2017...Here we go!

2017 is just around the corner, and with it, tons of great things are starting to brew... See below for my upcoming author appearances and the exciting things I have planned so far.


1. AUTHOR APPEARANCES:

AUTHORS IN THE BLUEGRASS
LEXINGTON, KY - APRIL 22 2017
ONCE UPON A BOOK CON
FRANKENMUTH, MI - AUGUST 11-12 2017
PENNED CON
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 29-30 2017

2. UPCOMING RELEASES:

~ THE DAUGHTERS OF MAINE (Witches of BlackBrook #2) - Coming March 7th, 2017. (Cover reveal January 31th.)

~ HANDLER (A stand-alone new adult Sci-fi/Dystopian) - Coming soon. (This book is currently being shopped by my agent.)

~ SECRET PROJECT - (A new adult Urban Fantasy I'm co-writing with the incredible Stacey Rourke) - Coming August 2017.

~ HOLLI'S HELLFIRE (The Women of Purgatory Book #3 conclusion) - Coming December 2017.
~ SECRET PROJECT ANTHOLOGY - Coming 2017.
~ SECRET PROJECT (A stand-alone Contemporary Romance) - Coming 2018.
~ THE SISTERS OF SALEM (Witches of BlackBrook #3 conclusion) - Coming 2018.

I hope to see at least some of you throughout the year and would love to stay connected via my newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet, you can do so HERE. Subscribers receive a FREE gift with a new subscription and get first crack at sales, giveaways, and updates.

Also, if you're a FaceBooker, I invite you to join my Book Coven. This is my private author group where I post goodies, games, spells, and other randomness. (Click image for link.)

Cyber Monday Sales

Celebrate this Cyber Monday by grabbing my latest release, Dark Abigail (Book #2 in The Women of Purgatory) for just $0.99. Also...

...Book #1 is currently FREE!

And...if that wasn't enough, my publisher, Amber Leaf Publishing, has put all of

Brynn Myers' books on sale for just $0.99!

And, I'm so excited to announce that just in time for the holidays, The Witches of BlackBrook Oracle Cards are now available! This is a custom deck designed entirely by me and only available through my website! Grab your pack HERE!

These sales are for a limited time only so don't miss out!

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Who am I?

If you're here, reading this post, then you probably know the answer to this question...or at least one aspect of it.

Who am I? Tish Thawer? Award-Winning Paranormal Romance Author?

Well..today, you're going to get a little more insight into my life and how I ended up here.

When I was a little girl, growing up in Missouri, I hated to read. As in, I reeeaaalllly hated to read. So much so, that in the third grade, I got my butt spanked with a book. I had a book report due in a week and lied to my dad about having already read it. The book I'd selected was about a little Indian boy (I'm 1/32 Seneca Indian) and my dad had already read the book in order to quiz me, to which I knew none of the answers. I quickly learned that not only was lying to your dad a really bad idea but that after I sat down and just did the report, I truly enjoyed the book and renewed it over-and-over again.

After that, though, hitting middle school then high school and being captain of the dance team, my reading habits fell back off and I remember growing up calling my mom's name and being ignored while her nose was buried in a book. "Mom. Mom! Mom!!!!" "My goodness, what is it, child? Can't you see I'm reading?"

Excuse me? How could anyone prefer to read instead of dealing with a needy kid? I couldn't imagine back then. LOL.

As an adult, I went straight from high school to working as a secretary (I type 93 wpm) and then on to build a career as a computer consultant. I've done graphic design, and had a photography business while I lived in Texas, but after one marriage, two kids, and a divorce, I found the love of my life and settled down in Colorado with him and my two children, where we welcomed our newborn baby boy in 2006. 

It was then that I became involved with the online book community at Shelfari (an online bookshelf owned by Amazon - much like Goodreads, but Shelfari came first.) I was invited to be one of fifteen Librarians for the site which had over a million members. I watched over the community pages, edits, and catalog details all day, every day. In other words, I was engulfed by books!!! I stayed home with my kids, performed my Librarian duties, and fell in love!

One day, I woke from a dream and the title of my first book had just popped into my head. Scent of a White Rose. I immediately knew it would be about a girl named Rose and the vampire who loved her. (Sounds familiar right?) Hold on, though! Within minutes, I had the titles for books two and three (Blood of a Red Rose, and Death of a Black Rose) all laid out and knew this wasn't going to be your typical vampire love story, and so it began...

What if vampires were the good guys and a human girl was the one to fear?

Rose may appear innocent (White), but in book two things change (Red), and by book three, you better watch out (Black).

The Rose Trilogy was my first completed series and by far my roughest work, but to this day, I still love that story and wouldn't change a thing. I want my readers to see the journey I've taken as an author from book one to (soon-to-be) book eighteen in my career.

