I'm Going on a Book Tour with YA Author, Caroline George!

If you've read the first post on my new, personal blog, you would know that I have been recently planning a book tour for this fall. However, there has been a slight change of plans since then: Rather than traveling alone this fall, I will be pairing with teen author, Caroline George! 

I am thrilled to have this opportunity. If you don't remember, I reviewed Caroline's debut YA dystopian novel, The Prime Way Program a few months ago. Since then, she has released a sequel and is now working on a stand-alone novel. 

Caroline is an extremely talented writer who, just like myself, sacrificed a normal teen experience in order to pursue the gift God has given her. {For the full story on how this book tour was arranged, click here to read the latest post on my personal blog.}

The Moon and Arrow Book Tour

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Caroline and I will be on tour October through November along the east coast. We will visit schools, youth groups, book clubs, coffee shops, and libraries to share the story of our publishing journeys and encourage teens to pursue the desires God has given them as well. There will be Q&As, readings, book signings, giveaways, chocolate, and more. You will not want to miss this! 

If you live on the east coast and would like for us to visit your hometown, send us an email at moonandarrowbooktour (at) gmail (dot) com and in the subject line write BOOK TOUR REQUEST. 

For those who will be unable to attend, you can still get involved! Ask your English teacher, youth group leader, or book club leader if they would be interested in having us visit via video chat.   Virtual Book Tour Launch Party

Want to celebrate the launch of our book tour launch with us? Join Caroline and I at a Google Hangout on the first day of the tour! This will give you the chance to ask your questions live and chat with us via video chat (a webcam is not required). Not only that, but we will also hold giveaways and announce the winners of the contests (below).

Book Tour Contests
As a way for you to get involved in this book tour and win some prizes, Caroline and I have decided to hold two contests. One winner will be chosen per book, per contest (four winners total). 

These winners will receive: an autographed print or ecopy of our books, a poster, cup/mug, coffee, etc.! (The prizes will vary in accordance with the book.)

Feel free to enter both of the below contests for each book:

➙ Fan Art Contest

1. Show off your creativity skills! Incorporate a quote or symbol from one of our books into a hand-made item. You could also create a graphic using your favorite quote from one of our books, make a book trailer, or even act out a scene from one of our books with your friends. The possibilities are limitless!
2. When you're done, be sure to post a picture of your fan art (or URL to a YouTube video) on Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest using the hashtag #moonandarrow. If you are posting to Pinterest, please pin the above picture as well. If you do not have a social media account, email your entry to us at moonandarrowbooktour (at) gmail (dot) com and in the subject write FAN ART CONTEST. 
3. Comment below to confirm that we received your entry.    

➙ Creative Photo Contest

1. Do you have a copy of one of our books? Take a picture with you holding it (ecopy or print). Be creative! The photo can be of you and the book with your pet, on the beach, at a coffee shop, etc.
2. When you're done, be sure to post your picture on Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest using the hashtag #moonandarrow. If you are posting to Pinterest, please pin the above picture as well. If you do not have a social media account, email your entry to us at moonandarrowbooktour (at) gmail (dot) com and in the subject write CREATIVE PHOTO CONTEST. 
3. Comment below to confirm that we received your entry. 

The four winners will be announced during the virtual launch party of our book tour. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter (on the sidebar) so you will be alerted when the date for this "party" has been set!

One last thing: Caroline and I will be documenting our book tour through video blogs on YouTube. Subscribe here so you can follow our journey as we travel along the east coast this fall. =) And don't forget to keep checking my blog so you will not miss the announcement of the official tour dates!

"Purple Moon" is a Selah Award Finalist! {+ Updates & chances to win prizes!}

If any of you have read Purple Moon, you might have picked up on the fact that I am passionate about the Blue Ridge mountains, coffee, Jesus, and--well, writing. This is why I never fail to miss the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference. Since it is only a couple of hours from where I live, it is the only "big" Christian writing conference that I have attended. And honestly, I don't think I could go a year without it!

If you have yet to attend a writer's conference, you're missing out! No matter your age, I think every aspiring (and experienced) writer should try to attend at least one per year. And you don't have to wait until you have saved enough money to go to one of the "big" ones; in fact, there are several conferences that last only for a couple of days yet could be just as beneficial for your career.

