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I'm so excited to be a part of this project, and can't wait for you to read my story - 'Out Come the Wolves' along with all the other great contributions. To be a part of such an exciting project, with so many other very talented authors, is a great feeling, and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. So go one-clicking crazy, and purchase a copy! You won't regret it. State Of Horror Illinois Cover & Blurb
 PURCHASE LINKS AMAZON USA eBOOK AMAZON USA PAPERBACK AMAZON UK eBOOK AMAZON UK PAPERBACK iBOOKSTORE NOOK USA KOBO Happy reading book whores! Claire xxx
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 So, it's been an awful long time since I actually wrote a blog post all about me. that's for several reasons to be honest. Number one is that I'm not very good at this whole 'talking about myself' thing. It brings me out in all kind of hives having to talk about my work, so I tend too let other authors take over my blog instead. And that brings me on to my second main reason. I REALLY like introducing people to knew authors and their work. I know when I'm looking for a new book, or author, I look to my peers and see who they recommend, with that said, I always post to my Goodreads account, so be sure to follow me there if you want. I also have a slight Pinterest addiction, so feel free to come over and obsess with me over random things there. I think all my links are on the main page. So, you may have noticed that the look of my website has changed. Well that's all down to my awesome geeky web guy who does all things awesome for me like makes everything look all purdy' for you haha. Seriously, I would be totally lost without this guy, and I can't thank him enough. The nicest thing is that he does this all just to free up more writing and family time for me, which it does, brining me on to my next point... but before I move on, THANK YOU, GEEKY WEB GUY, SAN! Odium The Dead Saga is coming to Audible! Yes, Odium The Dead Saga in audio books is so close to completion you could stick your tongue out and touch it. Seriously, go on, stick that tongue out... okay, stop it, you look kinda goofy. I have had the utmost pleasure in working with the oh so talented Jennifer Reilly (freaky that we share the same name, even though it's spelt different, it's like it was meant to be) Jennifer has been a professional voice over narrator for over ten years, and has worked with the likes of Chevrolet, KFC, Corona Light, Harley Davidson and many more. What's more is that she's agreed to record Odium II at the end of the summer, and I can't tell you how pleased I am about it. The book sounds amazing, and it should be out in the next two weeks maximum. I'll post as soon as it's available. Upcoming books - Odium Origins part two, Limerence II, Odium III... Yes, I am hard at work on so many new stories for you. Odium Origins A Dead Saga Novella Part 2 is nearing completion, and Limerence II is really getting good now. I'm hoping to have both out to you by September, and then all my attention will be on Odium III (of course!) I'm really enjoying how much darker Limerence II is, and I'm finding it a really nice change from zombies. Not that I don't love my zombies, but I really love Bram Stoker esq style vampires, and I really feel that with Limerence II I'm taking things back there. For as far back as I can remember, I've wanted to write about zombies and vampires, and now I feel like the cat that got the cream, because not only am I doing it, but people are reading the stories, and you can't put a price on that. It's the greatest feeling to know that my stories affect you so much. Writing a book is a lot of hard work. We writers don't just sit down and type, we pour our hearts and souls on to these pages. We are stalked by our characters, awoken by our plots, and frightened by the prospect of sharing it all with you crazy readers. I'll be sharing the new book covers with you all very soon. Amy Queau from Qdesign is helping me out, and from what I've seen so far, they are looking amazing! Qdesign Facebook Page I can't wait to hear what you think about these new stories. Speaking of new stories, guess who also started a new zombie series? Me! Don't shout at me! I promise I've still been working my butt of to get these other books to you, but sometimes a plot or character just speaks to me and I have to go with it. I'm not telling you anything about it yet, just that I'm hoping to get it to you by the end of the year, or early 2015, and I'm loving it so far. Oh, I have included a teaser poster for you though...  