Wicked Wednesday - thinking about covers

(The action cover where the young hero fights a pirate!)

With my newest series, I'll have nine covers. I'd love to be able to afford a cover artist, but for nine covers? Yikes. So I'll be designing them myself.

And yes, I'm thinking about this way ahead of time. I've only finished the first rough draft of the of first novella. But I like to give myself a lot of time to think about important things. Covers are immensely important, after all. Most of us will say we don't judge books by their covers, but a gorgeous one will attract readers.

(The proud moment of accomplishment cover.)

The Totem series is paranormal romance (PNR) along the same lines as the 13th Floor series. Not all romance, but the relationships are pivotal to the plots.

I like to go simple when designing covers. I've learned some new Photoshops tricks since I made the 13th Floor covers. I believe I can step it up a notch this time. But which direction should I go?

Many PNR covers about shifters have the character(s) on the cover with their animals in the background. Or their eyes are animalistic in their beautiful human faces as they stare at the reader. Do I follow the standard formula? Or do I try to go my own way?

Here are my options. I'm curious as to what you as readers prefer.

1) These nine books are about three sisters. Each book will have one of the sisters narrating. They'll each get three books. I could focus on the women alone. Each cover would have the sister who's narrating, so readers will know who it is about.

2) Nine books. Three sisters. Three love interests. The first three books will have one of the sisters on each of them, and the next three books would have the men. The final three books would feature them as couples. I'm leaning in this direction because I believe PNR readers would like to see handsome men gracing the covers. (To this day, Xan still gets compliments!)

3) Nine books. Three sisters. Three love interests. Seven totems. If I don't want to use people on the covers, I could focus on the totem animals. Go with cool Inuit drawings. Yet the problem here is that only books 2-8 will have specific animals. Could I merge the totems with the models? Yes, possibly. I don't want to make my job overly difficult, though. But then what to do with books 1 and 9?

Right now, I need to stop looking at stock pictures and get writing!

(The what-the-heck cover that doesn't make sense when you read the story!)

Note: All the photos are of my son and Thee Bluebeard. He's a hilarious pirate captain looking for a new crew. He invites people on stage and makes them do weird things. It was the one thing my little guy wanted at the renaissance faire since he saw Bluebeard last year. He got his wish and it was awesome!

Friday Five for October 2, 2015

1. The edits for Poltergeist's Pleasure (The Paramours #2) are finished. I'm having a great time working with my new editor. She's quick and efficient. That means I have a release date: October 23rd. Just in time for Halloween!

2. I've been editing and critiquing this week, but I managed to get started on the second novella in my Totem series. Totem. Yes, I really like it. The more I type it, the better it feels. It's the same way I felt about the 13th Floor, and I'm still in love with that series.

3. Next week I'll be absent from the internet. It's my son's fall break and my mother will be visiting. We'll be doing lots of fun fall activities which include celebrating my birthday! We'll be going to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner one night. Mmmm... I'm already drooling thinking about the desserts. I do have a book review for Monday and my IWSG post for Wednesday all ready to go.

4. Tomorrow my family and I will be going to a nearby Renaissance Faire with friends. A way to warm up for the Realms Faire festivities coming next month! Keep your fingers crossed that it won't rain.

5. Last but not least, the Realms Faire Thunderclap has been fixed. Huzzah! Please lend your support on social media to help promote this fantastic event. Just click HERE and pick how you'd like to help out.

Have a wonderful week!

Still time to enter The 13th Floor series anniversary giveaway!

Enter now to win a great collection of paranormal romance tales!

Get hooked on the series.
Get the first book, THE MARQUIS for free!
Smashwords * Amazon * Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 13th Floor Complete Collection giveaway!

Have you entered to win yet?

"Be on the lookout because it will not be long before Christine Rains is giving Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan a run for the crown of Queen of the Paranormal Realms." - Night Owl Reviews

a Rafflecopter giveaway

13th Floor collection tour continues with two more stops

I'm excited to have two wonderful hosts lined up for your today. We're getting into the Halloween spirit.

