In Too Deep

“In too deep…”

The new video trailer for THE TRAZ was just uploaded to YouTube, complete with the brilliant new cover. One phrase in the trailer struck me the moment I read it: “Now she is in too deep and may never get out…”
This phrase captures the essence of the story. It is the message I was trying to relay to at-risk youngsters during my presentations about making good decisions.

Getting in too deep and never being able to get out…is the horrible part of gang life and…of addictions. It becomes an especially devastating scenario when the person getting in too deep is someone too young to understand. Someone with their whole life ahead of them. Someone with potential to change the world for the better. Someone who started off with a warm heart and clear eyes. Someone who is hurting, perhaps—vulnerable to adults who prey on the weak.
Studies have shown the human brain doesn’t fully develop physically until the age of 25. Before that time, people have difficulty perceiving the results of their decisions, actions, attitudes, and behaviours.
Katrina, the 13-year old protagonist of THE TRAZ, is brilliant. Her father was a cop and had warned her about gangs. She knew what gangs did. She knew the dangers. However, she was unable to appreciate what that would mean to her, personally, should she decide to get involved with The Traz biker gang.
“Now, she is in too deep…”

There is no safe way to leave any criminal gang, especially one as powerful as THE TRAZ. Once she becomes a witness to gang activities, no matter how subtle her actual involvement, there is no way the gang will let her just walk away. She becomes a danger to the bikers should she be anywhere except under their direct control.
It is the same scenario with addictions…once one reaches the point where one can admit to the addiction, it may be too late to escape its hold. When I started smoking in my early 20’s, I promised myself that I’d quit when I got married, when I got pregnant, when I had the baby, when I turned 40, when I became a grandma… I was quickly in too deep…
This is the message I want to relay to youngsters and adults alike (even those of us over the age of 25 sometimes stumble)—just don’t do it in the first place. Just don’t. Don’t ruin your life. Don’t think you are smarter than the gang, the drug, the alcohol, the nicotine, the slot machine. Don’t think your next dose, roll, ride, drink, smoke will be your last and then you’ll be able to just walk away free. It’s not that easy. At all.
It might be just one bad decision and then… you’re in too deep, and may never get out.
THE TRAZ now on Amazon in a school edition. eBook, and print. Paperback also available on Barnes & Noble

Eileen Schuh is also the author of SCHRÖDINGER’S CAT, a SciFi novella. THE TRAZ is the first book in her BackTracker Series. The sequel will be released later this year.
Schuh invites you to visit her website or blog and join her on facebook, her facebook author page, or Twitter.

The Best Piece of Writing Advice

Rosemary McCracken, author of Safe Harbor

What was the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

I wrote several stories when I was a child. They were pretty awful, and at the age of nine or ten I had no idea how to make them better. So I stopped writing fiction.

If only I’d kept on! My writing and my storytelling abilities would have improved.

Instead, I became an avid reader and went on to study English literature in university. I wrote numerous academic papers, and I was told that I had a talent for putting words together. After university, I decided to become a journalist because that involved writing. And I’ve been writing and editing newspaper and magazine articles for the past thirty years.

            But deep down I wanted to write fiction rather than relate facts. I wanted to create my own stories.

            One day I overheard a conversation between a newspaper editor and a fellow reporter. This reporter was a terrific newshound. She could sniff out a good story and track down wonderful sources. But she had trouble writing a story, building an article out of her wealth of information. She’d get stuck on the first sentence and be unable to continue.

            “Just jump in and start writing,” the newspaper editor told her. “Don’t worry about the opening. You can come back and fix it. Turn off your internal editor, and write down the story as though you’re telling it to me.”

            Turn off your internal editor. The words resonated with me. As a journalist, I never had problems writing articles. I had to write to deadlines, and at daily newspapers, those were usually daily deadlines. I had no choice but to submit the article and move on to the next. I had no time to listen to internal editors when I had editors in the newsroom saying they wanted that article ASAP.

            But I remembered the internal editor I’d listened to as a child, and I realized that I was vulnerable to that voice when I was writing fiction. And that was because I was working completely on my own, without assignments, without feedback and without deadlines.

I decided to take another try at fiction writing.

            I tuned out my internal editor while I was writing. I focused on getting my stories out, sentence by sentence, page by page. Later, the following day or the following week, I revisited these pages with my editor’s voice turned on but firmly in check. I worked on tightening sentences and paragraphs, discarding entire pages if necessary.