Upcoming Book Events. This Friday there is a SUMMER CHILLS event. Romance and horror books all at 99c from some amazing authors including Michelle Kilmer, Jack Wallen, myself, Eli Constant, Ian McClellan, Rachel Tsoumbakos, Tonia Brown, Saray Lyons Flemming, Ian Woodhead, Rachel Aukes, and many many more. ALL books will be 99c or less for 24 hours. There will be games, Q&A, giveaways and others tuff going on, so head on over and join the event, and hey, share the event and let some of your book loving friends in on the fun! Summer Chills Facebook Event  There's also the CONTAGIOUS READS HORROR CON happening this month. It starts on the 13th July and runs to the 20th. There's some HUGE names in female horror, again with Q&A and discussion panels, so if you ever wanted to find out more about writing horror, then you should definitely head over. There's also an awards ceremony on the last day for all the authors. nominations have been going on for several months now for different categories 'best novel' 'best main character' etc. so you should definitely head over and take a look. Again, I will be there heading up a couple of panels and chatting with everyone, and I'd love to hear from you. Contagious Reads Horror Con  That's all for now, thanks for listening to my prattle on with myself. Let me know if I can do anything for any of you, and thank you again for reading my books. You all rock so hard! Ps. Don't forget to enter the T.W.Brown giveaway on the previous blog piece. There's only a couple of hours left to win a copy of his latest book DEAD: Spring. Thanks for reading book whores! Claire xxx  Just a quick post to let you all know that ODIUM II THE DEAD SAGA is now LIVE! Find the purchase links below, go one-click this bitch, sit back, relax and enjoy! Only kidding, you're going to be on the edge of your seat the entire time! Mwua hahaha Purchase Links: Odium II Paperback USA | Odium II eBook USA Odium II Paperback UK | Odium II eBooK UK Odium II Trailer Happy reading! Claire Don't Forget To Add Odium II To Your Goodreads Shelves: Odium II Goodreads Music Used In This Trailer Is Not Affiliated Or Owned By The Author And Can Be Purchased Here: http://goo.gl/xjvARu  To kick start the Concept to Completion blog posts, I’m going to tell you a little bit about my journey as an author. Because that is where it all starts of course—with someone sitting down and writing the story. They say that writing a book is one of the hardest things to do in life. Well, they don’t, but they should because it is. The idea of writing a book is pretty huge in itself, and something that not many people ever actually go on to fulfil, usually having it as something on their bucket list. And I know why. For many years I put it off myself, as a kid it was all I ever aspired to be—an author. I continued to scribble stories in to books, and pads, jotting down ideas and getting friends and family to read them. Yet, the idea of actually sitting down, writing a book and then actually sending it off to people to publish was just so mind-boggling, that I never did it. Until 2012. In 2012 I got an idea for a story, and while over the years I’ve had tons of stories pop in and out of my head, this damn story wouldn’t let me go. So, begrudgingly, one night I sat down at my laptop and decided to write the scene I had in my head. I thought that was the end of it, but no, that was just the start. More ideas came to me and they wouldn’t go away until I wrote them out. They came to me at night while I slept, while I was driving, while I showered. I had notes in pads, on the laptop and on my iPhone. It was irritating and annoying and…amazing! To see this story coming to life, and the characters forming and fleshing out in my mind. I felt blessed to be a part of this world, a world that I had created. And a small part of me was so damn happy to be writing again. I hadn’t realised that I had missed it so much. Then I stumbled upon a site called Authonomy, where authors critique each other’s work, and so one day, on a whim, I decided to go for it. I published the first eight chapters on to it and slowly critique came in. It was good…and bad, but the response was that it was a great story, it just needed work. So that’s what I did. I’ve since realised that this stage of writing is called beta reading. The time was fast approaching when I would have to decide what to do with the manuscript. Would I send it to agents? Would I keep it just for me? People were talking over self-publishing, and that seemed like the least painful way to do it, so I set my mind on that goal. I pored over my manuscript along with some other very talented authors, me and my husband designed a cover, I wrote my blurb, my hubby formatted for me (which was incredibly hard) and then I hit publish! And I’ll be damned if it wasn’t one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. Because you see, all of a sudden, the book was bigger than just a woman sat at a computer writing a story. Now I would be judged…it would be judged. The editing would be judged, the cover would be judged, EVERYTHING WOULD BE JUDGED! And to be willingly judged is freaking hard!  