Skye recently spoke with Austin Artists, a brand new local video magazine that’s seen explosive growth in the last few months. She becomes their first author interview, joining an impressive lineup of previous profiles of musicians, visual artists, chefs and more.
Be sure to visit Austin Artists and fan them on Facebook to keep abreast of the best in Austin arts and entertainment!
All the way from Vienna, Austria, we have an interview from Amberkatze’s Book Blog wherein Skye dishes about what sort of paranormal creature she’d like to be. Thrall had no idea. There’s a contest, too, so be sure to enter; you’ll also find another contest at Tynga’s Reviews.
“They’re both so deeply messed-up!” Which and Falling, Fly characters is she talking about? Find out in the interview at mis(h)takes. Check out Book Bound for Skyler’s take on what ethical consumerism means to vampires, and Suburban Vampire for more on the book’s feminist overtones.
Skye’s last two posts at the blog of her publisher, Penguin, ran late last week:
“Two things can kill desire: despair and consummation. Writers write from themselves. But they also write for you. We want to share our angels.”
You can also learn about some of and Falling, Fly’s easter eggs.
Reviews, then, is it? From VampChix (with contest!):
“Lush, decadent and dark, and Falling, Fly is a heady undertaking, and masterfully done … I highly suggest you read this book slowly to savor every delectable word.”
Authors! They walk among us! Read Skye’s two-part craft series on how to utilize mythological archetypes to solve writing problems at Writer Unboxed.
Finally, and Falling, Fly is keeping good company in the incredibly rich SciFiGuy.ca Urban Fantasy Weekend Report; you can also check out Skye’s interview and giveaway there, where the comments keep rolling in.
Bitter hugs,
Thrall
Thanks to everyone who came out to make it such a special night!
Thrall is tired. Very, very tired. But his lady grants him no reprieve.
His lady bids he inform you of the solid grade and Falling, Fly received from Jane at the notoriously tough Dear Author blog:
“This is a curious and interesting mix of philosophy and myth which takes it a step beyond the ordinary paranormal.”
Trust me when I say Dear Author reviews can be very, very tough.
More reviews! At Book Lush:
“I have never read a book such as and Falling, Fly … It’s certainly in a class of its own! White’s writing’s unbelievably lyrical and haunting. It just comes right off the page and hooks the reader from the beginning.”
From Read All Over:
“From page one, and Falling, Fly is a trip down the rabbit hole … a sensual, thought-provoking, speculative piece of prose … definitely not to be missed!”
And where has Skye stopped by to speak her mind? She writes about her love of speculative fiction at Book Chick City, who’s also running a contest for a signed copy. There’s also an interview at Strictly Reviews with a giveaway.
There are more interviews at Dark Phantom Review and Dirty Sexy Books, with a giveaway contest at the latter.
Skye waxes pretty deep in her blog post, “Why Half My Book is Set in Hell”, at Penguin. If you’re gonna read just one post there this week, make it this one.
Bitter hugs,
Thrall
Friday, March 5, 2010
BookPeople, Austin, TX
Skye with agent Holly Root
Thrall, Skye and author Sherry Thomas
Skye and husband Scott (Thrall)
Skye's Fluevog 'Countess Olivia' boots. Really.
(Several of the photos graciously taken by David Kinne.)
Skye and her disorderly brood find their first copy of 'and Falling, Fly' in a bookstore, right on the Barnes & Noble New Releases table where it belongs. The German, with her steely, laser-like eyes, spied it first.
Other day-after-launch happenings:
I’m thrilled to report that and Falling, Fly was added to the ‘Recommended for March’ list at the notoriously tough Dear Author blog.
There’s a particularly thoughtful interview at SciFiGuy.ca, including a giveawy, so be sure to stop by and enter.
Patricia’s Vampire Notes is also doing a giveaway in conjunction with their interview. Don’t forget that you get extra entries if you tout the contest to your social networks.
Here’s ANOTHER giveaway (and interview) on the gorgeous new Book Lovers Inc. site.
Book Rat ran one of the funnier interviews with Skye, and then the Chief Rat and her friends had a little too much fun with Skye’s tattoos … 
And what better place for an interview about and Falling, Fly than Hellnotes?
Skye’s guest-blogging at her publisher Penguin’s blog this week.
And last but not least, she’s the featured ‘Midnight Brew’ author of the month at Midnight Moon Cafe. Be sure to comment on their blog for a chance to win an and Falling, Fly prize pack!
Reviews! Get yer fresh hot reviews right here!
From Dirty Sexy Books:
“It will appeal to fans who savor smarter storytelling. It might lose a few readers here and there, because it doesn’t spell everything out and hold their hand.”
