#socialmediabuttons {text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; display:block;} -->
Monday, March 11, 2013

Interview with Carrie Butler, author of STRENGTH

Aloha,




I wanted to jump on the happy paddy wagon to celebrate Carrie Butler's first book, STRENGTH, which dropped this past Thursday.

Carrie was kind enough to agree to one of my abmormal interviews...
You're also a graphic designer and very generous with your time and talents... where doze skillz come from? Is that the day job?
Thank you, Mark! The skillz are mostly self-taught. I've always been "artsy," but I didn't have a chance to explore the digital side of things until I found myself jobless and in serious need of a distraction. (Womp, womp.) I'd really like to get a full-time writing/designing career going, though!
You spoke a lot about NA Monday and it's fair to say your feathers were a wee bit ruffled... so, how did you end at NA and not some other genre that is perhaps not applicable (or n/a :)
Me? Ruffled feathers? Pfft... ;)
With this series, I needed a contained environment to keep the momentum going—circulating rumors, frequent run-ins, growing relationships, etc. But at the same time, I wanted my characters to have the freedom to come and go as they pleased, and the opportunity to make mistakes with real consequences. What better setting than a college campus? Perfect NA material! P.S. I see what you did there. :P



How do you work writing around a family? Is there a Mr. Carrie and mini Carrie-ettes running around? How do you balance your writing time? Do friends look at you strange when you explain you are an author?
Simple answer: I don't. There is no Mr. Carrie, nor are there any mini Carrie-ettes running around. I'll probably end up adopting a clowder of cats, with whom I shall spend my golden years, whilst yelling at neighborhood kids to get away from my yard... That's kind of sad.
Quick, someone buy my book to distract me! *Grins*
Seriously, though. Being single allows me to have a flexible writing schedule. I can stay up until five or six in the morning, if that's when inspiration strikes. And as for friends looking at me strangely... well, they've always looked at me that way. I can't imagine why. ;)
OK, so I've gone through your Personal Blog (but I had a chaperone) and there is a *LOT* of weird stuff that happens in and around Zanesville. Has anyone ever considered changing the name?
You mean the fact that we had fifty-some exotic animals on the loose? Or maybe you're referring to the freak storm that knocked out our power last summer? Yeah, it's an interesting place to live. Maybe we should change the name—go for something a little less zany. I propose The Sovereign Kingdom of Carriopia. 

What's next? From your personal blog, it seems like this a series... will Paul (I just named Cover Guy - sue me why don't you:) make it back to the cover of STRENGTH II? Will he still be in his pants?
It is a (proposed) series! In fact, I'm almost done with the first draft of the sequel. :)  And I hate to break it to you, Mark, but you actually have more in common with Wallace (the book's hero) than you might think. You're both referred to as the Madman, you're both known for being shirtless, and you both... have eyes. Anyway! If it's up to me, I'd like to feature Rena (the heroine) on the sequel's cover—which means I should probably keep the "pants" theme going.
GOOD LUCK, CARRIE :)
Thank you! :D


About STRENGTH:
 

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.
 
Retailers:
AMAZON  |  KINDLE  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |  NOOK  |  SONY READER STORE  |  KOBO  |  DIESEL  |  BAKER & TAYLOR

Praise:
“Carrie Butler is now on my must read list.” ~Lynn Rush, author of Violet Midnight

"I carried Strength with me everywhere. Grocery shopping, the dinner table, you name it. The storyline was addictive, and the characters were hilarious. I couldn't put it down." ~Jessica Therrien, author of Oppression

"...Carrie Butler’s debut novel is brilliant, riveting, imaginative and seamlessly written." ~Lisa Regan, author of Finding Claire Fletcher
“This is definitely one to buy for the bookshelf.” - All's Fair with Pen and Paper
“I love that Carrie took so much time in building the relationship between them. Yay for no instalove!” - Read It, Reviewed It
“I freaking loved every last word on every page.” - Scelest's Journal
“I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's interested in reading a bloody good book. :)” - The Life of a Total Book Nerd
“I devoured this book in two days - staying up until the early hours because I didn't want to stop reading!” - Kyra Lennon, author of Game On
“I love when a ‘bad guy’ has me feeling unsure about his ‘bad guy’ status. I won't say more, as to not give anything away, but Butler does a fabulous job walking this line.” - Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone

 Title: STRENGTH
Series: Mark of Nexus - Book 1
Publisher:
Sapphire Star Publishing
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release Date: March 07, 2013
Formats:
E-Book & Paperback
Paperback ISBN
:9781938404351
E-book ISBN
:9781938404368

 

25 comments:

Suzi said...

I've noticed that graphic designer seems to be the 'other' occupation of many writers. Must be the creativity thing.

Carrie-I think many of your lady readers would love to see Wallace (that's Paul, Mark) on the next cover too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

No, not two Madmen!!
Carrie's graphics are awesome.
And Zanesville, OH? I've been there.
Good luck, Carrie!

