Guest Post and Giveaway: Cassie Scot: Paranormal Detective by Christine Amsden

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

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Cassie came to me, I didn’t go to her.

I finished The Immortality Virus late in the fall of 2008, and though I took pride in my second novel, I felt worn out (creatively). When the new year came, bringing with it the opportunity for all kinds of writerly resolutions, I decided I needed to take the year off. I would read, blog, journal, but otherwise give my muse time to heal.

I didn’t make it a year. It turns out, I really am a writer. Writers write. We can’t not write. Taking the pressure off my muse did turn out to have been a great idea, but putting a time frame on it was a bit naive.

Cassie came to me in mid-February, as I played on the floor with me (then) 9-month-old daughter. I won’t go so far as to say she popped into my head fully formed, but it was close. I sat bolt upright, my eyes probably doing that cartoon bulge, as a light bulb appeared over my head.

What if… What if the hero of a fantasy story was the only one in it without magic?

I wrote the first line of the story as soon as my daughter went down for a nap. It read: “My parents think the longer the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Nicolas Merlin Apollonius Roger Scot. You can call me Nick.”

Okay, so it needed work. It didn’t take me long to realize I wanted a female heroine. Nicolas (who does not go by Nick and might set you on fire if you tried) became the oldest of Cassie’s siblings.

After that, Cassie told me new things about herself every day. I had a rough draft by the end of June.

Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams. (You can learn more here.)

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

Her latest book is Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective

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Pump Up Your Book and Christine Amsden are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

Here's how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. If your blog isn't set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries. This promotion will run from May 13 - August 16. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on August 17, 2013. Each blogger who participates in the Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour. Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Monday, May 13 - Book reviewed at Sara's Organized Chaos

Tuesday, May 14 - Book trailer reveal at Margay Leah Justice

Wednesday, May 15 - Book spotlight at The Busy Mom's Daily

Thursday, May 16 - Character interview at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

Friday, May 17 - Book reviewed at By the Broomstick

Monday, May 20 - Interviewed at Review From Here

Tuesday, May 21 - First chapter reveal at Offbeat Vagabond

Wednesday, May 22 - Book reviewed at Offbeat Vagabond

Thursday, May 23 - Guest blogging at You Gotta Read

Monday, May 27 - Book reviewed at My Cozie Corner

Thursday, May 30 - Guest blogging at Miki's Hope

Monday, June 3 - Guest blogging at Janna Shay

Tuesday, June 4 - Guest blogging at The Book Connection

Thursday, June 6 - Book reviewed at Miki's Hope

Friday, June 7 - Book reviewed at Repeat Reads

Monday, June 10 - Interviewed at From the TBR Pile

Tuesday, June 11 - First chapter reveal at By the Broomstick

Wednesday, June 12 - Book reviewed at Waiting on Sunday to Drown

Thursday, June 13 - First chapter reveal at Butterfly-o-Meter Books

Friday, June 14 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Monday, June 17 - Book reviewed at Carol's Notebook

Tuesday, June 18 - Book featured at Naturally Kim B

Wednesday, June 19- First chapter reveal at Inside BJ's Head

Thursday, June 20 - Book reviewed at Quilted Reviews

Friday, June 21 - First chapter reveal at Literary Winner

Monday, June 24 - Interviewed at The Writer's Life

Tuesday, June 25 - Guest blogging at Janna Shay

Wednesday, June 26 - Book reviewed at From the TBR Pile

Thursday, June 27 - First chapter reveal at As the Pages Turn

Friday, June 28 - Interviewed at American Chronicle

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Interview with Christine Amsden, Author of The Immortality Virus (Coming in June!)

Our guest today is Christine Amsden, author of The Immortality Virus.

Christine has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Christine. It's wonderful to have you here.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in the St. Louis area, but have since wandered and settled on the Kansas side of the Kansas City area.

When did you begin writing?

