Monday, November 7, 2011

Books, Babies, and Bad Health...

Books . . .

So, I've commissioned a short run of my children's book in hardcover for a special early proofing. I wasn't going to sell them originally, but a lot of people wanted a copy, so now I am! If you want to get your signed hardcover, head on over to www.crimsonoaksports.com to buy yours! I only have so many copies available and I'm not sure how long it will be until more are printed, so if you want it, act fast!! I will sign it and ship it to you personally!


Babies and Bad Health . . .





Well, Halloween came and went and already I've seen the first snow. I feel time whizzing by this year and it's all because of one little girl. Parenthood changes everything for the better, and in my case maybe brings out some unknown health problems as well. All my life I was an easy bruiser buy never thought anything of it till I started getting CBCs during pregnancy. Apparently I have low platelets which plummeted pretty bad after birth (they make your blood clot) It got to a dangerous level but luckily there are drugs to try and fix it but it will never go away. Having that second child will be a miracle. But, I cannot be more in love with what I do have. Little E is the most entertaining, spirited baby whose endless humor and smiles gets me through the most fatiguing days.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

My newest little storyteller...





Amidst my book release for Ladybird, Ladybird I get my own little story in the making. Erinn Ember J.

Also be sure to check out my new book, website, and book trailer @ Www.ladybirdbook.com

Monday, August 1, 2011

Long Time, No Post . . . I Know! But Baby Is Due This Month!

I've been busy busy trying to finish the third Knight Angels book amongst dealing with pre-term labor and false labor and working with my publisher to publish Ladybird, Ladybird (Which was due to release in July but got pushed back because of my pregnancy issues.) Anyway. So, this month I will become a mommy, and that's one of the best things EVER!

So, let's play a game. I've made this poll for you to guess what day you think my little peanut will arrive. My official Due date is August 28th. The facts are that she's measuring two weeks big, and I have Gestational Diabetes in case that sways your opinion on date. So, take a stab at it and have fun!


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Darkness too visible? It's not our fault... #YAsaves !

The Wall Street Journal came out with an article yesterday titled, "Darkness Too Visible: Contemporary fiction for teens is rife with explicit abuse, violence and depravity. Why is this considered a good idea?"


Basically, if you read the article, it attacks the Young Adult culture written into the popular teen books of today. It's no doubting that the YA Paranormal Romance section has exploded with books since the popularity of Twilight, but what they should really be asking themselves is why?

In my opinion, it's not the fault of the teen or the writer, but the fault of the economy and world. In down times, adults are faced with more stress and unfortunately they bring that home with them, ripening the already volatile and uncertain lives of our teens. If struggling to fit into High School isn't enough, there's the ugly truth of what to expect of their futures. Adults with degrees from top universities are having a hard time finding jobs, how does our youth expect to find their niche when it comes time? Then there's the reality of the forclosure market. Many American families are dealing with this and teens simply refuse to adapt to the change.

In my opinion, Contemporary Young Adult Fiction is actually trying to help by relating. Sure, there is a lot of violence, abuse, and horrifying overtones in our books these days, but that's because we are reaching out to a youth inundated with the real horrors of it in their everyday life. What The Wall Street Journal forgot to address was the heroes and heroins of the story that teach us how to overcome this adversity, how to deal with the pain and despair.

I personally can reflect on the fact that the novel Go Ask Alice changed my life as a teen. I wish there had been more dark novels like it. In High School I dealt with the loss of a boyfriend, but in a world where death wasn't dealt with at all, I was left in utter darkness. Books like the ones I write today are finally helping me to face these fears and struggles and realize that life is worth living--ten years too late.

I've had a number of fans write telling me how my books have changed their lives. One recently, a boy from the Philippines, wrote to tell me how Feather changed everything for him. In a country where he simply could not afford to read, I was able to send him a copy of my book. The story was one of triumph over the end of the world, rising to the occasion and being the hero while maintaining a moral life of truth and power.

Another fan of mine, in her mid-twenties, also read my Feather Book Series only to realize that she was in a bad, loveless marriage. As a fan of mine on Facebook, I can say with confidence that she took the leap to get away and is happier than ever and in the deepest love of her life with a new man, "Her Edgar," she tells me. Her story touched me so deeply, I published her poem in my latest book, Knight Angels: Book One:


Killing Truth
By Tessa Rei



Your face blinds me from the truth that fallows
That wretched, annoying, nagging truth that swallows
Swallows me whole in its dark mouth as I fighting for air
Searching everywhere for the way out but finding it nowhere,
Blind in this colorless monster of guilt I see your face
Pulling myself closer to you as I pick up this shameful pace
I’m in this lonely pit with or without you, and there is no sound
Only this shit in my blasted head spinning all around
I call out to you; oh please can you hear me?
Echoes in this darkness are all I hear, nothing is what I see …
Placing my hands in front of me to brace my fall
Calling out to you again but hearing nothing at all
I scream as long as these lungs will hold this breath
Feeling something beneath me break, I’m falling closer to death
I will remain here dying until I find you
This truth is killing me, why? What will I—or can I do?
As my last breath escapes me there is a comforting voice
Hello … it’s you … now you have left me with no choice
I cry out quietly for you once more
Opening my eyes I can see you more colorful than before …


