The Glitter and The Trauma Update.

It's been an odd year.  This time last December, I was doodling ideas about a superhero story with a girl fighting shadowy creatures in a nightclub.  Now I'm typing up the script for issue 2 of the comic book series about the same superhero.  It's a strange feeling.
It's been a while since I've posted on here about TGATT, so I think an update is long overdue.

The script for issue #1 is complete and artist, Pablo Ventura, is working his way through pencilling out the pages.  Digital artist, Adam Turner, is also at work on colours and lettering.  All in all, issue #1 is coming along great and hopefully we should have something complete to show off soon.  As a little teaser, Pablo leaked page 1 of issue 1 on his twitter last week:

I think you'll agree that it looks freaking awesome and this is going to be a damn fine comic.  We've got a great team and it's only a matter of time before we have a finished issue #1 in our hands.

Once the first story arc is completed (first 3 or 4 issues), we've got some ridiculously exciting stuff planned.  This is not a short series and there are BIG plans for "The Glitter and The Trauma" and the universe it inhabits.  Keep checking back for updates and keep following on Twitter for more up to date gossip and news.

Em

Imagination Will be the Death of You...

So, I think my imagination's gotten a little away from me.  This morning (September Weekend and up nice and bright and early), I curled up with some headphones on, Amanda Palmer's new album blaring, and a glass of OJ to hand, and attempted to plot out all of the ideas that @UnknownMaleDOA and I had come up with so far.

2 hours later, I had enough material for nearly 20 issues of - what has now come to be known as  - "The Glitter and the Trauma".  Holy crap, when did this project get so huge?!  I'm extremely psyched that it's going so well and overwhelmed but just how much we've got to work with.

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to start a wee video blog on here and, hopefully, by the end of the year, I'll have a website up and running for the project.  Until then, please make here and my Twitter Page your first port of call on all Illuminator news.

Issue #1 is well under way and there are a few posters lurking around Twitter, too, so keep an eye out and, for a little sneak peek, here's a wicked poster by Pablo.  Be sure to follow him on Twitter and show your support for the man who gave Sarah and Ellie faces (and, well, other body parts too in the case of his current Twitter background!).

Em

Mission Accomplished

"Glitter by Gaslight" is now complete.  Check it out under the Glitter and Trauma tab and let me know what you think in the comments box below.

Thanks for this weekend, guys!

Em

Tired Not Lazy

Quick post, guys.

As you will see, only half of "Glitter by Gaslight: Part III" is up on the Glitter and Trauma page.  This is purely because I'm totally shattered.  Sorry folks, but you will just have to wait a couple of hours for the epic, steampunky, Victorian conclusion.

Thank you for all your support this weekend.  Let me know what you think of both the novella and the new short story.

Not long now...

Em

Been There, Done That, Got the FREAKING AWESOME T-SHIRT

Can't believe how long it's taken me to do this post, but I guess it's appropriate this weekend.  Anyway, exciting announcement...

Thanks to @deadbunneh, you can now get this awesome and exclusive Glitter and Trauma t-shirt!

I freaking love this.  It's a fantastic piece by a fantastic artist and I really feel that you should grab this tee while you can.  I've already got mine and wear it so often that it has tried to crawl off me on more than one occasion.  Ewww, that made me sound minging.  The point is that I love my tee and am extremely thankful for such an flattering and brilliant interpretation of my work.

So, here's a wee pic of me wearing it.  I'll warn you, I'm afraid that all the comics behind me are not mine.  I was actually standing in Forbidden Planet...at the Batman section...because I'm that cool.

Anyway, get your tee and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Em

Glitter by Gaslight Part II

Morning Internet!

As you can see from the above tab, the second part of the Glitter and Trauma special is now live.  If you haven't read Part I, make sure you check that out first (duh), but hopefully you'll love this one.

In Part I we saw a Victorian-era Ellie lunching with her best friends and awaiting her upcoming marriage proposal.  However, expect shadowy hi-jinx and chaos as we see our first ever steampunk-style shadow.  This chapter was ridiculously good fun to write and I hope you have as much fun reading, too.

