Planning ahead...

And so excited because next year I'll be in my favorite city, New Orleans!!! More to come as the time draws near...

The Hour of Dust & Ashes is out!

I went into my local B&N yesterday and signed stock. Charlie #3 looked so pretty on the shelf, nestled right next to the re-release of Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS. Osmosis, people. Osmosis. :D

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and for supporting the series! I thank you. Charlie thanks you. Brim slobbers affectionately on you. And Rex says he knew all along you'd love the books. (Speaking of Rex, check out his interpretation of The Three Little Pigs over at Dark Faerie Tales.)

And also check out my interview, which should be up sometime today, at the fabulous Amberkatze's Book Blog.

There are a TON of great books out this week. Deadline Dames has a list of Tuesday's releases from Literary Escapism (which is mind blowing in its content) and some wonderful info on author, Rob Thurman's recovery (buy her books - they are awesome!).

And if you wanted one of the signed copies from B&N, just give them a call and they'll take your info over the phone and mail you the book. (Cary Commons, 760 SE Maynard, Cary, NC 27511 * 919-467-3866)

One week out!

Seven more days until the release of THE HOUR OF DUST & ASHES! Starting to get that now familiar excitement and dread.

Anyway, wanted to share a few things...

On August 29th, I'll be guest posting at Dark Faerie Tales for the Fantastic Fables event wherein authors chose a character from their books and rewrite a fairytale from the character's perspective. I'm about done polishing up the post, and I really love it! If anyone likes Rex, I think you'll enjoy it.

And on August 31st Amberkatze's Book Blog will have an interview with moi about books, writing, life... All good stuff.

And also check out Dark Faerie Tales Urban Fantasy Prize Pack Giveaway, which includes THE HOUR OF DUST & ASHES and Maria Lima's BLOOD SACRIFICE. This giveaway ends Sept 1st.

I think that's it for now. More to come, I'm sure. I'm hard at work on Charlie #4, which is due in two months, and then that's it. No more contracts. I'm hoping to write more YAs and continue with Charlie or at least characters in her world. And there is a super secret project in the works that I hope *fingerscrossed* I can share details and good news about very soon!

The Hour of Dust & Ashes excerpt

Finally. Chapter One is posted on my website. It's a little different than how I started the other two Charlie Madigan novels (both were action/invesitgative oriented), so I'm a little nervous about that and hope you like the interaction. This first chapter takes us to see Alessandra, the oracle mentioned in the very first page of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS... I think my favorite bit of dialogue in this scene is at the very end. ;-)

Thoughts on reviews and first one for 'Ashes' is in...

Since my first book came out in 2009, I've learned a lot about how to deal with reviews and reactions, and to take them as they come. I've been so lucky to have a wonderful group of readers and fans who have encouraged me and given me the inspiration to keep writing even when I felt like the well was all dried up. Knowing there are people out there who are entertained by the stories I tell is one of the coolest things on earth, and it's one of things that remind me to write from my heart and believe in my storytelling.

But, even with the good, I felt a strong tendency in the beginning to focus more on the negative than the postive. I could read ten great reviews and one meh one, and be so affected by the meh one, despite the others. Then, I found myself taking everything to heart (even though I knew better). I learned pretty quickly when I sat in front of a blank monitor with Charlie #2 and felt paralyzed, that I had to stop letting every outside influence and comment affect what I wrote and how I tell my stories. Granted, there have been wonderfully written criticisms that I have indeed learned from and been grateful for, but for the most part, I find that what one reader hates, another one loves. And I'm not going to mess with the love. ;-) So I make sure my energy is better spent writing what makes me want to sit down and write everyday. I must stay true to my creative vision or else all the fun and joy of writing goes right out the window. And, trust me, you guys would be able to tell the difference!

Anyway, first reviews . . . those are the ones that give me the most anxiety and hope. Seeing that first one pop up in my inbox always leaves me feeling hesitant to open. I want the first one to be good, you know? At least then, no matter what follows, I can tell myself that at least one person liked it. So, on that long-winded note, the first one for THE HOUR OF DUST & ASHES is in and YES! Happy and relieved and just . . . yay! And relieved. So relieved...

“…it seems to be the indomitable Charlie Madigan’s fate to prevent one disaster only to have a new one crop up in its place. For her third outing, Gay forces Charlie to make difficult choices that will have major ramifications personally and professionally. By continuing to define her world and add layers to her core group of characters, Gay ensures readers are in for one heart-pounding adventure!” 4 Stars ~ Romantic Times Magazine, Jill M. Smith

I'm here bearing gifts...

I know. It's been soooo long. Not sure what I'm going to do with this blog. Keep it going. Leave it. If you've read my Facebook you know the dilemma. But anyway, I thought I'd post with some offerings. I'm giving away the entire set (signed) of Charlie Madigan books -- 3 total. And my publisher is throwing in an additional 2 copies of THE HOUR OF DUST & ASHES.

Where can you find these amazing, brilliant offerings? Well, take a little trip and find out!



Good luck!

