3rd Blogoversary Party ~ Meet Lena Goldfinch!

Welcome to my 3rd Blogoversary Writers Party! Our first guest is Lena Goldfinch, a super-sweet, super-talented indie author.

I was introduced to Lena and her work via Juju's blog, Tales of Whimsy. I didn't win the book giveaway Juju was hosting, but I decided to buy Lena's novella The Language of Souls, since it was only $.99 on Amazon.com... And I promptly fell in love with Lena's writing style! So when Lena was looking for beta readers for her upcoming release, Aire, I obviously volunteered. Thus began a beautiful friendship that has been a true blessing in my life.

As far as my freelance editing business, Editing Through the Seasons, goes, Lena offered some fantastic advice on making my website more author-friendly and pretty. She spiffed up my editor picture and gave me my first endorsement. And reading her stories has given me invaluable experience in providing general and proofreading feedback to authors. I've so appreciated her help, and I'm so excited for you all to meet her! Read on to learn more about Lena and today's giveaway...

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Amber ~ Welcome, Lena! Since this is a blogoversary party, why don't you share with us a little bit about your own blogging history? When did you start blogging, and where do you see your blog heading in the future? And do tell about the “Scene 13” blog!

Lena ~ First: Hi, Amber! Thanks for having me, and Happy Blogoversary!

I’ve been a sporadic blogger for about five years. These days, I post mostly book news on my blog. I also like to do short, lighthearted interviews with other authors occasionally, under the theme "Three Things & a Cupcake," where they answer three quick questions, and I post a drool-worthy picture of a cupcake. LOL It’s been a while since I’ve done an interview, so I look forward to getting back to those after my book release.

I also participate in a couple of group blogs, which prods me into being more active. :) I’m a member of The Enchanted Inkpot (a blog for writers and readers of YA & MG fantasy), where I serve as a blog moderator/admin, and on The Scene13 Blog too (a blog for “Debut Authors, Published Authors, and Indie Authors with new book releases in 2013,” in a variety of genres).

Amber ~ Fun stuff! 

How would you describe the current “season” of your writing career? (Slow? Growing? A harvest of creativity? A dry spell? Hopeful? Frustrating? However you want to describe it!)

Lena ~ After writing seriously for about twelve years, I recently dove into indie publishing. And, I have to say, I’m having the best time! This is the most exciting part of my writing life yet. It feels like I’m reaping a harvest of my work. Autumn happens to be my favorite season too. (I love the air in New England when the temps are around 70 and there’s a crispness to the air, and the apples are in season.... :))

Amber ~ Yay for harvest-time!! 

Being a beta reader for you has been such a privilege – your stories are so fascinating and sweet! Could you share a glimpse from one of your upcoming releases with my readers? 

Lena ~ Awwww, it’s been such a privilege to have you as a beta reader, Amber! You have such wonderful insights and have helped me so much with molding my books and helping me get them ready for publication! THANK YOU!!! (Amber: *blushing* It's been a blast!)

My YA fantasy romance, Aire, is coming out soon (checks watch ;)). It was such fun to write (and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite ;)).

Aire is about a princess, Annalisia, who sees visions, and a handsome young commoner, Jovanni, who’s secretly a sentinel and can change into a falcon. My world-building research led me on paths to ancient Italy & Turkey, which I found fascinating. I was led there in part because I was curious about the era of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and wondered what it would have been like to be an outlier in those times, a person with a special gift when no one else had them, and, in fact, many had come to think of those times as legends or myths...

Here’s a photo from my research, which actually ended up on the new cover:

To me this captures the essence of Isalla, where the book is set. (This particular shot is of Old Port in Dubrovnik, Croatia, but the book is set in a fictionalized ancient Italy/ Mediterranean. It’s so beautiful, isn’t it? I want to go!)

Amber ~ I love the story, and that pic totally captures the setting! I want to go there, too! We should plan a trip. ;)

These next questions are fun, brief-response questions. Your favorite season?

Lena ~ I jumped the gun there, I guess. ;) Autumn. I love it!

Amber ~ Two quirky dreams (small or big) that you have?

Lena ~ I want to see my books in a library someday. I grew up hauling sacks of books away from the local library every week and devouring them (we didn’t have a ton of money growing up, so didn’t buy a lot of new books. Going to the library for books was a real treat—still is!), so it would be wonderful to see my own books on the shelf.

Another dream... I just want to connect with readers. Writing is an isolating endeavor and you spend a lot of time alone. But it’s not meant to be a one-way communication. So I get a real thrill out of hearing from someone who’s read one of my books, especially if they liked it. :)

Amber ~ Three blogs you love to visit?

Lena ~ I have a whole list of publishing blogs I follow. I rely on Google Reader for this, so when I learned they’re shutting down Google Reader (noooooo.......), I’ve been searching for a new service. Open to suggestions!

Amber ~ Four Twitter friends you enjoy following?

Lena ~ Well, I follow @SeasonsHumility of course! :-) (Amber: Aww!) I follow lots of my writer friends, and chat and share links about books & writing, and occasionally mention delicious food. ;) I also follow folks who tweet about publishing-related news, like @thecreativepenn, @PublishersWkly, @WritersDigest, @GuyKawasaki, and @PassiveVoiceBlg, among others.

Amber ~ Five different themes for a party that would be fun to attend or host?

Lena ~ Oh gosh, I am so bad with party planning, even though I love hanging out with friends. I’m so impressed by anyone who can plan a party with a theme. Perhaps your blog readers could help me come up with a cool/original/fun way to celebrate my book release? Maybe something related to ancient Italy? Help? :)

Amber ~ Fun responses, Lena! I hope you get some great suggestions for a way to celebrate Aire's release. :) Thanks so much for everything!

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Giveaway!

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this, and it's a great story! (And isn't that cover just beautiful? Kudos, Lena!) To enter for a chance to win an e-book version of Aire, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address.

This giveaway is open internationally due to the format of the book. A winner will be chosen via the List Randomizer on Random.org and announced on Saturday, March 30th. (The expected publication date is some time in April, so the winner will receive his/her book when it becomes available.)

Good luck! (And if you want another chance to win the book, check out the Goodreads link in the sidebar!)