Christi J. Whitney's Blog

Hey, everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a blog post, but I wanted to let everyone know about a great new book that is coming very soon from an amazing middle grade author! And today is a big day…because it’s her COVER REVEAL!

Kristiana Sfirlea is a writer of MG fantasy “involving time travel and things that go bump in the night”. (I took the liberty of taking that quote from her website). I became acquainted with Kristiana via Twitter a few years ago, and she’s not only a fantastic writer, but a fantastic person as well.

Her debut novel LEGEND OF THE STORM SNEEZER is coming out in May, published by Monster Ivy Press. Described as “the time-wimey mischief of Doctor Who meets the stormy magic of Frozen“, this middle grade fantasy looks amazing! So let’s get on with it and see this new cover!!

Without further ado…I present to you…

If you like middle grade books (or have someone that does) or you like fantasy, definitely check this one out. You can pre-order the book now…which I totally encourage you to do!

Preorder links:Amazon – https://amzn.to/3ctx5id
Barnes & Noble – https://bit.ly/3au5UlM
Indiebound – https://bit.ly/2TnhKYV
Kobo – https://bit.ly/2VN6ruH

And check out Kristiana’s author website to find out more about her books and where to follow her on social media. – https://www.kristianasquill.com

It’s funny sometimes, the outlets we use as authors to connect with potential readers. Some authors are really big into Twitter. Others write weekly blog posts or have a YouTube channel full of cool interviews and writing tips. For me, the route I’ve taken seems to veer off into a completely different track: fandoms and cosplay.

Those who know me are aware of my obsessive love of cosplay. As a theatre person, cosplay is a natural fit for me. It’s a combination of getting to dress up as characters I love while getting to pretend to be them in some small way. In other words, it’s a perfect side hobby for an actor. But how does that fit into my author brand and the unending quest to find and connect with readers who haven’t heard of my books?

Enter one particular cosplay that holds a special place in my heart: Professor Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter fans tend to be fans of reading and fantasy. They are creative, passionate, and interesting. As a fan of the books and films myself, it’s fun to engage with other Potterheads at conventions and online. When my best friends and I decided to cosplay as Hogwarts professors for a convention a couple of years ago, little did I know that Professor Snape would become an unlikely intersection point for me – a fun blend of my author self and my cosplay/actor self.

And that intersection happened on a social media platform I’d never considered: Musical.ly. (Now called TikTok).

With such a large demographic of TikTok users being right in my readership age range, it seemed a fun way to throw out some feelers about my YA books. But, to keep things from being only about my books — which nobody knew anyway — I decided to throw some of my cosplay on my page as well — particularly, my Professor Snape.

And it began.

Professor Snape was the definite draw to my page. And, being an actor, I attempted to pay tribute to the great Alan Rickman with my little mini-performances of lip-syncs to some of his great scenes from the films. As my follower numbers went up, I realized that Snape was providing me with a fun way to interact with so many different people. They would ask questions about my books and writing, and many would comment to tell me that they’d bought my books and loved them. Within a few short months, I had far more reader interaction on TikTok than I’d had in all my other media platforms combined.

But, of course, Professor Snape continues to be the driving force of my TikTok profile…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The teacher part of me quite enjoys being referred to as “Professor”, and the comments have been so kind. I never would’ve thought I’d have so many remarks saying how much I look like Alan Rickman…a thought that still makes me chuckle…but I take it as a huge compliment.

As an unknown YA author, trying to make a dent in the huge world of books…well, it’s been a fantastic ride. For every person that asks me where to buy my books or tells me how much they’ve enjoyed them, it makes my day. I feel, for the first time in a couple of years, that there are some people out there who actually know my book series, and I’m finally getting the chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do — connect with readers.

So, thank you Professor Snape and Alan Rickman. You’ve made my author world a little bit brighter, and I’m having a blast.

Part-time author. Part time Head of Slytherin House.

Christi J. Whitney

My TikTok is @christij.whitney

P.S. Happy Birthday, Alan Rickman. I miss seeing your face on the big screen. #always

Happy Thursday!

I had the joy of meeting with my critique group this week and, as always, I came back home refreshed and ready to storm the writing castle. I’d taken a small break from blog posts a few months ago, due to my writing schedule, but I’m easing back in. To begin with, I’d like to share a post I’d actually written a while back about critique groups. In my opinion, a good critique group is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your writing.

