Blood Deep News and a Giveaway
I’ve finished writing Blood Deep! Well, in first draft anyway. As of yesterday, it’s in the hands of my publisher and editor whilst I await their verdict in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’m left with post-exam/post-interview nerves. Let’s hope they like it!
That’s the exciting news. As a small aside, the sad news is that on Friday, days before my deadline, my beloved laptop finally gave up on me. It feels like the end of an era, not least because I’ve spent fourteen years writing Blackthorn on it. It’s now going to rest snugly in my attic with my old electric typewriter where Blackthorn begun its first outing all those years ago. Sigh.
But back to Blood Deep…
So what happens next?
Before you get too excited, for those not in the know, this is just the first stage of the process. Once the story gets the nod of approval, the structural edits soon follow. After the structural edits come the line edits. After the line edits come the copy edits. A whole team will be working away in the background week after week until Blood Deep is exactly how I want it. The good news, however, is that although there’s still a wait, it might not be too much longer before my publisher let’s me announce the release date. Stay close for that one!
HUGE thanks, Team Blackthorn!
Since the release of Blood Torn back at the end of February, Blackthorn’s readership has increased day by day. Luckily for the series, many of you are wonderfully vocal with it – and this is something that certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by my publisher. I cannot thank you enough for all the amazing messages you’ve been sending my way, let alone the fantastic reviews you’ve been leaving on places such as Amazon and Goodreads. Every single review matters and makes a massive difference in helping towards more Blackthorn books being signed. So THANK YOU so much for taking time out to share your support for both me and Blackthorn.
It’s payback time with a giveaway!
So to say thank you to all my awesomely-lovely Blackthorn supporters and because it’s my 40th birthday next week, I can’t resist a giveaway. I’ve been promising this for a little while but wanted to hold on until Blood Deep was in.
The challenge is simple and hopefully fun! Could you cast ‘Blackthorn The Movie’? Did you have someone in mind when you read the books? Do you know who would make the perfect Kane? The best Leila? Have you already decided on the ideal man to play Jask Tao and head up Blackthorn’s most notorious pack?
All you have to do to enter this giveaway is write your suggestions below this post or on my Facebook page stating who YOU would cast in the title roles. Because casting is so subjective though, I’m not going to judge the winners. Instead I’m going to pick names randomly from a hat. You get an entry for every suggestion you make so the more characters you choose, the better chance you stand!
The prizes
There are TWO prizes up for grabs – again, the winner of each prize will be chosen randomly. The same person may even win both!
Are you looking at the picture of that manuscript above, wondering what’s written beyond that first chapter? I’m going to give one reader the chance to read the first three chapters of Blood Deep before anyone else (other than my publisher and editor!). It won’t be an e-copy though – I’ll send you a one-off print version signed by me.
Also up for grabs is a signed paperback copy of my last release, Blood Torn.
It doesn’t matter where you are, I’ll post both prizes anywhere – so don’t let location put you off.
The giveaway opens now and closes on Wednesday June 25th (midnight UK time). I’ll announce the winners on Friday 27th June here on my blog.
I’ll also be posting all your suggestions onto a Pinterest board dedicated to YOUR shared vision of the Blackthorn cast. I’ll share the completed board with you once the competition closes.
I’m going to be taking a short break between now and then but please do keep posting your entries! Good luck! 🙂
Comments
Oh the eye strain of zooming in on Blood Deep!
Your editor will adore it, so relax and have a wonderful break 🙂
Get out those binoculars, Tracey. 😀
I hope so, lovely. And thank you! X
Sounds fabulously awesome! I will get my thinking cap on 😉
So thrilled to hear the 1st draft is finished, one step closer! X
Thanks, Fiona! Oh yes – please do! I can’t wait to see what you come up with. X
How could I forget that we are practically birthday twins? That manuscript looks BEAUTIFUL by the way 😉
I’m guessing that I can’t cast Caleb Followill as Jask seeing as he’s a musician, not an actor 😉
Happy birthday for Friday, Linz! Aww, and thank you!
Nope – Mr Followill most definitely counts. We’ll just give him acting lessons if needs be. 😀
Oh WOW Linds awesome contest!!
I’m so pleased you think so, Kat. I’ve seen your cast list now on FB – awesome!! Thanks so much for joining in. 🙂
I’m currently watching Penny Dreadful and thinking that Josh Hartneet would actually make a great Jask too 😉
I’ve got that series recorded all ready for some indulgence time soon. I didn’t realise Josh was in it – I might get there a bit quicker now… 😉
Im torn between chris helmsworth or aaron eckheart for jask tao,really cant make up my mind,xxxxxxx
Have both then, Dianne. Why not? I’m off to track down some pics of Aaron… Thanks so much for joining in. xxxxx
These books are awesome! Once I started reading I could not stop!!!! Here is my list of possibly character’s. So here goes!
Caitlin – Daniella Ruah
Kane- Ian Somerhalder (love his eyes)
Caleb- Matt Lantern
Leila- Taylor Schilling
Jask- Chris Hemsworth
Sophia- Teresa Palmer
Thank you so much, Jen! That’s fantastic to know. 🙂 Ooo – there are lots of unfamiliar names in your list. I’m going to go and track them down on Pinterest! 🙂
So sorry auto correct Matt Lanter for Caleb!
