text 2014-05-23 07:47

The Guardian’s Wyrd, a fantasy adventure book set in Hout Bay, has received five star praise ahead of its release.

The book, written by the prolific writer and editor Nerine Dorman, is available from online stores today and is the story of Jay September, a mixed-race boy from Hout Bay who follows his friend Rowan into the deadly politics of the magical realm of Sunthyst.

Reviewers have called it ‘a lovely, sometimes harrowing, sometimes heartbreaking tale’.

The book is a story of friendship, of magic and best of all: an adventure that will get your kids excited about reading again.

But, here’s more about the book:

Sometimes having a fairytale prince as a best friend can be a real pain.

Jay didn't realise that sticking up for Rowan, the gangly new kid at school, would plunge him into the dangers and politics of the magical realm of Sunthyst. But if anyone is up for the challenge it's Jay September. With his trusty dog, Shadow, at his side, he braves the watcher in the dark that guards the tunnels between the worlds, and undertakes a dangerous quest to rescue the prince.

It's a race against time – can he sneak Prince Rowan away from under King Lessian's nose and bring him safely back home – all before the prince's sixteenth birthday? Or is Rowan's mother, the exiled Queen Persia, secretly trying to hold onto her power by denying her son his birthright?

Jay is ready for anything, except, perhaps, the suffocating darkness of the tunnels. And that howling …

If you’d like to interview the author, or find out more about the book, please don’t hesitate to contact Leani from Wordsmack Publishers at 0834614494 or leani@word-smack.com

You can buy the book by clicking here.
See some of the reviews here.

Source: wordsmacked.blogspot.com/2014/05/early-praise-for-guardians-wyrd.html

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text 2014-05-17 06:00

Cover reveal: The Guardian's Wyrd

The Block

It's one of our favourite days here at the Wordsmack office: Cover Reveal Day. The other favourites include publishing day and Friday...

Now, check out the gorgeous illustration by artist Colwyn Thomas for Nerine Dorman's fantasy novel The Guardian's Wyrd:

Lovely. And in case you're wondering, that's a rampant unicorn. They come with fangs and attitude. But, before you go away, check out what this book is about:

The Guardian's Wyrd:

Sometimes having a fairytale prince as a best friend can be a real pain.

Jay didn't realise that sticking up for Rowan, the gangly new kid at school, would plunge him into the dangers and politics of the magical realm of Sunthyst. But if anyone is up for the challenge it's Jay September. With his trusty dog, Shadow, at his side, he braves the Watcher in the dark that guards the tunnels between the worlds, and undertakes a dangerous quest to rescue the prince.

It's a race against time - can he sneak Prince Rowan away from under King Lessian's nose and bring him safely back home - all before the prince's sixteenth birthday? Or is Rowan's mother, the exiled Queen Persia, secretly trying to hold onto her power by denying her son his birthright?

Jay is ready for anything, except, perhaps, the suffocating darkness of the tunnels. And that howling…

Sign up here to be notified when the book has gone live on Amazon and other digital platforms: http://www.word-smack.com/#!newsletter/c152j

AND add it to your To Read list on Goodreads here.

cover release diversity ebooks fantasy independent publisher magical realm Nerine Dorman new fantasy novel new release rampant unicorn The Guardian's Wyrd Wordsmack Young Adult fiction

Source: wordsmacked.blogspot.com/2014/05/cover-reveal-guardians-wyrd.html

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text 2014-05-06 10:39

The Ripmender is live!

The Block

And ready for downloading

Johannesburg, 6 May 2014 – A science fiction romance novel set in part in Durban and on an alien planet? Done. Wordsmack Publishers is excited to announce that The Ripmender by Julianne Alcott, has gone live today. The novel follows Cathy as she tries to navigate going from a friendless, isolated first-year to the best friend of the world’s biggest teen rock-sensation, Nathan Jake.

As the demand for ‘off-centre’ fiction takes off in South Africa, authors like Lauren Beukes, Charlie Human and Cat Hellisen are becoming known for meshing supernatural elements with local backdrops. Zombies in Cape Town and aliens in Durban – it’s the next wave of fiction in a country teeming with interesting and shocking stories.

The Ripmender is part of this trend as it brings science fiction and romance to teen and young adult readers. Teen readers especially will relate to the multicultural characters and the local language used in the book.

More about the book:

“In the real world, one’s idols end up going to rehab or jail, or marrying someone for three days. They don't end up being from another planet.”

Cathy Slater dreams of meeting the love of her life ... teen rock sensation, Nathan Jake. Of course, this is impossible – he is adored by millions, and she has trouble fitting into her own family. Even if he is a tutor at her university, she can’t compete with the packs of adoring fans constantly surrounding him.

But then her life changes forever when she stumbles onto Nathan Jake’s biggest secret. She wasn’t meant to see what he could do … what he was.

