Manic Monday: iPad iBooks, Waiting on the Mailman, and Shiver Book Review…

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We Finally Meet iPhone’s Mama…

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Well, I guess I should say that no, I did not run out and buy one. I’m an author, and quite frankly, an iPad won’t do much good for me other than reading books (typing without real keys = not going to happen). At the rate I read books, though, the screen will hurt my eyes.

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I think it should have been named iTab…

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Anyways. So my books are making their way into the iBookstore, if they’re not on there already. I got a notification telling me Feather: Book One made it, and so far that makes me very happy. So all you iPad-dlers out there, look for me 😀

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Also look for me, coming soon to: Sony e-reader, Barnes and Noble Nook, and just about any other form, including in the Indonesian market, in your language! That’s right, we’re going global.

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Waiting on the Mailman…

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I’m awaiting my Author Review Copy of Knight Angels. Very Exciting!

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He never comes at the same time, and there’s no way of knowing if it will come today, or tomorrow. It’s killing me, and it’s so fun to finally get to see what it’s going to look like in person!

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*biting nails*

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Shiver Book Review…

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Ah, I love holidays.

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I read the whole book cover to cover yesterday, and I don’t think I could have done it any other way. I am a sucker for romantic stories of star-crossed lovers. I figured that was rather obvious because of my writing…

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I regret that I waited this long to read this book, and no, that does not mean I finished Beautiful Creatures. I’m still knawing my way through that one, not that it’s bad, it just wasn’t my taste. It’s like wine – personal taste.

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what made it better was the fact it was cold and windy yesterday, so I really got a sense of the story. Of course today it snowed again, like it did friday… Gotta love April.

Feather Upgrade to Second Edition

Today was the official upgrade of the Second Edition of the Book One Feather on MobiPocket and Amazon’s Kindle. The first edition of Book One Feather is now only available on Paperback, sold through Amazon and the website, as well as some independant stores…

In the coming weeks, The second edition of Fetaher will also be printed in a Paperback form, so check back for expected release dates…

Book Two: Guardian, is also expected to release within the next month, do not mistake the Second Edition release of Feather with the Release of the second book in the series, Guardian. We have only made the first book better by editing it, and adding a few scenes…

Be sure to get your original first edition of Feather soon, and secure the “author’s release” all signed by me…whether you buy it from Amazon or through the website… Thanks for making the book a success, and enjoying the deep tale of forgotten and everlasting love 🙂

Thanks!

A.E.

Feather: Book One, Second Edition Coming Soon…

I am proud to announce the second release of Feather: Book One. As many of you know, the first release was a test release to see how the book would do with the public. Because of the number of copies sold, I am now looking to release a second, fully edited, version…

It will still be a few weeks, but I think the expansion on the original story will help to clarify many of the scenes, and also make the book more “readable.”

All kindle and MobiPocket versions will be updated at this time, and the original version will no longer be available in in that form, but will now only be in the Second Edition…

Original paperbacks are still available, but the limited release was tethered to a low run of books, and will likely go fast…

Look for the new release of Feather: Book One in the coming month, as well as the first release of Book Two: Guardian, also fully edited…

🙂

A.E.

I Appreciate Constructive Criticism, but I don’t Tolerate Mean Comments

The Fact of Emotion Fueled Anonomous Book Reviews…

The Internet makes it so easy, so accessible to criticize without ever truly facing the reality, or the thinker behind the project. I’m sure that if an author stood before you today, most would never say some of the things they do, but rather give their opinions in a way that is constructive to the writer…

I do not tolerate comments where a reader simply trash talks a book, what do you gain from that? What does ANYONE gain from that? One of the best critical reviews I’ve ever had was from a woman that suggested the things she disliked, pointed out the things she did, but then also offered her opinion on things she personally would suggest I work on. B-E-A-utiful!

Not everyone can birth themselves from a priveledged brain full of grammatical training and perfection, much as those with perfect grammar may never be able to write an interesting book full of rich imagination.

