Thursday, November 29, 2012

Celebrating Debutantes: Author Alecia Stone (Interview + Giveaway)


Shout out to the last debut author of 2012 to feature this month...


Author Alecia Stone

"To all my wonderful readers, thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you
enjoyed it as much as I have. Thanks to those who have reached out to me and provided me
with encouraging words. I hope you continue the journey with Charlie and the gang. For
those who haven’t read the book, Talisman Of El is a story about a young boy trying to find
his place in the world and comes to the realisation that all is not what it seems. It’s about
acceptance, identity and the battle of good vs evil. If you love mythology and fantasy then
check it out. Just try not to read it at night. I’ve been told by a few people that they have
had vivid dreams about some of the events that take place inside the book. Okay, they said
nightmares. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."


- ALECIA STONE, debut author of 2012



How was the feeling of being a published author, at last?


I honestly can’t believe I’m a published author. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. Although I have

always dreamt of being an author, I didn’t set out to be one, so it’s overwhelming. It’s a great feeling knowing that people are reading my book. The reception has been amazing. As a debut author, I couldn’t ask for more.

What is/are the best thing/s that happened after your book was published?


I must say the reviews and comments I have received from the public have been very

encouraging. I’ve received numerous emails from readers telling me how much they have
enjoyed the book, which I greatly appreciate. Nothing is more important to an author than knowing that readers are enjoying your work.

What do you think you're up to now if you're not writing?


I majored in film and television at university, so I’m certain I would be involved in the world of media. I would like to think I’d have a feature film screenplay written by now. It’s still a dream of mine to work in film, and with so many ideas floating around inside my head, I may still fulfill my dream of writing that screenplay.


Did you plan, all along, to write/publish a book with the genre of what you got right now?


I didn’t even plan to write a book much less write in the young adult genre. I’ve always loved young adult books, so I’m fortunate to have Charlie’s story pop into my head when it did. Charlie is the main character in my book, by the way. I’m a huge fan of fantasy, paranormal and mythology, so I was more than happy to write a book that featured a blend of all my favourite genres.


Are you interested in writing with different genre or audience?


Never say never. I focus more on story as opposed to genre or audience, so if an idea pops

into my head that’s for the adult genre, and it’s something I’m eager to write, then I’ll write it.

Do you read reviews about your book?


I’m not really a person who reads book reviews, but I did read a number of the earlier

reviews as I was very excited to hear what people thought. I like to know how people
interpret the book. There have been some interesting reviews, I must say.

What is your (best/fun/unforgettable) moment with a fan?


I would have to say one of the best moments with a fan so far has been when a ten-year-

old reader sent me an email of her review of my book. She stated that my book was her new favourite book of all time, and I just couldn’t stop smiling. It’s great when the target audience responds well to your work.

Who is the character on your book who has the most response from your readers?

Well, the main character, Charlie, gets a lot of attention – for obvious reasons – but Alex and Ash also get a lot attention. It varies according to who the readers connect with.


Which stresses you more: writing/finishing your book, looking for a publisher/getting your book published, or seeing negative feedback from the readers?


Definitely writing/finishing my book. There are many routes to getting published these days and you can never satisfy everyone, so why stress about negative feedback. Deadlines are what cause me stress. You have to get the book done in a certain time while doing so many other things at the same time. It can feel a little overwhelming at times.


Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2012 that you loved?


I’ve probably read works by two debut authors this year but nothing that has really left

an impact on me. There are a few other debut authors I’m looking forward to reading but
haven’t got around to just yet. One I’m particularly looking forward to reading is Pushing
The Limits by Katie McGarry.

Author you dream to work with?


Interesting question. There are many authors who I am a fan of, but I’ve never thought about working with any of them. I usually work well in a team, but, if I’m honest, I work even better on my own. I will say this. If I had to choose an author to work with on a screenplay right now it would be Stephen Chbosky, author and screenwriter of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. The book was great, and the film did it justice.


Fave character from a book (not yours)?


My favourite character from a book has always and will always be Peter Pan. I would love to go on an adventure with him. It would be mind blowing with all the crazy antics he gets up to. And it would be great to fly.


(Sidenote: Definitely!)

Did you read your book (like, from first page to last)? If you did, what did you feel?


I did read my book from start to finish. I remember finishing the first draft and having to read through it all to see what it was I had. I was surprised. I didn’t know where the story came from, and I was surprised how much I liked it. What surprised me more than anything was how real the characters felt. Because I didn’t plan the story, I had no idea where it was going, so it was fun to write. The first time I read my own book I felt as if I had switched roles from writer to reader. I always seem to learn something new when I re-read the book. I’m very happy with how the story turned out.


