Donna Galanti - Where heart and hope meet adventure!

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Release Day! Joshua and the Arrow Realm is Here!

By Donna Galanti

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Today is the day! Get out your party horns! Joshua and the Arrow Realm, book 2 in the Lightning Road series, releases. Grab a copy here. Toot toot! 🙂 Thanks to all of my Thunderclap supporters who helped me spread word of the book and achieve over 1,000,000 reach through social media!

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ABOUT JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM:

Joshua never thought he’d return to the world of Nostos but is soon called to the Arrow Realm to free his imprisoned friend, King Apollo, kidnapped as a power pawn in Queen Artemis’s quest to conquer every realm. With his loyalties divided between our world and theirs, Joshua wonders whether he alone can restore magic to the twelve powerless Olympian heirs and save all those enslaved. But when he finds himself abandoned in his quest, he fears he cannot only save those imprisoned—but himself as well.

13873191_10210201746548365_4185314844364314676_nGet a signed copy of Joshua and the Arrow Realm at these upcoming events:

Doylestown Bookshop, Doylestown, PA, 9/17, 3pm
The Book House, Albany, NY, 9/30, 7pm
River Reads 40+ Multi-Author Event, Stockton, NJ, 10/23, 10-4pm

DGalanti_JATLR_eCover_900x1350You can still grab book one, Joshua and the Lightning Road, for just $.99cents on e-Book.

People have asked me “What was the inspiration behind Joshua and the Arrow Realm?”
I knew I wanted to further test Joshua, the main character of the series, and have him grow in his journey. And I knew then I would have to throw him into some dastardly situations! Heh heh heh 🙂 .

With the story set in the Arrow Realm ruled by Queen Artemis (Greek goddess of the hunt), I wanted a great hunt to be part of the story. From this, grew an entirely new subculture of the Wild Childs who live in trees to escape the hunt. Many ideas for this woodland came on walks and I spent many hours audio recording scenes in the woods – about scenes in the woods!

As a child, fantasy was my reality. I read fantasy and also created fantasy worlds living out my favorite books so it’s no surprise that I write fantasy! From my first story at ten about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship to Joshua and the Arrow Realm, fantasy has always claimed me. Growing up on a mountain as an only child, I spent much of my time roaming the woods with my notebook in hand and my trusty dogs by my side, putting stories on the page in hidden glens and the nooks of trees. My love of woods and fantasy – as a child and today – fueled the thicket world of Joshua and the Arrow Realm, where Joshua must survive the hunt!

Me and my dog, Windsor, who roamed the woods with me when he grew up …

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In Joshua and the Arrow Realm I created a timberland world from my love of the woods. This world is populated with the Wild Lands (and the Wild Childs that live there in tree houses), the Grand Tree, and the Black Heart Tree.

Here are the Wild Childs, including Ash, who befriend Joshua in the story …

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“Ash motioned us to leave with her when they were all gone, and we stepped outside onto the tree house platform. Purple night deepened and long shadows softened the craggy world. We stood on a plank road with roped netting rail that zigzagged from house to house and floated under the forest’s canopy in a sea of darkness. Green buy valium lights glowed soft through lopsided windows, and branch shadows wrapped the tiny shacks in prickly fingers. Leaves battered the houses in the sharp wind as the Wild Childs skulked amongst the trees.”

The Wild Child Tree Houses …TreeHouse2Here is the Grand Tree, a most majestic oak tree and friend to children …

“Clinging to the sides of the Grand Tree’s hand, I peered down. The massive Oak uprooted itself, one root at a time, and strode through the woods on knobby feet. The forest swayed back to let it pass as it forged a trail, twisting wooden fingers around its fellow trunk mates, pushing itself onward. I held on, amazed to be alive.”

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And here is the Black Heart Tree … a giant crooked evil tree you don’t want to meet!

