Dream Cast and Blog Tour for Waking Up Dead!

The Book!

When Dallas resident Callie Taylor died young, she expected to go to Heaven, or maybe Hell. Instead, she met her fate early thanks to a creep with a knife and a mommy complex. Now she's witnessed another murder, and she's not about to let this one go. She's determined to help solve it before an innocent man goes to prison. And to answer the biggest question of all: why the hell did she wake up in Alabama?

 Excerpt

As Molly straightened up, the man slipped the wire over her head and twisted it around her neck. She struggled, but he pulled the garrote tighter and tighter.

I was screaming at the top of my ghostly voice, for all the good it did me. I moved up behind the man and beat at his back with closed fists--fists that slipped in and out of his back without ever making real contact. He shuddered a little--clearly he was one of the very slightly sensitive ones--but he didn’t loosen his hands.

I reached up and tried to grab the wire, tried to pull against the pressure he was exerting on the wire and it did loosen for an instant. But only for an instant. The living have more control over solid objects than the dead do. I never resented that fact more than at that moment.

But I kept trying. I kept trying as Molly’s face turned purple, then blue, then black, kept trying even as she drooped in the man’s grip.

Then he loosened the wire and it was too late. I watched that wispy, light-on-fog life force slip out of Molly and move on to wherever it is that other people go when they die. I was glad she didn’t show up next to me as a full-blown ghost. At that moment, I wouldn’t have wished my impotent half-existence on anyone.

I couldn’t help thinking that if I’d been alive, I might have been able to save her.

If I could have cried real tears, I would have. As it was, I was sobbing hoarsely and calling the man every dirty name I could think of.

I was still cursing as I followed him around the kitchen. First he opened the pantry and pulled out a box of Hefty garbage bags. Then he grabbed a knife out of the block on the counter. And finally, he picked up Molly’s body and carried it to the bathroom.

Author’s Bio: Margo Bond Collins lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters. Waking Up Dead is her first published novel. Her second novel, Legally Undead, is an urban fantasy, forthcoming in 2014 from World Weaver Press.

Links

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins

Facebook Novel Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waking-Up-Dead/502076076537575

Tumblr: http://vampirarchybooks.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/

Be sure to add Waking Up Dead to your Goodreads bookshelves: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18428064-waking-up-dead

Book Trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j_TmvpxxBw

http://youtu.be/KUBg83s4BOU

Waking Up Dead Dream Cast

 

Callie: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence has the perfect girl-next-door vibe, and if you’ve seen the clip of her joking with Jack Nicholson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJmhsJ5T5L0), it’s clear that she can also do funny and snarky, which is an absolute necessity for any actress who plays Callie!

 

Ashara: Kat Graham

I just love Kat Graham. I love it that she’s beautiful and smart (she speaks something like five languages!). Ashara has to be strong and kind, too, and having seen Graham’s work in Vampire Diaries, I think she would make the perfect Ashara.

 

Maw-Maw: Ruby Dee

There was never any question about my dream actress to play Maw-Maw. The first time I saw Maw-Maw in my mind, she had Ruby Dee’s face (and my grandmother’s way of moving and my great-grandmother’s voice!). Maw-Maw is canny and wise and smarter than anyone gives her credit for being.

 

Stephen: Chris Hemsworth

Because who wouldn’t want Chris Hemsworth in a movie?! Seriously—Hemsworth’s blond good looks will suit Stephen nicely. Also, he can do quiet and strong nicely; Stephen often takes a supportive role, keeping Callie, Ashara, and Maw-Maw safe and working to help all of them as they solve the mystery surrounding Molly’s death.

 

Clifford Howard: Billy Burke

The villain needs to be creepy! Burke isn’t ugly like Howard is in the book, but he can do an amazing sneer. I think he could play up the psychopathic elements of the book’s villain.

 

Molly McClatchey: Jessica Alba

Although Molly has only a small appearance in the book, as the victim, it’s an important one. I think Jessica Alba would be perfect for this role—her dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin are important to the plot, and Alba’s sweet demeanor would play nicely, too!

 

Rick McClatchey: Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki does emotionally distraught so perfectly that he would be a great candidate for the role of Rick McClatchey, a man wrongly accused of killing his beloved wife.

 

 

Mamaw's Cactus

It's funny how we put such significance on little things. We expect them to live up to these monumental roles we have given them, and when they don't measure up, we are angry. 

My Granddaddy's Lily
My Mamaw's Rose
My Mamaw's Cactus

Kept by me after their deaths not too long ago. It helps me and I feel like they are a part of me, and with me. I know it's silly to hold such stock in material things. I don't get to keep a lot, our house is almost museum quality clean. I do get to keep these things though.

Mamaw's Cactus is dying, and a picture fell over and crushed the rose I took from her casket. My uncle passed away right after and I didn't take a rose, just a picture. The rose rode around in my car for a couple of months, until I had my car cleaned, and then it came in. 