It's not that teens are darker than they were before, it's just that they're finally lashing out about it. Teens have learned to deal with their depression in a healthier way than bottling it up. If reading a dark YA novel is their way of doing that, then I say that's far better than turning to drugs, alcohol, or self-mutilation. Reading about it helps them to see and live the pain of the character, ultimately encouraging them not to do it as the character almost always learns to overcome. Many of us, like the 46 year old mother-of-three in the The Wall Street Journal article have forgotten what it's like to be a teen.

It's hard!

The problem here is that parents are just looking for another thing to blame for a lack of parenting. It shouldn't matter what your child reads, watches on TV, or is exposed to. No matter how hard we try, we aren't going to be able to protect them from everything--they will always find a way to watch it or do it behind your back. Trust me. I know I did. The best approach in this case is to address the child and their problems directly. Take time out of your day to make sure they feel secure and loved. Take time to notice if they're slipping into depression, using drugs, or sneaking alcohol. We live in an entitled world where it's easier to blame than accept blame onto yourself.

Get over it! Be the parent!

These books do nothing but teach our youth how to overcome pain, depression, and evil. It's the state of the economy and the mindset of the adult culture that is to blame--just switch on Glenn Beck on CNBC for a few minutes and tell me that's not depressing--and until it gets better, darkness and our personal demons are going to be something we all deal with as we always have, just not so outwardly.

YA hopes to help that. YA hopes to give teens a light in the darkness and relate to them in a time when they need our support and understanding more than ever.

If you support YA reads, yell it out on Twitter using the topic #YAsaves

Friday, June 3, 2011

Ladybird Ladybird Book Trailer: Long Theatrical Cut

The Book Trailer process is an ongoing thing but this cut is a good one and I want to share! Thank you Brad and Kolbi and everyone else for amazing shots! Makes me wish I could spend time in Georgia because it's still not as green here as it is in the video!



. . .

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Pics From The Ladybird Ladybird Book Trailer Shoot...

Thought I'd share some more of the fun that went on this week in Cumming, Georgia. Our team was even allowed access at a high school there where the drama group was happy to join in the fun (I don't have pics from that just yet)! As a drama geek myself (once upon a time) I thought this was great! After all, it is their last week of school and what the heck else do they have to do!? So thank you all that participated, I can't wait to see your work on screen!

If I weren't seven months pregnant, I would have been there!








STEVE! Our Operations Manager.

...






Brad in the river!
My horse would have never gotten that close to the water...

...



Leith and Sam the main characters.


...

Monday, May 23, 2011

Book Reviewers! Come here...

Okay, so we are finally (finally...(finally...)) getting ready to begin releasing info for Ladybird Ladybird as well as send out the many many ARC (review copy) requests we received a few months back. As we do this, however, we are also going to be sending out release info, trailers, and other fun things for your blog.

To make our list keeping easier, we'd like to collect you all in one place as the marketing, editing, and me side of things all have different lists going (very unorganized! But we're trying!!).

So, even if you've emailed us in the past SIGN UP (because we love you all to death!).
SIGN UP IN THE RIGHT BAR OR IN THIS POST BELOW

Some fun promos we are planning to do:

Giveaways: Money! Not just books but gift certificates, music CD's, and more, all having to do with Ladybird Ladybird (and you as a blogger are entered in a freebie contest, too! Just for being a part of it!). We are also offering a free prelude download of The Key: A Short Prelude to Ladybird Ladybird for free and we'd love to send you the info for your fans!

Cover for 'The Key: A Short Prelude to Ladybird Ladybird'

Exclusive Book Trailer Releases: The book trailer is almost done and we are planning on three different versions. A teaser (longer than the one I posted last week), a 30 second version, and an extended version (2+ minutes). You want to be a part of the club and get this exclusive content for your blog before YouTube does, trust me!

Actress Trial Shoot: http://youtu.be/QwaL_hOZAk0





Pre-Made Blogger Posts: We are making this easy and fast for you, pre-making the HTML for you to copy/paste and customize for your blog! Instead of minutes spent pleasing your followers, think SECONDS.

Other Announcements: Along with this we are going to send out other announcements on books from Crimson Oak Publishing that meet your blogs interest and criteria (but we're not spamming you! You are our most valuable asset and we don't want to piss you off!)

