Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Dimensions Of A Stories Idea. TWINED Revealed!

The idea for Twined really came quite suddenly. Usually I don’t do romance books. Well, I don’t do books that are entirely romance. It’s just not a strong suit of mine to focus on love or lovers alone. But with Twined I wanted something different. I wanted something new.

I thought of the premise of love. How risky it is to bank all of your happiness on a variable such as another person. You don’t know how they’re going to act, react or even what their motives could be. How can we know, for certain, what their intentions are? Do they truly love you? Do you truly love them back? Do you want to? These are all questions that lovers are forced to decipher on a daily basis. That’s what makes love exciting. That’s what makes it dangerous.

I always thought of romance as one person needing another; one person needing another in order to have true happiness. It’s as if we’re made incomplete, and we can only finish our design with the help of another, or in some case several other, human beings. That concept intrigued me. And then the core idea of Twined hit me. What if there were people out there who literally needed another person to survive? What if there was a species identical to humans that thrived on partnership to exist? To truly be happy? That’s when I thought of this book.

The idea of the book is that the Twined are a species that parallel humans in many ways. However in order to survive past their early twenties, they must perform a ritual called a Joining with another human being. Through this ritual the Twined enters a symbiotic relationship with a human of their choosing, allowing them to live a full life and giving them access to supernatural abilities. The Twined literally need other people to survive. If they don’t form a bond, then they wither and die as their bodies prematurely shut down.

Now the Twined are known as creatures that distort reality. In their hidden language they are called the Sathantia, or the “seam rippers”. They have been around since the beginning of time, hidden from the world. But the secret is slowly revealing itself in these modern times. It is thought that the world is on the cusp of an all-out Twined revealing. However for the time being, the existence of the Twined remains a carefully and well-guarded secret.

The core idea of Twined is that often you must find the other half of yourself within the love of another person. Be that through friendship, true love or fate. There’s a whole dimension to a character that can be studied based on how said character treats other people. Relationships are a powerful thing. And it’s interesting to see a man like Albert, who so desperately needs someone to Join with, wind up with Avalin who wants anything but another complication in her life. The chemistry in this book I think is great and I believe it will only get better with time.

The inspiration for Twined did indeed stem from the idea of love. There are a lot of key social values in this book, like loyalty, honesty and trust. We’re a social species by nature. Forming bonds is coded into our brains, into our DNA. I think that we are meant to love for a reason. Because sometimes you have to look through someone else’s eyes to truly realize the best things about yourself.


Think back for a moment on that one person in your life that just made your heart pause a split second. The one who made you take that proverbial double take while walking through the mall or sitting at a stop light. Maybe you had your eyes on them for a while, maybe it was a meeting of chance, but you'll never forget that first magical moment. Now, what if your very existence on this earth depended solely on becoming bonded to that person?

The book Twined is a fresh and new concept that will have you turning pages and absorbing their contents at a rapid pace. Before the world get's in your way, give it a try, it's only .99 cents on kindle available at the link to your right.
 My very best to you and yours,
A.L.
http://www.amazon.com/TWINED-ebook/dp/B007QQBPAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339872365&sr=8-1&keywords=twined

Thursday, June 7, 2012

TWINED and SCARLETT'S Available FREE as e-Book Download from June 7th to June 11th!!!

Fiction Author A.L. Collins is offering his two newest Y/A novels TWINED and SCARLETT'S for FREE from June 7th to June 11th as e-book downloads! Just go to the links below and download them onto your computer, kindle, I-phone, I-pad or any other device that supports the kindle app. You won't be disappointed!
http://www.amazon.com/TWINED-ebook/dp/B007QQBPAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338962567&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Scarletts-ebook/dp/B007K9COLW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338963899&sr=8-2

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Upcoming Events and Appearances for A.L. Collins!