I joined a writers’ group that meets once a month, which provides deadlines. I joined networking groups such as Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime. A few years ago, I left my full-time job at a Toronto newspaper and became a freelance journalist in order to free up more time for fiction writing. I submitted work to literary contests.

Slowly, I made progress. Two of my short stories were published. In 2007, a novel manuscript was shortlisted for Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Unpublished Novel. In 2010, another novel manuscript, Safe Harbor, was shortlisted for Britain’s Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger. And last summer, I signed a publishing contract with Imajin Books. Safe Harbor has just been released as an ebook, and the paperback will be available on April 15.

I’m still vulnerable to my internal editor who likes to compare my writing – unfavorably – with the works of others. I need to tune out these comments, and with practise, it becomes easier to do. The voice will always be there, and it can be useful when I need to edit my work. But it has to be kept under control.

-30-

Born and raised in Montreal, Rosemary McCracken has worked on newspapers across Canada as a reporter, arts reviewer, editorial writer and editor. She is now a Toronto-based freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance and the financial services industry.

Rosemary’s mystery novel, Safe Harbor, was shortlisted for Britain’s Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger in 2010. It was released as an ebook by Imajin Books earlier this month, and will be available in paperback on April 15.

 http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Harbor-ebook/dp/B007GAM6PE

Authorsday: Alison Bruce

1.         When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

One day I sat down on the top step of our front porch and started thinking about what a bitch it would be if the world were to end on such a beautiful afternoon. I wrote my first short story about the end of the world and knew that I'd found something I loved doing – writing. I was twelve at the time. I've often added careers to my life, but I never gave up on that first ambition.

2.         How did you pick the genre you write in?

One genre? I can't limit myself to one genre! I write Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Western, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance... sometime more than one at the same time. The only thing I haven't is what you could describe as General Fiction.

The reason my first book published was a western was because that was the ms I was happy enough with to give to my publisher at short notice. Under A Texas Star was also a finalist in the TextNovel competition.

Deadly Legacy, coming out in April (knock on wood – have I mentioned I'm a tad superstitious?) is a mystery set in the near future. I love a mystery – you'll find one in Under a Texas Star too –  and I love the world building that fantasy and science fiction allow.

3.         What drew you to the subject of Deadly Legacy?

Jake Carmedy and Kate Garrett came to me many years ago in a dream.

Their world developed out of an interview I had with police chief about the future of policing. I extrapolated from that and the trend in business and services to downsize senior personnel and then rehire them as consultants. It was a bit like that day sitting on the porch – I started throwing what-ifs around.

Coming up with a mystery for my detectives to solve was the hardest part. I needed something that would bring private and police detectives together. My mother was the inspiration for that. She dealt with both as an insurance examiner.

4.         Did you encounter any obstacles in researching it?

I'm not a police officer or private detective and there is only so much you can learn from secondary sources. One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was finding subjects to interview. I tried contacting departments without much luck. The best result I had was an email from a Toronto homicide detective who pointed me to Practical Homicide Investigation by Vernon Geberth.

Then I was in a car accident. Strapped to a backboard, I gave my statement to an OPP officer. When we were done, he wanted to know if I had any questions. I asked if he knew anyone I could interview for research. He looked at me as if I was crazy, but he gave me a great contact.

5.         Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your book?

That was another kind of accident. I approached Imajin Books because they were looking for editors. It just happened to be when the publisher, Cheryl Tardif, was about to put out a call for manuscripts. I sent her my resume and ms at the same time. A week or so later, she let me know that she wouldn't be looking at my resume because she was more interested in my book.

6.         If you have a day job, what is it?

Like genres, I've got more than one. I am the Assistant Manager of Crime Writers of Canada and the Administrative Manager of the Arthur Ellis Awards. I'm also a freelance writer and editor and sometimes provide technical support for people who hate technology and have to deal with it anyway.

7.         Who is your greatest cheerleader?

I'm bless with some great cheerleaders. I have friends who have been critically reading my stuff for years. If our books are our babies, they are the godparents. My biggest cheerleaders are my kids, Kate and Sam. Not many ten year old boys will offer to carry around a western romance to show off to his teachers – my Sam did.