“The worst horror faced us. The Black Heart Tree. Its trunk convulsed in a serpentine mass that slithered through it with each smack of its gargantuan limbs at the Grand Tree. The molded faces of children screamed along its hardened skin in a nightmare, their bones broken and crushed in the bark: a foot poised to kick, a hand fisted, fingers begging to live. With each punch the monster tree wielded, the dead writhed and moaned in its thrashing wood. A ghoulish vision that would haunt me forever.”

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Of course, the true inspiration behind the Lightning Road series is the real Joshua and my son, my favorite person in the world. His adventurous imagination fuels my own and his faith in my storytelling never wavers. Here we are in a tree house at one of our favorite places, the Mohonk Mountain House.

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I also want to thank my husband, Michael, for being the greatest provider of alone time there is! Thanks as well to my publisher Month9Books and for my amazing editor, Tara Creel. She guided me in enriching these stories (along with the pesky grammar stuff!).  Special gratitude goes to my first reader and dear friend, Lisa Green. She continues to shine her enthusiasm and light on Joshua’s adventures. Her insight drove me to breathe fiery life into this story and these characters. Here we are on a Halloween adventure at Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary!

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I appreciate all of you who have helped spread the word of Joshua and the Arrow Realm. The support of so many means so much to me! Thanks so much to the talented Al Sirois who designed the map and characters of the Arrow Realm and the Lost Realm in Joshua and the Lightning Road.arrowRealm9

Check out all the places along the Joshua and the Arrow Realm blog tour put on by Chapter by Chapter and my publisher, Month9Books.

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Week 1:

August 29, 2016 – The book slayer – Review

August 29, 2016 – BooksChatter – Interview

August 30, 2016 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – Guest Post

August 31, 2016 – JeanBookNerd – Guest Post

August 31, 2016 – Books,Dreams,Life – Review

September 1, 2016 – The Silver Dagger Scriptorium – Guest Post

September 2, 2016 – lynneawilson – Review

September 2, 2016 – Kayl’s Krazy Obsession – Guest Post

Week 2:

September 5, 2016 – Lisa’s Loves(Books of Course) – Guest Post

September 5, 2016 – Lori’s Little house of Reviews – Review

September 6, 2016 – The Avid Reader – Guest Post

September 7, 2016 – BookHounds YA – Interview

September 8, 2016 – Chapter by Chapter – Interview

September 9, 2016 – Seraphina Reads – Guest Post

WATCH THE JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM BOOK TRAILER

Winner of Joshua and the Arrow Realm Giveaway + First Reviews & Fall Events!

By Donna Galanti

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First, I have to share some wonderful early reviews of Joshua and the Arrow imagineear.com/pharmacy/ Realm by book bloggers! Readers like this make writing such a joy 🙂 . Book lovers, watch for my list of favorite book bloggers coming in September.

On Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
“An exciting non-stop story line of Greek heroes, hungry beasts, and betrayal from the past and future.From the first chapter I felt like I was on a roller coaster never knowing when the next twist or turn would happen. You can’t get off, nor do you want to. It’s smart, gripping, and one thrilling ride.” FULL REVIEW (he also lists the 5 things to like about the book!)

On Laura’s Ramblin’s and Reviews 
“The action is all over the place, the character’s as engaging as ever, and adventure, danger, and intrigue abound. Joshua is an amazing boy. He’s not fearless and that’s where his bravery and loyalty to his friends shines. A spectacular next chapter in Joshua’s story. I’ll be watching for more.” FULL REVIEW

On Fundinmental Book Reviews
“I am excited to be back in Donna Galanti’s magical world of adventure, friendship and loyalty. The main characters stand tall as they race through the pages proving time and again that together they can accomplish what seems impossible.” FULL REVIEW

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who entered the Joshua and the Arrow Realm Book Trailer Reveal Rafflecopter Giveaway! The winner is Mary Ann C .!  Look at all she won.

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Missing out? You can still grab book one, Joshua and the Lightning Road, for just $.99cents on e-Book.

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Would you like a personalized copy of book 1 or 2 in the Lightning Road series? I’d love to meet in person. Here is a list of fall events! 

