Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Cover Reveal: THE WORD CHANGERS

Dear imps, I am very excited to be introducing a new author and fantasy novel to you today. I have read little bits and pieces of Ashlee Willis's work, and let me tell you . . . she writes some beautiful prose! I think you are going to enjoy her upcoming debut novel (releasing this summer). It looks like a story that will resonate with all of you. And guess what! She's offering a giveaway at the end of this post, so be sure to check that out.

But first, here's a little about the author herself:

Ashlee Willis has a passion for three things: God, family, and books, and is happiest when all three can be enjoyed together.  Ashlee graduated from Central Christian College of the Bible with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education. She divides her time chiefly between homeschooling her young son, reading about fantasy worlds she wishes she could visit, and dreaming up fantasy worlds of her own to write about.  Ashlee lives in the heart of Missouri with her husband, son, and cat, where she is busily at work on her next book, also a fantasy for young adults.
You can visit her blog here: Ashlee Willis.

Are you ready too see her cover? Here you go!

The Word Changers

Her parents’ marriage is falling apart. Fifteen-year-old Posy feels her life is falling apart with it. Retreating to an old library down the street, she selects a mysterious book in a secluded corner and is magically drawn into its story...

Posy finds herself in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and manipulative king and queen who have attempted to usurp the role that belongs only to the Author of their story. The princess has fled and the kingdom is teetering toward rebellion. Posy is joined by the Prince Kyran as they fight alongside the characters of the story against their slavery to the Plot.

Posy and the prince search beyond the borders of the story for the runaway princess. They visit mysterious places, face horrifying monsters, and fight fierce battles. They make both friends and enemies as their journey leads them into many dangers. But some of the worst dangers, Posy soon finds, lie deep within her own heart.

Now Posy must find the courage and forgiveness needed to save the story and, most important, heal the heartache she knew in her own world.

Coming June 23, 2014



Here's a quick word from Ashlee herself:

Inspiration



I remember walking the dark, narrow aisles of my old small-town library as a child. Sometimes I would put my eye to a gap between the books lining the shelf, and peer into the dusky shadows beyond. My eye would see … nothing more than the back panel of the shelf, or occasionally the startled face of the person in the next aisle. But my imagination would see so much more. I would pretend I could see other worlds – the very worlds to be found in the books surrounding me, both the ones I had read and the ones I had yet to discover.
I believe that’s where my true inspiration for The Word Changers began, all those long years ago. You might even say that’s where my inspiration came from for every story I’ve ever written. Because that’s why we read books, isn’t it? To discover new worlds, new ideas, new people and places and even new sorrows and joys?
In The Word Changers, I let Posy, the main character, live out the dream I’ve always had. But she didn’t just peek into the world of a book – I pushed her right over the edge and into the world itself. Poor Posy – she thought she was escaping from the hardships in her life, but she only jumped into even greater ones! Most of us know, though, that it’s difficult to find wisdom, forgiveness, compassion, and even love, without experiencing trials first. That’s a lesson I have learned over and over again since those days when I saw my imaginary worlds through the library book shelves. The Word Changers is Posy’s journey to discover this, among many other things, for herself.
 _________

Thank you for sharing, Ashlee! I look forward to featuring you again when The Word Changers releases this summer.

So what do you think, dear imps? Aren't you excited for this story? What a perfect premise for all the fantasy book lovers among us! Do take a moment to enter this giveaway and possibly win yourself a copy of The Word Changers (which you'll receive this summer after its release). And be sure to congratulate Ashlee on her debut!

 
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18 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey, Ashlee! Thanks for stopping by. My question is... what is your favorite and least favorite steps of the writing process, and how do you conquer your least favorite step?

Sarah Pennington said...

This book sounds insanely awesome! The falling-into-a-book thing sounds like one of my favorite daydreams, so, yeah. I really hope I can read it!

Question: What's your solution for when you get stuck?

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the kind compliments :) I'm so excited to be on Anne Elisabeth' charming blog!

Allison: My favorite parts of writing are those moments when I stop and see how that original seed of an idea has progressed into a full-fledged story - there is always something so magical about that! My least favorite part is most definitely revision! I have yet to find a way to conquer that one, other than just plowing straight through it! :)

Sarah: When I get stuck (which I do a lot!) I try to take a step back, revisit my original outline, give myself some time away from the manuscript. A lot of times I'll find that I just needed to see the story as a whole again, instead of focusing too closely on the scene/part I was struggling with. Prayer helps greatly, too!

Meredith said...

