Friday, May 1, 2015

Let the Celebration Begin!

AnniversaryBanner

It seems I’ve been doing nothing but planning this for months (actually, it’s only been about a month), but the Resistance Anniversary Celebration has officially begun! I feel like this little clip of Rhino from Bolt is much too appropriate not to include.

I can’t wait to share all the fun activities that are scheduled, and I thank all who are celebrating this exciting time with me. I published several other books in my early years of writing, but none of them have been nearly as exciting as Resistance, and the fact that it has only now been out for a year means there is sure to be much more excitement to come.

Before I get to the schedule for the month, I do have an exciting announcement to share concerning Resistance. Back in March, I announced on Facebook that I was going to pursue an audiobook version of Resistance, so I uploaded it to ACX (Amazon’s audiobook creation service). I waited and WAITED to see if I’d get any auditions for it. Well, finally I did, but I just couldn’t quite find that perfect narrator. I mean, Jace is the heart of these stories. I needed to be happy with how he was portrayed, right? Originally I wanted to male narrator but, in the last week or so, with a lot of prayer, I came to realize that perhaps that was what wasn’t working for me. Perhaps trying to find a male narrator for Jace’s voice was just impossible because I’d never find anyone who fit him perfectly. That’s when I started thinking that, maybe, a female narrator would be more “neutral.” Long story short, I contacted a female narrator, got her audition, and my mom and I both really liked it. Now I can tell you today that I’ve hired an author many of you may know, Miss J. Grace Pennington, as the narrator for Resistance! I’m very excited to be working with someone I “know.” This is a completely new adventure for me, being my first audiobook. I can’t wait to share more in the coming months.

Now, on to the celebration! Below you’ll find the schedule of all the coming activities. It may shift a little as the month goes, but this will give you an idea of what’s to come. And make sure you enter the giveaway at the end! I’m giving away several different prizes!

Friday, May 1

  • Celebration Begins! Yay! ;)

Saturday, May 2

  • Character Q&A

Monday, May 4

Wednesday, May 6

  • Random Facts

Thursday, May 7

  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Amanda

Friday, May 8

  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Emily
  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Sierra

Saturday, May 9

  • Character Q&A

Monday, May 11

  • Sneak Peek

Tuesday, May 12

  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Erika

Wednesday, May 13

  • Random Facts

Friday, May 15

Saturday, May 16

  • Character Q&A
  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Anna

Monday, May 18

  • Sneak Peek

Wednesday, May 20

  • Anniversary Day

Friday, May 22

  • Half-Blood Cover Reveal

Saturday, May 23

  • Character Q&A

Monday, May 25

  • Sneak Peek

Wednesday, May 27

  • How I Discovered Ilyon post by Katie
  • Random Facts

Thursday, May 28

Saturday, May 30

  • Character Q&A
  • Photo Contest Winner Announced
  • Giveaway Winners Announced

Monday, June 1

  • Fan Art Voting Begins

Wednesday June 10

  • Fan Art Winners Announced

And now, last but not least, the giveaway! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

17 comments:

  1. I'm excited to hear that you're doing Resistance as an audio book. As a volunteer reader for librivox.org I had thought that it could be good as audio. I'm glad you've got Grace, I'm not up to that kind of quality. Maybe one day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay, so excited for the celebration! And a Resistance audiobook will be sehr toll!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh! I've listened to J. Grace Pennington's audiobook for Red Rain, and she does a fantastic job. That's so exciting. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Asking about my favorite part of Ilyon Chronicles is like asking about my favorite part of reading, or books, or breathing.

    If I have to get down to it, it's still a combination of so many factors - professional quality literature, clean, fresh, exciting plots, vivid characters, and more. But perhaps my favorite part is the heart behind it - the heart for Elom, knowing Him, and making Him known that comes out so clearly in the stories.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Grace is going to do a fantastically amazing job on Resistance! I'm so glad she's doing it.This celebration is going to be so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love everything about the Ilyon Chronicles!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What time zone is the Anniversary Ball going to be in? Maybe I can convince my mom to let me use her FB account for this event... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on the audiobook news!!

    I haven't read the Ilyon Series yet, but what interests me the most of it, is the fact that it's Christian Fantasy and I've also heard a ton of good about it. Definitely seems like my kind of series. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Excitement! :D *carefully marks calendar for 22nd cover reveal*

    Oh, goodness! Audiobook read by J. Grace Pennington? How awesome! Having met her, I'm convinced that her voice will be perfect for it! :D

    And what interests me most about Resistance is Jace. XD Hearing about him from so many people, I can tell he's going to be the perfect kind of "dark-guy" that's my favorite. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Favorite part of the Ilyon series? Uh, I guess that would be how much truth there is portrayed in an interesting and new way. I love how I can relate to and learn from the characters in the stories, and yet still be entertained. :)

    -- Amanda Fischer

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love every part of the Illyon Chronicles!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the fact that the Ilyon Chronicles is Christian. I also enjoy reading about a character's faith journey. I've not yet read this series. I am looking forward to doing so soon! :) HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. "What is your favorite part of Ilyon Chronicles? If you haven't read any of the books, what intrigues you the most?"

    My favorite part of Ilyon so far would be the element of faith. Faith in Elom, and His will. The trust that comes along with faith. Trust that He will provide and do what is best, and that His will is sovereign over the will of *cough* ruling powers.
    And love. Unconditional love. :)
    Oh, and now dragons! *says "dragons" the way 1980s-something Space Guy says, "spaceship!"*

    Another question about the ball:
    Can we bring our own characters, even if they're not published yet? Or is it published characters only? (My mom said I could use her FB account for an hour that day. Yay!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can bring any character or celebrity you want. ;) Doesn't matter if the characters are your own or not yet published.

      Delete
  14. My favorite part of the Ilyon Chronicles has to be the incredible faith presented in the books. It does not seem tacky or out of place or forced, but it is extremely influential throughout the series. Reading these books helps me to grow closer to God and question how I would react if my faith were challenged. I also love the way romance is presented: slowly, sweetly, and cleanly. Finally, I love the fantasy and adventure!! I literally read each book in 1 day :). I just could not set them down. The world is awesome, complete with dragons and my favorite race...cretes! I know that was more than one "favorite part" but what can I say? The series is amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you ever needed another audiobook reader I would volunteer in a heartbeat!

    ReplyDelete