So who am I? I'm a wife, mother, computer geek, librarian, photographer, author, and so many other things, but most of all...I'm happy and content within this journey we call life!

If you're interested to see where it all began,

The Rose Trilogy Box Set is currently on sale!

Updates and Good Deeds

Hi, guys!! So today I'll be sharing a quick update as to where I'll be and what I'll be doing next year!

From now until April, I'm in the writing cave. I've got to finish The Daughters of Maine (Witches of BlackBrook #2) and Holli's Hellfire (The Women of Purgatory #3.)

For my 2017 author appearances, I'll be starting out in Kentucky, on April 22nd, at Authors in the BlueGrass hosted by my good friend, Kiki Chatfield.

Immediately after that, Kiki and I are headed to Atlanta together to attend RT17 on May 2-7th.

From there, I'll be taking a small break to finish my two secret projects (OMG...I can't wait to tell you about these!)

Then on August 12th I'll be in Michigan for Once Upon a Book Con hosted by my good friend, Stacey Rourke.

After that, it's back to St. Louis for my 4th year of Penned Con on September 29-30th. Which leads me to the second part of my post... Good Deeds.

I'm not sure if everyone knows this, but Penned Con donates 100% of its profits to charity. Specifically, to a local St. Louis-based charity, Action for Autism. This year, Penned Con donated $13,704 which goes towards the scholarships for local kids in need of assistance.

THIS is why I return to Penned Con every year! Well...that, plus the fact that is a great event where I've made some fantastic friends that I hate waiting a year to see!! 

If you're going to be at any of these events throughout the year, please...

#comefindme

It's Release Day!!!

► ► ► DARK ABIGAIL IS LIVE ◄ ◄ ◄

Dark Abigail (Book #2 in The Women of Purgatory) is LIVE on all platforms.

► Genre: #ParanormalRomance #UrbanFantasy

► Goodreads: http://bit.ly/29FIdqC

► #Giveaway: https://t.co/zfw3eB6Y3W

►►► SYNOPSIS ◄◄◄

Will she remain the dark assassin, or fight the evil growing within?

There's a new player in Hell who's plunged Purgatory straight into chaos.

Dark Abigail strikes terror in all whom she targets, but when Raven and Holli discover who's really pulling her strings, Abigail learns that being good at her job isn't something to be proud of, but instead, something to fear.

►►► Purchase Today ◄◄◄

AmazonUS: http://amzn.to/29vFjVj

AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/29Mu8LT

AmazonCA: http://amzn.to/29MtRst

AmazonAU: http://amzn.to/29MuiCM

B&N: http://bit.ly/29sPyLk

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2a1MEl8

iBooks: http://apple.co/29Q30gu

Kobo: http://bit.ly/29z8x9j

Box Set Sale and Updates

The Rose Trilogy Box Set is on sale for the first time EVER! Hi, everyone! I'm so excited to share this sale and give you a few updates about some exciting things I have coming up! 1. All three books, plus the short-story in The Rose Trilogy are currently on sale for only $0.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited.) If you haven't read the books that started it all for me, now is a great time to give them a try!  The Rose Trilogy is an NA Paranormal Romance that entices with a heroine that isn't quite what she seems, a vampire whose love story is filled with dark surprises, and a vampire clan whose Sire has lost the ability to inflict "the change." What if vampires were the good guys and a human girl was the one to fear? The entire Rose Trilogy collection. Book 1 - Scent of a White Rose Book 1.5 - Roses & Thorns (A Rose Trilogy short-story) Book 2 - Blood of a Red Rose Book 3 - Death of a Black Rose AmazonUS:http://amzn.to/29RWZPc AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/29W8iVc AmazonCA: http://amzn.to/29Mmd0T AmazonAU: http://amzn.to/29HNxgo 2. I've recently teamed up with the amazing Kiki Chatfield and her team at The Next Step PR. They will be promoting my works via social media, and running my upcoming release blitz for Dark Abigail throughout the month of August and September. I'm so excited about this and really please to be working with such a positive and professional team. Also, if you haven't checked them out yet, you definitely should, because they are opening up their Paranormal/Fantasy branch and are currently looking for readers. (See the info below.) We are looking into expanding the company and branching out to start working with Authors in#Paranormal, #Fantasy and #YA genres come fall 2016! If you love to read in these genres, please take a look at the form below Readers ► http://goo.gl/forms/pkM58eNkvtwDqykE2 3. Dark Abigail is coming!!! I can't tell you how much fun it's been diving back into the work of Purgatory and my Reapers. Dark Abigail will first be available in paperback at Penned Con 2016 (September 23-24), then releasing in eBook format on September 27th. You can also pre-order using the links below, and be sure to sign-up for the GoodReads Giveaway! ▼▼ Enter Here to win a signed copy ▼▼ https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/195502-dark-abigail Pre-Order Links: AmazonUS: http://amzn.to/29vFjVj AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/29Mu8LT AmazonCA: http://amzn.to/29MtRst AmazonAU: http://amzn.to/29MuiCM B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-abigail-tish-thawer/1124066269 Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2a1MEl8 iBooks: http://apple.co/29Q30gu Kobo: http://bit.ly/29z8x9j That's it for now!! :) I will have more announcements later this month and in September, including a sneak peek at the cover of my secret project, so stay tuned, and as always, thank you for your support!! <3