Last Stop on the DBH Blog Tour is HUGE!

Okay... Get ready for it... My last stop on the DARKNESS BECOMES HER blog tour is here. We've got a massive giveaway!

Grand Prize (One Winner only) will receive:

•Signed copy of Darkness Becomes Her
•Darkness Becomes Her Swag (sticky notes, bookmarks and postcards)
•Signed copy of Shadowspell by Jenna Black
•Signed copy of The Hollows by Jessica Verday
•Signed copy of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
•A copy of The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
•A ARC copy of Choker by Elizabeth Woods
•A copy of Giving Up the V by Serena Robar

Awesome, right? Make sure to stop by Once Upon a Twilight to read the post and learn how to enter!!

DARKNESS BECOMES HER is out today!

So happy the day is finally here! Just got a fabulous new review from Night Owl Romance as well. Top Pick!! Thanks Leslee!

This book is my first Young Adult (as most of you know, LOL). It's got a heavy urban fantasy influence, a strong female lead, is slightly post-apocalyptic, a little dystopian, paranormal... It's a bit outside the box, but I like to think of it as a very twisted Clash of the Titans for teens set in a hauntingly re-imagined New Orleans. Hope you'll check it out!

"Darkness Becomes Her is part “Lightning Thief,” part “Twilight,” and part “Maximum Ride.” [It] will leave many readers clamoring for the next installment."--SLJ

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

DBH at Amazon
DBH at B&N
DBH at IndieBound

DARKNESS BECOMES HER Giveaway!

BLOG TOUR STARTS TODAY!! So excited. It's hosted by Once Upon A Twilight and the first stop is at Larissa's Bookish Life. Both awesome blogs and run by awesome ladies! :D I'm talking about the gods (mainly a certian Greek goddess) & giving away a SIGNED copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER and swag!

Hope you can stop by! And to follow the tour with us for more chances to win:

(Click on the link HERE to link to any of the sites mentioned below)

Larissa's Bookish Life - Guest post/Giveaway - February 18th 2011
The Bookish Type - Interview/Giveaway - February 20th 2011
The Book Butterfly - Interview/Giveaway - February 21st 2011
Paper Cut Reviews - Interview/Giveaway - February 22nd 2011
Fantastic Book Review - Book Summary/Excerpt/Interview/Review/Giveaway - February 21st-24th 2011
Dark Faerie Tales - Interview - February 23rd 2011
Wicked Awesome Books - Interview - February 25th 2011
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf - Interview - February 25th 2011
Girl about Books - Interview - February 26th 2011
Good Choice Reading - Guest post/Giveaway - February 27th 2011
Once Upon a Twilight - Top Ten/Grand-prize Giveaway - February 28th 2011

Lots O' News

Hi. Remember me? Name's Kelly. I used to post on this blog. ;-)

Deadlines are stalking me and I have been on the run and hiding for a long time now. Heh. Yeah, it's true. Anyway, an update is in order!

I'm incredibly pleased to announce that THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN has been nominated for an ARR Award! Totally amazed and grateful to the folks who voted for the book. The company DEOD finds itself in is humbling! Big, big thanks to my readers and friends Down Under!! (You can click on the pic to see the finalists.)

And in other news:

• SIX DAYS UNTIL DARKNESS BECOMES HER DEBUTS!! AHHHH!! I thought that deserved some CAPS. School Library Journal said the book is: “part “Lightning Thief,” part “Twilight,” and part “Maximum Ride.” Turns me into a big marshmallow every time I read this.


• Two days after the release, revisions are due on the sequel. This makes me want to say: Dude. Can't even explain how distracted I am due to the release, and all the promo work I'm doing and to have a book due at the same time. Ugh. A lot of late nights, and bleary-eyed writing is happening at my house.


• And speaking of promo: BLOG TOUR!! Starts Friday. And nearly every day of the tour I will be giving away a signed hardcover copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER!

• I have seen the book trailer for the book -- and OMG. That about sums it up. It should be releasing this week, I think! Stay tuned for that little bit of awesomeness. It'll knock your sock off.
  
  
• And revisions were turned in for THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES! Whew. And back cover copy is done, so the blurb will be coming soon.
  
  
• And lastly (er, I think). BOOKSIGNING!! I'll be signing copies of DARKNESS BECOMES HER as well as copies of the Charlie Madigan books at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Cary, NC on Tuesday February 22, form 7-9 P.M.

A Brush of Darkness Winner

Ugh. So sorry for the delay in posting this guys! Talk about a crazy weekend full of soccer games, birthday parties, and the sudden pulling of broken teeth. Yay.

Anyway, the winner of Allison Pang's debut novel, A BRUSH OF DARKNESS is...

Holz

I shall send you an email, or feel free to email me your address if you see this before I email. kelly(at)kellygay(dot)com. Congrats!

A Brush of Darkness + Interview + Giveaway!

Today is the day! Allison Pang's debut urban fantasy, A Brush of Darkness, is officially out! I was able to read an ARC of this book (which I ended up quoting b/c I absolutely fell in love with this book -- if you can't tell, LOL). Allison twisted faerie lore into something really unique. It hit all the right notes for this reader.