Don’t Get Stranded on an Island – the Value of Critique Groups

Sometimes being an author can feel like getting stranded on a deserted island, just off the mainland. You can see other artists around you. Some are paddling desperately in the water, fighting to stay afloat. Others are building beautiful structures in the middle of civilization, having great success in all they do; while there you are, on your own, attempting to navigate the daunting world of writing—which sort of feels like sitting on the beach, trying to light a fire with wet wood.

For me, one of the most important factors of my writing has been joining a critique group. Nothing else has proven to be quite as productive as finding that little clan of people who are going through the same journey. We call our group Trail Mix—and with good reason. We all met thanks to SCBWI, and we’re as unique and varied a bunch as you could possibly throw together. We span the realm of children’s books, from illustrators to picture book writers to middle grades and young adult. We have a myriad of outside careers and interests. We are many different ages and come from assorted backgrounds. Our love of books brought us together, but it didn’t stop there.

We provide encouragement and a shoulder to cry on, yes. Those things are certainly important. But we also provide critique—deeply thought-out and constructive help in every area. It’s not enough to get together and just commiserate. You’ll feel better, but no one will improve her skills. You have to be willing to be vulnerable as the artist and brutally honest as the reader, and we’ve managed to create a beautiful balance in our group. But most importantly, we have become great friends. Nothing could be better than that.

Trail Mix meets once a month, but our communication extends far beyond that. We regularly communicate through our Facebook page, emails, and even phone calls and texts—whenever we need advice or a second set of eyes, someone in our group is always there to meet the challenge, whether it’s a sweet hug or a swift kick in the pants.

I honestly don’t think I would’ve kept moving forward in my quest for publication for my YA novel Grey had it not been for my critique group. It’s been a long road, but now that I’ve found a home for my series and the first book is out, I can say it’s largely due to their support.

It’s a lonely place, sitting at your computer, lost in the worlds you create in your head. Friends and family, although incredibly supportive, don’t always understand your battle with writer’s block or your struggle to find the missing piece in a chapter that’s literally driving you insane. It’s amazing to have a group of people who truly get me as a writer and constantly help me develop my craft. If I have one piece of advice to offer any aspiring writer, it’s this: find at least one other person to travel with on this journey. Don’t be an island.

Guys…

I’m super excited about CONjuration Con in Atlanta this weekend? Why? Two reasons:

 I’d never heard of this Con before, but I sort of stumbled upon it after DragonCon this year. I’d been looking for another Con to attend in the area – something on a smaller scale – to keep my post-DragonCon blues from dipping too low. And I stumbled upon CONjuration. In a nutshell, it sounds like just about everything I love in terms of my fantasy books/film/tv obsessions. And…another chance to wear my Professor Snape cosplay? Sign. Me. Up.
The second reason I’m excited about this weekend is…I’m getting to do some author-y things there! I’ll be on a couple of panels. I’ll be doing an author reading. And, I’ll have an author table set up to sell my books and hopefully meet some new readers.

Definitely a WIN WIN situation!

Two of my fantastic DragonCon buddies are going with me (as Sprout and Trewlaney, respectively) and also to help me out with my stuff. I’m a total newbie to this Con, but they have been so welcoming and friendly already, and I can’t wait to spend a couple of days with some fellow geeks like me!

See ya there…

I’m passing along this blog post for one of my fellow HarperVoyager authors, Nancy K. Wallace. Check out her books!

Today, Harper Voyager UK releases Before Winter, as “digital first,” joining Among Wolves and Grim Tidings to complete The Wolves of Llisé trilogy.   It’s very easy and inexpensive to acquire all three eBooks for the next week because Harper Voyager is offering special discounts on the first two books in the series. So, if you haven’t made the wolves acquaintance yet, now is the time! Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until March 22, 2018 for the paperback.

 I try very hard not to judge books by their covers but Before Winter’s is beautiful!! It is no coincidence that fall is my favorite season, followed by winter as a close second. When I was asked what I envisioned for a cover, I said immediately, frosted leaves and that mysterious button that Devin is given in Grim Tidings. The designers couldn’t have pleased me more. I love this cover! It conjures the smell of dry leaves, wood smoke, and the first chill breath of winter as our intrepid heroes face the northern mountains of Llisé!

