Taking a Break for a Cover Reveal

Hey guys! I'm back from vacation, feeling a little less stressed and more relaxed. That week was definitely needed. Now, I get to start the week off with an awesome cover reveal!

Why is it awesome? Besides the fact that my short story is in this fantastic anthology, the cover is beautiful...in a really creepy way.

Wanna see? Ok. Here we go.

May I present the cover for the DARK CARNIVAL ANTHOLOGY (cover created by C. Elizabeth Vescio)....

Cover Reveal

The Dark Carnival

A Pen & Muse Anthology

October approaches. Autumn leaves are nearly falling. The Dark Carnival is calling, calling. Will you answer its call? Will you heed the beckon?

The doors are opening.

Will you leave with your life?

Blurb: In this anthology, several authors and illustrators explore the dark and hidden dangers that lie within a carnival that has come to town. But it is no ordinary carnival. It's The Dark Carnival.

And when The Dark Carnival comes to town, there's no promise that anyone can leave...alive.

Edited by: Jolene Haley, Kristen Jett, and Jessi Shakarian

Contributors include: Kat Daemon, Kristen Strassel, Julie Hutchings, C. Elizabeth Vescio, Mark Matthews, Brian W. Taylor, Kim Culpepper, Eli Constant, Mari Wells, J. Elizabeth Hill, Nicole R. Taylor, Ashly Nagrant, Kristin Hanson, Calyn Morgan, Tawney Bland, Roselle Kaes, Ken Mooney, Emily McKeon, Bobby Salomons, Ezekiel Conrad, Sheila Hall, Michelle Davis, Lucas Hargis, Vanessa Henderson, Ryan Bartlett, Debra Kristi, Jessi Esparza, T.A. Brock, Ruth Shedwick, Brian LeTendre, Amy Trueblood, Gregory Carrico, Jamie Corrigan, Kate Michael, Tyle Anne Snell, Alicia Audrey, Meghan Schuler, Jamie Adams, Wulf Francu Godgluck, J.C. Michael, Suzy G., Kristin Rivers, and Claire C. Riley.
*Final lineup subject to change

*************

Add it to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20495362-the-dark-carnival

Want to show The Dark Carnival even more Goodreads love?

Add it to your shelves - horror, anthologies, and thriller are good places to start.

Did you say you have more love? Pin the shiny new cover to Pinterest, send out some tweets, and scribe it into Facebook. You never know - show The Dark Carnival enough love, and it might just let you leave.

Cover Design by the fabulous C. Elizabeth Vescio. Learn more about her and her incredible design skills here.

About Pen & Muse Press

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I Think It's Time for a Contest

Just a quick post today.

I just discovered I can see whose referrals through social media sites and websites are responsible for donations on Indiegogo. I think this means we should have a contest. What do you guys all think?

Here's the deal: Campaign ends on October 30th. Whoever is responsible for the most donations through referrals will win a signed copy of WHAT THE TOWN KNEW in their choice of format PLUS swag.

Already donated? You can still win. If your donation was below the book tier, you'll get your choice of book (as above.) If you were already receiving a copy of the book, you'll be bumped up to the next gift tier.

Remember, Sunday ends the Early Bird Special, which the winner will also receive. $20 or more gets you a special tote and key chain along with you tier gifts.

So, spread the word. And Good Luck!

Need the link again? Here you go! Help Publish WHAT THE TOWN KNEW.

Guess What Today Is!

So, today's kind of a big day. Since you don't know, I'll go ahead and tell you.

I don't think I need to tell you all what I really want for my birthday (aside from a Loot Crate and a pile of books.)

Reaching $300 on my Indiegogo by the end of the day would be fantastic. We're almost halfway to that number. And --- you get gifts, too! If you pledge $20 or more before Friday, you get a tote and key chain with WHAT THE TOWN KNEW artwork, along with other gifts.

No amount is too small. Even if everyone pledged only $5 my total goal would be met and then some.

Please help get the word out. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell someone. Helping get this book out there means so much to me.

Help Lizzie, Take 2

I told you all last week that I had a back-up plan for funding WHAT THE TOWN KNEW. The new campaign is live over at Indiegogo.

A few quick differences:

1. Lower goal amount. While my old goal would be ideal, reaching this goal means a lot less out-of-pocket expenses for me, which means a less stressed Emily between now and next spring.

2. New publication date. Since I failed to make the last goal, I had to push everything back, but only by a month. No matter what, this book will be happening next April.

3. The campaign gets funded, whether I reach my goal or not. Unlike Kickstarter, Indiegogo has a flexible funding option. This won't be an All-Or-Nothing, but I'll still be treating it as such.

4. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!! That's right, I'm including an Early Bird Special on this. Anyone who pledges $20 or more this week will also receive a tote bag and key chain with the marvelous artwork of Sean McConnell.

If you pledged to the Kickstarter, I'd really appreciate your re-pledge here.

Thank you! And as always, if you have any questions, fire away.

Falling Short of the Goal

Well, my Kickstarter ended yesterday short of my goal. For those of you unaware of how Kickstarter works, it means I don't get funded.

I'm not discouraged, though. About two weeks ago I chatted with someone else who was campaigning their Kickstarter project and they told me they had a back-up plan. If they ended up not funded, they were going to try again on Indiegogo. So, after checking out their site and comparing with how Kickstarter is set up, I decided to give it a go.

The biggest difference between the two sites is that I have the option of Flexible Funding. This means I don't have to meet my goal to be funded, but for obvious reasons I'd really like to make my goal.

I also lowered my goal level. This is absolute bare minimum for me to get my book out --- and will still require out-of-pocket expenses, but not nearly as many. Obviously any help I can get will be very much appreciated.

Already I have the artwork for marketing and the cover done and I've lined up an editor. This book is happening. My level of stress during this time will be affected by how well this campaign does.

On Monday, the campaign will go live. I've added an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL incentive. Anyone who pledges $20 or more in the FIRST WEEK (so between Monday the 15th and Sunday the 21st) will receive a key chain and a small tote bag in addition to their tier gifts.

Please help me get the word out. I know so many of you did the last round and I'm eternally grateful for your support and belief in me.

Until Monday when the link goes live. Have a fantastic weekend!

Final Week for Lizzie

This is it, boys and girls. Last week for WHAT THE TOWN KNEW Kickstarter campaign. The funding deadline is Thursday at 5 pm EDT.

Right now on my end, I have the final book cover file from the fantastically talented S. P. McConnell. (You should all check out his website.) I also have files to print the bookmarks, stickers and pins that will be part of the swag packages. The pins will only be available through the Kickstarter, so if you want one, you have to pledge.

All my critique partners and betas have returned their comments to me so I can do a last go through before sending it out to an editor. As of this moment, I'm on track for the March release...if I can fund it.

With only a few days left, any and all help is doubly appreciated. Spreading the word or donating any amount. Believe me when I say no donation is too small. It all adds up.

Thanks to everyone who's helped me this far. And to everyone who is about to help, thank you in advance!

Love to you all from me and Lizzie.

Help Lizzie Share Her Story Here!!