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October 29, 2018

Highlights of October 2018 + An Announcement


And I'm making y'all wait until the very end of this post for that announcement. But I think it'll be worth it, because it's a big one ;D. (if you're skimming this post, please at least read the announcement bit! <3) Who's ready to chat about October-things?








It's been an interesting month. Not hectic, not super slow. There were some changes to my usual routine, but they were good changes that I think I needed (aka I took a break from a few things ;D).

I re-watched a LOT of Marvel movies with my sisters (who hadn't seen them before, so that made it that much more fun) - Thor, all the Cap movies, Homecoming, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange. And then at the end of all that...I finally watched Infinity War.

*SCREAMING*

I still can barely wrangle a coherent thought about this movie, but I LOVED Infinity War. So, so good. I'm totally counting down the days until part 2 comes out, because how dare they leave us on such a cliffhanger?? (I'll be writing a movie review on this really soon, so hopefully I'll have some coherent thoughts by then xD)

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

I was supposed to get TONS done this month - send out a beta call for my novel, finish editing said novel, enter a few contests, get some new pieces done -

- and I burned out. Utterly and completely.

That being said, around the middle of October (after a lot of praying), I decided it was time for a break. I quit any "pressure writing" (writing for contests and/or writing under deadlines) and only wrote if inspiration struck me for a short piece. I don't know when I'll be picking back up again, but it's been great to finally just chill out (because usually I don't even know HOW to chill ;D).

Which means that I'll probably be skipping NaNoWriMo this year...but we'll see. Either way, I'll be cheering all of you guys on! It's going to be a great November.




*crickets*

Yeah, just the one. Did I mention it's been an interesting month? ;D

- Porch Swing Girl by Taylor Bennett. I'd known about this book since well before it released, and somehow it still took me this long to get my hands on it? But it was WELL worth the wait - Porch Swing Girl is a super-sweet read with a super-realistic setting, I absolutely loved the Hawaiian feel it had! And the characters were AH-MAZING <3 <3 <3. It's definitely a very summer-y book (but I read it in the fall because I'm weird like that *cough*) that I totally recommend. 4 stars!

http://savannahgracewrites.blogspot.com/2018/10/cover-reveal-stars-and-soul-by-rosalie.html

http://savannahgracewrites.blogspot.com/2018/10/cover-reveal-go-teen-writers-edit-your.html

http://savannahgracewrites.blogspot.com/2018/10/book-review-fallen-leaves-by-tessa.html

http://savannahgracewrites.blogspot.com/2018/10/updates-and-opportunities-havok.html

http://pursuemagazine.net/are-you-writing-the-right-story/
(my post for Pursue magazine)
- Lisa over at Inkwell did a post in which we get to vote for what she's going to write for us! All of her stories ideas sound FANTASTIC, I literally got inspired just by reading her post. So go ahead and hop over there, because it's pretty amazing.

-  Ivie Brooks wrapped up her awesome "Why I Create" series, and it was great - here's the link to the fourth and final post, where you can find links to all the others as well.

- Rosalie Valentine (whose flash fiction collection releases in less than a month!) posted one of her stunning pieces over on her blog, and I just CAN'T with how incredible her writing is. Go read it, y'all.

- (Rosalie also did another epic post on just rolling with it when life hits, which was epic)

- Jane Maree talked about why you need a brainstorming buddy, and it's a post that I totally recommend, because I don't know what I would do without the wonderful girls who've brainstormed with me. Definitely go check that out.

- The lovely Mary Weber, Nadine Brandes, and Sara Ella are co-hosting an incredible Instagram challenge in November (in which some ARCs may or may not be given away!), and Nadine posted a YouTube video about it! You won't want to miss it ;).

- Havok magazine is still open for submissions, and they're filling up fast! If you're thinking about submitting, too, what's holding you back? Go! Submit! We can't wait to see your epic flash fiction.


And here's where I shall make that announcement I was talking about -

I'm now on YouTube and Instagram! 

...yeah, I finally decided to just do it ;D. I'm on Instagram under savannahgraceauthor, and my YouTube channel is Savannah Grace. I'd be beyond pleased if any of y'all wanted to follow me over at those new places, I"m really excited to post some new content for you guys! I'm a major newbie, but I'm having a lot of fun. I've done a couple Instagram posts already, and my first YouTube video just went up last night!

All that being what it is, I will be posting on my blog slightly less. No, I'm not leaving, it'll just be less of "five or six posts a month" and more of "two or three posts a month". So if you're wanting the usual amount of content from me, you'll have to pop on over to my YouTube and Instagram ;).