First I'll be over at Julie Flanders' blog with a list of my top ten ghost films. Come on over and tell us your favorite!

Then head on over to C. Lee McKenzie's blog to go trick-or-treating on the 13th floor. Oh yes. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity! You could win a digital copy of the collection.

My Goodreads giveaway is still going on until the 31st!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The 13th Floor Complete Collection

by Christine Rains

Giveaway ends October 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The 13th Floor collection blog tour continues and W4WS event for October 2013

Have you ever wondered what the 13th floor looks like?

Today you can take a tour. No one's home. It's safe to poke around. Go on to the lovely Trisha's blog and check it out.

Be one of the first to enter this week's giveaway!

Welcome to the October 2013 W4WS event! I'm honored to co-host this event with three talented writers, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Stephen Tremp.  The mission of this group is simple: we have a spotlighted author(s) that we strive to help bring awareness of their book(s) to tens of thousands of new people, increase the sales of their book(s), drive new traffic to their blogs and increase followers, and create verbal and viral buzz.

 
We've made this simple and fast. It's as easy as a tweet or a RT, and sharing a status on Facebook. Go to the writer's blog and copy a tweet or RT from the posts with the tag #W4WS. The W4WS Facebook page will have all the updates and links for you.

 
To join the W4WS event, click here for the linky list. It will only take a minute of your time, and you'll have talented writers take a step closer to their dreams. 

Alex J. Cavanaugh. Ninja Captain. Science-fiction writer extraordinaire. You can find him at his blog and Twitter.

Isis Rushdan is the talented author of KINDRED OF THE FALLEN. You can find her at her site, blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

Review for The Marquis & Goodreads Giveaway reminder

Stephanie at Moonrise Book Blog wrote a fabulous 5 star review for 1301 - THE MARQUIS.

Please check it out.

If you haven't won any of the giveaways yet, don't fret. There will be another one tomorrow as the tour continues with a walk through the 13th floor, and there's the Goodreads giveaway.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The 13th Floor Complete Collection

by Christine Rains

Giveaway ends October 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

1303 - The Dragonslayer cover reveal

Title: 1303 - The Dragonslayer
The 13th Floor series, #3
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: February 13th, 2013

Blurb:

On the rooftop of neighboring building, dragonslayer Xanthus Ehrensvard fires at his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is.

Xan knows dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power, just like the Governor. But it's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less.

After all, dragonslayers are no longer celebrated heroes but outlaws. Just as the dragons wish it. But this outlaw must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.

Mark The Dragonslayer "to read" on Goodreads.

I do realize it's not exactly like the previous two covers. The model isn't staring forward, but I saw this picture and I was mesmerized. That is Xan. That's my dragonslayer! The fact he's shirtless is just a bonus. Heh.

Now who wants to be a part of my tour next month?!

I also have a bonus guest post over at Livia Peterson's blog. I'm talking about writing a series. What do you have to think about when planning to write a series?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway on Cherie Reich's blog for your chance to win the first ebooks in the 13th Floor series and an ARC of The Dragonslayer.

1302 - The Alpha cover reveal

Title: 1302 - The Alpha, (The 13th Floor series, #2)
Author: Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: January 13th, 2013

Having been cooped up in her apartment for months, Stefanie Porter didn't think one run in the woods would matter. The wolf within her needed to stretch her legs, but obviously she didn't have very good instincts. Her former pack found her, and they almost catch her too, but a mysterious lone wolf jumps in to help Stefanie escape.

The pack is driven by their cruel Alpha, Wyatt. He refuses to give Stefanie her freedom even after she lost the challenge to lead them and left their territory. She can hide in her apartment, or the lone wolf can teach her some of his unusual urban survival tricks. James Roberts might be a bit geeky, but he's smart and looks hot when the argyle sweater comes off. He has a ridiculous ambition to become a superhero, and it might be admirable if Wyatt couldn't rip him limb from limb.

