Welcome Jill Williamson and Replication

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JILL WILLIAMSON  is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to a love of books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Visit her at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life.

REPLICATION, the Jason Experiment
by Jill Williamson
Published by Zonderkidz

ABOUT THE BOOK

Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Readers, buy your copy of REPLICATION, the Jason Experiment today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Getting to Know Your Readers
One of my favorite things to do is talk with my readers. I love speaking to teens because it gives me the perfect opportunity to meet my target audience. I have so much fun getting to know students after my presentation, taking pictures with them and asking them what they’re reading now, what their favorite books are, or what the story they are writing is about.

I also enjoy connecting with readers online or via snail mail, though that has a very different feel to it. I’ve had some great conversations through email, cried over letters from readers, and had many laughs on Facebook with people who know me through my books. Even though it’s time consuming, I respond to every message I receive.

My husband is a youth pastor, so this is another way that I get to hang out with my target audience every week. And I know most of these teens really well.

And I’m blessed to have a couple teenage critique partners.

I’ve found that success with my readers is all about building a relationship with them. That might start with my novel or it might start with a kind word in an unlikely place. I met a teenager once at the park when I took my kids swimming. This girl was there as a babysitter. While we watched our kids, I asked her what she was reading and we got to talking about books. Eventually it came out that I was a writer, and she was excited about meeting me.

The key is to start conversations with people, and for those conversations to be successful, you want to ask the other person about her life. If an opportunity arises to mention your book, go for it. If not, trust that loving on someone is all that’s necessary that day. It’s the Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, mindset. And it works. That shouldn’t be a surprise, though. After all, Jesus said it best: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If what we all want, deep down, is to be asked about what we are struggling with, how we are really doing, and what we do for a living, then, according to Jesus, those are the questions we need to be asking others.

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Thank you, Jill, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: How do you connect with your readers? Do you speak? Are you more of an online communicator? Or do you meet your readers elsewhere? As a reader, what do you like to see from authors whose books you read? If you were to get to know them, what would be your preferred method or sequence from introduction to relationship?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered. And if you don’t like to read teen science fiction, maybe there is a teen in your life who’d like the book.

The contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Spotlight on Jill Williamson and By Darkness Hid

I'm thrilled today to be able to spotlight today's author. Not only is this her first fiction novel, but she is 1 of 3 new authors with Marcher Lord Press' Spring Releases. Another is my husband, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, with his debut novel, Starfire. If you like speculative fiction in fantasy or sci-fi, you should check out this publisher. The books are fantastic...and I don't just say that because of my marital bias. *winks*



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JILL WILLIAMSON is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She writes stories that combine danger, suspense, and adventure for people of all ages. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews (www.novelteen.com) to help teens find great books to read. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two book-loving children. By Darkness Hid is her first novel. Check out her Web site www.jillwilliamson.com for more information.

BY DARKNESS HID
by Jill Williamson
Published by Marcher Lord Press

ABOUT THE BOOK

Half of Er’Rets is locked beneath an impenetrable shroud. On the side that still sees the sun, two young people struggle to understand the mind-communication abilities thrust upon them. It's called bloodvoicing. Some say it's a gift. One of the newly “gifted” wish it had never come.

Achan has been a slave all his life. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both.

Buy Your Copy of By Darkness Hid today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I had a really weird dream. Have you ever wakened from a bizarre dream and thought, “Wow! That would make a great story?” This happened to me once in the middle of the night. So I wrote down the dream and went back to sleep. When morning came, my notes made very little sense. It was a science fiction premise, but there was one aspect to it that I couldn’t stop thinking about. Over time I brainstormed. The premise switched from science fiction to medieval fantasy. I started researching that time period. The more I learned, the more I couldn’t wait to get started writing. The final story turned out nothing like that dream.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Not much of me influenced these characters. This is the fifth book I’ve written, so I think that I used up all of me on my first few books. :) Both Achan and Vrell are tenacious, which is a trait that I have. Achan rebels more than I ever would. He rebels against injustice despite the punishments he receives and the ongoing threat of death. Achan is a lot braver than I am, too. I probably have more in common with Vrell. She tends to point out injustice, which is something I’m prone to do. She’s also a girl.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Achan would be Rocky Road, since that’s how his life has been. He is a stray, which is a social rank lower than a slave. Just when he thinks he might find a way out, his life gets more complicated.

4. Are there any themes in If By Darkness Hid that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

That there is only one God and that he is the desire of our hearts. No matter what we face, knowing him will make life more worthwhile. He created us for a purpose. If we want to know our purpose, we must discover him.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Researching medieval medicine/healing was the hardest. When I really started looking, though, it was fascinating. I know my scenes are much better because of all the research I did.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

To Darkness Fled, Blood of Kings, book 2, should come out in 2010. This story follows Achan and Vrell’s journey together through Darkness to flee Esek’s wrath.

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Thank you, Jill, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of By Darkness Hid.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.