Showing posts with label carlyle labuschagne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carlyle labuschagne. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

Infallible Blog Tour

                               FIRE QUILL PUBLISHING PRESENTS        



An edgy romantic suspense novel written by award wining YA author Carlyle Labuschagne as Bailey Quinn 



                       



THE MOMENT DETECTIVE SCARLET ANNE MARTINS stepped into that prison, her resolve began to wane, a struggle she had long forgotten between heart and head. Unable to deny it any longer, the feelings she had for Alaric were strong—and her desperation to save him, would ultimately be what would killed them both.
For a super cop, her judgment in men truly failed her. But while her life, and anyone's who tried to stop her was in mortal danger, she had to forget every single detail about Special Agent Blade. Her primary focus was getting through the next twenty-four hours without killing anyone.
Thereafter, her purpose would be to find a way to put behind bars those who were framing her for murder, and the bombing in New York City. It would prove to be an almost impossible task, since she had become a fugitive in a foreign country.
This time, her drop-dead gorgeous looks and South African accent would work against her in every way—she would be recognized in a heartbeat on the streets. With nowhere to run, she made the decision to face the peril head on and ensnare the evil that was coming for her, and the only way to do that was by giving them what they wanted.






SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 





Book Trailer 






About The Author


 Bailey Quinn is the pen name for Award winning YA science fiction writer, Carlyle Labuschagne who resides in the beautiful country of South Africa. This die-hard dreamer who is fascinated by a great story is compelled to share these imaginary worlds with others. Her love for writing spills over into every aspect of her life where she has founded a library project aimed at the youth, creator of SAIR writers events, and is co-founder of a publishing company. Her other addictions include cappuccino, being outdoors with her loves ones, and avoiding dishes at all cost.
Currently working on her first crime fiction Infallible due for release May 2016, and on another SF crime thriller Tethered, set for release in 2017. Both books take place in the wonderfully exciting city of NYC where she has visited a few times and found that by writing about it - will keep the city in her heart and 

mind forever more... 



TEASER TIME




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Monday, June 22, 2015

Evanescent - Carlyle Labuschagne


A darker offering from award winning YA author 

Carlyle Labuschagne 


In a recent TV interview Carlyle was given the opportunity to answer some tough questions about why she felt she needed to go darker in this novel and what will the reader take away from that. Then  she gets emotional on the mention of her recent UtopYAcon nominations where the awards will be celebrated in Nashville June 20 2015









Title: Evanescent
Author: Carlyle Labuschagne
Series: The Broken Series #2
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Release Date: 19th May 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9922446-4-4  
Back Blurb:
Her fall has just begun. Only his touch can save her from the shift that could destroy it all. 

Within my blood runs a thing our kind calls the Shadowing Disease. It shadows over, and bends everything to its will. 
When the first blood-shift came, it tore through flesh and blood, threatening to bend me, break bone, shatter my mind and entrap my heart with its honeyed, seductive poison. It came with vicious intent, moving my thoughts and altering me forever. 
The shift has caused a rift within me. No one was safe when it entrapped me in its claws of foul lust. But I have the only antidote against the evil that becomes me - his touch alone has the power to release the spurs of sweet darkness that clung on for deal life. 
I knew what I had to do; the desperation pulled my mind with the deep determination of a hungry predator. 
By the time the revelation raised me from the dark dungeon of my bounds - it might have been too late.

PURCHASE THE NOVEL








ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlyle is an South African award winning author, with a flair for mixing genres and adding loads of drama to every story she creates. For now she is happy to take over the world and convert non Sci-fi believers.
Her goal as an author is to touch people's lives, and help others love their differences and one another by delivering strong messages of faith, love and hope within every outrageous world she writes about.

"I love to swim, fight for the trees, and am a food lover who is driven by my passion for life. I dream that one day my stories will change the lives of countless teenagers and have them obsess over the world literacy can offer them instead of worrying about fitting in. Never sacrifice who you are, it’s in the dark times that the light comes to life."

