Sunday, February 26, 2012

"ReLaunch Across The Galaxy" Blog Hop

In January 2011 I published Across The Galaxy.

January 22nd to be exact - (Happy Birthday Lisa! <--- my sister)

13 months later Across The Galaxy has sold hundreds of copies and has allowed me to become part of the BEST online community of writers and bloggers I can imagine exists.

I am so grateful to this story in my head and the One who gave me the passion to get it out onto paper (or comp screen). I'm also grateful to my mentor and sensei: Warren Murphy. (Author of The Forever King, one of my top 5 fav books ever!) Without him, I would've never heard of JA Konrath or the e-publishing revolution that was already underway when I came into the picture.

And mostly - thanks to everyone who has bought and read this book. I wouldn't be here without readers. Its still sort of surreal to get 'fan mail' and letters from people who just want to thank me for writing and providing them with a way to escape their every day 'stuff'. Surreal but awesome!

Now, even though this reads like a sappy acknowledgement page in a book, I'm not usually the mushy type so let's move on...

Marking a year as a self-published author is pretty exciting when not only has that much time passed already, but I'm now making the kind of money writing that I would've made off an advance from NY for these titles. Woot Woot!! And I am sooo happy doing it myself because that means I can do something fun and crazy like change a cover anytime I want.

And since I can, I did. Here's the background on that decision.

Across the Galaxy's original cover was made by a professional photographer. He used a stock background and snapped a really cool pose of my cousin Krystle (Twitter name: @KrystylePole if you want to tell her how awesome she looks!) - who, by the way, is in Vegas this weekend competing in a Pole fitness competition. Go Krystle!!!!

Okay, back to the point. Anyway so my love for ths cover is deep and completely biased because of the story behind the cover. That being said, the marketer in me knew this cover needed... something. The cover competition out there is hard, and even though I love this one, its not necessarily competing to get your attention like so many other YA fantasy covers.

Enter Char Adlesberger. College student from Colorado and GENIUS cover artist! She took my book description and my request for something "edgy" and gave me this!!!





A-MA-zing!!!!!!!!!

So, now that I've caught your eye, on to the details of the HOP. Because I can't do something as cool as a new cover and NOT give stuff away!!!

The schedule is listed below. Each blogger will feature the book and brand new synopsis along with a giveaway of an e-book version of the book. Some will also host a review, interview, or fun facts about yours truly. On the last day, head over to Accendo Press' site (my publishing group) to enter to win a Kindle cover with signed bookmarks!!


2/27/12 - Nightly Reading
2/29/12- Magnet 4 Books
3/1/12- Fiktshun
3/3/12- The Readiacs
3/6/12 - Accendo Press  - giveaway of a Kindle cover and e-book of your choice!



And now for the BEST part of this post - You can enter here to win a prize pack from me that includes signed bookmark swag for Dirty Blood (pictured above) and Descended By Blood by Angeline Kace - and a signed paperback of Across The Galaxy with the brand new cover!!

check it:


Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment with your email address below. For an extra entry you can 1- become a follower of the blog and 2- tweet about the giveaway and new cover. Mention me: @HeatherHildenbr in the tweet so I can track your entries.

The contest ends 3/12 and the winner will be announced 3/13. Good luck! 

23 comments:

  1. Big congratulations on your relaunch Heather. The new cover is spectacular. So gorgeous with the colors. Hope things are a little better for you. Hang in there!

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    1. Thanks Heidi. Some days are better than others. Mostly, I focus on the blessings. =) And I am beyond appreciative of those that still think of me...

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  2. Ooohhhh I want to join the giveaway! I got the dirty blood series, I want across the galaxy too!

    Talksupe@rocketmail.com
    Braine

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  3. Congratulations on your anniversary and relaunch. I wish you all the best and joy in your success. The color effects on the new cover are lovely.
    I am a follower and have tweeted about the fun.
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. oo, awesome giveaway!
    e-mail: meganmhilbert@gmail.com
    i am a follower and have tweeted about the giveaway!
    https://twitter.com/#!/caffandbooks/status/175016401306791936

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  5. Super cool giveaway. Thanks for chance to win. I followed you and tweeted. Congratulations on relaunch & new cover.
    laurathomas61@att.net



    YA Paranormal Author: "ReLaunch Across The Galaxy" Blog Hop http://heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com/2012/02/relaunch-across-galaxy-blog-hop.html?spref=tw #@heatherhildenbr

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  6. Congratulations on the relaunch, it's looking good!!! I'm a follower & I tweeted the giveaway even though I really don't want to give more people a chance to win.

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha Dynie! Thanks for the tweet, even if it was grudgingly given. =)

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  7. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
    ~Peggy
    bethsflutterby@aol.com
    Tweet https://twitter.com/#!/bethsflutterby/status/176040009382641666
    I'm a follower too :)

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  8. This looks like an amazing read.

    ~Steph
    soklad82@hotmail.com

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  9. I love the new cover!

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com
    GFC: BookAttict
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/BookAttict/status/176089808068804608

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  10. I like the cover :D I'm glad that you changed the cover now~
    Email: puieread at yahoo dot com

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  11. GFC Follower: Herp
    Email: puieread at yahoo dot com

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  12. Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/HerpPerp/status/176099548140277760
    Email: puieread at yahoo dot com
    I hope that Tyler is happy in Heaven.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Puie - Aww thank you. What a sweet thought. I know he is. I think of what he must be doing right now and I know he's happy - and waiting on me. =)

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  13. Congrats on the relaunch!! I really like the new cover and what an awesome giveaway : )
    email: ame1184@gmail.com
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/bamayankee/status/176358022896041984

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  14. I've just navigated through your blog, and am pretty much overwhelmed by all that you have been through. You're an amazing strong woman, who has some how found the time for a relaunch amongst the craziness of the world. Bravo. Amazing.
    I would love the opportunity to own a signed paper back of Across the Galaxy.
    I'm now a follower on Twitter, so will be able to keep an eye on your continued success!
    Thank you.
    beckyhjohnson79@yahoo.com.au

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    Replies
    1. thanks Bex! Your support and concern mean a lot. And thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck ;)

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  15. Congratulations on relaunch - book cover is awesome! Thanks for having this giveaway! joellaelbert@gmail.com
    GFC: Joella
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/JoellaElbert/status/176673221838508032

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  16. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!! and the relaunch looks so cool!!! I love the new book cover!!! I love your Dirty Blood Series so I just know this book will be extra cool!!

    GFC: red_tigergirl2
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/red_tigergirl2/status/176701409595621376

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  17. Congratulations! Thanks for the giveaway.
    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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