And a new year has begun

Happy 2011 everyone! I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday. Just a day after 2011 began, one of my resolutions have already panned out. I had two goals for my son during 2011; to get him out of his crib and into a twin sized bed and to have him potty trained. Potty training is still in the distant future, he's already in his twin sized bed! *happy dance*

Last night I jumped back on the writing wagon (after having not written a word since November) and added 3k to my WIP, Gray Magic. Gray Magic was my NaNoWriMo 2010 novel, and after reading through it I discovered that it made very little sense. I've had to toss a lot of it, and try to make sense out of what I've decided to keep. I'm about 15k into my rewrite. I don't think the final product will be 50k, since I'm a chapter away from hitting a vital turning point before wrapping things up. My goal right now is 30k.


In other news...

Blood Moon is due to be released in two months!

Epiphany has been submitted to two other publishers. It's almost been a year since I submitted it to my first choice publisher. A year with no response leads me to believe that it's a rejection.

Congratulations to Ashley Verdi. She won a $25 Amazon gift card from my Bitten By Books contest back in September.

Beauty is the Beast

Please visit Trapeze Magazine to read my poem, a twist on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. And don't forget to vote! I already have two 5 star ratings! *happy dance*

http://trapezemag.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/december-14-heather-kuehl/

New interview!

Join me on Marva Dasef's blog today as we talk about the writing Muse and the time it took me to write my books from concept to THE END. http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-heather-kuehl.html

Don't forget to stop by here tomorrow as I return the favor and interview Marva on this blog!

Signing pics!

Success!

I had a great day today during my book signing at Dreamalot Books. I sold 10 books, and was told that this is the most books any author has every sold during a signing at Dreamalot. It makes me feel really good about myself.

Since my camera isn't handy, I won't be posting pics tonight, but check http://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/events/dreamalot-books tomorrow. I should have the pics up by noon. No promises though; we're decorating for Christmas tomorrow!

The only downer to my fantastic day was learning that only two of the four newspapers I sent press releases to didn't put anything in their paper. One was understandable (it was a Summerville paper and my signing was in Goose Creek), but the other wasn't (it's the primary paper for the tri-county area). Next time, instead of emailing my press release like the gentleman at the primary paper asked me to, I'll snail mail it to him. And if he calls (like he did the last time I snail mailed something to him), I mention this event.

Thank you, The Gazette and Charleston City Paper, for posting my event in your calendar!

Book signing!

Join me today at Dreamalot Books from 12pm to 3pm. I'll be signing copies of Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead.

Dreamalot Books
123B S Goose Creek Blvd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-4188
http://www.dreamalotbooks.com/

Directions To Store:
Dreamalot Books is located on Hwy 52, 123B South Goose Creek Blvd. in Goose Creek. You will find them just inside the Goose Creek city limits in a strip mall with Allstate Ins., on the opposite side of highway from the Waffle House.

WIP List

What I consider Works in Progress (WIP); A WIP can be a short as a scribbled idea or as long as a finished manuscript that needs serious editing. Above my computer I have several WIP’s ideas taped to my wall. This is what my Works in Progress list looks like right now:

GRAY MAGIC – My NaNo2010 story needs a lot of work, which is why I still consider it a WIP. Synopsis: Tabitha Desdamona Drake is an Enforcer, the person that does the dirty work for the Conclave of witches. The Conclave orders T.D. to find the gray magic witch. A witch wielding gray magic would be able to use dark or light magic without cost, able to end the world with just a thought. The Conclave wants the gray magic witch. With it, they can rule the supernatural world with an iron fist. However, once she gets there T.D. finds that there are more pressing issues to take care of rather than the Conclave's agenda. Witches are being murdered and drained of their magic, and it's up to her to put a stop to it. Enter Dez, a vampire that works for the Lord of Charleston. As mysterious as he is annoying, Dez accompanies T.D. on her search for the witch killer claiming that the vampire Lord has ordered him to do so. But what does a vampire care about murdered witches? Dez's agenda mirrors the orders from the Conclave, and T.D. quickly realizes that she is in more danger than what she's bargained for.