Melissa said...

This woman never ceases to amaze me.
Great interview!
Congrats, Carrie! :)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Great interview Carrie. I knew you and I were in the same geography, but I didn't realize we were that close. I even know how to find Zanesville on a map! Best of luck with "Strength" and go for the cover designing. You definitely have a gift.

Oh, and I'm sure there will be a Mr. Carrie as soon as you decide. Seems you make the near impossible stuff happen and look good doing it!

~Sia McKye~ said...

Fun interview Carrie and Mark.Your cover is eye-catching and the premise sound intriguing!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Great post! Very funny!
Looking forward to reading this book that I have heard SOOOOO much about!
Best of luck!
Heather

Jessie Humphries said...

I am so glad I got to know more about you Carrie. I feel like this marketing campaign has made me like you even more and more. :) Ha...NA...n/a...good times.

Nicole said...

Fun interview! Thanks to you both.

Nancy Thompson said...

Carrie is so multi-talented! She's an incredible graphic artist (she did my blog banner and my tour badge) and a skilled writer. But most of all, she's adventurous! Can you imagine taking on a brand new genre/book category? I love Strength and am reading for a second time already!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Truth--I could sit around and listen to you all day, Carrie. And hey, I could send you my kids if you need some. Course, they old, but house trained, sort of.

Hope you find your dream job just before you sell a million copies of STRENGTH. Wave at me when you're interviewed by Miss Walters, please. Oh, wave at your pub-sisters and brothers too.

Hi, Mark! Super interview. Great questions.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks again for having me, Mark! I appreciate it. :)

@Suzi - I've noticed that, too! You might be onto something there. :) And hah! I would love to see him again, too. Maybe he can share the spotlight with another character.

@Alex - Thank you! :) Whoa. Really? Hardly anyone seems to know this town exists, let alone having visited. That's so cool!

@Melissa - Thank you! <3

@Elizabeth - Yeah, we're only like two hours away from each other--which is another reason why we need to have a group signing this year! :) Thank you so much for the kind words.

@Sia - Thank you very much! :)

@Heather - Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. :D

@Jessie - D'aww... thanks, Jessie! :)

@Nicole - Thank you! :D

@Nancy - Thank you so much! I hope you still like it the second time around... *nervous smile*

@Joylene - You are too kind, my friend. Thank you! :) Hah! Well, it is comforting to know they're house-trained...

Oh my goodness. I can't even imagine. Thanks again, Joylene!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Great interview Mark and congrats Carrie!

Unknown said...

Had no idea Carrie lived near where all the wild animals escaped! Leaves one to ponder what her part in it might've been ... perhaps she was trying to get an early start on her cat collection and wanted a lion? Who's to say... :)

cleemckenzie said...

Enjoyed another Abby Normal interview here! And if Carrie needs any cats for her clowder, I'm got some.

Nick Wilford said...

That was a surprisingly well-ordered interview! Congrats to Carrie. I admire anyone artistic 'cos I can't draw for toffee.

Carrie Butler said...

@Sheena-kay - Thank you! :)

@EJ - Actually, if I were to adopt a pack of animals, they'd probably be German Shepherd puppies. So cute... *makes ridiculous I-just-imagined-a-puppy-face* :D

@Lee - Excellent! We're found my clowder sponsor. *Grins* Thanks, Lee!

@Nick - Thank you! I'm the opposite there. I love to draw and do artsy things, but I'm terrible at math and science.

Leigh Covington said...

WHOOT! My copy is in the mail! YAY Carrie!

Leigh Covington said...

And Mark, you are so freaking nice to pose for the cover. Whoo-whoo! "D

Carrie Butler said...

@Leigh - Thank you! :) And wasn't he, though? Hardly anyone knows about Mark's career as a body double!

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Mark...


GOOD TO SEE you Buddy... This is a lot milder that I had expected... BUT WE DO LOVE CARRIE!


I love the fact that she is a survivor and rolls with the punches. Only good things will be in store for her. And Carrie, you are way to pretty and special to spend your life with a houseful of cats, chasing away the neighborhood kids. LOL.

Carrie Butler said...

D'aww... Michael, you're too nice! :) Thank you!

Meradeth Houston said...

Awesome interview! Looking forward to grabbing this one--I love NA. Annnnd Wallace/Paul on the cover doesn't hurt...

Mark Murata said...

When you look at Carrie's blog, you'll see that she has quite an aesthetic eye, along with being a writer.

Anonymous said...

Nice interview! Good luck with your book, Carrie:)

Trisha said...

Carrie, I can relate to your singledom and also to the freedom it allows a girl to focus more on all her creative pursuits :) It's certainly far from being all bad!

I'm already a cat lady with 2 feline friends, as well ;)

Post a Comment

Dude saunters up to Dude-ette: You Comment Here Often?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
;