Just a reminder, that the highest compliment you can pay an author, is to write a review for Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble. People depend on those reviews to guide them when making book choices. Help steer them to your favorites with a line or two about what you liked best!

So, this weekend sit down with a cup of something warm and aromatic and read Before Winter. It is exactly the right time of year to enjoy this third chapter in The Wolves of Llisé saga.

Well, I can’t believe it, but the final book in my debut trilogy comes out digitally next week! It’s such a strange feeling to be finished with this storyline…well, at least, for now.

I’ve been a little MIA around here, I know. Really, it’s the editing that’s to blame. Finishing Midnight (The Romany Outcasts, Book Three) was more extensive and exhausting than I thought it would be. I’ve spent the last three years working on this series, and now that it’s coming to an end, it was a challenge to wrap everything up. So, how do I feel right now?

 

Well, we’re a week away from one of my favorite events on the planet: DRAGON CON!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m super excited to be an attending professional for my second year, and I’m getting to sit in on two panels in the Young Adult Literature Track.

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday, I’ll be speaking on the “Villains in YA” panel. And on Saturday, I’ll be with “Superpowered YA”. If you’re attending Con, I’d love to see you there. The Young Adult Literature program is always awesome, and it’s full of the nicest, friendliest people at DragonCon.

Look for me…though I may be sporting my How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter, or Bill and Ted cosplay!

My husband grew up on the lake. Every time we would pass a truck with a boat hitched to it, he would salivate. He definitely has lake water in his blood. Last year, we had a little extra money and became the owners of a 1988 Monte Carlo II, complete with a dated brown stripe around the side and an interior that still makes me chuckle.

No, she wasn’t the swankiest thing sitting next to our driveway, but it was a boat — a boat with a really good motor, despite the fact that she looks like she might decide to sink at any moment.

Her name is GERTI. We named her after the old, rickety airplane from our favorite BBC radio show “Cabin Pressure”. The show centers around a tiny airline named MJN Air that barely keeps things running. Their plane (call sign: Golf, Echo, Romeo, Tango, India) is a source of constant problems. To quote one of the characters: “It’s only gaffer tape and hope holding her together.” Yet, the airplane never failed to get them where they needed to go.

So GERTI just seemed a fitting name for our old girl.

But, back to the title of my blog post…because I know you want to know how this relates to writing, don’t you? Well, we took GERTI out on the lake today for the first time this season. Well, the second, actually. Last week, we took her to the ramp, lowered her down…and she wouldn’t start. We took her in and got some electrical issues taken care of, and we were ready to go. She started just fine. Until we got in the water. Then, she died.

I was ready to pack it in after a few futile moments. But my husband wouldn’t give up. He kept working at her. We’d putter around for a little bit, and then she’d die again. I got nervous, imagining the sight of us paddling back. But still, my husband didn’t give up. He had faith that she just needed to get herself running again. She’d been in storage for months, but once she got going again, all would be fine.

And…it was.

Soon, we were zooming up and down that lake, the wind in our hair and our wake just as white and capping as the next boat. And you know what, I really love being on the lake. And I really love GERTI. She may not be big and shiny and new, compared to so many other boats we passed. But as we zoomed along, with my kids grinning like banshees and having a blast, it really didn’t matter. We were all out on the lake…big boats, little boats, old boats, new boats…and we were all having a fantastic time.

And that, to me, is like writing.

So often, I get distracted by the shiny books around me and the successful authors plastered all over Goodreads and Amazon. Sometimes I feel like I’m sputtering along, getting nowhere. I think maybe I should just pack it all in and paddle to shore. But I’m learning to be patient, just like my husband was with our boat. And when I just quit looking around me and focus on the pure joy that I get out of writing, everything else fades away. I’m zooming along, free and happy…and having the time of my life.

So whether you feel like a streamlined speedboat or a GERTI in this world of writing, it doesn’t matter. Once that creative engine kicks in, we’re all equal on that writing lake. So sit back, grab your hat, and enjoy the ride.

 

Book two of my YA fantasy series is out today in digital release!!!

If you like YA, mystery, fantasy, compelling worlds…or even if you don’t…pick up a copy of Grey and Shadow today!

Amazon | B&N