Carlyle used writing as a healing tool and that is why she started her very own writers support event - SAIR bookfestival.

 "To be a helping hand for those who strive to become full times writers, editors, bloggers, readers and cover artists - it’s a crazy world out there you don’t have to go it alone!"

AUTHOR LINKS

Blog
Facebook Page
LinkedIn
Twitter
Website
Google +
Fire Quill Publishing


Pretty cool, huh? Carlyle rocks!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Cover Reveal - Brave

Happy Saturday! EEP! Today, I have a cover reveal for you from the awesomeness that's Carlyle Labuschagne. I hope you enjoy it!


Brave is a short story prequel to The Broken Novels written from Rion's point of view on the life-altering events that led up to the discovery of The Chosen One. 
Rion must choose between love and his long awaited destiny to fulfill his role in a prophecy that is said to save a dying race and ultimately rescue life as we know it from a dark curse that threatens to eclipse all creation. . 


This story will be free to my readers on whattpad and will release in stages over the next few weeks. You can find my whattpad profile here. 
Brave releases February 28 2015

Connect with me on twitter. facebook . goodreads or youtube. You can find out more about me and my dramatic craziness on my websiteCarlyle is an South African award wining author, with a flair for mixing genres and adding loads of drama to every story she creates. For now she is happy to take over the world and convert non Sci-fi believers.
Her goal as an author is to touch people's lives, and help others love their differences and one another by delivering strong messages of faith, love and hope within every outrageous world she writes about.

"I love to swim, fight for the trees, and am a food lover who is driven by my passion for life. I dream that one day my stories will change the lives of countless teenagers and have them obsess over the world literacy can offer them instead of worrying about fitting in. Never sacrifice who you are, its in the dark times that the light comes to life."

Carlyle used writing as a healing tool and that is why she started her very own writers support event - SAIR bookfestival. 
 "To be a helping hand for those who strive to become full times writers, editors, bloggers, readers and cover artists - its a crazy world out there you dont have to go it alone!" 

What do you think? Sounds interesting, eh?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Two Days Left to Win

Happy Thursday, everyone! Because we had it a bit messed up the first time (what, you couldn't enter to win The Broken Destiny?) I'm posting the UtopYA Blog Hop giveaways again. Get your clickin' finger ready and let's get going!

Prize pack 1
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize pack 2
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize pack 3
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize pack 4
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Prize pack 5
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope I got them all right this time! Let me know if you have any trouble.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Thursday, August 21, 2014

My UtopYA2014 Experience Blog Hop

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today, I'm participating in a blog hop and huge book giveaway from the authors of UtopYA. No, this isn't official! It's just a bunch of us that got together and decided to talk about our experiences at the con, and reward readers/followers with some awesome books. If you'd like to, you can join the Facebook event for the hop here. Now, sit back, relax, and let's get going!


My UtopYA 2014 Experience
by Jo Michaels

I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs about attending UtopYA Con 2014. I did a couple of things along the way to ease those fears (like my author interview series), but I still felt my knees knocking when I walked through the doors of the Millennium Maxwell House in Nashville, Tennessee, on the Thursday afternoon before the con began.

Those nervous moments didn't last long; there was too much to do/see. As soon as I walked in, I spotted the ever awesome Eva Pohler. Not long after, I spied Toni Lesatz, C. A. Kunz (both of them), and an hour or so later N. L. Greene, Kelly Risser, and Casey L. Bond arrived.

Then, I spied Carlyle Labuschagne. That's when the squeeing began.

There were many hugs, lots of "I know you! So good to put a face with the name." going around, and many, many business cards changing hands. This crazy (yes, I do mean bonkers) "moment" kept going all afternoon.

At six, Tia and I snuck out to the pool area with Kelly Risser, N. L. Greene, and Casey L. Bond. We worked from six until about nine on ideas we had for our YA anthology. There were lots of great things flying around that table, let me tell you. We'll be bringing you something never done before. Keep your eyes out for that.

