Wife, Mommy, Urban Fantasy Author, Artist, Actress, Director... I'm only as old as I feel and I try to see the good in everyone. I take life one day at a time and focus only on the moment I'm in without fear or worry about the past or the future.
As a YA Author of novels that contain vampires, shape-shifters, witches, fairies (not the Tinkerbell type), and so many other un-natural beings I have often been asked the following questions:
‘What is the difference between supernatural, paranormal, and preternatural?’ and ‘Which of these categories do you write in?’
Well the simple answer is this: They are pretty much interchangeable! OR ARE THEY?
Below are the “official” definitions – followed by some examples of character types I, as an author, would put into each category.
So, what are your thoughts? Comment below and tell me what you think the differences are and what types of un–natural beings fall into each of the categories!
I was so excited when I read this review for my latest book SECTOR C ~ The Chosen. I just couldn’t help but re-blogging it! I hope you enjoy it and that it makes you smile as much as it did me… or that it makes you rush to http://amzn.com/0985885335 to get your copy today!
This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nina Soden starts off on a brand new series and I think, out of the gate, it’s brilliant. I was asked to help look over her final rough draft and offer a review. In spirited fashion, I will hit all the usual points I make when rating an ARC, minus the grammar Nazi in me pointing anything critical out.
Sector C is a futuristic, supernatural take on what the world might be like if there were societies where you were brought up, trained and tested to fall into the category of vampire, lycanthrope, breeder, donor or castaway. The story follows the lead Heroine, A (because they are assigned alpha-numerics as names until they are worthy to choose their own name)…
OK, so I got this idea from another authors blog and thought – WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
I’ve decided to start a little geography project with my kids and I could really use your help. Using a world map, my kids and I, are going to attempt to map out where my readers are. This will include blog followers as well as all you amazing people who have purchased a copy of one or more of my books. So, that means I need to know where you are!
How are we going to do this?
WITH YOUR HELP
As well as a bit of color coding (one color for blog readers, one color for book readers, and one color for those of you that do both)! Or maybe for the book readers I’ll have one color for each book… yeah, I don’t have it all figured out yet – its still a plan in progress.
In the comments section below this blog, please tell me if you follow my blog and/or have read one of my books or added it to your “to read” list. Then let me know where you live (City/State/Country – Or however much you are comfortable giving).
Want to have even more fun? If you are a book reader please post a photo of yourself holding a copy of my book (paperback or eBook) so the cover is showing in the photo! You can post it in the comments below, on twittertagging me @Nina_Soden, or on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/BloodAngelSeries(Facebook search: Nina Soden – Author)
I’d like to know just where my readers are and how far my reach has gone. This is my attempt to find out from all of you, while my numbers are still small. I appreciate your help on this project as do my lovely children!
So, as an author, one of your greatest tools is your media kit.
At least that is what I have been told. A media kit is a marketing tool used to sell not only your book(s) but yourself – as an author. Remember – You are not gearing your media kit to readers, your media kit is designed to attract potential agents, publishers, book retailers and interviewers (bloggers, radio, magazine, newspaper, etc.). I have read many – MANY – articles about what an author should include in a media kit. Everything from author head-shots with bios to full-length copies of your printed books. I have weeded through all the information I have found and have settled on the following list of items I plan to include in my media kit.
….Drum Roll Please….
Nope… wait a second. I’d like an opinion first. I had thought about doing two media kids. Why? I’m not really sure. Actually, I am but I’m not sure if my reasoning is sound. I was thinking that because I have written more than one book – and of those books there are two different series – I should have two media kits. In order to sell myself properly, I thought that maybe there was a need to have a media kit specifically designed for each of my book series (the Blood Angel Series and the SECTOR C Series). I have decided to move forward with just one media kit for now, but if you are an author, with media kit experience, please chime in and tell me if you think the right move is one comprehensive media kit or two series media kits.