With the pack scouring the city for her, Stefanie must convince James to teach her, or fight not only for her life, but his as well.

Day 4 of The Marquis blog tour

Today I'm being interviewed by

M. Pepper Langlinais.

She asks some deep and clever questions about the series and the 13th floor itself.

I love this isn't your standard author interview.

Today's tidbit: I've been in buildings that have a 13th floor. They were sadly mundane. Years ago, I worked as a security guard in a building that did not mark it had a 13th floor. It did have one, but it was left unfinished and used as a storage area. I don't know why it was left that way. It was a new building in a big city, but it seems even today people still hold on to those old superstitions.

Wicked Wednesday - promoting tips and one day until The Marquis

One more day until the first book of the 13th Floor series is officially released. I'm hyperventilating a little bit and eating too much chocolate. I worry about whether I'm doing enough to promote the series. So I've been reading articles about self-promotion. When I'm anxious about something, research does help. Or it's enough to distract me from my worries!

Here are a few things I've learned about promoting your books:
1. Word-of-mouth is extremely important. When people get talking about your book, it can snowball. Especially on sites like Twitter.
2. Reviews are also very important. Encourage readers to leave reviews on their blogs and from wherever they purchased your book. Send your book to review sites.
3. Samples and excerpts will let readers who are unfamiliar with your work get a peek. Pick something that will hook them.
4. Have an awesome cover and blurb. These will attract readers who randomly come across your book.
5. If you can afford it, use paid advertising.

Tomorrow I begin my eight day blog tour for The Marquis. My first stop is at Cherie Reich's blog. We'll be starting the excitement right off with a giveaway. Every day during the tour, I'll be posting a tidbit about The Marquis or the 13th Floor series. On the 21st, I'll be revealing the cover to the second book in the series, The Alpha.

And then I'll be taking a little Christmas break to catch up on my sleep!

Four Days Until The Release Of The Marquis

Four days until the official release of the first book of the 13th Floor series. 

 The clock is ticking.

What will Marc sacrifice to save

his city, his friend,

and the woman he loves?  

The Marquis is already available on

Smashwords.

You can mark it "to read"

on Goodreads.

1301 tour, tabs, NaNo update, and reminders

Thank you to everyone who responded about the 13th Floor blog tours. You guys are awesome! I have the second, third, and fourth book tours filled, but I would love to have a few more for next month. If you have a day open between the 13th and 20th, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it. I will also happily do a couple of stops on the same day if you're interested in helping with one of the tours next year.

You might have seen I learned how to create tabs on my blog. (Thank you, Stephen Tremp!) I have one specifically for The 13th Floor series. I have all the dates up there for all the cover reveals, release dates, and blog tours.

I'm doing well with NaNoWriMo. I'm over 45000 words, and I'm writing the final battle. I hope to complete the novel by the end of the weekend. For those of you who've hit 50000, congratulations! And for those who are still typing away, keep going. There's still one week left. You can do it!

Don't forget the Writers4Writers Group has their first monthly event on December 6th. It's a great way writers can help their fellow writers.

Next week, the marvelous Kyra Lennon starts her Blindsided Tour. She'll be stopping by here on Wednesday. Yay!

Wicked Wednesday - The Dragonslayer

1303 - The Dragonslayer

Dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power. The dragonslayers, too, changed into something new. They became men who live in the shadows and carry guns rather than lances. No longer celebrated heroes, they are the outlaws now. Just as the dragons wish it.

Perching on the rooftop of neighboring building, Xanthus Ehrensvard fires and misses his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but in fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is.

It's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less. Even as he battles Lois' tenacity, he must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.

(Blurb subject to change!)

The idea of a modern day dragonslayer has long been in my head. What if some of those infamous assassins we know from history were saving the world from something worse?