Part II reveals Sarah's life on the shadier side of town.  I don't want to give too much away as I think you'll like what I've done with her.  Anyway, what I can tell you is that in today's chapter, you'll see Sarah, Leech and Patch, with Leech and Patch finally getting to exchange some testosterone fuelled words!  Yay!

Part III will arrive tomorrow and should be a big one.  I'm saying nothing XD

Anyway, happy Saturday folks.  Remember to pick up your free copy of the novella, too.  Links at the top of the posts bar.

Em

Glitter by Gaslight

Welcome to Day 1 of the big Glitter and Trauma event!!!

To celebrate hitting 1,000 followers, I am holding my biggest Glitter and Trauma promotion so far.  Not only is the novella free all weekend (UK, US, Germany, Italy, Spain, France) but if you click the "Glitter and Trauma" tab up top, you'll find a lovely present, just for you.  Yes... you!

However, there's a twist...

You will only find the first part of the gift tonight.  This is Part 1 of 3.  For part 2, you will have to come back tomorrow.  And on Sunday for part 3.

Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!

I'm so evil!  Repeat visits!  Aha!  What a plan!  See you tomorrow, guys.  Enjoy your free story and free copy of G&T.  Happy Friday.

Em

Glitter and Trauma Event

Hello lovely visitor,

It's highly likely you came by here via my Twitter page.  If you did, thank you very much.  If you didn't, well, hello anyway!

As a huge thank you to all my followers who helped me exceed the beautiful number that is 1,000, this weekend (7th-9th September) I will be holding a totally free Glitter and Trauma event right here on this blog.  This will involve the following:

• A brand new and exclusive Glitter and Trauma short story - a never-before-seen 3 part tale that will turn the Glitter and Trauma universe, as you know it, on its head.
• Glitter and Trauma (the original novella) will be listed as free on all Amazon sites for those 3 days.
• A sneak peak into the art of Glitter and Trauma: the comic.
• New and exclusive art from the illustrator of Glitter and Trauma: the Comic.

Apologies for being rather secretive about what the new story will be about and the lack of detail on the comics, but stay tuned and be patient.  This weekend is gonnae be AWESOME!!!

Em

FREEEE!

To celebrate the launch of "Puppets and Dolls", it's sister eBook, "Glitter and Trauma" is free!  Yay!  This is the last chance to get it free this weekend , so grab it while you can, lovies!  More than happy to chat on twitter about it to whomever purchases it.  So as soon as your copy is on your Kindle/iPod/android phone, drop me a tweet!

Enjoy your free copy, folks.  You are all awesome!  Welcome and hello to all my new followers and visitors, too.

G&T US
G&T UK

Em

Even More Illuminator Fun!

To celebrate hitting 550 followers on Twitter (@GirlofGotham) yet another awesome "Glitter and Trauma" tie in story can be found for free under the "G&T" tab up top here.  Or by clicking HERE.  Thank you so much to everyone who follows me and I promise more short stories are to come.  You are all wicked.

Free story is now live!

Behold, a new tab up top here *points up*.  Read some more back story into the Illuminator as Sarah gets an unwelcome visitor during exam time.

Give it a read, folks.  This is an exclusive story that will only appear on this blog.  If you like what you read and want to check out more, Glitter and Trauma is available from Amazon.  US and UK.  Check out this short story for free and give the novella a try.  Open to comments and Tweets.  Let me know what you think and thank you so much to everyone who has bought the book so far, reviewed or helped publicise it.  You guys are my heroes!

Thanks for reading, folks.  Hope you all have a lovely sunny weekend!

Em

Free Fiction All Round!

Two Awesome things to share.  First up, my new short story "Puddles" has gone up on my Elfwood page, AND it got a Moderator's Choice!  Yay!  Read it for free, here!

And...it gets better...

On Saturday, I will be publishing an exclusive piece of flash fiction set in the "Glitter and Trauma" universe.  Be sure to drop by then and catch some free fiction!  If you haven't read "Glitter and Trauma" yet, catch up here:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Glitter-and-Trauma-ebook/dp/B007UJ6GNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337881677&sr=8-1

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glitter-and-Trauma-ebook/dp/B007UJ6GNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337881642&sr=8-1

See you Saturday!