In their 4.5-star (of 5) review, Fantasy Literature finds comparisons to Anne Rice, Elizabeth Hand’s Black Light, and Caitlin R. Kiernan’s The Red Tree:
“Wow, what a mindf*ck … an ending that satisfies and yet leaves the reader’s brain buzzing.”
From Lovin’ Me Some Romance:
“The novel makes you question who we are, what we’re capable of and that delusional or not, we’re all deserving of love and the strength to fall with the hope of flying.”
Tynga’s Reviews calls it “Like nothing else you’ve read before … unique, smart and provocative.”
And at Fiendishly Bookish:
“These ideas…the characters have stayed with me, have been looping in my mind for days after turning its last page … it is not a novel you are likely to ever forget for its unsurpassed uniqueness, and its affecting presence.”
Finally, Skye was tickled to see her first Spanish-language promotion at the Besos de un Angel (Kisses of an Angel) blog. When I ran the synopsis through Google Translate, here’s how the last line came out:
“Olivia and Dominic-vision-has touched the scientist and the bond that has the angel to Earth is reborn, and the undead are the mystery of love and time way to fall y. .. fly.”
Bitter hugs,
Thrall
Thrall rises from his pile of gunnysacks in the corner to post highlights of and Falling, Fly launch-day coverage:
Reviews! We got yer reviews right here!
5 out of 5 from Strictly Reviews:
“and Falling, Fly is an absolute treasure. I have been excited and intrigued about a lot of novels lately but none come even close to Skyler White’s spectacular debut novel.”
4.5 out of 5 from mis(h)takes:
“Skyler White not only entertains with almost lyrical descriptions and storytelling, but she makes one question their own beliefs and feelings. Love, fear, religion, science, faith, desire, sacrifice…”
‘Recommended’ rating from Joyfully Reviewed:
“and Falling, Fly rocked my imagination … Ms. White put the vampire legend on its ear. I love her world and insight to the mythology we know and love … I am Joyfully Recommending and Falling, Fly in all its dark and wonderful glory.”
From Book Rat:
“The hotel itself is a fascinating mix of old-world Europe and new-world punkishness, trimmed in steampunk and steeped in all Ireland has to offer. I could visualize it just enough that it was present and fascinating but still enough of a mystery that I wanted to see it for myself.”
And if you like, check out the transcript of Skye’s launch day event at Bitten by Books.
There’s more, much more where that came from. But M’lady requires a foot-rub. I shall post more later.
Bitter hugs,
Thrall
Say, I DO kinda look like Thrall! This is me letting grooming standards slip during Skye's two-week trip to Ireland to research 'In Dreams Begin'.
Hi all — this is Skye’s husband, Scott, pulling off his ‘Thrall’ mask and making a rare appearance on the blog. I act as Skye’s webmaster and manager (right, like the tubby kid who brings towels to the basketball team) and have proudly watched her determination and daily perseverance (and occasional explosive effort) for five years from her first toe-dip in the waters of professional writing to this day, when and Falling, Fly becomes publicly available.
It’s an exciting day, but it’s also when the rubber meets the road. Bluntly put, this is the time when the market will decide if her artistry is worth further investment. Early reviews have been positive, citing the moving and thought-provoking nature of the book. But this is when Skye really needs your support, as fans and friends. What can you do to help?
1) Buy the Book. I know this is self-explanatory, but working with Skye on this project has given me a new appreciation for how much artists need this simple step. It really doesn’t cost that much — about $10 from Amazon or B&N, and Skye gets a little extra pocket change if you use the Amazon/B&N links in the right sidebar of this site (and it costs you the same). Most importantly, you’re helping the publisher recover and build upon their investment in Skyler, which paves the way to continued and greater investment in her future works, along with marketing dollars that build her as a viable artist. Like it or not, without sales, all other bets are off.
2) Review the Book. Trust me when I say and Falling, Fly is a book that will make you think. Write those thoughts down and add them to Amazon, B&N, Borders, Goodreads or anyplace else to help get the conversation started.
3) Participate! The biggest artistic thrill Skye gets from this project is discussion with readers. She wants to hear what you think! Send her email using her contact form; comment on her blog posts; comment on the many interviews and reviews popping up around the net. Come to the launch party or book signings or convention appearances. Ask her for some temporary tattoos and upload your tattoo photos to her gallery. There’s many ways to make your voice heard and have fun while supporting her.
4) Tell Your Friends. These days, most of us have micro-networks of Facebook/Twitter/blog friends, or heck, people we run into at work or in the school parking lot. Whether you’re a card-carryin’ member of the Skyler White Army or you simply enjoyed the book or one of her interviews, share it with your friends. If they dig it, ask that they share it with THEIR friends.