Because I drove up to Nashville, I'd been up since around 5am. At this point, I was ready to pass out. After hauling our books down and setting up our table, Tia and I excused ourselves and ducked back to our room for some much needed sleep. We knew the next day would start earlier than we really wanted to get up.

At 6am, it began again. Breakfast took longer than it should've and we were late for the keynote speech. *facepalm* Yeah, next time, I get up at 5. After that, we literally talked non-stop, marketed our books, and met authors until 10pm. I also had the Friday night fan invasion to attend. With Sylvia Day there, the line was humongous. Moving books and swag off my regular table and out the door to another one (and back again later) was fun in a strange way. I chatted with the authors near me and made some new friends. Don't judge, I'm able to befriend darn near anyone. Yeah, we sang Baby Got Back in the hotel bar, but the networking never stopped. My face hurt from smiling so much. By 11, we were back in our room. Tia spent the nights working on an edit for a client of INDIE Books Gone Wild (now that's dedication), and I read a book in bed while decompressing from the day's craziness and trying not to have a nervous breakdown from being so on edge all day.

Saturday was just as nuts. I face-planted in bed after the awards and dance party. No, I only had one drink (it's good to be responsible) so that wasn't it. My throat was killing me, and I'd been running all day. If there was a moment to breathe in there, I missed it--or maybe I was moving so fast I got caught in a time-warp continuum and the moment came later than it should've.

By this point, I was missing my husband and my own bed fiercely. I left Sunday morning (early). While this guaranteed I missed out on some of the super fun stuff going on at the con, I couldn't help it. Remember, I had a pretty good drive ahead of me.

Was it worth it? YES. Will I do it again next year? YES. Why? Because, for the first time in my life, I felt normal. No one looked at me like I had ten heads when I talked about dragons, zombies, or mutated mushrooms that want to kill me. It was accepted, embraced, and even encouraged. Was it overload that'll wipe you out but leave you teeming with ideas? YES.

Do it. If you've been sitting on the fence about attending a writer's con, come to UtopYA in 2015. I can't speak for other cons; but this one treats every author (traditional or Indie) like a rock star. Get your tickets here.

Advice for newcomers:
  • Sleep well before you come. You won't get much rest once the con begins.
  • Bring cough drops or drink a lot of warm tea or coffee. Your voice will thank me later.
  • Pack with intelligence. Remember! You need a dress or some nice clothes for the awards, and whatever clothes you're comfortable in for the other days. Trust me, sneakers are your friends.
  • Don't drink so much you can't walk. I realize you're getting out of the house for the first time in forever, but be responsible; you never know who's watching you and noticing. This is a gathering of professionals. Be professional. Your career is in your hands here.
  • Get to the con early (before Thursday). They'll let you set your stuff up the night before. You can thank me later.
  • Find a friend with wheels. No, I don't mean a car. I'm talking about a wagon, cart, or something else that has wheels. Again, you can thank me later.
  • Use the time every night after the con to decompress. You won't have time to hang out and relax during the day, so set aside some quiet reading time or something before you plan to sleep. Yes, this may mean you leave a gathering just a little early. But your body will be grateful, and you'll be happy you were responsible.
  • Set an alarm. Don't be late for the prize giveaways every morning. If you aren't there, they give what you might have won to someone else. And they give fabulous prizes.
  • Take the time to look at photos on Facebook and author websites or join me here for the author interview series I'm doing. You'll know at least a few people when you arrive if you bother to do this. It makes all the difference in the world.
  • The Con will be here before you know it. Start prepping and buying swag and table decor now. That way, you aren't in a mad rush to get it all before the big day.
  • Set aside boxes and label them UtopYA Con 2015. Put anything you buy for the con directly into the boxes so you don't forget to bring your goodies.
Well, that's all the nuggets of wisdom I have for you. I hope you enjoyed my little story!

~ The End

Now to tell you all about the blogs on the tour, the prizes up for grabs, and give you a Rafflecopter entry form!