  • Joshua and the Arrow Realm book launch! Doylestown Bookshop, Doylestown, PA, September 17, 2016, 3pm
  • Joshua and the Arrow Realm book launch! The Book House, Albany, NY, September 30, 2016, 7pm
  • River Reads 40+ Multi-Author Book Event, Prallsville Mill, Stockton, NJ, October 23, 10-4pm
  • Multi-author book event, Open Book, Elkins Park, PA, November 5th, 2016, 3pm
  • Guest Author at Philcon, the world’s first and longest-running conference on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Cherry Hill, NJ, November 18-20, 2016

Joshua and the Arrow Realm releases in just eight days but there is still time to help me get the word out. Please support my Thunderclap campaign through social media and zap the world with so many others about the release of Joshua and the Arrow Realm on August 30th! It’s free and takes seconds to sign up HERE.

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THANK YOU!
xxoo -Donna

 

Time Away to Write PLUS Joshua and the Lightning Road is just $.99cents!

By Donna Galanti

Joshua and The Lightning Road FINALFirst, I am super excited that my publisher has put Joshua and the Lightning Road on sale for the first time ever to celebrate the release of book 2, Joshua and the Arrow Realm this month! You can get the E-book for just $.99cents August 10th through September 20th at these outlets!

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Second, I had a productive writing retreat at The Highlights Foundation this past weekend, writing final scenes on the new teen fantasy I hope to finish soon. The book is about a culture that is ruled by inherited memory on a floating island and I am having so much fun with it!

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Ahh … Earl Grey tea. Braveheart soundtrack. Pattering of rain with sun showers. Hummingbird in my window. Hawk above. Perfect.

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Walks in the woods and through the countryside filled my head with scenes of love, loss, and triumph. I floated back to my cabin, propelled by words in the air.

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I love how this tree marking looks like a seagull forever soaring into the unknown … kind of like storytelling. Over and over. It’s where the magic imprints itself on the page buy xanax with discovery. But first, to discover we must venture into the unknown …

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There’s something about a cabin all to yourself in the words to let the words flow. Nothing but you and your characters.

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But there’s also something to meeting up with old friends – and making new! Here’s my friend Jess Rinker with me, a talented writer to watch out for. Great things are coming from her!

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Next week over 20 blogs will participate in the book trailer reveal for Joshua and the Arrow Realm. Can’t wait to share it! There’s a super fun giveaway you’ll want to enter too!

How else can you join in the fun? I’d love for you to support my Thunderclap campaign through social media and zap the world with so many others about the release of Joshua and the Arrow Realm on August 30th! It’s free and takes seconds to sign up HERE.

Also, if you haven’t visited my Facebook page, I’m sharing snippets of the map of the Arrow Realm plus book excerpts there all month long until book release day. Pop by and see!

Thanks for your support everyone.
xxoo-Donna

Joshua and the Arrow Realm Book Trailer + Sign up for the Reveal!

By Donna Galanti

Thunderclap 1200x627 1I can’t believe Joshua and the Arrow Realm comes out next month! On August 30th take the lightning road back to a world of beasts, bandits, and heroes in book 2 in my Lightning Road series! Join Joshua in a new fight for power in the Arrow Realm. Kids are heroes too but can Joshua and his friends conquer an unstoppable evil? Perfect for reluctant readers and adventure lovers. READ the first two chapters! 

Pre-order now!
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And one month from today, August 15th, I’ll be doing an AMAZING book trailer reveal across many wonderful blogs.

The book trailer reveal includes:
Exclusive excerpt plus one grand prize of a Lost Realm map poster, lightning orb light-up ball, paperback of book 1 in the series, Joshua and the Lightning Road, and $25 Barnes &Noble gift card.(U.S. Only). Bloggers sign up here! 

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Check out a video of the “lightning orbs” my son and I goofed around making!

 

Want more? Check out all the great book blogs where I’ll be revealing the book trailer on August 15th and enter the giveaway too!