OF WOLF AND MAN - I had just gotten through the hard scene when my computer crashed and I lost a good chunk of it. Tells the story of Juliet and Jensen; Juliet discovers Jensen's dangerous secret and now a Clan of rouge werewolves wants her dead. Synopsis: Juliet knows that Jensen has a dark secret, especially after he uses his super strength to fight three wolves and save her life. Imagine her surprise when she figures out that he's a werewolf. Imagine her greater surprise when she discovers that this knowledge puts her life in danger. The three wolves that attacked her were also Weres, and they want Jensen to themselves. Jensen has to do what he can to save Juliet, when she and her best friend are kidnapped by the Weres during Homecoming. Will he be able to get to Juliet in time, before the Weres change her into one of them? It's my first attempt at YA. I’m currently 33k in, and am at the climax of the story. However, I keep getting sidetracked by other projects. I hope to have this one finished by the first of the year….maybe.


ACROSS TIME - A novella about Amythist Dyier finding love again. Her short stories came out in quick bursts so I hope her novella does the same.


UNTITLED Technopath Story - Originally a short story, I realize that I have more to say. Samantha lives in a post apocalyptic world where a human created microbe can infect technology, making it alive. It needs the earth's resources to survive, and the humans are just scum standing in their way. Samantha is one of only a handful of technopaths, a person that can control technology, that can defeat them. The short story is finished, but I want to add more parts to it and see more of the world that Sam lives in.


UNTITLED Sarah Vargas 4 – I’m taking my sweet time before coming back to Sarah. I want to make sure that her story really needs to continue past Blood Moon. Synopsis: With the Blood Moon Corporation behind her Sarah is ready to start her life with Jared, but a phone call from Donavan puts their well deserved bliss on hold. There's a serial killer murdering humans on the loose in Brainerd, MN, one that changes with the full moon. If the human police catch him, it will put the Seffmoyer Clan in danger - the very Clan that Donavan's sister is in. Will Sarah and Jared be able to catch the supernatural killer before the police do?


UNTITLED Beauty and the Beast – Modern day telling of an old story, with a unique twist. That’s all I’ll say on this project.


THE WRONG MAN – A contemporary romance about finding love in all the wrong places.


UNTITLED ghost romance – The title says it all…


UNITITLED Dreamscape – Jasmine McGovern has the ability to control her dreams, a gift that sets her in the crosshairs of the Blood Moon Corporation. Except they don’t want to kill her. They want to use her ability to assassinate and control. How can she escape them?


AN UNEXPECTED LOVE – Originally a short story about Amir and Phaidra, I want to flesh it out and turn it from a 3k romance into a 15k romance.



And this isn't even all of it! I have ideas scribbled in small notebooks that I carry around with me. So add another 15-20 ideas on top of these I've listed. Sometimes I wish this list was carved in stone. A new idea will crop up, making my long list of WIPs even longer. But at least I can't complain that I don't have anything to write. :)

Word Count and more

I'm on Cate Masters's blog today, talking about my views on the dreaded word count.

http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-author-spotlight-heather-kuehl.html


Can't get enough of me? Join me tonight at 6:30pm EST on Poetic Monthly as I discuss my latest release, Malevolent Dead.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/poeticmonthly

The inspiration for my latest WIP

Ever wanted to know how an author gets inspired to write a certain story? This piece of artwork is the inspiration for my latest WIP.

BTW: My favorite movie of all time is Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Especially the library scene

Guest blogging

I'm guest blogging at Fang-tastic Books today, talking about the joys of paranormal fiction.

http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/welcome-guest-author-heather-kuehl.html

Moonlight, Lace, and Mayhem

I'm being interviewed today at Moonlight, Lace, and Mayhem (love the blog name, by the way). I'll be talking about what I'm thankful for, NaNoWriMo, and Just Another Paranormal Christmas.