This book sounds fascinating! There was nothing I enjoyed more when I attended my residential elementary and high school than exploring the library stacks. I always loved imagining what it would be like to actually enter the worlds within the books and become a part of the plot. What publisher are you using? Being visually impaired, I wonder if your story will be available in an audio format? Also, what fantasy world do you enjoy the most?

Congratulations on your debut and keep up the outstanding work. God bless you.

Dianna said...

Hi Ashlee~
"Congratulations" on the completion of a vision! The cover is Beautiful, & I am excited to read this story~
Do you have another book in the works?

Jessica said...

Hi Ashlee
I'm very excited to read your book!!! I love the idea of the character being thrown into the pages of a book!! And the cover looks so wonderful!!

When did you decide on trying your hand at writing stories?

Unknown said...

Meredith: I am being published by Conquest Publishers. I would LOVE for there to be audio versions available - I have a good friend who is visually impaired and she has requested that too! I will do my best pushing that, but it will depend on what the publisher decides to do :) There are many, many fantasy worlds I have longed to become a part of, but at the risk of sounding a bit cliché here, I will say Narnia is the one I would choose to dive into myself!

Dianna: Thanks! I do have another book in the works (also YA fantasy). Almost done with the first draft!

Jessica: I began writing when I was a young child, and have never desired to be any other job than that of being an author :) The Word Changers is the first book that I actually had enough faith in to pursue publication with, though!

Jenelle Leanne said...

Ashlee, your book sounds marvelous! I used to do that exact same thing in libraries as a child, so as Anne says, you definitely sound like a "Kindred Spirit."

I know, I know, this is one everyone always asks, but I find the variety of answers fascinating: How do you come up with names for characters/realms/etc in your stories?

Anna said...

Cool cover! So my question is: do you do any research for your novels and if so, what/how do you research?

Jillian said...

Hi Ashlee! I love the cover, and the summary sounds so intriguing. My question: What was the hardest part of writing your novel?

Grace said...

This one is going onto my "to read" list for sure!

Unknown said...

Jenelle: Kindred spirits, indeed! I just adore Anne! The world of Green Gables - that's another one I wouldn't mind falling into! I come up with names from a variety of places. Character's names come from baby name websites, many times, to tell you the truth! I do a search based on origin (so that characters from a certain region have similar-sounding names) or based on meaning (if the character I'm naming has a certain trait or characteristic that plays an important role). Places and realms can be a bit trickier - much of it has to do with the idea or emotion I'm wanting to get across for a place.

Anna: I have done a small bit of research, but nothing very extensive. Most of it is done online or through a trip to the library! My favorite type of research is just observing people, though - their mannerisms, their speech, their characteristics and reactions. I guess some may not consider this to be research, but it has more to do with what I write than anything else, as yet!

Jillian: Thanks so much! The hardest part of writing my novel was probably the revising. It's such a great feeling to finally finish such a huge accomplishment (at least in a writer's mind it's a huge accomplishment!) and then realize you are barely halfway done, and nothing is fit to be seen yet! Eek! For me, that's when the real work began.

Grace: Thanks! I truly hope you enjoy it :)

Clara said...

Oooh! This books looks just like something I would enjoy!

Hannah said...

Congratulations, Ashlee! How very, very exciting! Sounds like such a fun story!

Galadriel said...

Is there a book that you love so much you wish you'd written it?

Meredith said...

That is wonderful that you have a visually impaired friend. Thank you for the answers to my questions. I'd absolutely love to dive into Narnia as well.

There are actually two web sites that make books accessible to visually impaired individuals. They produce the books in electronic braille versions and other formats. If you might be interested, the sites are, www.verbatimbraille.com or www.bookshare.org

God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Ashlee, your book is beautiful and I am so excited to read it! :) Always so happy to find new Christian fantasy to read!
When did you start writing? And what inspires you to write fantasy?
-Shantelle

Unknown said...

Clara and Hannah - thank you so much! I truly hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to read it!

Galadriel: I read a book this past year that struck me as exactly the type of thing I wished I could write - very nature-oriented, fairy tale-esque, and the voice was truly mesmerizing. It's called "The Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood" by Meredith Ann Pierce. I would LOVE to write as beautifully as she does one day. Just adore that book!!

Meredith: Thanks so much! I will absolutely check out those sites!! I want my book to be available to absolutely anyone who wants to read it, and hope to help make it so!

Shantelle: I began writing when I was very young - probably 9 or 10 - and have never looked back! Haha. I have several inspirations for writing fantasy, but the strongest one is simply that I love READING fantasy so much! I wrote a blog post about why I love "fairytales" (and fantasy), if you are interested! It gives a bit more insight into my reasons :) http://ashleewillisauthor.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/fairy-tales-truer-than-real-life/

Thanks so much for the questions and kind compliments, everyone!