OK – Now I’m Read
….Drum Roll Please…
Below I list what I plan to include in my media kit… No, it is not complete yet, but it is on my ‘TO DO LIST’! Lets call it a goal for the coming months. (preferably by the end of 2nd Quarter 2015)
Nina Soden, Author Media Kit
Author Information Sheet – with photo, bio, contact information, and social media site information
Blood Angel Series – Information Sheets/Press Release Information
Awaken (book 1) One Sheet and Treatment
Beginnings (book 2) One Sheet and Treatment
Revenge (book 3) One Sheet and Treatment
SECTOR C Series – Information Sheets
The Chosen (book 1) One Sheet and Treatment
The Hunted (book 2) One Sheet and Treatment (to be included after the book is completed and in the editing phase)
Copies of Reviews of each book (not sure how many to include just yet or how long this should be)
Bookmarks and Postcards with my book covers
Q&A about myself and both of my series (this can be used for bloggers to assist in writing articles or for those wishing to conduct interviews)
Color copies of each of the book covers
Target Market Information (who my readers are!)
So, what do you put in your author media kit? I’d love to know, please share in the comments section below.
Set in a futuristic Dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively Utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the sector, all in the name of safety.
When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?
Suspenseful, intense, passionate, and awash in paranormal delights, SECTOR C ~ THE CHOSEN captures the enchantment and mysteries of the supernatural world and the power of friendship.
OK, this post is short – but very VERY important, and I do hope that you re-post it and share it with all of your friends.
One of the most important things for an indie-author is friends and followers – READERS. With that in mind I’m reaching out to you, my amazing blog followers, and asking that you follow me here and everywhere (see links below) and that you share this post. Tell your friends, bribe your families, and blackmail your enemies into following me too!
This is where I talk about my books, upcoming projects, host author interviews, and sometimes just go really REALLY off topic and ramble about random stuff.
I tend to go through spurts where I read constantly – in the carpool line, making dinner, at karate, at dance, etc… Then I go through spurts where I don’t crack the spine of a book for months. Right now I am smack dab in the middle of three books, well, one play and two books. Basically, I am at the beginning of a regular reading marathon… at least for me.
Every year I set a reading goal for myself… In the past it has always been 12 books! Yeah, I know – that isn’t that many, but come on… I have a full-time job and two kids that do dance, karate, t-ball, cheer leading camp, etc. etc. etc. So, for me to find time to read even just one book a month is often hard. So, I have always set my goal low… one book a month… and hoped that I actually exceed it. In 2013 I exceeded my goal of 12 books by 5 and read a total of 17 books… I WAS EXCITED! In 2014 I raised my goal, just a little, to 20 books and I managed to read 26! Yeah, last year was a big reading year for me. This year 2015… I have decided to increase my goal again – I plan to read 30 books! It is already February 27th and I have only finished 4 books… I’m a bit behind and not getting off to a great start, but I have time. Right?
A Time To Live (by Jonas Lee) – This is the second book in his series, the first was A Time To Reap which I finished last year. Time Travel – Science Fiction – FUN-FUN-FUN!
Redeemed (by P.C. Cast) – This is the FINAL book in the House of Night series – Vampires, Goddesses, and possessed minions… OK!
So… the whole point of my post, which I never really got to is this… Books are a wonderful escape into a world you never knew existed. They are a vacation for your mind and cost only pennies compared to what most people spend on actual vacations. So, take a stay-cation… grab a good book… and let it take you to places you’ve never been.
As you all know, I invite authors of all genres to visit my website and submit interviews. Today, I would like to welcome Christian author Jimi Akanbi to my blog today to share a little about his process and his books.
What is your name and where do you call home?
Jimi Akanbi, my home is Atlanta, Georgia.
Do you have a pen name?
No
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
Almost Lost Hope: From Struggles to Triumph, the naked truth about my life.
Is the above book part of a series?
No
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I write as I am inspired by God. I have been writing for 2 years.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?
A professional designer from Croatia.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?
Yes, gospel songs.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
I relied on God.
Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?
No
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?
books and paperbacks
Are you a self-published/Indie author?
Self-published
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?
Higher royalties, more control and own rights to my books.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Yes, “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer
What is your opinion of novellas?
As long as they are quality books, then they are great.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Yes
What is your favorite film based on a book?