Book Hounds YA
Don’t Judge Read
Flashlight Reader
Fundimental
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Greg Pattridge
Joe McGee
Kerry Gans
Karen Pokras Toz
Linda Smith
Log Cabin Library
Michelle Eisenhoff
Middle Grade Mafioso
Middle Grade Ninja
Nayu’s Reading Corner
Randomly Reading
Teaching My Baby To Read
The Author Chronicles
The Book Cellar
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow 
This Kid Reviews Books

I am extremely grateful for all of your support! Your words as individuals are so meaningful, but together they can really impact the awareness of Joshua and the Arrow Realm on its release date.

To that end, I am using Thunderclap to gather all the social posts of support in advance so that they all launch simultaneously on August 30th, 2016 at 9am! With your help, my on-sale date will make a HUGE social impact!

My goal is to have 150 supporters and a reach of 500,000. I’ve over half way there!

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Join me now in helping to reach the world with one message by signing up to this Thunderclap campaign. We will zap the world with our lightning message! Thank you for lending your voice to help make my book a success!

xxoo-Donna

 

 

 

 

Conferences, Reviews, Book Trailers + Pre-order Joshua and the Arrow Realm!

By Donna Galanti

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      Heading back to the beach soon!

It’s officially summer and it’s been a busy past month with events!

But I have to start with the full paperback cover reveal and very first review of Joshua and the Arrow Realm, releasing August 30th! Here are some fave snippets:

“Galanti has created another fast-paced, intricate tale that weaves together newly created myths with ancient ones and populates the world of Nostos with Greek gods and characters and monsters to thrill and chill the reader. This is wonderful adventure-fantasy from start to finish. I enjoyed this second book almost more than the first one. It had some fantastic characters.” Full review.

Are you a book blogger or avid reader who likes fantasy adventure and is interested in reading and reviewing Joshua and the Arrow Realm? Email me and I will send you an e-book advanced reader copy!

It’s also available for pre-order now and I’ll mail you a book mark if you do! Just email me the receipt and your address. 🙂
amazon_buttonbnn_button … And here’s the awesome full cover!

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I’m also having super fun working on the book trailer for Joshua and the Arrow Realm. Want to help me shout it out? Sign up here for the trailer reveal on your blog! There’s a great pre-order giveaway that includes one grand prize of:

  • $25 Barnes & Noble gift card
  • Lightning orb light-up ball & bookmark
  • Lost Realm map poster and paperback of book 1 in the series, Joshua and the Lightning Road!
    U.S. only. SIGN UP HERE.

Seriously, how cool is this lightning orb?

In between all this fun stuff, buy xanax final book edits, and schools visits this spring I was a guest author at several conferences. It’s always fun to travel with friends and meet up with writers and readers. And that’s just what I did!

At the Pennsylvania School Librarians Conference in Hershey, PA, May 13, I met a ton of enthusiastic librarians and booked some school visits – and of course sold books! Check out this talented group of authors I was lucky to hang with in Author’s Alley, Dianne K. Salerni, Janice Gable Bashman, Jodi Moore, Kerry Gans, and Lee Harper.

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At the Pennwriters  Annual Conference in Lancaster, PA, May 20-22, I presented sessions on How to Get Your Manuscript Past the Gatekeeper and 5 Things to do Before You Get a Book Deal. I was super inspired by the keynotes of friends and authors, Jonathan Maberry and Kathryn Craft! “It’s all about community and never giving up!”

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Next up I cruised to Princeton, NJ, June 4-6, to attend the NJ Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) Annual Conference and present sessions on The Foundations of World Building. I got to spend the weekend with some wonderful, talented writers like Erica George, Tracey Baptiste, Laurie Wallmark, and Jon Gibbs.

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SCBWI NJ had two great keynotes. Opening Keynote David Weisner, author and illustrator, revealed how we can tell story through pictures alone. Closing Keynote by author Suzy Ismail was so inspirational. Her talk on writing and diversity made me laugh and cry! Check it out:

Happy summer everyone!

 

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