Becoming part of his secret means that Cathy is thrown head first into his world – the one in which Ripmenders keep unsuspecting worlds like ours safe from invasion. And then there are the jealous super-fans to deal with …

But can Nathan ever reciprocate Cathy’s feelings? As she discovers more about the Ripmenders and the shadowy organisation that runs them, the more she worries that his cold, calm demeanor will never give way to the loving man she always imagined him to be. Follow the couple from South Africa across the galaxy to fantastical planets through the rips of space. View it here

About the author:
Julianne Alcott lives in Durban where she works as a librarian at a primary school library. She loves inventing strange plots that she then can research – she’s done it all – from rubbing stinging nettles on her skin to going to the mall with a borrowed wheelchair. She loves hearing from readers, so send her a Tweet @JulianneAlcott or visit her blog at http://juliannealcott.wordpress.com. She’s also on Wattpad, and every so often publishes stories for free.

For more information on the book, the speculative fiction industry in South Africa or for an interview with Julianne, please don’t hesitate to connect with me at 0834614494.

amazon Durban ebooks Julianne Alcott new adult romance sci-fi South Africa The Ripmender Wordsmack young adult

Source: wordsmacked.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-ripmender-is-live.html

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text 2014-04-08 09:34

Calling all book bloggers!

The Block

Here at Wordsmack Publishers we realise the power of book bloggers - we love that the Internet has made it possible for anyone's voice to be heard. So get hold of us and we'll send you ARCs and cover reveals and interviews and all kinds of goodies!

If you're into speculative fiction - fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal - that kind of stuff, then our books are right up your alley.

Currently, we have two Young Adult books waiting to be reviewed and published, here's more info on them:

The Ripmender by Julianne Alcott:

"In the real world, your idol usually ends up in rehab or, even worse, at a wedding altar in some tacky Vegas chapel. What they don't do is tell you they are from another planet ... Just my luck!"

Cathy Slater dreams of meeting the love of her life ... teen rock
sensation, Nathan Jake.

He's adored by millions, while she has trouble even fitting into her own family! Although he is a tutor at her university, there is no way she can compete with the packs of worshipping fans constantly surrounding him.

But then fate intervenes and her life changes forever when she stumbles onto Nathan's biggest secret ... She wasn't meant to see what he can do ... what he is ... Now there's no going back.

Who are the Ripmenders and what is their purpose here on Earth?

Follow Cathy across the galaxy as she uncovers the truth about the shady organisation behind Nathan's secret. Can she ever truly understand the mystery behind the man she loves? ... Or will an enemy from the past ruin everything?

The Guardian's Wyrd by Nerine Dorman:

Sometimes having a fairytale prince as a best friend can be a real pain.

Jay didn't realise that sticking up for Rowan, the gangly new kid at school, would plunge him into the dangers and politics of the magical realm of Sunthyst. But if anyone is up for the challenge it's Jay September. With his trusty dog, Shadow, at his side, he braves the watcher in the dark that guards the tunnels between the worlds, and undertakes a dangerous quest to rescue the prince.

It's a race against time - can he sneak Prince Rowan away from under King Lessian's nose and bring him safely back home - all before the prince's sixteenth birthday? Or is Rowan's mother, the exiled Queen Persia, secretly trying to hold onto her power by denying her son his birthright?

Jay is ready for anything, except, perhaps, the suffocating darkness
of the tunnels. And those eyes ...

~

Talk to Wordsmack by checking out our details here: www.word-smack.com

ARC ARCs bloggers book bloggers ebooks fantasy independent publisher Julianne Alcott Nerine Dorman new release reviews science fiction South Africa The Guardian's Wyrd The Ripmender Wordsmack Young Adult

Source: wordsmacked.blogspot.com/2014/04/calling-all-book-bloggers.html

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text 2014-03-06 14:35

Books for the price of a cup of coffee

The Block

Publishers have been vocal recently about the fact that you can now buy a book for the same price as a cup of coffee. Isn't that sad, they lament? How will it last? Well, of course we'd also like to make big profits and pay rent and eat something other than 2 Minute Noodles. But for now, we need to get more people with those eyeballs of theirs onto our books so that their minds can also be blown by how incredible (and sometimes a little scary) our authors' minds are.

To do list:
#1: blow people's minds
#2: make money when Hollywood comes a-knocking
#3: eat something other than 2 Minute Noodles

So therefore, the point, dearies, of this rant: Look at what you get for a measly R20 these days. It's not much. OR you can spend R20 on a book which will blow your mind, broaden your horizons and leave you looking down at your old school friends who clearly are not as impressive as you are.

Below shows: you can buy a Woolies smoothie, a cup of coffee (not even a double shot anymore), a song on iTunes, a cheapass app or ten diapers. OR you can do better.

This price is only available on the awesome Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-folds

We were generous and thought we'd even look at what R40 can give you. It includes a Woolies meal, better apps, or a movie on box office movie and some homemade popcorn (no easy popping for you). OR the brain explosion thing.

This price is only available on the awesome Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/idea-war

Be good, but if you can't, you may as well enjoy.

Leani

Abi Godsell budget ebooks Idea War independent publisher kobo Mico Pisanti money the folds woolworths Wordsmack world book day

Source: wordsmacked.blogspot.com/2014/03/books-for-price-of-cup-of-coffee.html