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2010/11/twilight-thursday_22.html

Busy busy

NaNoWriMo is coming to a close, and I've already finished Gray Magic...sort of. Because it's a NaNo creation it's going to need a lot of work, and I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of scenes cut out of it. I hate useless filler, so if it doesn't help to forward the plot or enhance character development then it's going to have to go.

Tabitha Desdamona Drake is an Enforcer, the person that does the dirty work for the Conclave of witches. The Conclave orders T.D. to find the gray magic witch. A witch wielding gray magic would be able to use dark or light magic without cost, able to end the world with just a thought. The Conclave wants the gray magic witch. With it, they can rule the supernatural world with an iron fist. However, once she gets there T.D. finds that there are more pressing issues to take care of rather than the Conclave's agenda. Witches are being murdered and drained of their magic, and it's up to her to put a stop to it.

Enter Dez, a vampire that works for the Lord of Charleston. As mysterious as he is annoying, Dez accompanies T.D. on her search for the witch killer claiming that the vampire Lord has ordered him to do so. But what does a vampire care about murdered witches? Dez's agenda mirrors the orders from the Conclave, and T.D. quickly realizes that she is in more danger than what she's bargained for.

I can't wait until the manuscript is polished enough to share. T.D.'s story is just begging to be told and Dez's big secret will finally be revealed (for those of you who have been reading the Sarah Vargas Series). As usual, I'm putting Gray Magic aside for a while to let it cool (so to say) and I'm picking up Of Wolf and Man....again. Maybe I'll finally finish it this time.

T.D. short story

My T.D. short story, "Susan's Ghost," is in issue 9 of Etereal Tales - available now!

Here's a sneak peek of "Susan’s Ghost " (People’s Choice Winner of the Ethereal Tales Halloween Competition 2009)


Tabitha Desdemona Drake hated October.

It wasn’t the shift in the muggy Charleston weather that got to her. It wasn’t the department stores going Halloween crazy, trying to make sure they had enough Halloween supplies for their customers. It wasn’t even the witch costumes. Having been born a witch herself, Tabitha Desdemona knew that those hags were just a product of a fearful human’s imagination. No, it was none of these things.

It was the ghosts.

From November through September, Tabitha Desdemona rarely saw a spirit. It was refreshing. But October… The closer it got to Halloween, the worse it got. Half of the time she didn’t know if the person she was speaking with was alive or dead. She would just hang in there, doing her best to ignore them until 11:59pm on October 31. Then, when the clock struck midnight, it was like they had never been there.

But this year was destined to be different.

It was Halloween, and the ghost was in her bedroom; a first. The ghost looked just like her, with blonde hair and striking cerulean eyes. Tabitha Desdemona stared for a minute, thinking that she was looking at her reflection until she could see her bed though the ghost’s transparent stomach. Then her heart lurched.

“Oh Susan…”


Get your copy of Ethereal Tales 9 today from http://cutencreepy.co.uk/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=105&products_id=1039

Published Wrimo!

My March 2010 release Promises To Keep is now listed on the "Published Wrimos" page of http://www.nanowrimo.org/! There are over 60 published "wrimos", including Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. It makes me so proud to see my name listed there. :o)

http://www.nanowrimo.org/publishedwrimos

Book Signing!

Book Signing at Dreamalot Books

Join paranormal author Heather Kuehl at Dreamalot Books on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 12pm to 3pm. She will be signing copies of her books Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead.

Dreamalot Books
123B S Goose Creek Blvd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-4188
http://www.dreamalotbooks.com/

Directions To Store:
Dreamalot Books is located on Hwy 52, 123B South Goose Creek Blvd. in Goose Creek. You will find them just inside the Goose Creek city limits in a strip mall with Allstate Ins., on the opposite side of highway from the Waffle House.

Last night

I had so much fun last night at Drinking in the Morning's Spooooky-tacular event. It was nerve wracking being in front of so many people - more than 50 - making me think that I need to work on my public speaking skills, but it was fun.

Pictures are up on my website. https://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/events/signings/drinking-in-the-morning-10-25-10

I hope I get the chance to do something like that again. As nerve wracking as it was, it was a blast.