But if you need more convincing, here is a summary of what takes place at a writer's conference:

• You attend classes taught by professionals throughout the day. The workshops at BRMCWC consist of: fiction writing, screenwriting, poetry, freelance/magazine writing, marketing, etc.
• You attend a group meeting every morning and evening, which is when all of the conferees listen to an inspiring (and/or humorous) key note.  
• You are given the opportunity to share your meals with editors, agents, and professional writers. (You also make great connections with other writers during meal-time!)
• You can sign up for 15 minute appointments with the faculty members (editors, agents, and professionals). I've heard that you have to pay to schedule appointments at other writing conferences, however they are completely free at Blue Ridge. (Yet another reason why I love this conference!)
• You visit the coffee shop on campus several times throughout the day. (Or at least I do...)
• You can stay up late in the lobby talking with other writers. 
• If you are a teen or young adult (and there isn't a teen track), you will stand out in the crowd and be mistaken that you are 5 years younger than you actually are. (I can't count how many times this happened to me this year! Not sure if I should be offended or flattered by this...)

Here are some pictures I took from BRMCWC last week {be sure to like my Facebook page for more!}:

With my agent, Sally Apokedak, and writer friends. 

With my special writing friend, Katy Kauffman. I met her the very first year I attended BRMCWC,
and both of our debut books released within the same month of each other!

With Katy again on genre night! Can you guess what my favorite genre is...? 

With my mom, who has come with me to every conference since 2010. =)

Staying up late the last night of the conference with writer friends
(two of which are actually my age!). 

Spotted Purple Moon in the Lifeway on campus (next to Katy's book!). 

Then, the last night of the conference is the award ceremony! Placing in a contest is the perfect chance for unpublished writers to get noticed. Sadly, I've never entered a contest any of my previous years (although my mom did enter my blog last year without my recollection, and it actually placed 2nd!).

However, this year I entered Purple Moon into the Selah Awards, which is their contest for published authors. I honestly didn't expect to win, only because of the tough competition from seasoned writers . . . so you can imagine my surprise when it was announced that Purple Moon was a finalist in two categories: YA Fiction and First Novel! 

With all of the authors (and editors) from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
who finaled in the Selah Awards.

My mom and I at the banquet

With my publisher, Author Eddie Jones!

Needless to say, these certificates have given me just the confidence boost I needed to continue editing my second novel. (If you're a writer, you might understand the self-doubts that comes along with editing/rewriting!).

Purple Moon Book Signing

in Lake Lure, NC! 

Do you live in/near North Carolina? If so, I'd love to see you at my book signing next month in Lake Lure, NC! For those who aren't aware, Lake Lure is the setting of Purple Moon. Not only that, but the book signing will take place at a coffee shop--and if you have read the book, you know just how significant that is.

But that's not all: the name of the coffee shop is Carolina Moon . . . a mix between the title of my book and my publishing company's name! Crazy how God worked that out. ;)

Anyway, I'd love to have you stop by!

When?: Friday, June 27th, 2 - 4 pm

Where?: Carolina Moon Coffee Shop in Lake Lure, NC

What?: I will be signing copies of Purple Moon. There will also be coffee (obviously), chocolate, bookmarks, and other goodies!

Hope to see you there!

Purple Moon Party: 

Summer Kick-Off Edition!

Rather than kicking off the summer with only one giveaway, I have decided to hold a Purple Moon Party that will take throughout the entire summer! And by participating, you are almost guaranteed to win prizes.

Here's how it works:

• Anyone can participate (even if you have already read Purple Moon). 
• You will send me an email to let me know that you are participating.
• I will send you PDFs that include activities you can participate in, which will increase your chances of winning prizes! 
• You will also have the chance to compete for the Grand Prize. The person who wins this is the one who participated in the most activities and convinced their friends to purchase a copy of Purple Moon (which you will keep track of by the PDFs that I send you).    
• The PDFs will also contain behind-the-scenes facts about Purple Moon, a sneak peak into Selena's diary and sketchbook, etc.
• Winners will be selected each week.
• The Grand Prize winner will be announced on August 6th.
• Everyone who participates will also be given a badge for them to place on their blog to announce that they are participating.
• If you post the badge, then your blog will be posted on my sidebar as well. 