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

I also had the chance to meet Allison at the RWA National Conference in Orlando last year. Not only is her book great, but she's a really cool person, too.

So, I sent her a few questions. Yanno, so we can get a peek into this debut author's mind. These are some very important (*cough*) questions. :D Hope you enjoy!

~~~ INTERVIEW ~~~

Kelly: You're a kick ass UF heroine -- what is your weapon of choice? (And because this is very important), what is your hairstyle of choice?

Allison: Well, I have the perfect solution to both.
It’s made out of composite nylon and plastic so it will go through metal detectors. It’s not actually a dagger, but could easily be used to puncture someone (those pesky vampires I’d be fighting? Note the nice blood channels grooved into the sides.) So, it would be great for when I went clubbing and had to take care of the undead up close and personal. When I’m done and cleaning up, I can use the hairbrush to fix my hair. And for practical reasons, short hair is probably the best.

Kelly: What was your favorite fairytale, book, fable growing up?

Allison: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. If it wasn’t the book, it would have been the movie (which I recorded onto audio tape when I was in 2nd grade and listened to every night before I went to bed. Obsessive? No, not at all.)

Kelly: If you could visit any fictional world, which would it be and why?

Allison: I honestly don't know. I love so many of them that I don't think I can pick. Might be kinda awesome to visit the world of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels, though.

Kelly: Favorite thing to dip your fries in?

Allison: Honey Mustard

Kelly: Beach or Mountains?

Allison: Beach

Kelly: Pencil or Pen?

Allison: Pen

Kelly: Besides writing do you have any other creative loves or endeavors?

Allison: Cross-stitching. Love to do it, but I have so little time to do it these days. I also collect Japanese anime cels, mostly from Fushigi Yugi, Vampire Hunter D and Ayashi no Ceres. (It’s an expensive hobby, though, so I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like.)

Kelly: One thing readers would be surprised to know about you?

Allison: Hmmm. I hate seafood. And pie. Also? I actually own one of those hairbrush daggers.

Kelly: Any other projects in the works?

Allison: The second and third books in the BoD series (which should both be out some time next year). Otherwise I’m working on an epic fantasy and a steampunk fantasy thing. (In my spare time. Hah)

~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Okay, so all you have to do is leave a comment here saying what your weapon of choice would be if you were an urban fantasy hero or heroine. I'll pick one random winner on Friday and you'll get a brand spanking new copy of A BRUSH OF DARKNESS!

Star Crossed interview

Hey Guys! I've done a lovely little interview over at Star Crossed Romance today. :-)

Hope everyone is having a great day. I'm off to work on my edits...

Oh, and stay tuned because the fabulous Allison Pang will be here on the ole blog in a few days!

A Good Cause

Shocker! I'm posting. You know I thought after I got those two books turned in, that I'd be back on my normal blogging schedule. Not so. Didn't expect to have edit letters back at pretty much the same time and both revisions due back at pretty much the same time. *sigh* Right back to doing these two books in tandem. CRAZY. My head is so full of both stories, it might actually explode. Maybe implode. I don't even know...

Anyway. This is something I wanted to share with you all and comes from my friend Kylie Griffin from Australia.


*PERMISSION TO FORWARD*

Begin forwarded message:

As some of you may already know, a team from the RWA commitee has
started a drive for book donations...

RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal

We've all seen the devastation the recent Queensland floods have wrought
and have wondered how we can help. We know that for many affected
families, books will not be high on their priorities list for some time
to come.

But...
We also know how valuable books can be in providing time out when
reality gets tough.

So…

With the aid of some wonderful volunteers, we've put together a Romance Writers of Australia Flooded Communities Book Appeal.

What we need?
FICTION BOOKS! Romance books, children's books, young adult books, genre
books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition.

Please send them to:

RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal
PO Box 1717
Noosaville Post Office
Noosaville BC
Queensland 4566

Australia

When to send them?

Now! And any time over the next few months. The books will be boxed and
delivered to the appropriate libraries/schools/neighbourhood
centres/community centres in batches as soon as the communities are
ready to receive them. We'll be liaising with councils, libraries
and schools to ensure this is done appropriately. Feel free to pop a
note inside, or if you're an author, sign it.

Questions:

If you have a question about donations, email Jess Anastasi:
Jess@jessanastasi.com

If you work in a library / council / community centre / school in a
flood affected area, email Rachel Bailey: rachel@rachelbailey.com.au


And now for the extra detail...

I want to ask an extra favour of everyone on this list. If you feel
comfortable enough about it, and your publisher has some sort of
group/e-loop, please forward this on to them. In fact, forward it to
anywhere you think might be useful. Put it up on your blog or website,
talk about it on facebook and twitter. The more people who know, the
more books we're likely to get. We'll take donations from anywhere, so
long as people are willing to send those books!

If you have any questions, send me an email.

Thanks for your cooperation and support!

Jess Anastasi

RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal Team