 HAMPSTEAD DAY 2012 - Saturday May 19th
A.L. Collins will have a booth at this years Hampstead Day in Downtown Hampstead, Maryland. Just look for his banners and stop in and say hello! A.L. will be signing copies of his most recent novels... Scarlett's and Twined!

NORTH CARROLL PUBLIC LIBRARY - Saturday May 26th 2:30pm - 4:00pm 2255 Hanover Pike  Greenmount, Maryland  21074
(410) 374-1212
 A.L. Collins will be having a book signing and meet and greet for friends and fans. Light refreshments provided. Come and mingle!

THE BOOK WAREHOUSE
BOOK SIGNING
Saturday June 2nd
                           From 2:00pm - 5:00pm
The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg
1863 Gettysburg Village Drive
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
(717)334-2829


Monday, April 9, 2012

Scarlett's And Twined Piling Up Five-Star Reviews On GoodReads!!

 Well it now April 9th. Scarlett's has been officially released for  16 days! It has sold quite a few copies (especially on Kindle for .99 cents) more importantly Scarlett's has been gaining momentum with SEVEN 5-Star 5 of 5 stars Reviews!! Over One Hundred peolpe have added it to their To-Read List and on the Scarlett's Book Give-away Contest 417 People have requested a copy. This contest doesn't even end until April 26th!

Twined Has officially been released as of April 4th. It only has two reviews but both are 5-Stars! 5 of 5 stars  Twined remember has only been on GoodReads for five days and has already had 94 people add it to their To-Read list! As of today the Twined Book Give-Away has had 371 people requesting a copy!

Two different genre's of books and both are gaining great reviews! It's just a matter of time until people start to discover this uniquely talented young author! Oh and for all those that may be wondering, the answer is YES! Both Scarlett's and Twined have the second books in their series being worked on as we speak! Twined Part II should be available sometime in May of this year.

Scarlett's second book should be available in July of this year!
A.L. is the hardest working person I know. Although I spend countless hours marketing and trying to get the word out about him, he far surpasses me as his fingers fly on the keyboard of his laptop churning out one Fantastic Story after another!  He is definately dedicated to what he loves, and he truly loves writing books!

We are always looking for Book Reviewers, and would gladly send out copies of A.l.'s books in exchange for an honest review.  if you are interested or know someone who might be, please reply to this post at the bottom and I will get back in touch with you right away!

Thank You and Happy Reading!
J.S.Huntington ~ Publishing Manager
Personae Publications


Posted on behalf of A.L. Collins   All Rights Reserved 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Taking Those Timeless Less Than Classics To Another Level. Not Cut Out For Reading...How About Art?

You’ve probably seen book carvings before, but Long Bin-Chen’s works are definitely in a league of their own.
Taiwanese artist Long Bin-Chen uses discarded old books to create incredibly detailed sculptures that look like they’re made of marble or wood. Although all his artworks are made out of several books, he carves them all in such a manner that they fit together in a seamless manner. While he could use any books he gets his hands on, Long Bin-Chen only uses those that are relevant to his sculptures. For example, for one of his Buddha heads, he used New York telephone books. This way, the head will represent a caring Buddha from the East who came to take care of the west.

Bought from trash collectors or collected directly from the streets, the books and magazines are first carved with a band or chain saw and then with a dental sander, for finer details.
  Okay very interesting really... I'm sure that many of the authors out there are secretly hoping that their books are read and kept intact instead of being mutilated in the name of art!
I must admit though that I have read some books that would serve the masses much more as a beautiful piece of art rather than a literary time waster! It just goes to show that those eccentric ones, those that everyone look at a little differently surely have proven if you can dream it you can build it. Beauty and art for that matter are truly in the eyes of the beholder. Yes, I believe it is impressive. Hours upon hours of tedious time consuming work.  So attention all you authors who believe they have written the next best-seller, it might just show up on a pedistal at your local art museum instead of the shelves of the local library!