Here's the hop list:
Christina Mercer - August 4th - Blog Link
Nichole Greene - August 5th - Blog Link
Delphina Henley - August 6th - Blog Link
Kelly A Risser - August 6th - Blog Link
Nanette Bradford - August 7th - Blog Link
Amy Evans - August 8th - Blog Link
Chelsea Starling - August 9th - Blog Link
Carlyle Labuschagne - August 12th - Blog Link
Anna Cruise - August 14th - Blog Link
Becca Vincenza - August 18th - Blog Link
Raine Thomas - August 19th - Blog Link
Casey L Bond - August 19th - Blog Link
Jo Michaels - August 21st - You're there now
Shelley Custer - August 26th - Blog Link
Nely Cab - August 27th - Blog Link
Chelsea Fine - August 28th - Blog Link
Rachel Harris - August 29th - Blog Link
Amber Garr - August 29th - Blog Link
Heather Hildenbrandt - August 30th - Blog Link
Susan Burdorf - August 30th - Blog Link

Now for the prize packs (there are FIVE!) and each has a Rafflecopter entry form that will follow the image:


Visit Delphinia's blog to enter to win the first prize pack.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you waiting for? Get on it!

How many of these great giveaways did you enter?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo 

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Cover Reveal - Absolution

Happy Saturday, everyone! Today, time for another cover reveal. Seems there are a lot of really awesome books coming out soon, eh? Well, pretty ones, anyway. I invite you to strap in and take a gander at this one!




Absolution 

Confessions of a clone
is book one in The Broken Diaries series of novellas.
Can be read as a stand alone or as a companion novella to 



Expected release date: October 2014
Genre: Upper YA Science Fiction

(Unedited)

So my secret is out you say? That  would depend witch secret you are referring to. That I am a clone? Everyone knows that by now. Or that I have a dark disease pulsating through my veins,
one I am quite fond of? Big deal. It’s exciting, never to have to hold back, unpredictability is a drug. We all crave it.  So what possible secret could I hold that is worth keeping? Imagine me
giving you a sly smirk right now because I have not the misfortune of compassion that will cause me to spill my secrets. Without them there is no hand to be dealt.

Will my secret keep him close? Perhaps. But here is my confession, I have something better than secrecy. I have absolution. With me, he is not bound, it will be out of choice. With me, he never has to hold back. And I would love him for the good and especially in the bad. When I gave my word that I’d stop my tricks – I lied. That’s the thing with obsession. I does not care. It only wants, and it is so fixated on want, that it becomes need, and it shall have all it wants and needs.  And while I have no time to ponder who I am, clone–what a stupid word, I am already on my way to loving him forever. That’s how I play it, because I just don’t care.  Everyone knows I am nothing like my pathetic prime. That with me, it’s all bad intentions and violent, narcissistic adoration. That is not who I am. I am but one thing - in absolution. 


About The Author 

Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African award wining author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her first two books in the Broken Trilogy. Her first young adult dystopian novel "The Broken Destiny" reached top 3 in its YA debut Category. The Sequel Evanescent won YATR literary award for best Sci-Fi book 2013. 
Carlyle loves to swim, fights for the trees, and is a food lover who is driven by her passion for life. Carlyle also writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive – Help Build A Library in Africa Project. And hopes to launch her very own Indie book festival in Johannesburg March 2015.
“My goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another.

Other Related books:


Follow the author for regular giveaways and news! 

 Thank you for stopping by! 

Carlyle's covers are just stunning. I love this one :)

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Monday, February 10, 2014

A Guest Post by Carlyle Labuschagne

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I have with me author Carlyle Labuschagne with a guest post on why it's important to read when you're a writer, and how it changed her life. Carlyle is the author of Evanescent and The Broken Destiny, as well as being one of the authors attending UtopYA Con 2014 in June. If you don't have tickets to that event yet, click the name to buy yours soon. So grab your pens and notebooks and let's get going!

Reading and Writing and How it Changed My Life
by Carlyle Labuschagne

Thank you Jo for having me on as guest today, I am absolutely thrilled.

Why is it so important to read as a writer?