The succulent survived for a year. My Mamaw had the greenest thumb out of anyone. She had kept the succulents, the roses, and all the flowers alive for years.

As it wilts, it's petals turn mushy and wet falling off sadly in the little planter, I can't help but feel sad. The rose crushed, the cactus dying, but she lives on in my heart. I have some of her jewelry  and a Cameo to remind me of her. I water Granddaddy's lily everyday and it seems to appreciate that. 

You see what I mean. We put a lot of pressure on little things, at least I do, and expect them to live up to our expectations, only to be mad when they don't.

I know I am the World's Worst Blogger

I know that I really don't do the best job when it comes to keeping up with my blogs {that's a big plural} There are some things I have been doing in the promo world that I would like to share with you.

LIBBOO'
The jury is still out on Libboo - Zombified is being buzzed, but I haven't really seen an improvement in my sales. I appreciate being invited to participate in the paid program, but I feel like I am not really benefiting that much from it.

AUTHOR BLOG HOP!

This is an amazing way to get followers and fans. Amber at Lady Amber Tours {who you should go and like now because she is amazing} is putting it on.
Here is my link and I am giving away some fun stuff, but so is everyone else!!!

http://www.selfpublishordie.com/2013/07/03/authors-blog-hop/

This and That

For those of you who like reading about what I have been doing on the marketing front, I apologize for being MIA. I was finishing edits on one book, and completing the writing on another.

I have joined a couple of new opportunities I wanted to share. The first is the now free http://www.webook.com. I am being honest, I don't know how it works. There is a Page-to-Fame section where you post your first page and others can rate it. I have one rating on the first page of Julie's Ascent and I rated another writer's story. I am 1 for 1 right now. I gave a four, received a four, and had a friend request.

There is another section Agent-In-A-Box which allows you to query agents within the program. Having recently started querying agents which is a whole other stress attack, I am not comfortable doing it this way even though they say it's fine. It feels impersonal, but that could just be my thoughts on the matter.

The WEbook site is supposed to get you noticed by agents and readers by getting ratings, and eventually if you are good enough your book is elevated. So we will see how that goes, but it might be fun to check out if you are looking for some opportunities to share your work.

I also signed up for the Writer's Market. There is a lot of good information on there for writing queries, and things agents are and are not looking for. You can also search for agents in your genre and see what they are looking for. It's a little over five dollars for a month, or you can pay for six months off the bat.

http://www.writersmarket.com/ There is also the site - http://www.writersdigest.com/ which gives you a lot of valuable information about writing and agents.

Another great site that I discovered when I first started writing for people to read and rate your work is http://www.fanstory.com/ There are lots of people who will tell you what is good, and what isn't. Mind you, no one is an expert but it helps to get feedback for your stories.

Myself and several other amazing authors have started a blog that will kick off on June 1st and each author will have a day to tell you about writing, and all the fun stuff that goes along with it.
Here's the link for when it's live!! http://thenotsofamousauthorsblog.blogspot.com/





This was just a catch up on some sites I have tried lately. My Goodreads campaign went well it is over now, but 81 people have added Long Road Full Speed Ahead to their TBR which is cool for only 20 books and literally thousands of views.



Long Road is coming back with a vengeance and a new cover on June 19th. It will be free that day!!! Can't wait.



Take care writers and readers,
Emily

Inspiration from Jean Booth!

Today's Inspiration comes from Jean Booth a talented fellow zombie and paranormal writer, let's see what she has to say....

Writer's Inspiration - working with your muse

I've recently been getting quite a few questions about writers block from some of my author friends. If you haven't experienced this wonderful phenomenon, just wait. It'll happen.

For those of you who may not know, I write a Paranormal Romance series (Choice,Changed, Created, Consumed) and a Zombie series (The Beginning, Little Apocalypse on the Prairie), sometimes concurrently. Some people are flabbergasted that I can switch between the two completely different writing styles and topics so easily, sometimes even in one day. My answer: My muse has ADHD.
My muse isn't content in just one genre. She likes to flip flop and flit all over the place. Once I say I won't write about a subject, she comes up with this brilliant idea and tries to prove me wrong. My challenge: Keeping her focused.

"How do I do this and deal with writer's block?" you ask.

My answer is simple and complicated. I personally work best with deadlines. Most of the time I manage to reach them, other times, life gets in the way and I have to push my deadline back a bit. My muse kinda hates this. If she had her way, we'd start a hundred projects and never finish any of them, but she'd be happy with the results anyway. When I have my deadline settled, I try not to read anything during the writing process. Instead, I watch movies pertaining to the subject matter, doodle outlines, walk, drive listening to the music that fits the particular scene I'm writing, and then I write. I've found I write better when I hand-write things and then type them into the computer. When I stick with the genre I'm trying to write about, flood my mind and my senses with the differing ideas, I find my muse becomes almost over stimulated and focused. Words and ideas fly through my head faster than my fingers can type.

