Which is your favorite?
Zaria Fierce
Blog Tour Stop: Interview with Eoghan Kerrigan, Part 3
Join me at Brooke’s Blog for another interview segment with Eoghan Kerrigan, the illustrator behind the Zaria Fierce Books. We’ll be talking about the artwork from the second book. There’s also a great giveaway opportunity!
Blog Tour Stop: Michele Carpenter Interview for Book Two, Part 2
Michele Carpenter and I are over at Renee’s Mother Daughter and Son Book Reviews talking about the differences between starting the narration work on a new series and the challenges of continuing a book series. I hope you’ll join us!
Blog Tour Stop: The Giants of Zaria Fierce
Good morning everybody! I’m over at Natalie’s blog, Book Lover’s Life, talking about the giants we meet in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. I even share how to dress up like one if you’re so inclined. See you there!
I’m so very excited to share with you, Natalie’s review of Zaria’s first adventures via audio book. Here’s a sneak peek:
Plot wise, it was really fast paced and interesting. I loved the lore behind the world and the author really brought the land to life through her vivid descriptions. I had no problem visualising the place and creatures. I also loved the sheer variety of fantastical creatures that are featured. We have a bit of everything!
Michele Carpenter Reads Live from Zaria Fierce
Want to watch Zaria’s narrator in action? Take a look! Michele Carpenter went to Bobby Ray Elementary and performed a reading from Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword. How cool is that? I loved watching it and you will, too.
Conquering Stage Fright at an Open Mic
As my name was closer to being called, butterflies erupted in my tummy, dancing and fluttering and twisting round and round. Why was I nervous? I’d read my book in front of strangers before, hadn’t I? What makes this any different?
The difference I believe is the situation. At a book reading, the audience had come to listen to me specifically. They wanted to learn more about me and my work. At this semi-informal stand-up mic event held in a friend-of-a-friend’s home it was different. I really only knew three people there and the event was a gathering of other friends sharing their poetry and songs. Would they really want to hear me, an interloper on the scene?
Then my name was called. I got up. I brought my book to the front. I said hello. I introduced the book and I started reading. I was reading aloud a scene I hadn’t practiced having realized in the middle of the event that my fifteen minute selection was too long for the program. So here I was, sitting on a chair, in front of a mic, holding a flashlight over my book and reading.
Luckily for me it was a scene I’d heard many times over as this was the scene I’d given as an audition piece for prospective narrators. I knew what I needed to do when – laugh, pant, shout. My shaking hands steadied, my heart rate returned to normal, and the story flowed. My friend recorded me at this event, and although I look a bit like a floating head that would fit right in at Hogwarts, I assure you I was fully present.
Lessons I Learned:
- Nerves come from thinking you’re unprepared. When you realize that the words you’re sharing are your own and that you do know them, everything falls into place as easily as breathing.
- Strangers are patient and interested. There’s no need to be nervous, because whether they’re at your book reading or open mic event, everyone is there to hear something they hadn’t heard before.
- These strangers are also amazingly talented and you’ll hear things you hadn’t before, too! There were singers, poets, and even another author at the event. Mingle and talk to everyone and you’ll make new friends and have a good time.
Overall, it was exhilarating and it was fun. I look forward to the next coffee house and poetry night where I may find myself.