I also imagine dragonslayers still hold to a rigid code. No more gleaming suits of armor, but they're still paladins nonetheless. Honorable, chivalrous, and dedicated.

The Marquis release date and 13th Floor blog tours

First, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in my cover reveal. I've gotten such excellent feedback on it. You all made the release a grand success!

Please add The Marquis "to read" on Goodreads.

I'm still in good shape for releasing The Marquis on December 13th. Just in time to buy as you're doing your holiday shopping! Yes, I'm going to say it's official.

1301 RELEASE DATE:

DECEMBER 13th

I'm setting up a week long blog tour for it running through December 13th - 20th. If you'd like to be a part of my tour, please email me at christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com. Make sure you put "1301 blog tour" in the subject heading. If you want a specific date, please reply soon and let me know. I understand this is short notice. I have a bunch of posts scheduled on my blog into the new year already. I know how fast things build up.

 1301 BLOG TOUR:

DECEMBER 13th - 20th

If you cannot participate in this blog tour, and you still would like to help, have no fear! The 13th Floor series has six novellas. The Marquis is the first one. I'll be doing mini tours for each release, and a big one when I release the whole collection late next summer or autumn.

At the end of the December tour, I'll be revealing the cover for 1302 - The Alpha. The novella is written and I'm aiming to release it on January 13th. (A Sunday, I know, but I'd like to keep my release dates on the 13th of each month.) If you'd like to participate in The Alpha's cover reveal and/or mini tour, please email with "1302 reveal and/or tour" in the subject heading.

1302 COVER REVEAL:

DECEMBER 21st

1302 BLOG TOUR:

JANUARY 13th - 17th

Next we have 1303 - The Dragonslayer. A modern day dragonslayer, and oh by golly, wait until you see this cover! I want to release it on February 13th. Again, if you'd like to participate in The Dragonslayer's cover reveal and/or mini tour, please email with the appropriate subject heading.

1303 COVER REVEAL:

JANUARY 18th

1303 BLOG TOUR:

FEBRUARY 13th - 17th

I'm not going to set official dates for the rest of the series yet. I would like to have 1304 - The Harbinger out on March 13th. April will be too busy for me in real life, so the next two dates would be May 13th and June 13th. I'm giving myself some wiggle room with the dates, though. You never know what real life is going to throw at you.

Whew. I'm dizzy looking at all those dates, but it feels good to have them settled. I'm really excited about this series. I hope everyone else will love it as much as I do.

Wicked Wednesday - The Alpha

1302 - The Alpha

One run in the woods wouldn't matter. Stefanie Porter had been cooped up for months in her apartment. The wolf within her needed to stretch her legs and play under the moon. Her wolf obviously didn't have very good instincts, because her pack found her. They almost catch her too, but a mysterious lone wolf jumps in to help Stefanie escape.

The pack continues to hunt her in the city. They're driven by their cruel Alpha, Wyatt. He refuses to give Stefanie her freedom even after she lost the challenge to lead the pack and left their territory. She's strong, an Alpha herself, and he wants her for his mate. There's no one to stop him from doing that through any means necessary either.

Stefanie can hide in her apartment, or she can try to convince the lone wolf to teach her some of his unusual tricks. James Roberts might be a bit geeky, but he's smart and looks hot when the argyle sweater comes off. He has ambitions to be a superhero, and it might be admirable if Wyatt couldn't rip him limb from limb.

With the pack scouring the city for her, Stefanie must learn what James has to teach her before Wyatt finds her, and she has to fight not only for her life, but the lone wolf's as well.

(This blurb will likely be tweaked several times!)

This one has been so much fun to write. It's a twist on the typical paranormal romance where the strong woman falls for an Alpha male. In my story, Stefanie is the Alpha and James is not. I love having her as the aggressive one, taking charge, and making the first move.