And that's about everything! I've got a lot of stuff planned for November, and if you don't want to miss anything, you'll have to be following me in all three places (here, YouTube, and Instagram)! Let me know if there's any specific things you'd like to see me doing - I'd love to know what you guys want to be seeing!  


ANYways. I hope your October was STELLAR, and that your November is even better! Keep being epic, my friend <3.


~ Savannah Grace

how was your October?
do you have any plans for November?

October 27, 2018

COVER REVEAL - Stars and Soul by Rosalie Valentine


You guys - it's finally, FINALLY time!

Who wants to see the gorgeous cover for Stars and Soul?


Here we go, y'all.
Time to scroll. 


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So Rosalie posted on Instragram a little while back about her upcoming cover reveal. My reaction? 


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And I've basically been dancing ever since I saw this amazing cover.
(it's STUNNING)


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It's just beautiful and gorgeous and SO, SO EPIC and mysterious!


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Which basically means I'm all set to adore it 


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 It's definitely the kind of cover that will make sci-fi fans do a double-take 


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 But half of my excitement is that this collection is written by the fantabulous ROSALIE. 
(who is legit one of the sweetest humans on earth)


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 And the glorious thing releases on November 20th, 2018! 
(which is SERIOUSLY soon, y'all)


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(I'm so ready to steal a copy and go running away with it the minute it comes out.)


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Oh...but you guys probably want to actually SEE the book so that you can scream with excitement too, huh?


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 Well, okay. I suppose I've kept you scrolling long enough...


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It's time for the cover. Let's go.


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If you're not ready for the amount of epicness that is Stars and Soul -
here is your LAST CHANCE to back out! ;D


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Still here? Good. Buckle up - because here comes the cover. 


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Ready? 


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VOILA!







A scheming imperial family.
A bedraggled starship captain.
A runaway artificial intelligence.
A dying general.


Four small stories of stars and soul.












- Connect with Rosalie Valentine - 



- Pre-order Stars and Soul - 







Isn't it GORGEOUS? The cover designer - Alea Harper - did an incredible job! I absolutely ADORE it <3. (also it's very blue. Y'all know how much I love blue covers ;D)

And if you missed it, the pre-order link for Stars and Soul is right here! (and is that an endorsement from THE Nadine Brandes that I see on that Amazon page? O.O) So definitely go check it out - the pre-order is only for the Kindle version, but I've heard that adorable physical copies will be available once the collection releases!

Okay, y'all, if you're SUPER excited for this collection, please make sure to share the cover on social media! Twitter, Instagram, your blog, add it on Goodreads - let's make it so this cover is constantly popping up in people's feeds today...


 Now, if you would excuse me - I have a time machine to go find. This collection can't release fast enough :D.

~ Savannah Grace

so, what do you think of the cover?
are you going to pre-order Stars and Soul?

October 23, 2018

COVER REVEAL - Go Teen Writers: Edit Your Novel


So I have a quickie post for y'all today - but it's an exciting one! Who's ready for the cover reveal for the re-release of the INCREDIBLE Go Teen Writers book?




So today I'm NOT making you scroll, because I'm working on a different project that's taking up my time (shh - I'll tell you soon enough! Some of you who are major sleuths might already know...), and I really should get back to it ;). But I couldn't pass up the chance to help out with the cover reveal for the re-release of a book that has helped me so much. So today is a freebie cover reveal - ready?

Here it is!



Isn't it epic? Go Teen Writers has been one of the most helpful books for me - and as a person who will normally go running away from books on the writing craft, that's saying a lot ;D. Here's the blurb for the re-released edition:



You know your first draft has problems, but what’s the best way to fix them? How do you know where to start editing? Or for many writers the bigger question becomes, “How do I know when I’m done?”

Popular bloggers Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson have been where you are, and they want to help you understand, and even come to love—yes, love—the editing process.


In this revised and updated edition of Go Teen Writers: Edit Your Novel, you’ll learn:


    - Methods for efficiently editing your novel.
    - What problems to look for in your manuscript and how to solve them.
    - Where to start editing, and how to know when you’re done.
    - How to keep track of your story’s character, storyworld, and setting details.
    - How a critique group can help you.
    - The pros and cons of traditional and self-publishing.
    - An overview of pitching your novel and making writing your career.
    - And much more!

Teaching yourself how to edit a first draft can feel hard, discouraging, and isolating. But using this guide, you’ll feel as encouraged, empowered, and capable—as if you had a writing coach sitting alongside you.