Would you criticise the way a person looks? Grammar is the same, sometimes no matter how hard we try, we are not cut out to be walking dictionaries, but rather visionaries, though both are rich within their own talents…

We are all human, and as a personal experiment, I am writing my book in the hopes of learning the art of becoming a better writer… I want to actually learn from my mistakes, not have them taunted upon…

Did DaVinci just quit when people criticized his backwards writing habits? No, so either will I. But truly, do me a favor, If your going to give me a negative review, at least give me something to build from. We’re all human, and we’re all entitled to our own freedom of speech and expression, this goes both ways, but this also does not mean you can be openly cruel and flat out rude, we’re all better than that…

I’m a real person, with real emotion, a real heart, and a real desire to express my soul and talents, no matter what that is. I believe in encouraging everyone I meet, no matter what their level of expertise may be because you never know what that person can become if nurtured in a way that is encouraging, not mean…

Don’t be a bully, but do be a helping hand, the person anyone would be proud to credit and admire as their protege` and friend. Our world will not succeed if we’re all in a war against eachother…

A.E.

 

From Writing Books, to Making Books…

 

 

            

 

 

 

 Writing Books to Making Books…

 

In college I used to hand sew my own books. I miss the assembly, but I think since then I’ve found something with the same satisfaction, and joy. Recently, I’ve been designing book covers for other writers and I love it. I’ve done a business book for an entrepreneur/CEO in California called Iron Ambition, an Art book for a very intriguing project where artists interview artists, based off the blog Thinking About Art by J.T… My own books, both Moonlight Manor and Feather Book Series, and then some sample covers for wall-street guru’s and real-estate tycoons…

By literally quitting my job, I have found a whole new avenue. After writing my first book, I knew that making and designing signs for the University in a tiny office with no windows, was not for me. Deciding to cut down on my hours at the University was a heavy decision, especially when I was on the cusp of getting a mortgage for our the house I had been remodeling for over two years. I lost the dream health coverage, and the security that the job brought, but what I’ve found is that in the two months since, I have built a career outside of that place, with little effort and all the talent I could give. 

I was wasting my talent at the University, literally flushing each great idea down the toilet, with no hope of advancement. When I first started there, I worked my tale off, but like most state jobs, you realize there is no point in being an over achiever beyond earning a lame slip of paper that says you are employee of the quarter (I was nominated twice and won once) After I won, I was a little bummed. Where did that get me? NOWHERE…

I feel that the freelance I am doing now is gratifying, self-fulfilling, and certainly more entertaining. I have my small office in the basement, it’s warm, cozy, my cat’s visit on a regular basis, and I can exercise, do laundry, bake bread, clean, and run errands while I send artwork to be approved and changed by my clients.

Freelance isn’t for everyone, I believe you really have to have the mind for it, and the talent. I work weekends, because I love to work, and the schedule is all mine. Being busy makes me feel alive, gets my blood pumping, and my mind out of the negative…

Needless to say, I love it, and I’m glad I made the leap, and took the chance.

And my mortgage got approved 😉

Abra

 

If you need or like any of the designs in this blog post, or are looking for layout of your own book, or design for business reasons, or other, feel free to contact me…

abra@featherbookseries.com

or find me on elance: HERE and review my portfolio

Coming Fall/Winter 2009…. The Moonlight Manor

Image Copywrite Abra Ebner

 

Copyright Abra Ebner

 

 

The Moonlight Manor

It’s not just your home anymore…

A house forgotten by time, but not forgotten for the creatures inside it. As we step into the world of our imagination, we will find a house of magic, and mystery, and a group of friends bound by the fate of their curse, and eternally tied to the place in which they live.

Come follow Jack, a young boy suddenly thrown into the midst of their world, where each thing has it’s place, and each creature their purpose. A house tricked into eternity, and locked in a curse so deep, it shakes it’s very bones.

Abra Ebner’s second journey into the worlds of her mind, and the mysteries she finds have plagued her all her life. What do you imagine when you take in the world around you? Come see what Abra sees as she works to illustrate it for you, creating a thick web of beauty, and characters that will leave you wondering for years to come…

I Finally Have an Office… and I’ve run off the Hippy ghosts…

 

remodeled kitchen

I finally have an office as of today, the extensive remodel on our bad 70’s home, turned contemporary, is finally becoming fruitful. The 3500 square foot, tear-out-all-the-wood-paneling-and-shag project has revealed many surprises, asbestos, mold, rot, leaky roof, etc etc. 

