My Author Journey + Giveaway of an Autographed copy of "Broken Silence"!

Even though it's been a little over a year since the release of my first novel, "Broken Silence", I've never really introduced it on this blog or told the story behind it. So, here's all the info. =)

Don't forget to scroll down the page and enter the free giveaway to win an autographed copy of the novel!

My author journey started in the fifth grade when my English teacher encouraged me to submit a short story to the school newsletter based on creativity and exceptional writing skills. While that story wasn't published, it lit a fire under me that sent me to pursue publishing. I had sent a total of over 30 stories, poems and articles to various magazines before my poem "For Keeps" was accepted by Skipping Stones Magazine in January 2005 when I was 16 years old. 

For over nine years (from ages 13-22) I focused on freelance writing, submitting over 300 poems, stories, articles and book manuscripts to magazines, websites, newsletters, contests, devotionals, anthologies and publishing houses. Of those, 47 were chosen for publication and were featured on websites, in magazines and Sunday School take home papers, in addition to three anthology books. 

In 2008 I was introduced to NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, held in November of each year by the Office of Letters and Light, a nonprofit literacy organization. The goal is simple, to write a novel with at least 50,000 words in 30 days.

I was 19 years old in November 2008 and I decided to undertake this challenge with a story that had been brewing on my heart for awhile. It was very much my story, but with a lot of fictional additions. I spent those 30 days with my beloved Alphasmart typing madly in between college classes and before church events; late into the night and early mornings. But at the end of November, I had my first rough draft in my hand. A complete novel!

For the next few years I worked on re-writing and editing, but for the most part, it just sat there. It never felt right or ready to submit it to a traditional publisher, so I kept it hidden.

In 2011, I turned my focus from freelance writing to business and teamed up with Candice Jenee'  to run AngelInk Illuminations. We started with dreams of a publishing company and creative design, and later changed the direction to focus on writing and Life REdesign Coaching.

In spring 2012 we each released our debut novels, both of which were college works of our hearts, and incredibly personal to us. Many hours of editing, revising, and rewriting went into them, but they are still our first novels. They are both written with a young adult audience in mind. Older readers may need to head the warning that my book was written by a teen for teens and won't read like many conventional fiction books!

Broken Silence - Book Description

Brigitta Skye has known more pain than most people experience in a lifetime. A withdrawn skeptic of life, she’s quickly slipping into silence as haunting memories bubble to the surface. But the scars on her arms and her heart are becoming more visible and when Jake, an overly-responsible guy comes into her life, she’s left with more anxiety than she can handle. She’d give anything to be whole again. Will she make it out alive?

Watch the Book Trailer

Find my author pages, reviews and more on Amazon and Goodreads

A final note. If you have read Broken Silence, I would so appreciate if you would take a moment to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews and ratings are what authors rely most on! Thank you!

Giveaway terms and conditions: Giveaway open to residents of the US only. Winner will be emailed within 48 hours after the giveaway closes on July 15, 2013. Winner will have 7 days to respond to the email with their mailing address for prize delivery or a new winner will be selected. Facebook is not associated with this giveaway in any way and holds no liability for outcome.

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