The date for the re-release is November 2, but if you can't wait until then, you can skip right over to THIS LINK to get the first three chapters free! I'm super excited about the re-release of the Go Teen Writers book. If you never read the first edition, you should definitely snag the second! This book is amazing <3.

Keep being epic, my friends!

~ Savannah Grace 

have you read the Go Teen Writers book?
what is your favorite book on the writing craft?

October 9, 2018

Book Review - Fallen Leaves by Tessa Emily Hall (+giveaway!)


Only seventeen more days until Tessa Emily Hall's newest novel, Fallen Leaves (the sequel to Purple Moon) releases! When JustRead said they  were doing a tour for this lovely book, I jumped at the chance, and I"m super excited to be reviewing this gorgeous thing.



4 Stars

Guess what? I accidentally read Fallen Leaves (the sequel to Purple Moon) without reading Purple Moon first. *all the bookworms gasp* There were some complications, so I ended up reading the second book first ... and really, really enjoying it!

From The Back Cover 

Selena Taylor thought her only worry this fall was starting her junior year at a new arts school in North Carolina, miles away from home. But when she finds out her mom could graduate from rehab sooner than expected—even worse, she could work for her former nothing-but-trouble boss—Selena's determined to create a new life for them. Back in her childhood Kentucky hometown.

Step one? Track down her dad and brother that she hasn't seen in eight years. Her anxiety is put to the test, though, when she unveils a truth that could threaten her dreams. Add to that an art competition that pushes her outside of her comfort zone and a girl who seems determined to come between Selena and her hopeful boyfriend.

Soon Selena must decide whether or not to continue her search for her dad and brother. But is there any hope that the ruins of her broken family could be resurrected? And how could God possibly have a purpose in the midst of these changing seasons?





Fallen Leaves, published by Illuminate YA, releases October 26th




Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic books for teens to show them they’re not alone—and because she remembers the teen life like it was yesterday (or a few years ago). In addition to being a frequent contributor to both online and print publications, Tessa’s debut novel was published while still in her teens. She’s the founder and editor-in-chief of PursueMagazine.net, a Christian teen magazine, and enjoys mentoring other young writers. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. Tessa’s favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, email list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: http://www.tessaemilyhall.com.

- Connect with Tessa - 




- The Setting. I have a problem, guys - sometimes I have a very hard time picturing settings in books. But it wasn't this way in Fallen leaves at all. Tessa really made you feel like you were there, I loved it. It was so easy to picture the entire book, all the descriptions were so perfect and colorful. I especially loved Brewer's Coffee Shop <3 <3 <3.  

- Selena. Selena was an amazing main character, I loved being in her head in this book. She has such an honest voice and was super easy to relate to. Plus, she has such an interesting life that I couldn't help but want to know how things turned out for her! There's so many first person POV novels out there, sometimes it's hard to find really good ones - but Fallen Leaves is one of them.

- The feel of the book. Fallen leaves has this SUPER Autumn-y feel, what with it actually taking place smack in the middle of Fall, and also having the cutest coffee shop as one of its main settings. Which makes it the perfect book to be reading right now, which of course means you should go snap it up the minute it releases ;D.

- Was there any? I don't really think there was anything about this book that I didn't like! I probably could have given it a full five stars, but everyone here knows that contemporary has never been my jam (and yet I always LOVE Tessa's books, so that definitely speaks for how epic of an author she is). It was a very, very good book.
Fallen Leaves was a lovely story that I really enjoyed (and read it one sitting!) - and it's absolutely perfect that it releases in October, because it is the perfect book for anyone looking for an Autumn contemporary read. I would recommend it for ages 14+. I'll definitely be checking out more of Tessa's work, and I can't wait until she releases another book! <3








And like I said earlier, this review is part of JustRead's tour for Fallen Leaves - which means that there's a giveaway going on!

A signed copy of Fallen Leaves is up for grabs, along with some other fun, Autumn-y things, so definitely go check that out (you can find it at this link!).

And this post was only one of many for the tour, so you can click HERE to head on over to JustRead's landing page for the Fallen Leaves tour, and they'll have the links to all the rest of the posts there ;). (you can also find the Rafflecopter for the giveaway on the tour's landing page if the link I shared is acting up).


So I hope y'all enjoyed that review! If you're looking for a sweet contemporary read with a strong Autumn vibe, I would absolutely recommend Fallen Leaves (though, unlike me ... you might want to read the first book first, haha! ;D)

Keep being epic, my friends <3.

~ Savannah Grace 

have you read any of Tessa's books?
which one is your favorite?

disclaimer: I received a copy of Fallen Leaves in exchange for my honest review