These are good rules for supporting ANY artist — author, musician, etc. — whose work moves you. Without you, they simply can’t do what they do with meaningful reach. Give a little of yourself back to the artists who inspire you. And, if you’re game, let’s go launch this girl’s work in fine style.
All the best –
Scott
My birthday is three days before Christmas, and mostly it just gets in my way. It’s a hassle to take a night for going out to dinner when there’s so much to do. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was twenty-one. I didn’t know it, but I was saving them up for now.
Today, my debut novel goes on sale. and Falling, Fly will be on bookstore tables and grocery store shelves today. And I’m so excited I’m having trouble typing. I feel like today should look different. That the sun should dawn green, or not at all. That Thrall should wake up and not crawl from his cage to grease the cogs of my blog.
I have imagined today in much the same way I have imagined Middle Earth. I’ve stood in the bookstore rows and spotted the place where I’d be shelved, and I’ve stumped through the English forests where I’m sure Tolkein met the Ents. And I’ve felt nostalgic. I’ve read reviews of my favorite author’s new books, and eaten at the Hobbit Café. And pretended. But what I hadn’t really understood about adventure stories is that they’re different things to read and live. And this has been an adventure. I’m still a little out of breath.
I’ve had amazing travelling companions. I’m grateful to my crit group and local RWA chapter for fielding questions and sharing in the excitement, to Anya Bast and Julie Kenner for turning in thoughtful and generous blurbs on short notice, to my friend Molly for her work in getting our Modified Angels up for the Bitten By Books contest, to my kids for enjoying the chaos, to Craig White for the cover genius, and to Holly Root and Leis Pederson for making it all possible. I’m beyond grateful to my husband who taught me more about love and partnership than all the books I’ve read or written.
And I’ve met fascinating people along the way. Interacting with readers is so much cooler than I’d imagined. I love hearing the different things people see in the book, and it’s been incredibly gratifying to have been asked some really interesting and thoughtful questions in interviews. But I’ve also had my first bad review – a one-star on Goodreads – and it threw me off for longer than it should have. I always knew and Falling, Fly wasn’t for everyone, I just had hadn’t imagined being able to hear them say so.
On the other hand, Thrall has put up a gallery page for people who want to play our Damn Yourself game, and I’m blown away by some of the of things I’m seeing. There will have to be prizes soon.
And twenty years worth of birthdays are waiting for Friday night’s Fallen Angels and Flights of Absinthe party. My parents are coming. My agent is coming. Friends from both coasts and all over Texas. If you live within driving distance of Austin (or hell, if you have frequent flyer miles to burn), please come!
And tonight, I’m taking the night off and going to dinner and to the bookstore to see if I can spot a copy in the wild. On the shelf. I may even let Thrall off his chain for the night … if the orcs don’t get him first.
The day of days is almost upon us … after many months of waiting, and Falling, Fly launches tomorrow! Skye couldn’t be more thrilled, and she’s picked the perfect way to spend her launch day: a virtual event at Bitten by Books! She’ll be on-hand from noon to midnight central on Tuesday, March 2 to answer questions and give away some truly cool prizes.
The reason I tell you of this today is because if you RSVP, you get more chances to win! If you promote the event to your social networks, you get more chances to win!
And what can you win? One of three copies of and Falling, Fly, of course, but more significantly, one of three angel prints designed by Skye’s best friend and master graphic artist Mo Hayden (who also took Skye’s headshot photo you’ll see in the book), signed by Skye and Mo themselves!
The Angel of Generous Victory
Those of you of the Texas persuasion should feel free to attend her Fallen Angels and Flights of Absinthe in-person launch party this Friday, March 5 at 7PM at BookPeople in downtown Austin.
And what pre-launch day would be complete without more reviews?
From Ramblings of a Bibliophile:
“A dark tale that weaves vampire mythology, neurological science, biblical ideals, and hints of steampunk into a sinister story full of sensuality and rich symbolism … The prose is mesmerizing and that is a quality the sets this novel apart from other dark fantasy books I’ve read in the past. It tackles many different avenues of desire and, in my honest opinion, it portrays vampires as the blood-thirsty beings they should be. A definite read for those looking for a book outside of the norm.”
From Smexy Books:
“and Falling, Fly gives you a story of hope, love, fear and desire. It offers something different in the paranormal genre, and I look forward to more from Skyler White.”
And as I type this, a truck has appeared in the driveway, bearing a box full of books. Bright-ish days ahead!
Non-committal dancing,
Thrall