Written by J.S Huntington  copyright 2012 with contributing text from Spooky copyright 2010

Scarlett's New Book Trailer Video


Thanks to Colbie Caillat for the perfect Feel-Good song for A.L.Collins New Novel Scarlett's! Sit Back Relax, Smile,Laugh and Sing Along! If this video doesn't bring a smile to your face then....Buy The Book!!
Available at http://www.amazon.com/ in paperback or e-book and www.createspace.com/3804256  Also, check out the Scarlett's Blog at http://www.thebookofscarletts.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 26, 2012

A.L.Collins To Be At The International "Day Of The Book" Festival in Kensington, Marlyand on April 22nd.




Join me For a day of Music, Food, Fun and Books!! For more information click on the link above the picture to the official "Day Of The Book" website!

Comedian Jim Gaffigan with Author A.L. Collins

I gave Jim an autographed copy of Bastion: Prequel To War after his show Sunday night in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. "Jim Gaffigan is BY FAR my favorite comedian!"

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Bastion Tales: Syrius

They call me something and I don't have a sodding clue what it means. I mean they always told me what it meant. But I never really understood. Not until today at least.
"You're the prodigy child," Torris would say to me. "You are the future of the Quiric kingdom. You embody the purity, and controversy, that all humans must understand."
They treat me like a king, but I have as many rights as a pauper. They say that I'm a ruler, but I feel like a prisoner. They tell me I'm an idol, a symbol for our people.
And every person I've ever met thinks I'm a monster.
I've never set foot outside of Themsen, the Quiric capitol. That's generous actually. I've never stepped outside of the Royen, the church-like castle of which I was born. I rarely see the outside. I was always told that our white hair was given to us by the sun, since we had gained its favor by worshiping it. But I've rarely seen the sun. So that doesn't seem necessarily true. My people all have white hair. I've learned it's just the way we are born.
I don't know any of my family. I don't know what happened to them, if they're alive or dead, how many brothers or sisters I have. If they remember me or if they don't. I remember one time when I was about thirteen years old Torris and the other Watchers told me someone had come to see me. They let him in and he was familiar. I noticed his jaw was rigid like mine. His eyes were blue, like mine. He looked at me humbly, like he didn't deserve to be in my presence. I didn't think that way. I just wondered who he was.
They told me he was Cirric. They told me he was my father. I'd seen him once in my life. I think he remembered me. I think he realized who I was. And he looked... he looked proud of me. I don't know why though. All I've done in my life is pray, meditate and study. I didn't see what was so blighted special about that.
They left me alone with him. And we talked. He asked me mindless, trivial things. What my favorite foods were and such questions. I didn't know how to answer him and he wasn't allowed to stay long. But before he left he hugged me... I think he said he was sorry. I don't know what he was sorry about. It's not his fault I was stuck in this fortress.
Years passed by. I think I'm sixteen now. That's what they tell me. I was asleep in my bunk, dreaming of less creative things because I don't know what to dream about other than studies. All of a sudden a light shines in my room. I squint against the illuminated entrance. And I see Grand Watcher Torris standing there.
"It is time young Rivinon." That was the word they called me. The one with no meaning to me. "Please awaken. I pray you have your wits about you today."
I rubbed my eyes. "Torris? What hour is it?"
"It is time, as I said."
"Time for what?"
He looked at me with eyes that I could see even against the darkness. It made me nervous. Nervous... that would be a feeling I would beg for opposed to what I'd feel later on.
And I think Torris knew that. His face showed it to me. "It is time for you to prove yourself to the Gods, Syrius."

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Bastion Tales

The second Bastion won't be out for a while because the first installments of other series are my priority at the moment. But that doesn't mean I've forgotten about my first ever series! In fact I'll be writing up a series of short stories set in the Bastion universe that gives some ideas to the pasts of some characters. These books will take the point of view from several people such as Syrius, Meriah, Tavis and Zaveena. Their points of view will give a lot of detail and insight on the lore of Bastion. Unlike Bastion, these short stories will be written in the first person narrative. They'll be posted on this blog ever so often and will be open for everyone to see. And I can say that happily!