Em

Praise for "Glitter and Trauma"

Bragging time folks.  If you're still humming and hawing over whether or not to but "Glitter and Trauma", let me list a few good reasons why you should.

Today is all about some of the good press my new superheroes have had so far.  Reviews are taken from Good Reads.  Kai said:


"There were some genuinely suspenseful parts, such as the flashbacks to Sarah (aka The Illuminator) and what she was like in high school, and the fight during which she discovered her powers as a Light One during her first encounter with a Dark One. 
I also liked the little self-referential bits, such as the joking references Sarah makes to comic book heroes like the X-Men. It showed me that this author has a joking but loving appreciation for the superhero aesthetic that this book is aiming for...If any readers get the opportunity to obtain this book, please do. It is a dark, sometimes funny, and pretty exciting world to inhabit."


Thank you so much to Kai and feel free to click on the above link to read the full review.  This is a shortened version in order to skip spoilers.  In another Good Reads review, Naomi wrote:


"I liked the concept and the story was fast and intriguing. I loved Leech - actually, I'd love to see a story focusing on him. Ellie and Sarah were well-drawn too, and the world of the Shadow Creatures and givers and takers was fascinating. I think there's a lot of potential for more stories in this comic-book style world...Emma Kathryn is going on my to-watch list!"


Thanks to Naomi for an awesome review.  Again, the link is available above for you to read the whole comment.  At Good Reads, the book is currently sitting at a 3 star rating, so it would be great if more people who have read the story to pop along and leave a review.  I'd really appreciate it and will be more than happy to link it on here.


In extremely exciting news...website Upcoming4Me did a wicked review of G & T.  It's a really nice and complimentary review and I really appreciate it.  Thank you Upcoming4me!  What an awesome website.  Here's a sneak peek:


"Ultimately, Glitter and Trauma is fun, quick read and you should definitely give it a try if you like smart paranormal fiction. As for us, we thing there's potential for the series here so we'll definitely keep an eye on the Emma in the future."


I would happily have posted that whole review here but I'll let you go read it for yourself.  I'm so happy with it anyway.  And it looks like Upcoming4Me and I are not through yet and there may be more Vampire Bunny exclusives popping up on there!  So keep an eye out!


In similar news, I was interviewed for Shonda Brock's Paranormal Wednesday series this week.  If you want to know more about me or are just plain curious, give it a read.  A huge thank you to Shonda and her team for giving me the opportunity to do this.  It was great fun.


Well that's about it for today folks.  I doubt you've forgotten by now but remember that Glitter and Trauma is available in the US and the UK as well as Spain, France, Germany and Italy.  Give it a try today!


Em

Operation Spread the Shadows

"Glitter and Trauma" has until the 14th July on KDP Select.  That means that all Amazon Prime customers can read it for free.  On top of that, it's only $2.99 in the USA, £1.95 in the UK and EUR 2,68 in Spain, Germany, France and Italy.  In order to promote the book a little more, I'm beginning

OPERATION SPREAD THE SHADOWS!

I want you, faithful vampire bunny followers (and internet passers-by) to help pass on the joys of Glitter and Trauma.  Tweet it, blog it, facebook it or even just email your friends.  I'm looking for: pictures of the book in your kindle, comments on your favourite parts and characters, your favourite tracks from the soundtrack, quotes, and any other random pics or chat you can think of.  Also, if you have read the novella, please post a review on Amazon, Good Reads or any other site you use.  That would be a great help.

So, hop on twitter and Facebook and #spreadtheshadows.  Let's get it trending!  I will arrange some prizes for the top participators!

Feel free to share this post.

Em

Reader Challenge

We only have a few more hours left of Glitter and Trauma's Free Comic Book Day promotion.  So, for these last few hours, I submit a challenge:

• Download the book for free (US readers or UK readers - open to readers of any nationality but these are the best links I have)
• Read it over the next 2 days (by midnight on the 8th May)
• Throw a review up on Amazon or Good Reads.

I'm afraid that this is not a challenge with a prize.  It's just a review drive with a competitive kick.  I'll acknowledge reviewers on here and it'll all be ridiculously exciting.  Fun times.