8.         What would you like to learn to do that you haven’t?

I learned how to assemble, disassemble, clean and shoot a semi-automatic rifle, and I've handled a Colt 45, which helped writing Under A Texas Star. Now I really want to be checked out on Sig Sauer (standard police issue in these parts) and maybe an assault rifle. 

10.       What was your favorite scene to write?

The hardest scene to write in Deadly Legacy was also one of my favourites. I can't tell you much about it because it comes at the end of the book. One of the legacies referred to in the title is the spirit of Joe Garrett, who's larger than life shoes are left to be filled by his daughter Kate. She makes a good start in that scene.

Now I think of it, the hardest scene in Under A Texas Star was also at the end – for different and steamier reasons.

Author Bio:

Alison Bruce has an honours degree in history and philosophy, which has nothing to do with any regular job she's held since. A liberal arts education did prepare her to be a writer, however. She penned her first novel during lectures while pretending to take notes.

Alison Bruce lives in Guelph Ontario and writes mysteries, westerns and fantasy – not to be confused with the Alison Bruce who live in Cambridge England and writes mysteries, or the librarian in Aberdeen, Scotland.

www.alisonbruce.ca

alisonebruce.blogspot.com

Book Blurb:

Deadly Legacy, Imajin Books, 2012 (coming soon)

2018: When Joe dies unexpectedly, he leaves his daughter Kate half interest in Garrett Investigations, his last case that ties to three murders, and partner she can't stand.

Jake Carmedy has lost a partner, mentor and friend, but grief will come later. First, he has a case to solve, one that has detoured from a simple insurance case to a murder investigation. If that isn't enough, Joe's daughter seems to want to take her father's place as his boss.

No matter how hard they try, Carmedy and Garrett can't avoid each other and they might be next on a killer's list.

Under A Texas Star, Imajin Books, 2011

Disguised as a boy, Marly joins a handsome Texas Ranger in the hunt for a con man and they must bring the fugitive to justice before giving up the masquerade and giving in to their passion. Inspired in equal parts by Louis L'Amour and Georgette Heyer, Under A Texas Star is a western mystery/romance, with a touch of humour and loads of adventure.

http://www.amazon.com/Under-a-Texas-Star-ebook/dp/B00501H6YM/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AZC9TZ4UC9CFC&qid=1315507040&sr=8-1

25 Days of Christmas Giveaway

From Cheryl Tardif, publisher and owner of IMAJIN BOOKS, comes...

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

December 1-25, 2011

This Christmas, great things come in fours at Imajin Books! So we have four ways for booklovers to celebrate the Christmas season: an eBook Sale, eBook Giveaways, Basket o' Books Draw, and a Grand Prize Draw for the all-new Kindle Fire ereader.

1. eBook Sale - all our ebooks will be priced between $0.99 and $2.99.

The sale is on from December 1st to January 7th. To purchase ebooks from Smashwords (multiple file formats including ePub, PDF & more), visit our Winter Events page to view the special coupon codes to buy ebooks at our sale prices. Or buy from Amazon.com where the list prices have been changed to sale prices.

2. eBook Giveaways - 4 ebooks (winners' choice from our titles) will be given away daily.

Rules: To enter, leave a comment and your email address on our Winter Events post in our Contests & Events section. Comments without email addresses will not qualify. You can enter every day; 1 ebook per winner per day. You may format your email address like: myemailaddress (at) emailprovider.com (or similar) if you'd like to; as long as we can read it, you'll be entered. No exchanges, no cash value. Ebook prizes will be awarded daily.

3. Basket o' Books Draw - paperback collection of winner's choice of 4 books

Rules: To enter, leave a comment and your email address on our Winter Events post in our Contests & Events section. Comments without email addresses will not qualify. You may format your email address like: myemailaddress (at) emailprovider.com (or similar) if you'd like to; as long as we can read it, you'll be entered. No exchanges, no cash value. 1 entry per person. This draw will take place between December 25 and December 31. Winner will be announced on our website.

4. Grand Prize Draw for a Kindle Fire ereader - 1 winner

Rules: You will get one entry for any of the following:

1. Review any of our books from December 1-December 24th, 2011 on Amazon.com or Smashwords.com and email us a link to your review. 1 entry per book title reviewed.