What's your next project?


My next project, which I’m currently writing, is book two in the Talisman Of El trilogy.

Book one was an introduction to Charlie and his world whereas book two deals a lot
with how he copes with the drastic change in his life. There will be great focus on the
psychological state of the character. I can’t give too much away but there will be romance, death, heartache and tantrums – basically your average teenage lifestyle with a little blend of the supernatural.

Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.


Surprisingly, I haven’t had that many. Okay, so there was this one time I was standing at

a bus stop and just as a bus pulled up in front of me, something got into my eye, so I start
blinking and just as I looked up I caught the eye of this guy sitting upstairs in the bus who
must have assumed I was winking at him because he started winking at me. It was funny and embarrassing at the same time. I didn’t know where to look.

(Sidenote[?]: *laughs*)

What's the recent thing that made you cry?


Hmm ... The only time I seem to cry is when I’m watching a movie. I haven’t watched any

lately that has made me teary-eyed, but I watched My Sister’s Keeper last year and that made my eyes a little watery. It’s a moving story. I had read the book first, but I thought the movie was better.

When's your birthday?


I was born on September 28, 1983.


(Sidenote: We share the same birthday! :D)

Do you read/believe in horoscopes?


I don’t read horoscopes, and no, I don’t believe in them, but it’s nothing against astrologers. It’s just a personal preference.


Fave movie?


This is a hard one for a movie buff like myself. There are so many. I’m going to go with an

80’s classic and say The Breakfast Club. I love that movie.

Fave artist/song?


Another difficult one. I’m a fan of The Beatles. They have some amazing songs: All My

Loving, All You Need Is Love and Come Together, to name just a few. There’s also Michael
Jackson, and well ... Need I say more?

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?


I had a get together with the family and we all passed around a hardcopy format of the book. It was basically pass the parcel without the wrapping paper.


*****



ALECIA STONE has been in love with anything and everything paranormal for many years. She
graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time
before branching out into storytelling. When she isn't writing, she enjoys going to the movies,
listening to music, and travelling. Talisman Of El is her first novel. She currently lives in
England, UK.

Author website: http://www.aleciastone.com

Talisman Of El website: http://www.talismanofel.com
Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5227478.Alecia_Stone
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/AleciaStoneFan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alecia_Stone





Talisman of El
(Talisman of El #1)
by Alecia Stone

Summary (Goodreads):


WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.


Two Worlds.


Population: Human ... 7 billion.


Others ... unknown.


When 14-year-old Charlie Blake wakes up sweating and gasping for air in the middle of the night, he knows it is happening again. This time he witnesses a brutal murder. He's afraid to tell any one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.


Charlie doesn't know why this is happening. He would give any thing to have an ordinary life. The problem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home. He belongs with the others.


Photobucket


Trailer:





Buy Talisman of El now!

225x79 - Logo





GIVEAWAY!


(Please READ these important details before jumping to the Rafflecopter! :)
- win a paperback copy of Talisman of El!
- open INTERNATIONALLY!
- one winner will be picked via Rafflecopter entries.
- the winning entry will be CHECKED. So please be honest in entering each one of them--you never know, it might be the winning entry.
- if the winner has not responded within 48 hours, another winner will be picked.
- all personal details will be kept privately and deleted after.
- Alecia and I are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.
- ends December 14th

I'm so excited to read Talisman of El. I joined the tour organized by Kathy of I'm A Reader, Not A Writer--and I'm up for review! Not sure yet with the date of post yet, but it's gonna be between February 8th, 11th or 12th. :)

Thank you so much for droppin by and for the donation of your book for the giveaway, Alecia!

Here's the recap of my three weeks of Celebrating Debutantes:

Nov. 12 - Celebrating Debutantes 2012 (Intro post)
         13 - Author Jodi Meadows (Incarnate) -- giveaway: 1 day left!
         15 - Author Katie McGarry (Pushing The Limits) -- giveaway: 1 day left!
         19 - Author Sangu Mandanna (The Lost Girl)

         22 - Author Rebecca Serle (When You Were Mine)

         24 - Author Sarah Crossan (Breathe)
         26 - Author Rachel McClellan (Fractured Light)

         29 - Author Alecia Stone (Talisman of El)

Dec.  2 - Author Leah Bobet (Above)
         4 - Author Marissa Meyer (Cinder)
         6 - Author Gina Rosati (Auracle)
         8 - Author Emily White (Elementals)
         11 - Author Hilary Graham (Reunited)
         13 - Author Jessica Khoury (Origin)
         15 - Elizabeth Richards (Black City)
              - More to unlock!


Stay tuned, because in December, there will be more debut author interviews and giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway








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