If you've been following this blog tour, you know there's a lovely new book getting ready to release. This Middle Grade novel is the second volume to the Fairly Stillwart Chronicles, and like the first volume, is sure to capture the magical minds of young readers.
Be sure to visit the Irish American Mom tomorrow, for Day 5 of the Blog Tour! PS: Yesterday's #Stillwart Riddle answer is.... APPLEBLOSSOM.
Here's a little about this upcoming read, and the talented author responsible for it...
Stillwart the Pixie is back with her rag-tag group of
magical friends! Determined to complete her mission to the Northern Lands, with
the hope of saving her people from extinction, she ventures from Nova Scotia to
Ireland.
The journey is long and arduous, fraught with danger at
every turn, but Stillwart and friends band together, knowing their precious
cargo is
needed. With only their wits, a cell phone, and the human they’ve come
to rely on, the group presses forward, facing each obstacle with spritely courage.
To make matters works, the call of the Thorn Tree is strong, making the
expedition all the more urgent.
The Fairly Stillwart Chronicles are a series of six short
stories detailing the life and adventures of Stillwart the Pixie and her
adopted fairy family. The stories capture the Southern Land Fairy folklore by
bringing to life their world, hierarchy, and the challenges they face to keep
their race and magic alive.
Author Bio:
Scott Butcher is the author of “An Eagle’s Heart” and “The
Fairly Stillwart Chronicles, Volumes One
and Two”. Born in Austraila to
Canadian parents, Butcher spent much of his younger years travelling between
the two countries. Upon completing school, he lived in Australia for 33 years
before moving with his wife and three children to Canada in 2009.
And now... here it is! The Fairly Stillwart Chronicles Book Trailer Reveal...
Please enter your name into this draw for a chance to win great bookish prizes!
I get very nervous when doing live Q&As. One of the reasons why I love writing so much, why writing has ever been my therapy, is because speaking is a personal trial. There are many thoughts in my head, knots of them. When I try to speak them into words, the processing from brain to mouth and tongue takes far too long, resulting in more of a jumble, pauses, and lost words. I despise this about myself. I have so much to say, and I love sharing, but speaking my mind is difficult.
Writing, however, is not.
Somehow, as a child, when I was learning to communicate, my brain found a much quicker, more successful route... through my hands. When I speak through my hands (as in writing and typing), words flow easily, comfortably. There is no stress then, and zero words get lost.
As much as I know live interviews are necessary and a wonderful way to promote my books, I fear them, and struggle my way through. But I never turn them down.
During the #YADeepCalling Blog Tour, I had the privilege of speaking with radio personality, Ms. Monica Anderson. I'd spoken with her before my first novel's release, and during that novel's book tour while visiting Harrington Harbour. This interview touches on the Wishing Stone and Other Myths, what I've learned since that novel's release, and Deep Calling.
Have a listen...
I'm currently awaiting a call from CFBS radio out of Blanc-Sablon, Quebec. I'll chat with host Vicki Driscoll about books, writing, and the scoop on Deep Calling.
I'm a bottle of nerves. I feel sick. But I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my book love.
The tour is over, and I'm exhausted! You wouldn't think a virtual book journey would tire a person, but I think planning and rolling a blog tour takes more effort than the other (since I've done both I can say with certainty, "yes, it does"). I suppose it's because of all the sharing to spaces, the giveaway notices, the buzz. Plus, a reliance on other bloggers is terribly prevalent, and delegating has always been an issue of mine. When running such a tour, be prepared for small quirks, and unexpected mishaps. Be okay with them, and be able to go with the flow.
Overall, I feel the #YADeepCalling Blog Tour was a success. I am grateful for the space participating bloggers shared. Deep Calling's cover has been viewed by many new eyes, I've gathered more followers in each my social spaces, and managed to catch the attention of BookTube Net Magazine (wohoo, and more on that to come)! All in all, the hard work and tension payed off.
I've had to battle my urge to compare Deep Calling's release to the Wishing Stone and Other Myths'. The Wishing Stone and Other Myths, a Middle Grade, Canadian Historical Fiction, became an Amazon Best Seller its first day, and remained so for months. A year later, it's still in the top twenty. The audience for that novel has been concrete, withstanding. There's a large group of people who have purchased the novel for nostalgic reasons, or because they are interested in its history and setting. I knew Deep Calling, a Young Adult Fantasy, would require a different audience, which is why I felt a virtual tour was necessary. If you already have a specific audience in place, I absolutely recommend a face-to-face tour. Your readers will come to you, and buy books because they are already familiar with you and your work. If not, I highly suggest the virtual route. Blog tours are for gathering new peeps. Don't expect immediate sales, aim for new followers who then may become new readers.
In it's category, Deep Calling jumped to #2 on Kobo upon it's release, and found itself #4 on Amazon. It's sales rate is now rising, but on the bright side, Deep Calling is currently being reviewed by significant YA booktubers. This has been my goal, to capture the interest of it's target audience... only now I must endure the torture of awaiting their thoughts! The author's terror. I must trust in my work, and the heart I wove into Deep Calling. After surviving this tour I have seen sharing different medias to be extremely responsive. Below is an Intro video I crafted, which was posted to two blogs on Day 1 of the tour. Mixing it up definitely works. Also, promoting a sense of teamwork with your fellow bloggers enforces a duty to 'take part'.
A good blogger will realize a tour's potential, not only for the author. Participating in a virtual tour will bring a gathering of new readers to your blog. If you're asked to take part in one, don't turn the opportunity down. And don't botch it. By sitting on the rump and watching everyone else do the work, you risk being the 'skipped blog'. Work your social spaces. Talk about your post, before, during, and after its posting. Be sure to follow all the other blogs so they, in turn, have more incentive to follow you. Don't be a 'selfie'. Retweet, like, and google+ the posts of the other bloggers. Be seen. Don't think you're simply doing the author a favor. A blog tour can work for everyone involved, as long as everyone involved is willing to wholly take part.
CREATE A HASHTAG. A group of bloggers can't waste time forever explaining what the tour is about, what has happened, and is about to take place, but having that info available is important to eyes just coming into your 'go on'. By utilizing a hashtag, viewers have the ability to step in and see all that has been discussed, posted, and shared, in regards to the tag. There is also the potential of having your hashtag trend. That takes a lot of users,and don't count on it, but realize it could happen. If your hashtag trends; Wow. Every twitter user would then see it, and just maybe, join in. Try to round up as many pals as you can, let them know which dates you'd love to have them using your tag, and where.
When choosing a hashtag, try to make it something that can be continued after the tour. Don't call it #mybookblogtour. Also, be sure to try your ideas out on Twitter before announcing it. Someone may have already snagged the title.
Have you ever planned a blog tour? What were your experiences? Would you do it again? Tell me your thoughts!
Way to go Julie! I certainly hope you enjoy reading Deep Calling. Please keep in touch. Find Deep Calling on Goodreads, and maybe let us know what you think of the book. And why not visit me while you're there! Happy reading!
Here's the DIY video on how to craft a Celtic charm. In the young adult novel, Deep Calling, main characters Melanie and Shawn learn the ancient art of crafting Celtic charms. These charms just might keep the Tuatha De at arms reach. Learn how to craft your own charm, because you never know who... or what, is lurking in the shadows.