UTOPiA Awards

I was so excited when a friend of mine messaged me saying, "Congratulations, I voted for you!"

Excited, but curious, as I had no idea what she was talking about. LOL. She happily informed me that

Fairy Tale Confessions

was nominated in the UTOPiA Awards

for Best Anthology.

Holy cow!!! I was so amazed and grateful, and am happy I could rearrange my schedule so that I could attend UTOPiA this year!

If you haven't already, please take a moment and click the link below to cast your vote, not only for FTC, but for all your favorites.

(Voting closes on my birthday, May 27! -- How cool is that?)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Click the image below to VOTE:

Indie Author Awards: The Ugly Truth

I recently ran across an article entitled Indie Author Awards: The Ugly Truth, written by J.N Chaney. I opened the link, honestly thinking it would be derogatory and bashing but was pleasantly surprised. Its focus was about the entry fees and the actual return you get for winning one of the “prestigious awards,” and how instead you could use that money for purposeful marketing.

I’m sure we have all entered a contest hoping to be named its winner, and even paid for that entry. Personally, I’ve never paid more than a $10 entry fee for any of the contests I’ve participated in, which I could count on just one hand. However, I was thrilled when I got to the part in Chaney’s article that read:

“NOT ALL INDIE AUTHOR AWARDS SUCK

There are also tons of free awards with no entry cost, such as the awards being handed out in conventions like Utopia and Penned Con.  These don’t cost a thing. There’s no entry fee, no costs to use the award if you win. Awards like these encourage peer review, networking, and connection — all crucial to your success as an author.”

SCORE!!! That’s one award I’ve actually WON––Penned Con: Best Cover 2015, along with a Reader’s Choice Award 2015 from a different venue. However, did it have the intended goal according to Chaney:

“Remember, at the end of the day, we're here to sell books. Awards can be a nice bonus, but their reward must be meaningful and they have to actually help you.”

Winning both of these awards was great, but did they make me more money? Perhaps. Honestly, I’m not sure, as any spike in numbers could have been contributed to sales or ads my publisher had running at the same time. For me, I was just so humbled to have even been nominated, and grateful that my work had received even the slightest amount of recognition, because that’s what it’s all about, right? Getting your stuff out there and recognized.

As for the Best Cover award, I can’t even take credit for that, lol. That was all the work of my fantastic cover designer, Regina Wamba. She was who I thanked when I told the crowd at Penned Con, “Thanks for liking what I loved.” At that same convention, however, I was also nominated for Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery) which I graciously lost to the amazing Denise Grover Swank. I was simply blessed for even being in the same category with her, Amy A. Bartol, and JD Nelson to mention a few, which brings us right back to the peer review, networking, and connection that Chaney pin-pointed.

For me, that connection with authors, readers, and bloggers is what it’s all about! Does it make me happy when I look at my award sitting on my shelf, of course, but what makes me even happier is knowing I’ll get to see the smiling faces of my friends and fans at my next event. Maybe I’ll get another nomination, maybe not, regardless, it’s all about putting myself out there, connecting, and making it count!

[See my full event schedule HERE]

[Read Chaney's full article HERE]

The Witches of BlackBrook

Winner: Best Cover Penned Con 2015

Winner: 2015 Readers Choice Award

RT Recap

RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION - LAS VEGAS 2016

Photo credit: Vegas Seven

OMG...where to begin? That's right...I'm in there somewhere! With over 600 authors and over 3000 reader attendees, RT16 is one for the books! (Ha...see what I did there?)

I'd like to thank Kathryn Falk, Ken, Jo Carol, Carol Stacy, Chantelle, Ashley Martinez, and the rest of the amazing RT staff for organizing such a fantastic event! (Trust me, putting up with just my questions alone gets these ladies pretty close to Saint-hood.)

All set up for the RT Giant Book Fair

 ~ What I Learned at RT ~

1. RT has panels, workshops, and parties for everyone. There's so much going on at the same time, you're bound to find something that you'll be interested in attending.

