Tuesday 26 July 2016

Blogiversary Feature: The Heroes of Arcania Series by Liz Long and Giveaway!

Welcome to another Blogiversary Feature! This time I have the pleasure of welcoming Liz Long to the blog. See her books and interview below and enter to win an eCopy of the first book in her Heroes of Arcania series as well as an eCopy of Gifted.  

29473487

The streets of Arcania are overrun with crime, deteriorating as a madman named Fortune makes himself at home. He shows no mercy, striking down anyone in his path – including Nova Benson’s little sister. Devastated, Nova vows to seek justice for her family, but aside from her freak strength and impenetrable skin, how is she supposed to stop a monster like Fortune?
Cole Warner wants to help people. Entrusted to keep his family’s secret, he’s also frustrated at having to hide his gift. He knows he could do more to help in the fight against Fortune. If he could convince his sister Penelope to join him, they might even have a chance at beating him. When Cole meets Nova, he realizes his whole world is about to change. And he’s going to welcome it with open arms.
Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan.
Then again, neither was becoming a superhero.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29473487-supernova
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SuperNova-Heroes-Arcania-Liz-Long-ebook/dp/B01FKR0FPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469115503&sr=8-1&keywords=supernova+liz+long

Check out Liz's other books HERE

Author Interview:

Where do your ideas come from?
I know this sounds so cliche, but sometimes a character or story idea comes to me in a dream. If the idea sticks with me for the day, I'll write it down and, in a few cases, end up outlining an entire plot that turns into a story :) 

How do you develop your writing ideas?
Every novel has its own notepad - I do rough outlines, character profiles, etc by hand first. Then I tend to dive into writing the first scenes that come to mind (usually a big turning point or action scene). I almost always have the end written first so I know how it goes, and just have to figure out how the characters get there!

Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I find a lot of inspiration from movies and TV characters, even if it's just a personality quirk. I also scan through Pinterest a lot for character ideas in terms of descriptions and facial expressions. 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In 8th grade, I was the editor in chief of my middle school newspaper. I knew then I wanted to be involved with it to some degree. Fiction was always off and on (and my favorite) but journalism started very early for me! 

What makes you unique as a writer?
I'm also a magazine writer, so I get to interview a lot of people. Hearing their stories is always helpful when thinking about characters and their stories. Everyone has such a unique perspective that I get to hear about things I never would otherwise (for example, last week I learned about cabinetry, landscaping, war veteran stories, and travel tips). The broad topics give me a little taste of everything which adds to my fiction. 

Describe your book in 140 characters or less.
Heroes of Arcania trilogy:
Comic book readers and fans of CW Network smash hits Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Netflix's Daredevil will root for Liz Long's bestselling YA summer series as the HoA's gifted teen superheroes attempt to save their city from its impending demise.

Tell us about the main character(s).
Nova Benson and Cole Warner are the narrators in Heroes of Arcania. They're gifted (superpowers) and both on the hunt to save their city from Fortune. For Nova, it's about getting revenge for the murder of her little sister. For Cole, it's about saving his own little sister from Fortune's clutches. I really loved writing their relationship, as it grows stronger with every obstacle, but seeing how the two of them deal with separate issues and their opinions on how to save the city. 

What writers inspire/d you?
JK Rowling, for all her details; James Patterson for his cliffhanger chapters that keep you turning the page. 

How has your writing career changed since you started?
My writing is stronger, I know that for sure. I think I write much faster now and can put the pieces of a story together quicker than I used to; lots of practice!! 

What does your writing process look like?
The best day for me is a Saturday with no plans ahead, and a cool morning. Coffee and outlining on my screened-in front porch with my dog, followed by a few hours of writing. Probably with Skittles and a lot of snacks in between. 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I LOVE having Skittles while I write. I can eat a pack in no time. 

What are your writing goals for the next year?
I plan to write the 5th book of the Donovan Circus series, hopefully out next spring sometime. I'd also like to put out my gifted spy standalone that's just a lot of fun if you're into those action type of books. 

Name the five biggest distractions from your writing.
Facebook. My dog. My husband. Facebook. Happy hour.

What character would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with?
Hermione Granger!

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I'm hearing more and more great things from them by the day. A UK reader emailed me yesterday to say HoA1 was "brilliant" and many are just responses to my newsletter telling me about their weekends, which is awesome. I love feeling so connected to them, like we're truly friends! 

Some Get to know me Questions

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I watch my favorite movies, catch up on the TBR pile, and cuddling with my dog.

What’s the best vacation you ever had?
My husband and I celebrated a honeymoon at Hogwarts :) I spent my 27th birthday there in Harry Potter heaven, including being chosen for the wand sorting at Ollivander's! (I also hung out with the Marvel superheroes which was great!) 

What’s your favourite rainy day movie?
Any action movie, really, especially of the Avengers variety!

If you could be any age again for a week, which would you choose and why?
I'll go back to that week I turned 27 at Hogwarts ;) 

If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would it be?
The day the suffragettes won the right to vote.

What's you favourite place to read?
My bed! 

When you walk into a book store, where do you head first?
The magazines, since I'm always looking for mine :) (I'm the Associate Editor at a magazine publishing company and editor of a wedding magazine)

Liz Long author
 My name is Liz Long and I’m a writer, photographer, dreamer, and Twitter stalker (you can also put “nerdy” in front of all those things). Whether you’re looking for a new fantasy read, need marketing and social media tips, or want some writing advice from an indie author, I promise to provide in the best way possible.
I am lucky enough to have my dream job as the Associate Editor at LeisureMedia360, where I write for magazine publications: The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country, and bridebook. I love my job and it’s truly the best of both worlds as I both share others’ stories and create them.

You can also contact me here:

Email Me
Twitter: @LizCLong
Facebook
Pinterest

Giveaway: 

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