No Spamming: As I said above, you are our most valuable asset and we will never sell your address or hit you with emails that are irrelevant to books and the utter love of them. All you'll receive is useful content for your blog. If you decide you hate us, unsubscribing is a breeze with a link in each email.

So, at last. If this all sounds good to you then sign up!


* indicates required






Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Ladybird Ladybird Teaser Trailer: Shooting Full Length Trailer This Weekend.

Here is a sneak into the Ladybird Ladybird book trailer by my video guy Brad (such a video guy name, right??). The full length video will be shot this weekend. More to come!!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sneak Peek Wednesday!

Here is a sneak peek into Knight Angels: Book of Life (Book 3!)


JANE:


Ariel and I had walked quite a ways down the river. She urged me to leave the bank, but I was afraid that if I did, I’d miss Max if he were to appear in the In-between. Ariel had tried to convince me that leaving the water’s edge was alright, that I wouldn’t miss anything, but how did she know?

“I’m a Seer, but also a bit of a prophet. Just like the prophets of Winter Wood.” She reminded. “Not all Seers are prophets, but only Seers can be prophets. Part of my struggle in my last life was escaping the Black Angels. I was a very rare breed as a prophet, and as such they wanted me for their side. They hunted me like game. Finally, I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. I took my own life.”

I stopped walking, not able to picture how such a young girl could ever feel so lost, so tormented that she would take her own life. Girls her age were supposed to worry about simple things and not chased down like a fugitive. “How could you kill yourself? How did you do it?”

Ariel plucked a flower and spun it in her hand. “I poisoned myself. It was a painful way to go. If I were to do it again—”

“Don’t do it again.” I shuttered. For whatever reason, it reminded me of Emily and how I used to fear the direction she was headed in. I wondered how she was doing now, without me there for her. Despite the fact that we’d never really gotten along, I felt a loss of control toward the fact that at least I had been there to keep an eye on her. I had to take refuge in the fact that Wes would never let anything happen to her. She was so new to the moral lifestyle she had transformed into before my death that I feared a relapse back to her old ways. I grew irritated with the subject and changed it. “So, as a prophet can you still see what’s going on in the world?”


. . .

Monday, April 11, 2011

Knight Angels 3 Cover Release Puzzle: Final Pieces!

Happy Monday!

It felt like a relaxing weekend, right? Where I live the tulips are FINALLY starting to bloom and the weather is finally starting to change away from frost every morning.

So, here is the eleventh and twelfth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).



(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:


. . .

Puzzle So Far with first TEN pieces
(ninth and tenth above you have to include yourself!)

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)



. . .



Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Knight Angels 3 Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 9 & 10

Tues-day...

 
I finally plucked my eyebrows today! YES! I did it, it's been way too long. Too personal? Naw, I have nothing else to talk about, anyway *smiles*. I knew there was something special about Tuesday!

 
So, here is the ninth and tenth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).



(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:



. . .



Puzzle So Far with first EIGHT pieces
(ninth and tenth above you have to include yourself!)

 

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)



 

. . .

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Knight Angels 3 Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 7 & 8

!!Saturday!!

Finally starting to feel like myself again after the flu. Apologies for slacking on the puzzle, so I'm going to give you two pieces to make up for it. I could barely count to three the last couple days let alone blog.

So, here is the seventh and eighth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:


. . .


Puzzle So Far with first SIX pieces

(Seventh and Eighth above you have to include yourself!)



(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)





. . .

Monday, March 28, 2011

Knight Angels - Book Three - Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 6!

Blah Monday...

 
UGH, I'm sick today. I have a doctor's appt. in about 30 min, thank goodness. Guess I gotta go find out if it's the flu or not (Everyone, pray it's not!). Anyway, hopefully the lemon water and vitamins will get me over it soon!! Think HEALTHY for me!

 
So, here is the sixth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

 
If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:

 



. . .



Puzzle So Far with first FIVE pieces
(Fourth above you have to include yourself!)

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)









. . .

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Knight Angels Book Three Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 5!

Wacky Wednesday!


Wednesday is a good day! Hump day! he he, that term has always made me giggle. Anyway, the week is already half over, how painless!

So, here is the fifth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)


And here is the last puzzle Piece put into the puzzle in case you've been slacking. If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:


Puzzle Piece One

. . .

Puzzle So Far with first FOUR pieces
(Fourth above you have to include yourself!)

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)




. . .

Monday, March 21, 2011

Knight Angels 3 Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 4!

Manic Monday!
I know Mondays suck, you don't need to say that twice. But let's look forward to the good things this week. Maybe there is at least ONE stinkin' sunny day in there (I hope). And perhaps a cookie. And of course this puzzle. I guess that makes it all okay.

So, here is the fourth piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).


(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

And here is the last puzzle Piece put into the puzzle in case you've been slacking. If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:


. . .

