Cora Carmack's Special Announcement

HERE’S THE SCOOP!

Fans of Cora Carmack’s Rusk University, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:

ALL CLOSED OFF, Book 4 in the Rusk University Series, is coming!!!

*WARNING: This letter contains spoilers for All Broke Down. If you haven't yet read that book, read at your own peril. SECOND WARNING: this letter talks about fictional characters as if they are real people. Sorry I'm not sorry. THIRD WARNING: The letter below broaches a serious topic that could be a trigger for some people*

Hello beloved readers! 

The first person who read one of my Rusk University books was my older sister. I gave her All Lined Up when I finished, and her first question was "Are Ryan and Stella going to be together?" 

At the time, I told her no. I had plans for both of them that included their own storylines. I thought they were too much alike. They'd make great friends. They might even hook-up, but in the end... I couldn't envision anything serious for them. So I actually rewrote some of their scenes trying to make that aspect of their connection more obvious. And still, when All Lined Up released, amidst the chatter about sweet Carson and sassy Dallas, I had people asking if Stella and Ryan were next. I denied it again (and again and again). 

But sometimes in writing, the stars align and a character will become bigger and more real than you could have possibly imagined. It's a wonderful experience, but in Stella's case it was also incredibly heartbreaking. While I was writing All Broke Down, the news was inundated with information about the Steubenville rape trial and other tragedies and injustices like it. Tragedies where women have been violated first by an attacker, then by judgmental and hateful people, and finally by a justice system that repeatedly fails survivors of sexual assault. Having grown up in Texas, where too often football stars are treated like gods and can get away with just about anything, it hit particularly close to home. And since All Broke Down featured a passionate activist heroine, I felt compelled to reference this chronic dark underbelly of elite sports. 

I can remember vividly sitting on my couch, brainstorming how I would incorporate such an event into the book. I had thought the assault would happen to an unknown character, and maybe I would focus on the way it divided the team and the school and the town. But like I said... Sometimes a character will become bigger and more human than I anticipated. And it sounds crazy, but in my mind, I felt Stella push her way forward and say, "Mine. This is my story." I immediately began to cry. Sob, really. Because I loved her as a character. She was hilarious and strong and didn't take crap from anyone. She was everything I always hope to be. And I didn't want her to go through that. Even as I cried, my brain began to tell me that it made sense. Stella was vibrant and enjoyed a wild party. She was not afraid of her sexuality, and she had no problem with casual sex. She was the kind of girl that probably had a reputation. The kind of girl who could be heinously and violently taken advantage of, and people would STILL blame her. Because she was in the wrong place, wearing the wrong clothes, behaving in the wrong way. But just because it COULD happen to her, didn't mean I wanted it to. But once again, Stella was there in my head saying, "Someone needs to tell this story. And I'm strong enough to do it. Let me." And when Stella chose her story, she also chose the man I'd been adamant wasn't right for her. Because as it turns out... Those two characters who I thought were too alike aren't so alike anymore. And Stella needs Ryan to help her hold on to that vibrant and strong girl she was before. 

So I let go of all the plans I had for her, and allowed her to tell me her story, which is about more than just sexual assault. It's about the aftermath. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Anger. Injustice. Victim-blaming. Slut-shaming. It's about the way that kind of event can change everything-- how you relate to people, how you think, how you dream, how you love. It's about the way the rest of the world moves on to the next big tragedy, and you're still left holding the broken pieces of who you used to be, with no idea how to put them together again or even if you want to. It will be the most difficult story I ever tell. And the most important. Because it’s a story that belongs not just to Stella, but to millions of people around the world. It’s a story that belongs to a new person every 107 seconds*. And that’s just in the United States. Think about that for a moment. 107 seconds. Stella’s story won’t be any easier to read than it will be to write. But I hope you’ll help me drag this story into the light. 

So now I’ll step off my soapbox and just tell you about the book…

All Closed Off (Rusk University #4)

by Cora Carmack

Release Date: 2016

Synopsis:

Stella Santos is fine. 

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same. 

But none of that matters because she’s just fine. 

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t. 

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again. 

Vulnerable.

***************

ALL CLOSED OFF will be releasing sometime in early 2016. I don't have a date yet for several reasons. The first and most important, is that I want to do this story justice. And as such, I have no intentions of rushing the process. Secondly, I'll be returning to indie publishing for the remainder of the Rusk series. As you can probably tell, this story means a great deal to me. And by having the ultimate control over everything from timing to editing to price, I'll be able to ensure that I'm able to create exactly the story I envision. Unfortunately, that means you won't be seeing the paperback of ALL CLOSED OFF on the shelves in most stores. Nor is it currently available for pre-order. But I hope you'll add the book on goodreads, follow me on social media, and/or join my newsletter. I promise to shout it all over the place when I have a set release date or pre-order links. 

Thank you for listening as I told you the evolution of Stella's story. When it's finished, I hope you will feel as passionately about it as I do. 

All my best, 

Cora Carmack 

*Statistic from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)

And an opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s…

Stella’s experience is only one story of many. She was with someone she trusted when it happened, and the only memories she has are pieced together from her own blurred recollections and the things people have told her. Not everyone’s experience with sexual assault is the same. Each person reacts, copes, and overcomes differently. And while this book is about one specific character’s journey, I would like to tell as many sides of this story as possible. As Stella grapples with her thoughts and emotions she’ll be searching for advice, for comfort, for a place where people understand her and can identify with what she’s experiencing. There will be room for truth within the fiction, and if you’d like that truth to be yours, this is your chance. 

If you have a story like Stella’s, and you want your voice to be heard…. 