But then what? No one knew little ole’ me, so I began searching out bloggers, people who would Read and Review for me, scouring Facebook pages until I found blogs which seemed right. I’d never done anything like this before, it was weird and awkward, and I didn’t know what to expect. One of the first bloggers to reply was a great woman named Lauren Dootson of Beckstar reviews. Beckstar Reviews(Facebook) She was so kind, and totally put me at ease, and I’ll always be grateful to her for that, because truth be, if she would have been even a little bit shitty with me, I’m not sure I would have carried on. But she was lovely and so I did. Truth be, I'm very shy and sensitive, and what person likes to be judged? Especially on something that they have spent months and months working on. Crazy people, that's who! Thankfully, I've developed a thick skin as time has gone on, because you need it in this business, and as an author, one of the hardest things to do is NOT reply to the negative feedback. Take the comments on board and work harder. The hardest part for me wasn’t writing the book (Limerence) it was the editing and the cover and the formatting and finding reviewers and bloggers, and so much more! You have this preconceived idea in your head on how it’s going to be to write a book, and it’s nothing like that. Sure some people excel in some areas where others struggle, but that’s it isn’t it? Everyone is different, and everyone writes differently. The more experienced you are, the more you learn along the way, and I want to share some of the things—and the people, that I’ve met along the way so far. I have a little team now, that without, this would be a really crappy job. I have my 'go to' bloggers, my wonderful 'beta-readers' 'proof-readers' my fabulous 'editor' and great writer friends that help me with ideas, and cover concepts, poster designing, and so much more. In the next month or so, I’m going to cover all the basics from cover designing, editors, formatters and bloggers. Be sure to pipe in with anything that you feel relevant. Again, I can’t cover everything and everyone, but I’ll cover as much as I can, and hopefully we can help some other new authors along the way. Come back next week to talk about building your author profile and platform! Happy Reading…and writing. Claire C Riley Author of 'Limerence' 'Odium. The Dead Saga' 'Odium Origins. A Dead Saga Novella Pt One' contributing author to several anthologies including 'Fusion' 'One Hellacious Halloween' & 'Let's Scare Cancer to Death' PS. Yes, I'm still crap at grammar and punctuation!   Way back last year I stumbled across another writer who mentioned they were doing a charity anthology. 'What's that?' I said, 'A zombie anthology purely for charity?' Well of course, I did everything I could to get in contact with the man putting it together, the wonderful T.W.Brown. He said yes straight away and I set about writing my story. You see, I've always believed that you have to give back as much as you can in this world. You never know what is going to happen from one day to the next, and Cancer, that really ugly word right there is so much more than just a word to thousands and thousands of people. It's a death sentence. It's change. It's loss. It's suffering. I've been touched by cancer, both near and far, and each time I'm struck down by how brave people can be. I'm in awe of them. So this is me, doing what I can to help them fight, and with your help, I know it will make a huge difference. So buy the book, enjoy the stories by some of the most amazing zombie and horror talent around, spread the word, share the links and leave reviews. Every one of those things makes a difference, because every book we sell is more money to fight this. So let's fight this together. One last thing... Cancer, we're coming to get YOU! Buy your gore-fest here: UK links: Lets Scare Cancer To Death Ebook Lets Scare Cancer To Death Paperback USA links: Lets Scare Cancer To Death Ebook Lets Scare Cancer To Death Paperback Anthology Blurb: Cancer. For millions, there is no word that instils more fear. It is about time to give some payback. Enter a cadre of talented authors with a common purpose: to SCARE cancer to death. Okay, the premise may seem silly, but the truth is that these writers have all given their stories freely in hopes that you will be enticed to come check out this anthology. Every penny generated will be given in a quarterly check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research https://www.jimmyv.org. So, when you purchase this book, you are tossing your hat in the ring with people who are out to eradicate a killer that has touched far too many lives. Join us, and Let's Scare Cancer to Death! Participating authors: T.W.Brown Eli Constant Armand Rosamilia Mark Tufo Claire C Riley