Author Cross Promotion and Marketing panel

with Brynn Myers, ME, KR Wilburn, Amy Daws, and Mary Ting.

2. While all of my shoes were comfortable, it was the fact that we walked at least 3-5 miles a day, to and from the convention center, that had my dogs barkin'. Seriously...Ouch!

3. Jamie McGuire is so kind and the most adorable person I've encountered in a while.

Me & the super sweet Jamie McGuire

4. PC & Kristin Cast are AWESOME people!!! I'm really sensitive to other's energies and auras and I LOVED how they felt to me! (If you're my kinda of peeps, you'll know what I mean.) Plus, it kinda blew my mind when PC bought my book at the Giant Book Fair. I hope we can still be friends even if they think it sucks! Hehehe.

PC, ME & Kristin Cast                                                             ME & PC Cast

5. I finally got to meet my friend, Darynda Jones, and yes, she's as cool as you think.

Me with the infectious Darynda Jones

6. I met Alys Arden over a pizza buffet and it was awesome! LOL. Hopefully next time we'll have more time to chat! ♥

7. I had no choice but to stick my butt in Vilma Gonzalez's face when I was trying to escape the jam packed bar at the Rio! It was awkward, but she was awesome and kind. Again, just wish we would have had more time to chat! ♥

(Did I mention that there's ALWAYS something going on? It's non-stop, go, go, go and it was AWESOME!)

8. Having Larissa Ione read your tarot cards at a Cirque de Punk party was EPIC!!!

ME & the enchanting Larissa Ione at the Cirque de Punk party

9. The Voodoo rooftop nightclub was my favorite! Amy Daws and I rocked out, and Scott Nova and I danced the night away! He was a great dance partner and the perfect gentleman. I had a BLAST!!

ME & Amy Daws gettin' our groove on, high above the City of Lights

10. Anne Jolin is positively delightful and I will miss her until we meet again! Love you, you adorable little sushi roll! ♥

11. Ashley Martinez is little ball of fire. This woman never stops working and that's something I can relate to! Can't wait to see her again! XOXO

12. It wouldn't have been a party without all my Fairy Tale Confession sisters: Brynn Myers, Amy Daws, Mary Ting, and KR Wilburn. Thanks for coming and supporting our cause! ♥ Our little Mixer/Pop-Up party was so fun! (We missed you Sarah J. Pepper!)

Amy Daws, Brynn Myers, Me, Anne Jolin, Ginger Scott & KR Wilburn

at the Fairy Tale Mixer

13. I missed getting a picture with EL James, because I was stuck in panels but am currently debating photo-shopping my head onto my friend's picture instead to make myself feel better. Amy, would you mind? LOL. JK... #theresalwaysnextyear

In conclusion, there's no way I can mention everyone and everything here, so please follow me on Instagram to see all my amazing friends and our pictures! 

And oh yeah... Hope to see you in Atlanta! #RT17

RT Booklovers Convention Schedule

RT Booklovers Convention

Oh. My. Gosh!!! In one week I'll be heading to Vegas for #RT16.  This will be my first trip to not only RT, but to Vegas itself, and I couldn't be more excited!!! If you'll be in attendance, here are the places you can find me during the convention:

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS - GAME NIGHT

Tuesday April 12th - 4:30pm to 5:45pm

More Info

AUTHOR CROSS-PROMOTION AND MARKETING

Wednesday April 13th - 4:00pm to 5:00pm

More Info 

CLUB RT APPEARANCE

Thursday April 16th - 11:45am to 12:10pm

More Info

TWISTED FAIRY TALE MIXER

Thursday April 16th - 7:00pm to 8:00pm

More Info

(This is not on the schedule, as it's a casual Mixer located in the RT Bar. Find any of the participating authors before the Mixer to receive your FREE drink card--while supplies last--and join us for a chance to win some amazing gift baskets. Costumes are optional!)

GIANT BOOKFAIR

Saturday April 16th - 10:30am to 2:00pm

Titles Available: The Witches of BlackBrook, Raven's Breath, 

and Scent of a White Rose

More Info

FAN-TASTIC DAY PARTY

Saturday April 16th - 6:45pm to 7:30pm

More Info

RT ROUNDUP

Sunday April 17th - 11:00am to 2:00pm

Titles Available: The Witches of BlackBrook, Raven's Breath, Fairy Tale Confessions, and the complete Rose Trilogy (Scent of a White Rose, Blood of a Red Rose, Death of a Black Rose) as well as other short-story companions.

More Info

In-between my scheduled appearances above, I'll be attending a slew of panels, workshops, and parties throughout the event. Please follow me on Instagram or Twitter at @TishThawer and #ComeFindMe.