Lol, Jen – don’t you just HATE it when that happens??
Kane: Ian Somerhalder Caitlin: Keira Knightley
Caleb: Greg Finley Leila: Rachel Bilson
Jask: Liam Hemsworth Sophia: Jessica Biel.
Just my thoughts:) thank you for the chance! Absolutely love the series!
Hi Mellissa! Thanks SO much for entering – and for loving my series. <3 I'm going to go and find Greg Finley as I have no idea who he is… I'm learning!
my favorite – kane = ian somerhalder
Caitlin- Jennifer Lawrence
caleb – cam gigandet
Leila- zoey deutch
jake- alex pettyfer
Alisha- sarah hyland
jask- henry cavil
phia- Jamie alexander
Ah-ha! There are a lot of people wanting to see Ian Somerhalder cast as Kane, it seems. You’re in very good company, Nikki. Thanks so much for entering. 🙂 I have a few unfamiliar names here I need to check out…
Sorry to hear about your computer it’s almost like losing a friend with all you’ve done together. But I’m thrilled Blood Deep is completed. The old girl sick it out with you to the end of BD tho. Excited your picking up me fans, Well deserved in my eyes. Know I’ll forever be a fan. Your creative writings are addicting and I’m looking forward to all your future writings.
I think the ladies above have great picks for your characters. I love Henry Cavill and I think Chris Hemsworth would be and awesome character along the way too tho.
Love ya and take a break now and again it’s good for the creative juices. Not thst you need help it’s just healthy tip do.
Aw, thank you, Elaine. It wasn’t helped by the fact the poor thing died on me before I had a chance to save the last few chapters of Blood Deep, so it involved a manic rewrite weekend. Still, it most definitely had a good innings! I don’t quite know how I’m going to adjust to a new one. Bless. Thank you SO much for your lovely comment – and for entering my giveaway. Big hugs to you, lovely lady. X
Congratulations. My condolences. And Happy Birthday!
I’m excited to hear Blood Deep is complete and will anxiously await the release date. Sorry for the loss of your laptop. I understand the feeling well.I still have an ancient desktop I hang on to and nurture with more than it’s probably worth. And how can you possibly be approaching 40 when you don’t even look 30? Hope you have something incredible planned.
Amity!! Thank you so much!! We writers get so attached to our machines, don’t we? I think it must be like musicians with their instruments – we get to work together so well. *blushes* Yep, well and truly 40 now – not that age has ever bothered me as you can probably tell! Big hugs to you. X
Caitlin – Britt Robertson
Kane- Ian Somerhalder
Caleb- Tyler Hoechlin
Leila- Holland Roden
Jask- Matthew Bomer
Sophia- Rosie Alice Huntington
Hi Paula! Thanks so much for your entries! I don’t know anyone on that list apart from Ian so I’m really looking forward to tracking those names down on Pinterest.
Kane – Henry Cavill
Caleb – Ian Somerhalder
Jake – Liam Hemsworth
Jask – Chris Hemsworth
Caitlin – Michelle Williams
Leila – Eva Green
Alisha – Britt Robertson
Sophia – Anna Paquin
Sophia –
Hi Cheryl! Ya, I’m so pleased you’ve entered! There are a couple of unfamiliar names there to check out, but great suggestions for the ones I recognise!
Caitlin- Candice Accola
Kane- Ian Somerhalder
Caleb- Carmine Giovinazzo
Leila- Bryce Dallas Howard
Jask- Joe Anderson
Phia- Lyndie Greenwood
Hi Catie! Thanks so much for joining in! I only know Ian in your list so can’t wait to check the others out. 🙂
Seems you have a lot of people to look up. Let me help!
Caitlin- Candice Accola is from Vampire Diaries
Kane- Ian Somerhalder
Caleb- Carmine Giovinazzo CSI NY
Leila- Bryce Dallas Howard Terminator Salvation
Jask- Joe Anderson The Grey, Amelia, The Crazies
Phia- Lyndie Greenwood Sleepy Hollow (TV series not the movie)
Aww, Catie, how lovely – thank you! I’m already working through the list. 🙂
Hmmmmmmm… this would be really super hard for me to do considering I really don’t watch much TV so if there were to be a Movie I hope that someone totally smoking gets casted! 🙂
There are plenty of smoking choices so far, Gladys! 😀
I think it would be awesome if there would be a movie. I’ll take a shot at the cast though;
Jask- Chris Hemsworth
Caitlin- Daniella Ruah
Kane- I’m stuck between Ian Somerhalder and Henry Cavill
Caleb-Tyler Hoechlin
Leila- I’m also stuck between Zoey Deutch and Rachel Bilson
Sophia- Rosie Huntington
Jake- Alex Pettyfer
Alisha- Britt Robertson
Thanks so much for your suggestions, Stacie! I’m so pleased you’ve joined in. I’ll get these included now. 🙂