Books are very much an addiction to many. I read because I enjoy it, but as a writer I learn a lot from other books and authors. As many might know, English is not my first language, so by reading as much as I can – I learn the way of the English language. It is also good to see what is out there, what grabs at you and what you can bring differently than others. There are an abundant of gifted Authors I have read and yet to read. I am one of those readers who are swept away totally by a read. I am there within every book I read. My imagination allows for it. I think we are addicted to our imaginations more than anything, but what would our imaginations be without reading and for the talented Authors to ignite it for us? Books to me are a work of art, they are feelings, thoughts, and souls between the pages of books.

I write because I want to understand others as well as myself. I first started expressing myself at a very young age though poems, song writing. But finally found my true passion. Novel writing. My first novel The Broken Destiny is as I am sure many authors can relate to, is a combination of my experiences my world and the world inside my head, understanding myself as well as others , and feeding the passion. A almost craving for the feeling that writing has brought me. I have overcome the biggest obstacle of my life – to believe in myself , to prove myself to no one but myself of what I am capable of. To be a hard worker and enjoy it. To see things through.

Through writing I have learnt a lot about myself. Finally being able to move on from my mistakes. The Broken Destiny is about a girl who has to find her true self to unleash her Destiny towards greatness. Every person has good and bad, and everything comes down to a choice, and sometimes making the wrong choice is actually the write choice at the time - To grow, to learn - To love yourself. The only person who can hurt you is you. You are your worst enemy. Don’t change who you are for the sake of satisfying others, in the end it hurts only you. Your path is one of greatness and being true to yourself is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. But it is often only through experiencing who you are not to know who you are. To know the light you have to have experienced the dark. But always remember everything you go through, no matter how hard - is for a reason. Writing gives me great pleasure and satisfaction. Writing heals.

My desire for everyone is to find that one thing and go for it, no matter how impossible it may seem at the time, you will never know if you don’t try, and once you have tried you will know you can never be without it. If you have a passion, you can perform deeds you never thought you were capable of.

~ Don’t be crippled by fear. Let love and passion give you wings ~ The Broken Destiny
Happy writing all
~Carlyle Labuschagne

I couldn't have said it better myself, Carlyle! Inspiring words.

If you'd like to check out Ms. Labuschagne's books, you can find The Broken Destiny here on Amazon as well as Evanescent here.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to enter the rafflecopter giveaway to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Got questions or comments? Pop them down below!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Monday, February 3, 2014

Author Interview Carlyle Labuschagne

Happy Monday, good people of the blogosphere! In keeping with my Monday posts through June, 2014, I bring you another UtopYA Con 2014 unofficial author interview. Yay! If you haven’t picked up your tickets for the event yet, click the name to grab yours today. It’s being held at the Millennium Maxwell House in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, I have with me Ms. Carlyle Labuschagne, author of the award winning novel, Evanescent! Get your coffee on and join us!

Jo: Welcome to the blog, Carlyle!
Carlyle: eeeeek! Absolutely excited to be here! Thank you for having me Jo. I so can’t wait to meet you in person in June, it’s going to be an event of a lifetime!

Jo: Ditto! How fun! I usually go into a hard to answer question first, but this one has been on my mind since I first read your last name. Could you tell us how to pronounce it? I’d hate to get to UtopYA and fudge that one up. *grin*
Carlyle: OH dead this is difficult for Americans to pronounce as the tongue moves different (if that makes sense) I will try my best. Labuschagne -
Pronounce : L uh boo sh c h a g n e
The G is more a sound than the accrual pronunciation of the letter g. I don’t think you can pronounce it the way south Africans do directly from English or American. The e at the end is pronounced more like two ee.

