Brooks (eBook)

To Enter: Follow Mikey Brooks on Twitter
Report in the comments that you followed. Also, share your favorite book (link if you can!). Number 4:

The Prize: True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager (eBook)

To Enter: Add True Colors to your Goodreads To Read List
Report in the comments that you have added it. Also, tell us what your favorite color is and why. Number 5:

The Prize: Liar Lindly Brandt by Aften Brook Szymanski (eBook)

To Enter: Like/Follow Aften's Facebook Page
Report in the comments that you liked/followed. Also, tell a short but interesting lie--I mean story :) Number 6:
The Prize: Escaping Safety by Bonnie Gwyn (eBook)

To Enter: Like/Follow Bonnie's Facebook Page OR Follow Bonnie's Blog
Report in the comments that you liked/followed. Also, tell us your favorite way to "escape" (hint: mine are chocolate, reading, and writing). Number 7:

The Prize: Guardians of the Gates by Laura D. Bastian (eBook)

To Enter: Add Guardians of the Gates to your Amazon.com Wish List
Report in the comments that you added it. Also, tell us what your favorite mythical creature is. I bet you can all guess mine :) Number 8:

The Prize: A set (contains 3) of these amazing (and sparkly) dragon cards made by my totally talented older sister. Note: This requires that you send me your physical address so that I can mail it to you. And maybe switched for an Amazon.com gift card for certain countries.

To Enter: Add BURNED to your Goodreads To Read List
Report in the comments that you have added it. Also, tell us what your favorite type of card to receive is. Number 9:

The Prize: Another set (contains 3) of these amazing (and sparkly) dragon cards made by my totally talented older sister. Note: This requires that you send me your physical address so that I can mail it to you. And maybe switched for an Amazon.com gift card for certain countries.

To Enter: Add BURNED to your Amazon.com Wish List
Report in the comments that you have added it. Also, tell us what your favorite holiday is. Number 10:

The Prize: Dragons' Trust Book 2: Burned by Krista Wayment (eBook)

To Enter: Like/Follow My Facebook Page
Report in the comments that you liked/followed. Also, tell us what your favorite book with dragons in it is. (Link if you can!). Number 11:

The Prize: Dragons' Trust Book 2: Burned by Krista Wayment (eBook)

To Enter: Take the to find out what your Dragon Name would be. Then report back here and tell us what it is. If you'd like to you can also include a link to a picture of what you think you would look like as a dragon.