Prizes you could win:

• The Grand Prize will receive the Purple Moon Party Package, which includes extra discussion questions, coffee recipes, tips on how to throw a Purple Moon party, etc. They will also receive a Purple Moon mug, sketch journal, autographed copy of Purple Moon, and will have the option to video chat with me on Skype during their Purple Moon Party!
• Amazon and Starbucks gift cards
• A personalized, hand-crafted journal
• Free writing and/or blog critique
• A 30-minute video chat with me via Skype
• An autographed copy of Purple Moon
• Random surprises in the mail, including: A handwritten thank you card along with extra goodies (including chocolate, tea, etc.)
• Other YA Christian fiction novels
• And more!

Interested in participating? Email me at christiswrite (at) gmail (dot) com! =)

How to Glorify God While Promoting Yourself

As an author, it is vital that I promote my books and brand myself. But as an introvert—as well as a Christian—self-promotion isn't exactly in my comfort zone.

I've never been someone who loves the spotlight. In fact, I'd much rather blend in rather than stand out. However, if I want my book to sell, I have no choice but to promote myself.

My first book signing/launch party

But this isn’t easy. Especially when it feels as if I'm trying to praise myself.

For instance, my cousin made my blog layout (which I absolutely love, by the way). And although it is recommended that authors post pictures of themselves on their blog and website, I sometimes wonder if other people think that I'm trying to glorify myself rather than Christ.

These past few months, I’ve been having to do a lot of self-promotion. I even had to take a semester off school so I could focus on promoting my book.

But having to put up fliers around my town to advertise my launch party made me cringe. Seeing my name all over Facebook on the day of PURPLE MOON’s launch tempted me to hide in a corner.

I’m sure I'm not the only Christian author who has felt this way. Because as children of God, we’re not called to glorify ourselves. We’re called to glorify Christ. So how are we supposed to do this when we’re the ones standing in the spotlight and receiving the praise?

This is what I’ve come to realize: self-promotion isn’t necessarily about promoting ourselves. Sure, as authors, we need to spread buzz about our books. It is important that we let others know who we are. However, God has not given us this spotlight so we can praise ourselves; He has given us this spotlight to see if we will use it to give Him praise.

For me, that's really all I want to do through my writing career: use the gift that God has given me to draw others to Christ, and to show them how much He loves them. When I am interviewed, I try to incorporate this in some way. I don't want people to just see me, but to see Christ in me.

Writers, remember that you are not only promoting yourself. You're a representative of Christ. So in the process of promoting yourself, make sure that you are actually directing others to Him.

Besides, He's the one that has given you the gift. He's the one whom you ultimately want to please by writing Christian fiction. And as Christians, it is our job to make His name known. What better way to do this than through being in the spotlight?

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Summary: For many authors--especially those who may be introverted--self-promotion isn’t exactly comfortable. Some may even see it as praising themselves rather than God. But as children of God, we’re called to step out of our comfort zones. We need to put down our pride and remember that it is ultimately God that we’re glorifying. As a Christian fiction author, it is our job to draw others to Christ in the process of drawing attention to our books.

Tweetables:
How to glorify God while promoting yourself by author Tessa Emily Hall @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/1bCQTOs Click to tweet!
"It is our job to draw others to Christ in the process of drawing attention to our books." ~ @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/1bCQTOs  Click to tweet!

(Be sure to catch today's blog tour stop, "Story Behind the Cover Art" on Candy Apple Books' blog!)

Thursday's Thought: Blog Tours or Book Signings?

In this day in age, blog tours are becoming more popular than book signings/book tours—especially for the authors who may not be well-known. Blog tours are a great way to build buzz about your book, and an author is able to hold one without ever leaving the comfort of his/her own home. 

However, there is no way to tell which one generates more sales. I personally love to attend  a book signing, even if I have never heard of the author before. From an author's perspective, being able to meet readers and sign their books can be far more personable than a blog tour. On the other hand, blog tours can be just as exciting, and are generally able to spread more word about your book than a book signing.

~ ~ ~

What are your thoughts about blog tours vs. book signings, and which do you prefer? 

PS: I am currently planning the blog tour for my debut YA Christian fiction novel, Purple Moon. If you would like to be apart of this blog tour, please send me an email at christiswrite (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!