Jo: I shall have to practice until we meet! Now that we have that straight, I’m diving into the good stuff. I did a lot of research on you. Through my hunting, I found out you’re quite the force to be reckoned with there in South Africa. We’re gonna start this out with a bang. Tell me about your Help Build a Library in Africa project. What is it? How did you come up with the idea? Why? Is there any coincidence it came about at the same time you launched your first book (perhaps a little marketing genius of yours in there)? How can we help?
Carlyle: LOL Maybe a marketing ploy? – no it was just the rewards that come with knowing I can make a difference. When I launched my first book The Broken Destiny I did it at my kids school and roped in a few authors to showcase their work too. Book Festivals and the book industry is almost invisible in our country. So by starting off at the foundation of our youth I thought it a great idea to sell tickets and raise money for the school and a charity. All proceeds were equally divided between the two. I worked on the launch party for a few months asking authors to donate books as prizes. The library project only really got born months later. My mom was one of the prize winners who won a prize pack with books and swag worth over $500, which my mother than donated back to the school. Months later the Principal opened the school’s first library and I was so thrilled to see my hard word and the generosity of good people go up on the shelves of their library I decided then and there to open the project and start stacking the empty shelves with more Young adult novels. This year will be the second year and I am currently seeking a rape crisis/trauma center to build a library in. I hope to launch the 2nd annual book drive in March this year. If your readers would like to donate a book to The Help Build a Library In Africa Project you can contact me through my email carlyle.labuschagne.com@gmail.com

Jo: It’s an awesome project and I’m happy to help spread the word. In keeping with that helping hand theme, I read your motto is to help others as you would have them help you. Let me start off by saying I couldn’t agree with you more; however, are you ever dissuaded when you put in a lot of your time and effort into helping someone and it not be returned? How does it feel and what do you do about it?
Carlyle: No I don’t really, in my heart I know what my intention was and I may not directly see rewards, but my blessing come in many forms.

Jo: Understood. I’m very much the same way. What’s your greatest writer fear?
Carlyle: To lose my imagination.

Jo: That would be the worst. What would a writer do without an imagination? I tremble thinking about it. I read you’re a full time marketing consultant. How does that help you in the marketing of your own books? What do you feel have been some unique ideas you’ve come up with to help spread the word?
Carlyle: Marketing is something that comes so naturally to me, I can’t help it. I am one of those people who live by moments, and when the moment strikes me, I can’t hold back – I mean I really can’t, and I will do anything to make it happen. I love the creative world, but what good is it if you can’t share it. They first step to marketing is networking. You help others, and they help you. Always have an exploding catch phrase.
I think I have done a rather good job at the marketing of my books, but I always remember and know I can only do so much. I can’t do it without other authors like you, bloggers, friends and family. And sometimes you have to take a risk and hire someone who has the reach you don’t.

Some of the unique ideas I have come up with (all by accident. Initially anyway.) In both my books I have quoted lyrics from one of our Countries biggest rock stars (Prime Circle) with their written consent. I was so taken back when the deal was that they each get a book in return, which I then asked for a photo op of course!

The Launch party I held, I brought on other authors as guests to celebrate the event and to help spread the word.

Last example is getting in touch with my cover model (The Broken Destiny) This too was purely an accident that one of her model friends connected us. Turns out she was a huge celebrity in her country and more than thrilled to share the news of her face on my book. Here is an interview I did with the talented young woman: Meet the model here.

Jo: Wow. If those weren’t strokes of luck, I don’t know what is! It’s also pure marketing genius. Tell me about your Mentorship program. What do you hope to achieve, how do you feel you can help these youngsters, and where did the idea come from?
Carlyle: As mentioned before our country has plenty of catching up to do in the reading, writing and publishing country. They need motivation. This is how I set out to do this by starting with one school at a time.

This is how the contest is set up:
  • First there will be a creative prompt handed out to the students where they write a short piece with given subject and words.
  • The head mistress of Avalon Private School will then chose the top 10 entrants that will go onto the next round -
  • Writing a short story novella, depending on the grade it will be required to be between 15 - 20 000 words.
  • Grades 5 - 7
  • Genres range from Christian fiction. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure and Paranormal. Or a cross genre of all.
  • The top five students will then be chosen by the head mistress A. de Bruyn
  • I will then pic the winner out of the top five.
-Judging on Creative concept
-Fluency of the story
-emotional portrayal of characters
-Description of surroundings
-Sentence structure
-Originality

This is a mentor ship program where the children will have a website to go to and pick up some writing tips. There will also be a facebook page where the student can send their queries and ask for advice.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SA-Indies-Book-Festival/520082498067346?bookmark_t=page
This program will teach the student how to become a published author.
From the first draft, to the second. We will take them through the revision and self editing stage.
They then have to submit a query letter with their entry with a short bio, a picture of themselves and a 200 word synopsis of the story.