This story is also my homage to geeky men. I love geeks! Intelligence, obscure comic book references, and a nice set of dice turn me on more than big muscles and an overbearing attitude.

1301 - The Marquis cover reveal

Title: 1301 - The Marquis

Author: Christine Rains

Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: December 13th (tentatively)

Life after Hell isn't more exciting than watching football and fixing a busted pipe. Once a powerful demon, Marc enjoys his quiet existence and a good cup of coffee. With big ambitions to gain his master's favor, a trickster demon named Vetis shatters Marc's peace and vows to deliver Marc's head to the fires of Hell. Not before he destroys everything Marc cares about, of course.

Marc's power has diminished over the years. Heaven will never grant him absolution, and he refuses to return to Hell. Running isn't an option. The city of Carmine is his territory. It's also home to his favorite cafe owner, Mae Hopkins. The dame has a lovely smile, but it's her heart and soul that shine bright.

While his city burns and his love is captured, Marc must decide to surrender or let hate and anger fuel him to become the fearsome beast he so loathes: The Marquis. If the Marquis rises, Vetis can be defeated and Mae saved, but Marc would be lost to his demon forever.

Isn't the cover awesome? My stomach still flip-flops when I look at it. Thank you to everyone who participated in the cover reveal. The response has been fantastic. You guys are the best!

Wicked Wednesday - The Marquis

1301 - The Marquis

Life after Hell isn't more exciting than watching football and fixing a busted pipe. Once a powerful demon, Marc enjoys his quiet existence and a good cup of coffee. With big ambitions to gain his master's favor, a trickster demon named Vetis shatters Marc's peace and vows to deliver Marc's head to the fires of Hell. Not before he destroys everything Marc cares about, of course.

Marc's power has diminished over the years. Heaven will never grant him absolution, and he refuses to return to Hell. Running isn't an option. The city of Carmine is his territory. It's also home to his favorite cafe owner, Mae Hopkins. The dame has a lovely smile, but it's her heart and soul that shine bright.

While his city burns and his love is captured, Marc must decide to surrender or let hate and anger fuel him to become the fearsome beast he so loathes: The Marquis. If the Marquis rises, Vetis can be defeated and Mae saved, but Marc would be lost to his demon forever.

This is the story where I thought I was having trouble with the male point of view. It's Marc's story, and he's a male who doesn't use a lot of words. Usually my protagonists chatter away to me. Marc's more of a grunter. Yet my CP's and my critique group all liked it. None said there was any problems with the POV. Whew. One of my CP's likened it to Hellboy. Woot!

The Marquis has a strong noir flavor. More so than the other novellas. It also sets the background with what's happening in the city of Carmine which will affect all the other stories.

Another thing I liked about writing this story was the relationship between Marc and Mae. There's none of the fiery passion of youth. They're older (Marc by a few thousand years), and it's a slow burning romance. One where the two people know actions mean a lot more than pretty words.

If you haven't done so already and would like to take part in the cover reveal for this book, please send me an email with "1301 cover reveal" in the subject heading. I'll be unveiling the cover on November 13th. Email me at christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com. Thank you!

Wicked Wednesday - the 13th Floor series

Six supernatural tenants

Living in a haunted apartment building

On a floor that doesn't exist.

Six novellas telling their tales.

A retired demon acquires a price on his head.

A werewolf is hunted by her pack.

A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.

A harpy challenges Zeus for the soul of the man she loves.

A vampire is obsessed with a young woman he can't find.

And a banshee falls in love with someone who's death she has seen in a vision.

All the stories take place at the same time

Intertwining their lives together

on the 13th Floor.

Happy Halloween!

I'll be revealing the cover for the first novella, 1301 - The Marquis, on November 13th. If you would like to take part in the cover reveal, please email me and put "1301 cover reveal" in the subject heading. I'll send you the info and cover. I'm tentatively setting a release date for 1301 as December 13th. My email address is christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com