Julianne Snow Michael McFarland Blaze McRobb Rhonda Hopkins Heath Stallcup Chantal Boudreau Alyn Day T.Fox Dunham Catie Rhodes J.Thorn Gregory Carrico Lets Scare Cancer To Death Short Story Titles & Social Media Links Z Children by Eli Constant Twitter Facebook Website Blog Of the Dead by Alyn Day AlynDayOfTheDead Twitter Memories by Heath Stallcup Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Project Arizona by Gregory Carrico Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Amazon Author Page Just Life by T. Fox Dunham Website Goodreads Facebook Choices by Claire Riley Twitter Facebook Goodreads Website Amazon Author Page Dying Days Mortality by Armand Rosamilia Website Facebook Twitter Amazon Author Page Gift Wrapped Box by Catie Rhodes Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon Author Page Tunnel by J. Thorn JThorn.net Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ One Lonely Night by Chantal Boudreau Website Facebook Amazon Author Page Twitter Scribd Goodreads Sweet Release by Mark Tufo Amazon Author Page Website Facebook Uncle by Michael James McFarland Amazon Author Page Goodreads Facebook The Legacy by Julianne Snow Days with the Undead The FlipSide of Julianne Zombieholics Anonymous Amazon Author Page Facebook Author Page Twitter The Judas Contingent by Blaze McRob Website Goodreads Facebook Twitter Pen of the Damned Angelic Knight Press Visionary Press Collaborative My Name is Charles by TW Brown Website Facebook Amazon Author Page Survival by Rhonda Hopkins Website Addictive Reads Facebook Author Page Twitter Goodreads Google+ Amazon Author Page About The V Foundation For Cancer ResearchOUR STORY  As I sit here in the UK, it's 9:30pm, I just checked the Amazon stats. I wanted to let you know how well the book is doing so far. As of right now, it's #7,937 Paid in Kindle UK Store
*** Feel proud because you helped that happen *** As always happy reading! Claire ♥  It's not long until Odium II will be with you, but here's a sneak peak to wet your appetite for now. So tell me, what are you looking forward to the most from Odium II? I'm having a blast writing it, and I hope that you'll enjoy reading it when its done. It has a tentative release date of May 9th so watch this space... On Monday, the Let's Scare cancer to Death anthology is released, I'll be posting a link up as soon as it goes live, so be ready for it. Remember, ALL profits for this anthoology will be going directly to the V-Foundation, none of us are making anything at all from it, other than good old fashioned karma. So do your bit for charity, read some gore and support some great writers all in one go! Now, without further ado... The empty field and the houses in the distance, spur us both on, and I grab Mikey’s hand as we push harder, willing our legs to run faster, and our muscles not to cramp up. To cramp up now could mean death for both of us, by deader or by gun, death would be a long, drawn out painful experience. Fuck that. With deaders in the surrounding field getting closer, the scene plays out in slow motion when I trip and fall to my knees, mud splattering up around me. Mikey turns and grips me under the arms, dragging me back up to standing. My eyes bug out when a grey arm reaches up out of the mud and grabs at his ankle.“Mikey!” I scream. He kicks away from the deaders reach and swings down with his fist, narrowly missing its rotten mouth which is snapping at his leg, and hitting it hard across its skull with his fist. Its head whips backwards upon impact, but the deader quickly rights itself and fixes its cloudy gaze back upon me. It stretches a rotten hand across, as it slowly pulls itself free of the mud and grass, growling and snapping its teeth. Mikey’s booted foot stamps down on its arm, snapping the bone, however the ligament still hangs by the bloated and stretched skin. The deader pays the broken limb no attention, but continues to drag is decomposing body towards me. Mikey grabs it from behind and drags it backwards. It thrashes around growling in anger in an attempt to get to me, until Mikey falls on his ass. I grab the nearest thing to me: a heavy rock, and with difficulty I launch it at the things face with a guttural cry. It crushes into the brittle bones, making an almost concave shape where its features should be and releasing a toxic stench that I can taste in my mouth. It stops moving instantly, and collapses into the gore soaked earth around it. I look at Mikey as he holds a hand out to me, his breathe coming in jagged gasps. “Come on, baby. We need to go.” My shaky hand takes his, I climb back to my feet, and together we run.  As always, happy reading. Claire C Riley Ps. Don't forget to leave a review for Odium if you can. Good or bad, long or short, every one makes a difference and every one is appreciated. |
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