Prize:
  • Ebook package
  • Formatting of the manuscript into various ebook formats like kindle and nook. (Morgan Media)
  • Editing services by Sandra Valente
  • Cover design by Morgan Media
  • The publishing company has not been chosen as yet.
  • Mentor ship by Me via website
  • Press release kit by AlleyCats PR
Jo: That sounds like a lot of work! I wish you luck. You continue to blow me away! Being a pantser (one who writes with no plot) is a difficult thing to bear in the Indie community at times. How do you feel it helps you in your writing and have you “pantsed” since you began at age twelve?
Carlyle: I am a pantser in everyday life, and so am I in my writing. I have tried once to plot out the story, and well I drove myself insane, I went in circles. I can’t do it, I drive myself nuts with details. All my writing since I began at the young age of twelve has been and explosion of a moment.

Jo: That’s me as well. I cannot stick to a plot. LOL! I know how backward English is (and difficult) for people learning to speak it. Your primary language is Afrikaans. I can’t even imagine what you’ve gone through. How hard was writing a book in English? What were your major hurdles?
Carlyle: Luckily for me I am fluent in talking and pretty fair in writing. I have always written in English, I don’t know why, I just have. I thought I was really good at it until – the editor!!! Bwaahahahaa. My first book had two editors (now you know) It is very difficult for me as my sentence structure is topsy turvy as an Afrikaner. Don’t get me started on the tenses. English and Afrikaans cannot be directly translated!!! Spelling is an issue too. Then there is the word that is the same but means two different things, depending on how and where you use it??? I only recently go the difference between effect and affect. They key is to keep reading and keep writing, also having a professional editor (or two) I have learned so much, or is it learnt? See what I mean!

Jo: Good editors will make you a better writer, that’s for sure! I know exactly what you mean. Time for the alien question of the interview! I read there was a UFO convention in South Africa in 2011. Did you know about it? Did you go? What do you think of the theories they had about aliens wanting to steal gold from the Earth as an excuse for their visits? Are there any other cool alien theories we should know about?
Carlyle: hahaha! No I did not go, at the time I was working as a beauty consultant and my busy days were on weekends. I think the theory is possible, why not? Gold is one of the most versatile metals in the world, maybe even the universe. It could even be a unique element of our universe because of our planets composition. You can make the thinnest lightest, yet strongest material out of gold. You forget you are talking to a SF writer here – I can go on for books and books! LOL

As for Alien theories – some say we come from aliens? Some say we will become like aliens. Me, I say I am happy as a curious human.

Jo: I’m a believer. It’s creepy if you think about it, but interesting at the same time. Haha! In other news… Congratulations on your book, Evanescent, winning the Young Adult and Teen Readers (YATR) literary award for the best Sci-Fi book in 2013! When you won the award, how did it make you feel?
Carlyle: It means to the world to me to be able to have this award on my credentials, it’s a major platform booster for me as a South African Author. I want to put SA authors on the map. I want to be an inspiration to show the starving youth of South Africa that a dream is the beginning.

Jo: I have a feeling you’ll be successful in that goal. Quick! What’s your favorite flower?
Carlyle: Cherry blossoms – because they grow on trees.

Jo: Pretty! Favorite thing to eat with chocolate?
Carlyle: White chocolate.

Jo: Perfect answer! LOL! What small press are you with and why did you choose to go that route?
Carlyle: I am with Sensational Publications. Firstly I am a writer, a creator, a career woman, a mom and a wife. I am not a publisher, I would rather spend the little time I have on life.