Heaven is For Real
What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Christian Living
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Your Best Life Now, it was recommended.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
Become a Better You, Paperback
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Tyler Perry, Joel Osteen, Max Lucado and Bishop Jakes. They really inspire me.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
Believe in your work.
Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
In “Taking Your Life to the Next Level”,Jimi offers unique insights that will help readers live a fulfilled life on a daily basis.In order to live the God-kind of life, you must possess divine wisdom and other Christian attitudes which will lead you to make wise decisions in life. This book will inspire and motivate you to live with more faith, divine love, discipline, peace, hope, and joy.Jimi reveals seven simple yet crucial principles that, when understood, will help you become all that God has formed youto be. The author uses down-to-earth analogies which help you to easily understand his messages and supports them with Biblical Scriptures. The text contains personal testimonies that will inspire and uplift you.In “Taking Your Life to the Next Level”, Jimi addresses topics such as depending on God and not on men, healthy eating, opening your spiritual eyes, the power of unconditional love, securing your God-given destiny, and the benefits of always thanking God for the good and bad times.As you practice Jimi’s easy-to-understand principles, you will be amazed at how colorful and stress-free your life will become.
In Understanding the Benefits of Mankind, Jimi Akanbi discusses seven crucial principles from God’s perspective: money, marriage, time, sex, power, materials and life.
These seven principles given to man by God can become curses if misapplied. Jimi shows you how to align your ways with God by following these seven principles.
Life can be a battle, millions of people around the world struggle on a daily basis, but with the help of this book, people who are struggling can see the light at the end of the tunnel. By reading this book, people who have problems in their life will learn how to turn the negative problems into positive solutions.
In Almost Lost Hope, the author “Jimi” relays a collection of true-life accounts which makes him the person he is today.
Jimi also gives an account of his success as the fastest runner of all time in his high school and state. He writes about his unusual and intriguing dating and love life.
The story includes how he constantly skipped class lectures in high school and still graduated top of his class. Also, due to a medical condition in college, went from receiving “A’s” to getting “F’s”, yet ultimately becoming a great “A” student. He shares what he went through when he did not see his little son for almost four years.
Jimi discusses how he was so afraid of public speaking and reading, but one day overcame it through a Divine act. The author gives a report about the unorthodox way he was inspired to start writing on a professional level.
To visit Jimi’s Amazon Author page or to read about more of his books click here!
Recently I agreed to do a recorded interview for the blog of another Indie-Author, Jonas Lee, and he was kind enough to share the video he put together with me. I have included the questions and answers below the video, just in case I talk to fast or you miss something.
Please tell us a little about yourself. Who is Nina Soden?
I love answering this question. I will give you two answers and you, the reader, can decide which you like best… but they are both me!
My typical “author bio” answer… I have always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing – you don’t want to hear that! I earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from EMU where I spent most of my time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college I moved to Los Angeles, like so many other want-to-be actors, in pursuit of my dreams. I worked to by the bills… but my love was acting and I was actually somewhat successful, mostly in commercials and independent films and I had a great time doing it. I have done everything from secretarial work to business development to being the Director of a private preschool. I have fired a M16 machine gun, jumped out of a C130 aircraft, and given birth – TWICE! Though I’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, I now live in the South with my husband and two beautiful children. If I’m not working on my latest story, you can find me lounging with a good book, playing with my kids, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.
Or the not so pretty reality… I am a mom (my favorite title in the whole wide world), a wife, a daughter, and a sister! Family is the most important thing in the world to me. I am also a struggling artist, paying the bills through a typical 9-5 job while squeezing my art (writing, acting, directing) into what little free time I do have.
What kinds of books do you write?
I write young adult (YA) supernatural fiction – Vampires, Shape shifters, and Witches, oh my!
You can click on the cover image below to be taken to the Amazon.com page for each of the books in the Blood Angel Series, or to be taken to my blog post for my soon to be released novel SECTOR C ~ The Chosen
Which one is your favorite and why?