We work hard, for long periods of time, exhausting both her mental reserves and my physical strength. Once we're done with a subject, sometimes she's ready to move on to something else, sometimes she's just done.

My point to this post is to learn and get to know your muse on a personal level. How does it work with you? What are its breaking points? How do you nurture and reward your muse?

I overcome writers block by giving my muse the rest she deserves. During these times, we read for fun, we simply enjoy the music, not look for the inspiration it provides, and we simply enjoy the pleasure of each other's company, in a restful, quiet way.

I know I sound schizophrenic. Believe me, I know. I've had a difficult time trying to find a way to describe my muse as anything other than another entity inside of me, but that's how she feels to me. She's part of me, but not entirely me. She's that little voice inside of me, inspiring me, encouraging me, and allowing me to entertain the childish fantasies that have inspired my writing.

My challenge for you today: Find a way to show your muse you appreciate it. Let it relax, recharge and just simply be content to live inside your psyche. You'll be amazed at how it rewards you.

Thank you for popping by Jean!!

Emily

Marketing Update

Some of my marketing efforts have gotten some attention for my book and my blogs.

Lowering the price of Long Road Full Speed Ahead to $1.99 to celebrate the release of Zombified sold one copy. That wasn't really enough to get excited about. I am excited about it though, because I gained a new reader.

I am getting more into using LinkedIn to connect with others and post blog updates and news. Here is my profile. I have been re-vamping all of my profiles from Twitter to and other social media network so that they are uniform and all have the information people need to find and contact me.

Traffic Adbar has been a site I have used on occasion to bring viewers to my blog. It really doesn't do much but let people see it. I have it attached to my Long Road page in the hopes that some people who see it will purchase the book.


I signed up and put myself in the author's database here - http://authorsdb.com/ and I am waiting for confirmation that they accepted my listing. Oh they just did!! - http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1852-emily-walker I am going to write some press releases today and send them out to different journalists. I also plan on putting the prologue and first chapter on Wattpad to give some new readers a little taste. 
I have to go to work now that the snow has kind of melted. Thanks for reading, and I will keep you updated.

Emily

You Only Have You

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. Wayne Dyer

Recent events have brought me to the following conclusion, you only have yourself to blame if you aren't getting out there. I now know that if I want to sell my book and want to make things happen for me then I can depend on myself to get it out there.

Originally this blog was simply for inspiration, but I want to document my journey. I think this is a good place to start. I will follow my progress with Long Road Full Speed Ahead. My self-publishing journey has just begun. I am going back to the tactics that led to writing my SEO marketing book. I know how to get exposure and I know how to do it without spamming or annoying others. I will share what works and what doesn't with you for free, because I think it is important to share the resources we find with one another.

I have one book coming out with GMTA in March, Zombified so I will document how that will be going as well on my Lyra Mcken site. Sometimes the two blogs might cross paths as I deal with being a self-published and traditionally published author. I will also be querying and submitting to different publishing houses so that will be another side of the information that will be on this blog. I am also working two jobs and going to Grad school. Needless to say I have a full plate, so if I can do this, anyone can!! How's that for inspiring?

The first steps I have taken to getting Long Road Full Speed Ahead out there are to give away tons of review copies, and guest post on some lovely blogs. I plan to give away more and I plan on finding more Book Blogs to go on in the near future, as well as review sites. I also have created a web page specifically for Long Road and it will soon have the Prologue and the first chapter available for anyone who would like to read it.

I will also be researching a few new places to advertise for free, as well as using some that I already use. When I create my next post about my journey I will have a lot of information for those of you looking for affordable promotion.

You are going to get the good, the bad, and the ugly. The days I am pulling my hair out to write one sentence, to that dreaded bad review. I also cleaned up my websites today and added a calendar so there is some random information you didn’t need! In the meantime, you will get another post that is simply to stimulate your mind or give you a push.

Thank you for signing on to follow my journey. It should be a wild ride!!

 Emily

Stop Saying I Can't

As a writer I find myself trying to pump myself up about my writing. I would like to say that the words I can't never enter my mind, but it isn't true. I can't write that right now, I can't work on this; I can't get past this chapter. I am always saying I can't and that has to stop. You should try not to say I can't no matter what you are doing because it takes away your motivation, your power, and your desire to do things. 

When you say I can't, have you even tried yet? You should think about the real reason behind it. If you say, I can't write the next chapter, look at the reasons you can't. If it is because it's 'too hard' then you should reevaluate your definition of hard. Try replacing every, I can't, with I choose to. You will see that you are making a choice not to do something. Turning I can't into I can is not impossible. You never know until you try.

Erase I can't from your vocabulary and just try. If you say I can't write this chapter then think about it and jot down notes. Think of possible scenarios that could happen in the chapter. Once you get your mind out of thinking something is impossible then you will be able to accomplish it.

“To succeed, we must first believe that we can.”
- Michael Korda

References
Pick the Brain
Prolific Living