Puzzle So Far with first THREE pieces
(Fourth above you have to include yourself!)


(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)





. . .

Saturday, March 19, 2011

New Knight Angels Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 3!

Happy Saturday!

I hope everyone is taking advantage of the end of the work week, or if you are working, I hope you have something fun planned for later!

So, here is the third piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).



(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

And here is the last puzzle Piece put into the puzzle in case you've been slacking. If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:

. . .


Puzzle So Far with first TWO pieces
(Third above you have to include yourself!)


(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)


. . .

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Book Cover Release Puzzle: Piece 2

Happy St. Patty's Day!

So, here is the second piece in the puzzle that will soon be the official Knight Angels: Book of Life, Book Three cover! Just print, cut out, and add to the Master Puzzle I gave you with the first puzzle piece (in case you missed that there is a link below).

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

And here is the last puzzle Piece put into the puzzle in case you've been slacking. If you missed the first blog post, just follow my link:


. . .

Puzzle So Far


(CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW FULL SIZE)


. . .

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Knight Angels 3: New Cover Artwork!

The Master Puzzle Game

So now that I got you here to look at the new cover artwork for Knight Angels: Book of Life (Book Three) there's a hitch. I'm going to be releasing a puzzle piece of the cover, one piece every couple days, that you can copy, print, cut out, and follow along!

This is the full wrap cover, and first things first, you're going to need the Master Puzzle diagram:

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)

And then you're going to need your first piece!

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO RETRIEVE FULL SIZE)



. . .

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Nothing To Do But Write...

So it seems I'm trapped in the house today after a band of rain sat over our small town dumping what seems about two feet of snow (up to hubby's knees!).




The worst part it that that band of moisture is STILL sticking around for what looks a while. It's going to warm up a tad, at least.

STILL!!!!!




I just hope the power doesn't go out (it did last night but only for about 30 min.)

Gives me lots of time to work on writing and my project for my other blog Love & Domestication





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Adventures In Domestication...

Feeling creative, I decided to try my hand at sewing. Let's face it, I've been to art school, I have my BFA. I can so absolutely totally make my own Boppy, and who needs a stupid pattern!!! Luckily for me, and about thirty minutes of feverish working, I think I did it!









Bopperific, and apparently machine washable... <3

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Like A Reviewer Giveaway!














Goodreads Book Giveaway














Ladybird, Ladybird (Hardcover) by Abra Ebner















Ladybird, Ladybird










by Abra Ebner















Giveaway ends March 14, 2011.







See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

















Enter to win







Friday, February 4, 2011

I Smell A Book For You To Review!!





It's that time again, review time, and I'm inviting all my favorite (and new) reviewers to come sign up to review Ladybird, Ladybird. Even if I know who you are (and love you!) please re-apply as I'm horrible at keeping addresses. He he.

The book comes out in hardcover this spring. ARCs are paperback editions. Also note that it's a "novella".

Here's what you need to do:

- Email me at abraebner@live.com

- Title your email "Review Request" so I don't lose it to other emails :)

- List your BLOG, name, ADDRESS, and whatever you like or nothing at all (it's not a contest!) but def. your blog and mailing address.

- Hit send and wait for my reply confirming you're on the list!

For now we're open to English speaking countries for review as it will still be some time before translation rights are sold and underway.

Thank you for your interest!

Abra Ebner and Crimson Oak Publishing
www.crimsonoakpublishing.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Great Movie Pick For This Time Of Year...

Yesterday I took my new DVD/Blu Ray player with Netflix for a spin and downloaded The Spitfire Grill. I watched this movie a lot when I was younger, but it had been a while. Best movie ever, though. Seriously, if you're feeling a little blue this time of year, take the time to watch it!





Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I've Invented A New Season And It's Called Werpingsnirt...

I'm sick of the four seasons and the idea that winter is snow, spring is blooming flowers, summer is hot and happy and fall is beautiful leaves. I don't know about you, but for me there is a huge gap between the beautiful snow and blooming apple trees for me. This is why I've invented werpingsnirt (an anagram of spring and winter). It's a nasty season, an exiled season, a season that doesn't look pretty knitted into a quilt. I hate this season most, as we all probably do. So, now it has a name that you can curse at and grumble under your breath when you find yourself trapped at the bus stop in a sudden werpingsnirt downpour.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, January 17, 2011

Ode To Rainy Days And Mondays...

It seems predictable that sadness and boredom inevitably fall right after the holidays. I guess most find refuge in the typical routine of exercise, but I'm not too into that this year, I didn't much indulge over Christmas, and I'm in the mindset of weight gain ATM. To top it off, it's been rainy and windy for days...




But I guess this is the hump before spring, it's just so hard! Even the cats are fighting...




But my friend made me a loaf of bread yesterday... And I ate half...





And my Seahawks lost...





Come fast spring!!!!!

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