Thanks to everyone who has downloaded the book so far.  You rock.  Happy reading!

Em

Glitter and Trauma Original Soundtrack

Thank you so much to everyone who has bought Glitter and Trauma so far.  Remember that it's available FREE on Amazon all this weekend to celebrate yesterday's Free Comic Book Day.  Get it here if you're in the UK and here if you're in the USA.

As a thank you, today I'm going to include the exclusive playlist for Glitter and Trauma.  These are the tracks I wrote the novella to.  Whenever I'm writing, I need music to keep me on track.  When I get an idea for a story, I have to make up a playlist of music that fits in with this idea or inspires me.  Today I'm giving you a peak into the songs that inspired Glitter and Trauma.  Check them out and enjoy:


"Glitter and Trauma" by Biffy Clyro - Sarah preparing for Friday night...

"Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding.  Ellie waiting to get into club...


"Omen" by the Prodigy.  Sarah takes on the Shadows...


"Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones.  All flashback sequences...


"Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyonce.  Patch trying to reach Ellie.


"Sarah" by Pythia.  Generally inspired character of Sarah.  Could be listened to at any time...


I'd recommend listening to these as a playlist as you read.  Honest, it will totally enhance your "Glitter and Trauma" experience.  So thank you so much again folks.  Keep downloading and rock on!

Em

Free Comic Book Day!

To help celebrate Free Comic Book Day, my novella Glitter and Trauma is free on Amazon this weekend! Woohoo.

Behold, some exciting links to help you download it quick and easy:

UK readers, get it here: http://t.co/3vdqfo9X

US readers, click here: http://t.co/UopXnfhj

Would love for people to put up reviews, likes and tags on Amazon and Good Reads once they have read it. I'd really appreciate that folks.

If you're on Twitter or Facebook, feel free to post these links so that we can Spread the Shadows. I'll be starting up discussion threads on Good Reads soon too so it would be great if you, fair reader of this blog, could give Glitter and Trauma a try and tell me what you think.

Happy Free Comic Book Day bunnies! Enjoy whatever heroes you pick up from your local comic book store!

Em

Get Glitter and Trauma for Free!

Happy World Book Night and Merry Shakespeare Day!

To celebrate both of these fantastic occasions, for one day only, "Glitter and Trauma" is free on Amazon!  Get it while it's hot, bunnies!  Download it in the UK here and the USA here.  At the moment, it's sitting at #36 in the contemporary fantasy chart and #79 in the horror chart.  Freaking awesome if you ask me.

So, have an awesome world book night with a free eBook.  Download Glitter and Trauma now!

Happy Birthday Shakespeare, I'm sure you're getting pissed in the afterlife somewhere and having a great time.

Em

Of Fan Fiction and Digital Reading...

First up, Glitter and Trauma is coming along nicely.  Still selling, slowly but still selling.  If you haven't read it yet, be sure to give it a try.  It would be great if anyone who has read it could leave a review.  I'd really appreciate that.

Downloaded a few eBooks on my iPod to support indie writers.  It's damn hard this whole self-publishing thing.  Never realised that until now.  Am going to ensure from now on that I put up reviews of books I read, too.  So over the next week I will be putting up reviews for the variety of Pill Hill and Static Movement books I've read over the past 2 years and never reviewed.  I feel a bit evil now.  Please review the books you read, folks.  The writers, editors and publishers need your support!

In other news, I've started dabbling in fan fiction.  Some Buffy the Vampire Slayer and DC nonsense.  Will try to put some online soon.  Fingers crossed it goes down well!

Better run now.  True Blood marathon!  Yaaaaay!

Blogging on the Bus... Ridiculously Early

I hate that I get up when there are people posting "Off to bed now, night!" on their Twitter feeds. It's crap. But at least I can...oh yes, you guessed it...Blog on the Bus!

"Glitter and Trauma" is doing pretty well on its first week out in the world. 8 copies have now been sold and I'm really pleased with that. Hopefully the weekend will only see that figure rise. I've been pimping it out on Twitter like crazy but it seems to be working. Oops, that's my stop!