 

My office until today, had been the dining room table, which is never very exciting, or good, hardly the place to escape the television and write…

Along with an office I have a bedroom, no longer haunted by the swingers of it’s horrible past, and a closet large enough to fit all my husbands clothes… yes, my husbands.

I am still hoping for another snow storm to hit and tear off the deck, but considering there was already fifteen feet piled on it from the snow drifting off the roof, it now seems unlikely that I will score a new porch via insurance…bummer.

 

the kitchen before we tore down the wall and canned the avocado...

 

 

The record player, that once housed the ever delightful Neil Sedaka vinyl, is long since trashed, as well as the avocado bathroom, and mint green kitchen.

6 bedrooms are now 5, and the entire lower floor is a separate apartment all together. 

The Bomb shelter (yes BOMB shelter) under the garage is still just storage, but someday it will serve as the wine cellar, but thats still a long ways away, so the bottles continue to collect dust.

There is still a hole in the floor that looks down on the lower level and basement, but the cats rather enjoy collecting nails and dropping them down there, so I can’t yet bring myself to patch it.

All in all I’d say. Never do this, you’re crazy.

Another Frosty Day in Dreamland…

I actually got out of the house today, granted it was my backyard, but the point is, I got out. Four squirrels were fighting over an apple in my apple trees, and getting up close, allowed me to see how beautiful the frost actually was. You just plum can’t see that from the window, so it was worth the trip. Believe it or not it’s actually sunny today as well, I suppose it’s just not quite warm enough.

I was pleased that my post on starting a book helped a lot of people out, I got some good comments. I’m currently reading a book by Author Brian Rathbone, The Dawning of Power, and it’s taking my mind into a different world, and it’s interesting how that world changes my views on things in real life. His world of Godsland is unique, but then also just like ours, making the events of his novel tangable, and fun. 

I actually encourage female readers out there to give the book a read. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but then as I got into it, it turned out to be very personnable to the female reader. There’s no lack of horses, or otherwise, and so far, it’s very exciting…

Well, thats about all for today, just remember, Feather arrives in paperback in only 13 days! Reserve yours now…

Does Anyone Agree That “The Day After Tomorrow” is coming true??

I watched this movie again last night, followed by Twister. Both tackle the idea of weather, and how we are effecting its inevitable change. It seems obvious that natural disasters are both increasing in occurrence, and strength. Sure sure, every couple of years there’s one big hurricane that destroys a bunch of things, but it seems in the last few years, there’s been a lot. Weather too. We’ve seen heavier snowfalls and floods worldwide. Snow in Vegas, and Switzerland’s lowlands as well.

It seems that things are swinging wide, severe colds to extreme highs, icecaps growing and shrinking. I had read a blog a good time back, about Iceland’s glacier’s growing, now I don’t know if I believe that, but if it were true, that would simply be amazing!

I feel that at some point, it is quite plausible that the whole world could be so thrown off balance, that something as drastic as seen in “The Day After Tomorrow” could really happen…

My battle with bad dreams…My haunted bedroom…

So I mean, I’m a rational person, very rational. Lately, I’ve been having bad dreams, and I think it’s because I recently had to move to another room in my house because my master is being remodeled. This other room was where the previous owners had stayed while they built the house over a number of years in the 70’s. Needless to say, that relationship ended in divorce, so I think the old wife, left some serious bad mumbo jumbo in there, or SOMETHING.

SO, I talked to this gal who is really into energy work, very interesting to say the least, I actually really liked it. She says, that if you plant 12 curnels of corn, it will draw all the negative energy out of the house.

I went to the store, bought a whole ear of corn, and shuved it in the dirt…

Lol-and-behold, I’ve slept like a baby the last few nights…

Now…I write fantasy novels, so I should believe in such things, but in the real world, typically these things don’t happen. This fact is half my intrigue with writing fantasy, but now, at least mentally, it’s a half-truth. It’s sort of like taking a placebo and being told it will cure cancer and then miraculously the cancer goes away. The mind is a powerful thing, and it’s sort of scary…

anyways…

at least I can sleep.