In my mind, I have always been a writer. Before I could read, I have clear memories of myself as a child, making up stories to go along with the pictures. The first story I actually wrote was about Cabbage Patch Dolls going to Mars, when I was seven or eight.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

My schedule revolves around my children. Right now, my son is in afternoon pre-school and my daughter takes afternoon naps (or at least, afternoon quiet time), so I consistently take two hours in the afternoon to write. For all the rest of the things I have to do – marketing, teaching workshops, writing reviews for my website – I steal time whenever I can. I usually get up an hour before my kids, I often steal an hour after my husband gets home, and I play catch up on weekends.

What is this book about?

The Immortality Virus is a far-future science fiction novel that asks: “What if the entire human race stopped aging?” It takes place in 2450, four centuries after The Change (when humans stopped aging), and tells the story of a blacklisted P.I. named Grace who is hired to find the man who caused The Change – if he's still alive. There's action, mystery, and a sprinkling of romance to help brighten the darkness of an otherwise dystopian novel.

What inspired you to write it?

The Immortality Virus didn't come to me in a burst of inspiration. I started out with the idea that I wanted to write a science fiction novel (I had just finished a paranormal novel and wanted to try something a little different), and then started doing a random search on Wikipedia. The search led me to the article on DNA, which helped me recall something I'd read about a genetic source for aging, which led me to more articles, and after about a week of reading and researching, it all came together in my mind: Someone released a virus that altered the human genome in such a way that we no longer aged.

After that, things came together fairly quickly. I got into characters (which is where I usually start, to be honest), world building, and I wrote an exploratory draft. Grace came to life as I started writing, as if she had always been inside of me and we were just waiting to be introduced.

Who is your favorite character from the book?

Probably Grace, because I spent the most time with her and got to know her well. She's tough on the outside, but soft and caring on the inside, which is what I love about her.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My husband. That was an easy one. :)

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?

I have been a member of many critique groups throughout the years. I have taken to heart the advice that a critique group is only good for a year or two, and then you generally need to move on, to get some fresh perspective. I have made many friends, and keep in contact with most of my old buddies, but for each book, I look for new sources of help and inspiration. I am a member of Codex, and I have found many novel buddies there. Before that, I had a lot of luck at Hatrack (Orson Scott Card's site).

Who is your favorite author?

I only get to pick one? I like so many different authors, and for many different reasons. I read science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, and even young adult – each type of writing is my favorite when I'm reading it, and many authors are my favorite when I'm with them. I love Orson Scott Card, Asimov, Heinlein, Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher, JK Rowling, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Catherine Anderson, Madeleine L'Engle...just to name a few

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

I've never heard of a paved road to success – they're all made of dirt, mud, and gravel, and most of us don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle.

There were moments of pain, many moments of doubt, moments of joy, and most of all – hard work. All in all, it's been great, bumps and all.

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

I did not do a very good job marketing my first novel, Touch of Fate. When people ask me how well it did, I usually say, “It was a learning experience.” And it was.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The Immortality Virus will be available June 15. You can pre-order it now through Barnes and Noble. Amazon.com should also have it listed for pre-order soon. The book will be available through both Ingram and Baker and Taylor, which means that most bookstores can order it (though few will stock it). In Canada, I believe Rand McNally bookstores will be able to order it.

You can also get an eBook version through many distributors, including amazon.com and b&n.com.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes! You can visit me anytime at http://www.chrsitineamsden.com/, where I not only have the latest on my books, but I also write book reviews and tips for writers. I love comments from readers.

What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?

Honestly, time. I have to put myself out there, meet people, talk to them, listen to them, and make friends. It's rewarding as well as time consuming, but I think it is the only way to promote a book.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Writers write. (For more details, see my blog. :) )

What is up next for you?

I am hoping to sell a four-book urban fantasy series soon. At the moment, I am trying to decide upon the best home for it. It is likely that I will go with my current publisher, because she's been great, but right now the series is my baby and I'm having trouble letting it grow up. :)

Thank you for having me!

Thanks for spending time with us today. We wish you great success.