The State of Starla: June 2014

Well, I did one of these last month, so I figured I’d update you all again.

June is sort of a “down” month for me this year, as it falls in-between releases, and I’m busy flailing at promotional stuff. What exactly does that mean?

Well, for starters, I’ve been getting everything ready to head to Nashville for UtopYA, which happens THIS WEEKEND OMG! This includes making sure I have all of my book swag stuff together, packing list made, travel plans in line, and stocking up on print copies of books to sell. I’m participating in the Friday night Fan Invasion signing event, and I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed to make this first (for me) book signing go smoothly. In fact, this signing is the reason Evolution: HEX is now available in print. I wanted the amazing readers I’ll get to see in person at UtopYA to have the opportunity to get the final installment in the series signed and personalized as a thank you for the support they’ve given me over the last year.

So what am I doing at UtopYA this year? A few really cool things, actually. First up, I’ll be speaking at the What A Difference A Year Makes panel on Friday morning of the conference with a few other authors. We’ll be discussing what’s changed for us in the year following UtopYA, and I know we’ll all have plenty to say.

Next up, the amazing Ren from A Little Bit of R & R and her co-blogger, Gabby, from Gabbylicious Bows, have offered up a little something for people who find me at UtopYA:

Also on the giveaway front, a group of folks (me included) have a contest for anyone who buys a book from a participating author! Buy a book, get a raffle ticket, enter to win a whole load of amazing prizes!

In this prize pack, you’ll find this from me, packed with all the books from the Endure series AND the Evolution series!

On top of all that, I’ll be selling these necklaces for the uber-fans at my table for the Friday night event. They are lovingly handmade by me:

I only have a limited quantity of these, so if you’re going and you want one, you better be quick! :)

After UtopYA, my next big thing is the ebook release of Evolution: HEX on July 6th. This will be immediately followed by a blog tour organized by Read Between the Lines July 7th-25th. I’ve got another giveaway planned, but I’ve not got all the prizes together just yet because I’m a slacker and have been way busier than normal. I also have lots of family stuff coming up in July, so I’m going to be even busier!  *sigh*

I’m sort of looking forward to the downtime I’ll (hopefully) get in August, but with the release of Master of Myth (Antigone’s Wrath #1) looming on the horizon on September 19th, I’ll be busy showing off the cover and getting the final format done for that. I have no plans to tour this one, which is good because I need some time to write! At the end of Evolution: HEX, I’ve included a free preview of what’s coming next year, so I need to get moving on that project again.

Unless some sort of weird miracle happens, I will not be attending DragonCon this year. I’m sad to miss all my friends that will be there, but perhaps next year I’ll catch you. Have lots of fun for me!

Time is really flying by, and so many great things are happening! It’s lots of work, for sure, but it’s not really work if you love what you do.