Jo: I get it, believe me. Wearing too many hats makes the head overly warm. *grin* Tell me about the book festival you plan to hold in Johannesburg in 2015. What will it encompass? What are you hoping to achieve? How many hoops will you have to jump through to make it happen?
Carlyle: When I think about it, I know it is so much work, and this time I will need some assistance. In South Africa there are but a hand full of such festivals that cost an arm and a leg. There are none for independent authors. I hope to make it easier for the readers, youth, bloggers, and mostly for the authors to celebrate, educate, and inspire the nation.

Jo: I can’t wait to see what you do with it. I’m sure it’ll be amazing! You talk a lot about editing and how Indie authors should do it until they want to puke. Who is your editor, how did you find them, and what did you learn from the editing process?
Carlyle: My editor is Sandra Valente, and the story of how she became me editor is a touching one indeed. So here I am two weeks away from release date and I get my proof copy. It is only after I physically read the first 100 pages I decide I want to die from embarrassment, by this time the review ARC’s have gone out to bloggers. (Impatient me) Sandra (bless her soul) was one of those bloggers who started reading it the same night I did. She called me up the next day and we were at that point both in a panic – my book could no way no how go out in that condition, she then offered her services as she was so in love with the story she had to give it the attention it so deserved. Out of the kindness of her heart she immediately began editing my book, and considering the condition it was in – she did and she does always delivers the best. I can not, and will not deliver a product that is half arsed, it can and will make or break the book.

I learned so much from the editing a book. I have improved on sentence structure, flow, attention to certain things. To slow down, to think about the tenses and where my commas go!

Jo: That was completely awesome of her. Gotta love a teaching editor. Time to talk about the featured book! What is it, why did you write it, and what have you learned from the experience?
Carlyle: Evanescent is the second book in The Broken Trilogy. As with the first book it is a story that had to be told, to find live to come out and be born. It’s as much for entertainment purposes as it is for a healing one. With everything I write there is a strong message. I need to touch someone in some way, to make a difference in someone’s life, to illuminate the beauty in the ordinary, in the mistakes, in the person.

Jo: I plan to check it out before UtopYA Con. *grin* Is there anything I didn’t ask/talk about you wish I had?
Carlyle: I think you have covered everything Jo. You’ve been amazing!

Jo: Thank you so much and thanks for joining me here on the blog today, Carlyle! I can’t wait to meet you at UtopYA in June. What a great time we’ll have.
Carlyle: Oh yes, we will. Thank you so much for the opportunity it means the world to me to reach out to your readers! See you in June *whoohooooo!!*

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and meeting Ms. Labuschagne! Here’s the information for her featured book, that’ll be hanging around on the sidebar of the blog for the next two weeks. I urge you to grab a copy!

Title: Evanescent A Broken Novel #2
Author: Carlyle Labuschagne
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction Romance
Length (print): 380 pages
Purchase Links: Amazon Kindle ~ B&N ~ Indie Bound $3.49


Synopsis:
Her fall has just begun. Only his touch can save her from the shift that could destroy it all.

Within my blood runs a thing our kind calls the Shadowing Disease. It shadows over, and bends everything to its will. When the first blood- shift came, it tore through flesh and blood, threatening to bend me, break bone, shatter my mind and entrap my heart with its honeyed, seductive poison. It came with vicious intent, moving my thoughts and altering me forever. The shift has caused a rift within me. No one was safe when it entrapped me in its claws of foul lust. But I have the only antidote against the evil that becomes me – his touch alone has the power to release the spurs of sweet darkness that clung on for dear life. I knew what I had to do; the desperation pulled my mind with the deep determination of a hungry predator. By the time the revelation raised me from the dark dungeon of my bounds – it might have been too late.

While your finger is in the clicking mode, why not give Carlyle a follow on social media?
Facebook: Carlyle Labuschagne
Twitter: @CarlyleL
Pinterest: CarlyleL

This awesome author is doing a giveaway just for y'all! Enter, enter, enter!

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Do you have any questions for Ms. Labuschagne? If yes, drop them into the comments below!

Well, that’s all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo