Fantasy Books of Interest to Writers, Guest Post by Janalyn Voigt

Fantasy Books of Interest to Writers

DawnSinger: A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?

 

WayFarer: When an untried youth ascends to the high throne of Faeraven, his mistakes tear kingdoms apart and allow just one chance at redemption. He must humble himself before the man he banished.

 

Be sure and participate in Janalyn Voigt's Rafflecopter giveaway of a $20 Starbucks card. The winner will be announced on her website Saturday, February 15th.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I asked Janalyn a question that I was curious about. Her writing is beautiful. If you read her books, you will see what I mean. Her words are like art in motion, creating a storybook world full of adventurous beauty. Here is my question and her answer:

 

LORILYN:  What authors would you recommend a writer wanting to write fantasy read?

 

JANALYN:  I knew I’d face this question one day and have to admit the truth. Apart from discovering the novels of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis as an adult and having Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz read to me as a child, I haven’t been exposed to many fantasy authors. I think this worked in my favor since people who read my fantasy stories tend to describe them as different and my voice as original. The fantasy authors I’ve read probably influenced my novels in subconscious ways, but if I’d read more fantasy I might have had to work hard to avoid overused prototypes within the genre.

When you allow other authors to influence your writing, there is a danger of being seen as a writer of derivative works. It is one thing to be compared favorably to Tolkien and quite another to be said to copy his writings. Readers of the epic fantasy genre do expect certain elements, but for a writer to stand out originality is important. That might seem a contradiction in terms, and striking a balance can be quite a dance, but to become established as a fantasy writer on your own merits it must be done.

Having said all that, there is value in reading good books of all kinds. Several fantasy authors are in my to-be-read pile. 

Eric Wilson, one of the endorsers of my debut novel, DawnSinger, has a Jerusalem Undead series I’ve wanted to pick up for a while now. I’m not really into vampire stories, but I attended a reading of one of his novels and found it quite good and glorifying of God’s power.

Tosca Lee’s Demon became an instant classic. It would be interesting to discover why. 

I enjoyed reading one of Donita K. Paul’s Dragonkeeper stories and would consider reading more of them. 

Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black is an important book about the dangers of addiction. I’d like to read more by this author.

Someone once tried to insult me as a writer by complaining that my writing was like Stephen Lawhead’s. I took it as a compliment and now want to read his books, especially his Pendragon Cycle.

I’d like to find out why Ted Dekker is so popular. 

Jill Williamson’s Blood of Kings trilogy has a place on my shelves. I plan to read it this year.

Someone who read both my DawnSinger and Morgan Busse’s Daughter of Light emailed to tell me he found the stories remarkably alike. That piqued my interest, so I’ll be catching the books in her Follower of the Word series. 

After reading Michael Duncan’s Shadows, I was so impressed that I now have to read Revelation, the next in his Book of Aleth series. I’m a little prejudiced since Michael is a friend, but I predict great things for this gifted storyteller. 

I’ve heard good things about Bryan Sanderson’s Mistborn series. 

Frank Peretti, who started the whole speculative trend in the CBA, is releasing a new book, Illusion. 

James L. Rubart writes intriguing supernatural fiction novels, and I want to catch up on reading them. Rooms is his first novel. 

After David Burrows and I met online and discovered our mutual love of epic fantasy, we exchanged books. I’m looking forward to reading his The Prophecy of the Kings series. 

Michelle Griep has a medieval time travel novel out entitled Gallimore and a Viking time travel novel entitled Undercurrent. Both sound wonderful. 

Not but not least, Lorilyn Roberts has a beautiful young adult story entitled Seventh Dimension: The Door that I’ve been meaning to catch.

I’m looking forward to discovering more great fantasy authors in the future.

Care to share your own favorites?

LORILYN:  I am laughing because we share similar favorites. I love C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The first author that turned me on to Christian fantasy was Frank Peretti. Then I fell in love Randy Alcorn's fiction books. I suppose it was Randy who made me want to write fiction as I saw him weaving Christian themes into contemporary issues, like Down's Syndrome and abortion. I don't know why, but until then I thought that would be taboo - that no one would put controversial subjects like that in a Christian book. But his books have opened my eyes to possibilities yet unexplored in Christian writing.   

 

I grew up reading science fiction and mystery, like Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, and only in recent years have I given myself permission to indulge my childhood passion for fantasy once again. I suppose I spent too many years reading court transcripts as a court reporter. I keep telling myself all those years I took depositions (which I didn't enjoy) will show up in a book down the road. Who knows what kind of fantasy I might turn those stories into.

 

I also want to read novels by Ted Dekker and Michael Duncan - books by both are on my Kindle, as well as Malo Bel. New authors I have read in the last year that I enjoyed are Emma Right, Kevin Mark Smith, Michael J. Webb, and Martin Roth. Their books are in the Christian suspense/thriller category as well as fantasy.

 

I have never worried about copying the styles of other authors. But one person who read Seventh Dimension - The Door compared my writing to Australian fantasy author Isobelle Carmody, so I hope to read one of her books soon.

 

It's been great, Janalyn, having you visit the John 3:16 blog. I hope our readers will check out your books, which I highly recommend, with the links below. 

 

 

 

DawnSinger: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1611162009?tag=novebookbook-20

 

Wayfarer: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNFP8UC?tag=novebookbook-20

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA.

When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Author Site for Janalyn Voigt: (author journals, travel journals, guest journals, and book news)
 

Site for Writers: Live Write Breathe (teaching articles plus free How to Edit PDF)

All the Ways to Share in a Book Launch - Book Launch List by Janalyn Voigt

In 2013, one of our members, Janalyn Voigt, launched her fantasy book DawnSinger and compiled the following list of ways to share as part of her book launch. If you are an author or writer hoping to launch a book, you will find this compilation helpful. Janalyn gave me permission to share her list. Be sure to check out DawnSinger on Amazon. 

If you are not really online you can... 

Print some of the attached documents and share them with family and friends.
Print the poster to use as flyers and share them with a book club.
Print a poster and hang it up at work, or share flyers with co-workers.

If you want to share by E-mail you can...
Forward THIS e-mail to anyone you think might want to help promote this wonderful book. (Family and friends that know Janalyn would be great).
Forward one of the photos in the promo kit to people in your contact list who may be interested in this book. Tell them what you know of the book/author.
Forward a link to the book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE
Forward a link to her NEW book trailer: http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Foward a link to the book on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/DawnSinger
Forward a link to her website http://JanalynVoigt.com 
There will be giveaways on her site for the book launch. A chance to win a $20 starbucks card, a print copy of Dawnsinger, e-book copies and chances to win other fun things! (And sign up for them yourself too if you would like).

If you are on Facebook you can...
Like her author page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanalyn
Post one (or more) of the flyers attached in this email to facebook.
Share a link to the book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE
Post a link to her **NEW** book trailer: http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Post a link to her website http://JanalynVoigt.com And let everyone know there will be giveaways on her site for the book launch. (Chance to win a $20 starbucks card, a print copy of Dawnsinger, e-book copies and chances to win other fun things).
Go to goodreads.com, log in with your facebook account and add her books to 'books you want to read'

While at goodreads.com you can….
Become a fan of Janalyn on her Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3439922.Janalyn_Voigt
Like DawnSinger's book video on Janalyn's Author Page.
Like DawnSinger's Listopia listing.
Recommend DawnSinger to your friends: 

1. Click on the 'Recommend it' link in the upper right hand side column of the books description page.
2. Select friends you would like to share the book with.

If you are on Pinterest...
Follow Janalyn Voigt: http://pinterest.com/janalynvoigt/
Pin her books: http://pinterest.com/janalynvoigt/books-by-janalyn-voigt/
Pin her youtube book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE
Pin her new book trailer: http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Comment on her book, teaser, and trailer pins (this creates more of a 'buzz' and makes easier to find in pinterest)

If you are on Amazon.com… 
(you will have to log in to do the following)
Go to Dawnsinger's description page: http://www.amazon.com/DawnSinger and on that page:
 - 'Like' the book 
 - Go down to the heading: Tags Customers Associate with This Product and then click the little boxes next to each tag and click 'agree with these tags'. (this is important for the book to be found correctly in Amazon's search).
 -Also from the books description page you can go to her author page on amazon.com. Make sure you're logged in, and then on the Author page at the top of the the right hand sidebar click the like button there. Also if you are inclined, you can start a discussion or ask the author a question on that page.
You can share her author page on Amazon by email-facebook-or twitter also.
If you intend to purchase DawnSinger from Amazon, please wait to do so until July 3rd. Purchasing on this day will help to gain visibility in Amazon's search rankings.

Comment on fantasy forum posts you find on DawnSinger's Amazon page. If appropriate and natural, feel free to mention DawnSinger. But do not openly promote.

Add DawnSinger to Listmania lists. Listmania is important because it adds DawnSinger to your amazon profile and to other lists on Amazon's site. If you are not familiar with listmania but would like to try this: click on 'your account' under your name in the upper right hand corner. A drop down menu will appear, click 'you account' again from that menu. Then scroll down to the 'Personalization' box at the bottom. Click 'Your Public Profile'. Once at your profile click 'more actions' next to 'edit your profile' in the upper right. From the drop down menu click add/remove favorite items. Then create a list mania list from there, including DawnSinger as the product.
Log into Shelfari.com with your amazon account and comment on Janalyn's profile page and add Dawnsinger to your to-read shelf.

If you are on Google+...
Post one of the flyers attached in this email.
Share a link to the book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE
Post a link to her **NEW** book trailer: http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Post a link to her website http://JanalynVoigt.com and let everyone know that there are giveaways there too: a chance to win a $20 starbucks card, a copy of Dawnsinger, e-book copies and other fun things are going to be given away. (And sign up for them yourself if you would like).  

If you are on Twitter...
Follow @janalynvoigt
Tweet about DawnSinger with hastag #dawnsinger
Share a link to the book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE
Post a link to her **NEW** book trailer: http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Join a twitter party for DawnSinger's launch on July 3@3pm central time (2pm Eastern, 4pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific) @HolidayHaven, @JanalynVoigt, @MelissaKNorris, @KathrynCLang @KimVandel are joining the party. #DawnSinger is the hashtag.
Attached to this email is a list of suggested tweets for July 3rd only, to promote the twitter party.

If you have a blog or website...
Post a photo of the book, the you-tube trailers, and/or a link to http://JanalynVoigt.com on the sidebar of your blog.
Create a post or add to sidebar about the twitter party. Here is the code for a twitter party button: 

<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.janalynvoigt.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dapDNVvWu6o0Fz3UIpU9RDhbC8DFlMlPmEkVikyicIG40WZC7_GS6cZo2q5DkKKZ1XCMynQ_yVqQmYuwJzWSjVvvfa_s3DdV2j6oQiyuxML1_K4e4o_Ev43VVKFpxQs17CZuvQbjg2zO/s1600/twitter+button+2.jpg" /></a><br />

Create a post about the book, interview Janalyn, post one of the interviews attached to this email. 

Share the Launch Celebration page with giveaways on your social sites on July 3rd. A html post for the Launch celebration titled 'For July 3rd, Dawnsinger Promotional Blog Post' has been attached to this e-mail and can be copied an pasted to create an easy post.

Blog about the giveaways and the novel on your own sites and provide a link to http://janalynvoigt.com

If you are on YouTube...
Watch and like her book teaser: http://youtu.be/RVg0NYqOhkE 
Watch and like her (New) book trailer:  http://youtu.be/ZsVFrhb5vCo
Comment on the teaser and trailer. Like similar comments. 
If you create youtube videos; share about her book in one of your videos.

If you go to http://janalynvoigt.com you can…
Sign up for giveaway drawings on landing page.
Follow on Networked Blogs, if you would like to follow her blog.

Once you read the book...

Go to goodreads.com, sign in with your facebook account and rate the book. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7913779-dawnsinger

Go to Amazon.com and leave reviews. And like similar reviews. http://www.amazon.com/DawnSinger-Janalyn-Voigt/dp/1611162009/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

Go to Shelfari.com, log in with your amazon account and rate Dawnsinger. http://www.shelfari.com/books/29544802/DawnSinger
Go to Pelican books and vote for her book and post a review (you will need to make an account for this one). http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/dawnsinger

(You can copy and paste your review on each of these sites, no need to rewrite for each.)

Thanks again! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Janalyn Voigt

*~*~*~*

 

In Janalyn's Own Words

It happened over time. My father instilled a love of literature in me at an early age when he read chapters from "The Wizard of Oz," "Robinson Crusoe" and other classics. When I grew older, and he stopped reading bedtime stories, I put myself to sleep with tales I "wrote" in my head. As a precocious reader, I soon graduated to the novels in my parent's bookcase. I'm sure those books contributed to my growth as a writer. My sixth-grade teacher noticed my storytelling ability. As a result of his encouragement, I identified my desire to write novels.

DawnSinger is my debut novel and the first offering in Tales of Faeraven. WayFarer (Tales of Faeraven 2) is in production and I'm working on book three in the series. Read an excerpt at http://buff.ly/XxNyUx Learn more about my books and about me at my website: http://janalynvoigt.com

I also write western romance novels, and will publish in that genre under Janalyn Irene Voigt. I am represented by Wordserve Literary. I serve as a judge for several national literary contests and am an Amazon top book reviewer. My memberships include ACFW and NCWA.

I live in a beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, gardening, and finding adventures in the great outdoors. I dream of owning a horse, exploring all the national parks, and visiting European castles.