After Twined is done the first short story will be posted. It will be called "Rivinon: He Who Has Sacrificed" and will be written from Syrius' perspective, detailing his life in Quires, the sacrifices he made and how he eventually came to make his escape from his island home.

Also I may note that based off of my alternate story theme, Bastion will eventually partake in the trend of having a branched storyline. Since there will be so many Bastion books, however, the branched portion of it will take place later on in the series. It will differ in two major ways based on Rigil's decisions, the friends and enemies he makes and who he falls in love with, if he falls in love at all. And everything will factor in to decide if the world of Bastion is saved, or if it crumbles into nothingness at the hands of shadows.

I've learned that while people like to be told a story, sometimes its nice for them to have a bit of power and choose how Bastion ends for them. While there is an extent of how personalized a story can be made in writing, I think the option to choose gives readers a sense of power, and makes them feel that the characters they love and the world they admire also belongs to them. Because let's be serious, if people didn't enjoy reading my stories, and they never got told, I'd lose what being a writer is all about. So I can't wait for people to make these crucial decisions. My worlds belong to them, they deserve to be happy with how the tales begin, carry on and end.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Future Of Print On Demand Is NOW!


It's no secret that the traditional publishing market in the United States, and around the world for that matter is rapidly changing.  Technology has now made it possible for a consumer to walk into a book store with a hard to find or out of print title that they desire and have it printed within just a few minutes! Now the bookstore has to have it in there data base, but if they do "Presto" within a few minutes (seven minutes actually!) you have a book from raw stock to finished product, gorgeous color cover and all! Wow who would have thought as recently as just a few years ago that we would be at this point in the book publishing market! It's exciting for book lovers and equally as exciting for authors.
   Now I've heard from all sides of the issue on this topic and passion runs deep from all sides.  New authors who have spent years submitting query letters and manuscripts only to be rejected time after time are hailing this as the "miracle" that they needed. The traditional publishing houses are scurrying to adjust and adapt. I spoke with a traditional publishing executive in Chicago who wished to remain anonymous (I guess so not to be perceived as raising the white flag) He told me that the whispering and talk around the water coolers are, that the traditional publishing houses are dying. "Giving way to technology" is how he put it.
   I believe there will always be a market for the traditional publishers and the fact is they still at this point in time hold a more esteemed status as far as published authors go. However as more and more indie authors rise on the ranks of the best seller charts that status may be waning. Authors who at one point in time were traditionally published have actually been dropped by their publishing houses. Some have even picked themselves up off the floor, dusted themselves off and self published their own works! Paul Mann author of "Season of the Monsoon" and many others for example. After selling thirty to forty thousand copies a year, he was dropped by his publisher. After taking almost ten years off and the emergence of the Kindle and Nook readers for e-books he has started writing again and quite successfully at that! "It was the arrival of Kindle that saved my life... as a writer." Mann said.
   The fact is that more books have been published in the last three years than in the previous 100 years alone! Traditionally published authors are saying that this is diluting the quality of the books that are on the market. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can write a book and get it published now! While this may be true, it doesn't mean that they will sell! "They should have to go through the same school of hard knocks that we did!" One traditionally published author said.  We could probably argue this back and forth forever. Although I admire the traditionally published author's fortitude and perserverence, I'm sure many very good authors fell through the cracks and were never noticed due to the previous publishing industries system.
 The bottom line is, no matter what side of the fence you are sitting on. Self-publishing is here to stay. E-books and digital publishing are also here to stay.  Check out the videos below for further insight on the new print on demand and e-book directions that we are already engaged in.
Also Check out the video in the link below. It talks about the emergence of eBooks.

By: James Huntington ~ Publishing Manager for Personae Publications