That’s a hard question to answer. My first book, maybe, because it was my first. I think, as a new author, that my first book will always hold a special place in my heart because there can only ever be one first. Awaken was that book for me. It showed me that becoming a published author was no longer just a dream but a reality.
If you are asking based on story – Well, I love the action in Beginning and Revenge (books 2 and 3 of the Blood Angel Series). However, my latest book (SECTOR C – The Chosen: soon to be released) is probably my favorite story line so far.
If you saw yourself as a character in your novels, which one is most like you? Which one would you most like to be?
When I wrote my first three books I pulled characteristics, for some of my characters, from people I know. Alee (aka Aleerah), my lead, is probably the character I wish I was most like. She has a survivor’s strength – she doesn’t give up just because things are hard. That is something my parents both taught me growing up. That is a lesson I have tried to teach my children. So, in that aspect I think I am most like Alee.
Can you share anything about your next work in progress?
Of course. I am actually very excited about my next book. It is part of a new young adult (YA) supernatural series called SECTOR C.
Set in a futuristic dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the Sector, all in the name of safety.
When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?
Suspenseful, intense, passionate, and awash in paranormal delights, Sector C captures the enchantment and mysteries of the supernatural world and the power of friendship.
If you could pick the main actor/actress to play your characters on film, do you know who you would pick?
I will answer this question in terms of my newest novel. When I wrote The Blood Angel Series books (Awaken, Beginnings, and Revenge) I had character profiles in mind – what they looked like, their characteristics, etc. but I hadn’t actually selected actors/actresses that I envisioned to play the characters. With SECTOR C – The Chosen I actually have written the manuscript with specific actors in mind to play many of the roles. Granted, authors don’t typically get to select the actors to play their parts… nor am I saying this book will ever be turned into a movie (Fingers crossed that it will). I am just throwing out there that these are the people I envision when I am typing…
SECTOR C – The Chosen (Wish List Cast of Characters):
Do you believe supernatural creatures exist in real life?
If we are talking about vampires, shape shifters, and witches—then no. I believe that there are cultures of people that call themselves “vampires” but, no I don’t believe they survive on blood alone. Other than that… no. I believe supernatural creatures are fiction, but a wonderful fiction they are. I grew up watching the movies and reading the books, and have loved all things supernatural for years.
If we are talking about ghosts – yes, I do believe there are spirits that exist around us.
What do you like to do in your spare time, when you have it?
Spend time with my family. Movies with the kids, board games, building lego’s with my son, and if we have lots of time… vacation!
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie?
BOTH! The writer in me says read and the actress in me says watch the movie. Honestly, I love to do both. If I read a book and love it – I will watch the movie. If I watch a movie and either love it or see that there was potential in the story I will read the book. Like many people, often time, I find that books are better than movies. That isn’t to say that movies aren’t great – it’s just that books allow for more detailed descriptions and they allow the reader to create a picture in their head. Movies require you to see things the way the director sees them. Therefore, when I see a movie that is either really good or just has the potential to be – I will read the book and find out what the author wanted me to see.
If you could meet one famous person alive still today, who would you choose and why?
There are so many, but if I have to pick just one… Stephen King. He is one of the first authors that really made me love reading. I have fallen in love with so many of his books and read them multiple times. The way he creates characters and plot twists is magical.
Lightning Round:
Coke or Pepsi – Coke
Zombie Apocalypse or Alien Invasion – Zombie Apocalypse
Scooby Doo or Scrappy Doo – Scooby Doo
Beach or Mountains – Beach
MP3 or Records – MP3
Video Games or Board Games – Board Games
Facebook or Twitter – Facebook
Twilight or Vampire Diaries – Twilight to read but Vampire Diaries to watch
Christmas or Halloween – Thanksgiving
Pop Tarts or Toaster Strudel – Strawberry Pop Tarts without frosting and not toasted
Please share your links to purchase and social links to contact you.
Set in a futuristic Dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively Utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the sector, all in the name of safety.
When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?
Suspenseful, intense, passionate, and awash in paranormal delights, SECTOR C ~ THE CHOSEN captures the enchantment and mysteries of the supernatural world and the power of friendship.
Nina Soden 