2. Tweet any of the following messages (1 entry per post per day; max. 3 entries/day):

Check out @imajinbooks 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways for prizes & win a #Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

eBooks $2.99 or less - @imajinbooks 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways - prizes & win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways @imajinbooks - eBook SALE, prizes & win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

3. Post an announcement on your Facebook page to help us spread the news and email us with the link to your FB page (1 entry per post per day; max. 3 entries per day):

Enter the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways for prizes & chance to win a #Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

Ebooks $2.99 or less - 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways - prizes & chance to win a Kindle Fire http://imajinbooks.com

Want to win a Kindle Fire ereader? Check out the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways at http://www.imajinbooks.com

4. Buy any of our ebooks or paperbacks between December 1-25th and forward us your receipt by email; receive 10 entries per title purchased.

When emailing us during this contest, please put "25 DAYS" in the subject line. Include your name and pertinent contest info.

Entries must be received by December 25th, midnight MT. Open to anyone 18+, anywhere. Void where prohibited. No cash value, no substitutions, no exchanges.

Basket o' Books and Kindle prize will be awarded by January 7, 2012. All prizes must be claimed by January 30, 2012 or they will be void.

Summer Sizzles with Imajin Books!

'Summer Sizzles with Imajin Books' this July & August

EDMONTON, AB, July 1, 2011 - This summer, from July 1st to August 31st, celebrate the opening of the innovative Canadian publishing company, IMAJIN BOOKS. Our huge summer event will begin on July 1, 2011 and we'll be rewarding readers and book reviewers. This is our way to say "Thank you" for reading our books.

Great things come in threes! 

So we have 3 ways you can help us celebrate:

1. Summer eBook Sale: July 1-July 31

All ebooks on sale for $2.99 or less, via Amazon or Smashwords only. Check out www.imajinbooks.com for quick links, coupon codes and more info.

2. Summer Reviewer Giveaway: July 1-August 31, 2011

Rules:

·         Borrow an Imajin Books title (ebook or paperback) from a friend or lending site, or buy from your favourite retailer. Then post a review on Amazon, B&N or Goodreads. Only reviews posted between July 1, 2011 and August 31, 2011 qualify.

·         Email us with the links to your reviews.

·         You'll receive 1 free ebook of your choice (from our titles). No obligation to review your ebook prize.

·         1 Mystery Prize valued at $120 (minimum) will be given away to one lucky winner.

·         Anyone, anywhere, 18+, can enter this giveaway. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. No cash value.

·         Imajin Books authors, their families and any subcontracted associates of Imajin Books are excluded from this contest.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive free ebooks and news on upcoming and new releases. Tell your friends and family to join us this summer.

3. Summer Sizzler Scavenger Hunt: Aug 1 - Aug 31 ~ Win ebooks or a Kindle ereader!

To enter:

1. Check out our Scavenger host list and click on each blog link.

2. Scavenge through these blogs until you find our Scavenger Hunt badge/graphic, which we'll unveil on August 1st at www.imajinbooks.com.

3. Email us at imajinbooks@shaw.ca with "Scavenger Hunt" in subject line and the website link to the page with the badge you found, your name, mailing address and phone number, plus the title of the ebook you would like to receive if your name is drawn.

4. Each correct entry counts as an extra entry into our prize draws, so the more you find the badge and send us those links, the more chances you have of winning the Kindle.

Prizes:

·         31 winners will receive one ebook of their choice from our published titles.

·         4 winners will received a signed novel (trade paperback) by authors Alison Bruce, Melodie Campbell, Cherish D'Angelo and Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

·         Grand Prize: Kindle with Wi-Fi ($140 value): One grand prize winner (Kindle) to be selected from all eligible entries. Additional prizes may be added later.

This contest runs Aug 1 to Aug 31. Winners will be notified by email by September 3rd.

Entrant must be 18 to enter and be a Canadian or USA citizen. No purchase necessary.

No substitution, no refunds, no cash value. The grand prize is not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded.

Imajin Books authors, their families and any subcontracted associates of Imajin Books are excluded from this contest.

Void where prohibited by law.

Imajin Books is an innovative, unique Canadian publisher with an eye on exciting, ever-changing trends and opportunities in publishing that opened its 'doors' to authors worldwide in late February 2011. They promise great reads by wonderful authors, with ebooks priced under $5 and trade paperbacks under $16.

From ImajinBooks.com: The future of reading is ebooks, and the future is NOW!

http://www.imajinbooks.com

Disclaimer: Imajin Books is not associated in any way to the US company ImaJinn Books.