Spooooky-tacular tonight!

Join me tonight at Drinking in the Morning's Halloween Spooooky-tacular as I talk about the Sarah Vargas series. The first 50 guests will receive goodie bags filled with candy, bookmarks, and more from me and the wonderful authors at Eternal Press. Don't forget to stop by the merchandise table to purchase your copy of Fade to Black or Malevolent Dead. Copies are limited! And yes, I will be signing those beautiful books!

The deets (from DitM's Facebook page):

Date:
October 25, 2010

Location:
The Nickelodeon Theater
937 Main Street
Columbia, SC

Time:
Doors open at 10pm, show starts at 10:30pm

More Info:
Spirits take flight at our Drinking in the Morning Spooooky-tacular. Join Aaron and Grant for a frightful evening of mayhem and delight! Vampire writer Heather Dade Kuehl will join us, along with Drunk Joe the Gin-Soaked Magician and some surprise visitors from the shadowy beyond!

In addition to live music from the CASSANGLES, there will also be lots of new media, audience interaction, breaking the fourth wall and web 2.0 cutting edge stuff that really rides the long tail. So make sure you wear your prosumer hats for this social networking extravaganza!

Admission just $5.00, beer and wine will be served! More details as they develop!

Purchase advance tickets here and get a collectible 8x10 print, signed and numbered. Also offering discounted T-Shirts: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinkinginthemorning.com%2F%3Fp%3D138&h=7dc1c

http://www.drinkinginthemorning.com/

Space Cops

Space Cops is featured on Bish's Beat today. My short story, "To Walk Among Dreams," was featured in this anthology.

http://bishsbeat.blogspot.com/2010/10/pulp-now-space-cops.html


Excerpt from "To Walk Among Dreams" in Space Cops (c) 2009

The turning of pages was the only sound that embraced the soundproof room. I looked around, taking in the light blue ceiling and stark white walls. A small camera was perched above the door, the shining red light indicating that this session was being filmed. The brightness of the florescent lights mixed with the color of the walls was starting to make my head hurt. I took a drag of my cigarette as I waited.

"Tell me why you think you're here."

The woman who spoke crossed her legs, her hands running over her thighs to make sure that her skirt hung right. Her blonde hair was in a long braid down her back with little wispy bangs covering her forehead. It was a flattering look for her. Her skirt was black with little purple flowers on it, the same shade of purple as her blouse. Her black pumps were more elegant that business-like, telling me that she was a woman of wealth. Her hand covered mine, a comforting gesture. I recoiled as though her touch burned. I refused to meet her eyes. I knew all that I needed to know for now. She was new. She had that fresh, just out of grad school feel to her. She was treating me like any other patient.

"Did they explain to you who I am?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Then there is no need for introductions. Did they explain why I was here?"

"Your file states that you suffer from delusions. You wish to make the world a better place..."

"So I have an imaginary world where I dish out justice," I finished for her. "Go get Dr. Cornwell. I don't have time for this."

She smoothed out her skirt - a nervous gesture - and took a deep breath. "The beginning?"

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, tapping my cigarette on a triangluar red ashtray. I raised my eyes up until they met hers; beautiful cerulean blue with flecks of green and gray. Her eyes gave her away. I could read her so easily that it scared me. She stared back into my eyes through my curtain for curly red hair.

I lowered my gaze and asked, "Has anyone ever told you that your eyes are the windows to your soul?"

I didn't want to talk about me. I needed to know about her. After all, I had my orders.

Buy your copy TODAY at Amazon.com

Halloween yummies!

I'm sharing my favorite Halloween recipe at Kayden McLeod's blog today. I love these Double Delicious Halloween Bars. YUM!

http://kaydenmcleod.blogspot.com/2010/10/recipemondayshalloween-double-delicious.html

Vote for Malevolent Dead

It's that time again! You Gotta Read Videos has this month's contest open and Malevolent Dead's book trailer is entry #3. Please stop by http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ to check out the trailers and cast your vote.

Voting ends Oct. 26.