If there’s something you wish more people understood about what you’ve gone through…. 

If there’s something you’d like to tell people struggling with a story like yours…

I’d like to give you the opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s. Use the hashtag #WhenItHappened and let your voice be heard on your own by posting on your own social media, or if you’d rather I share your words fill out this google document and tell me your story. You can fill out this form anonymously or not. I’d like to begin this discussion now because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But my hope is to include as many stories as possible within the book itself.

So many have stories of #WhenItHappened. Your voice and your story deserve to be heard. I’m listening. 

#WhenItHappened Google Form: http://goo.gl/forms/4VRjWgZYSW

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

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Kelly Elliott is wanting you the reader to pick her next cover for, Unforgettable Love.

Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

FFBC: Welcome to the club, All That Burns (All That Glows #2) by Ryan Graudin

All That Burns (All That Glows #2)
by Ryan Graudin
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 10th 2015

Synopsis:

In this thrilling sequel to All That Glows, the worlds of magic and mortal are colliding as London celebrates its new king, marking an era of unity between the Faery realm and the human one. Emrys, the Faery guard to the British royal family, sacrificed her powers to be with King Richard, choosing love over immortality. But now, as Emrys struggles to navigate her place between the Faery queen’s court and London’s lavish galas, danger looms beyond the Thames.When a prisoner with dark, strange magic breaks out of Queen Titania’s labyrinthine prison, endangering Emrys's king and sparking an uprising, Emrys must make the hardest decision of all.

Will she reclaim her magic to save Richard’s life and lose him forever? Or stay powerless as the kingdom goes down in flames?

by Ryan Graudin

Hello Ryan! We are super excited to have you once again in our FFBC. 

Thank you so much for having me back!!!

ALL THAT BURNS is the second installment in the tale of Emrys, an immortal Fae who has been guarding the British royal family for hundreds of years. ALL THAT GLOWS saw the royal family under attack from an ancient, mysterious magical power. Emrys fell in love with Prince Richard and eventually gave up her magic to be with him. The existence of Fae and magic has now been revealed to the wider world, and Richard, who is now King, is working to integrate magic and mortal. Emrys is struggling to find her own place in the world after sacrificing her magic, a decision that becomes even harder when Richard’s life is threatened. There’s a lot of political intrigue, Arthurian lore, soul-searching and, of course, fire in this novel.

As I said in the previous answer, the wider world now knows that Fae exist. Some people are embracing the discovery with open arms, transitioning to magically infused technology. Others react to the news of magical beings with fear and prejudice. One of the biggest differences in this book is that Emrys, the main protagonist, can no longer use magic, which becomes a great source of agony for her. There are also new characters, as well as minor characters who’ve transitioned into main ones. Princess Anabelle plays a big part in this tale, and I love the way her character develops in this book.

Certainly. The Faery Court exists underground in the Scottish Highlands, and is ruled by a Faery queen. For centuries immortals have kept themselves hidden from humanity. Their only contact is guarding the British Royal family from darker spirits called Soul Feeders, who prey on mortal souls for sustenance. This secrecy is shattered at the conclusion of ALL THAT GLOWS. The existence of Green Women, Black Dogs, Banshees, Kelpies, Ad-hene and Fae are now common knowledge. The technology of the past few centuries has worn away at the magic of the Fae, and now King Richard and the Faery queen Titania are trying to transition the world into a different era of magically infused energy. 

Richard is the type of person who feels very deeply, and is very passionate about everything he does: whether it’s partying or ruling a nation or falling in love. (Of course, this passion can also be a detractor, as we’ll see in ALL THAT BURNS). All of his feelings toward Emrys are genuine and truthful. He really would do anything for her (as we see in the end of ALL THAT GLOWS). Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s a royal.

“I’m the spark and he’s the tinder. Night has fallen, dark and cold over the world. And winter might still be on the horizon, but together we are burning.”

There’s a scene partway through where Princess Anabelle really comes into her own. Anabelle has always been the type of girl who takes charge of things. She’s an overachiever, but in this book, she’s forced to become a rule-breaker and a fugitive. She drives a stolen police car and basically saves Emrys with her quick thinking and brazen practicality. It was really fun to write her evolution from a minor character into a major one.

It was the first book I’d written under contract, which was a nerve-wracking experience in itself. Writing ALL THAT GLOWS was wonderful because the first draft was created for an audience of one: me. Writing for an audience—agents, editors, readers—adds a lot of mental pressure. Creating a comprehensive story under deadline was also a new challenge.

The nature of crafting a sequel is also challenging. ALL THAT GLOWS’s storyline wrapped up all of the characters’ emotional arcs, so I had to come up with new ways to make Richard and Emrys grow. 

Emrys would still be Karen Gillan. Richard will always look like the model Francisco Lachowski in my mind. I think Candice Accola could play Princess Anabelle really well. 

There’s a new character in this book named Kieran who I envision being played by a clean-shaven Adrien Grenier.

Herne would, of course, be voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. 

This is so hard. I think “Let Go” by Frou Frou encapsulates the theme of ALL THAT BURNS really well. (A throwback song, I know.) The runners up would probably be: “Aran Boat Song” by Darol Anger and “Only You” by Ellie Goulding.

Hot tea is always a given. I did create a special ALL THAT BURNS tea blend that you can get by pre-ordering the book from Blue Bicycle Books: http://bluebicyclebooks.bigcartel.com/product/i-all-that-glows-i-br-ryan-graudin-br-signed It’s a black tea with a ginger plum flavor. The book is also best read in front of a roaring fire, with a tin of shortbread cookies. As for music, I actually listened to the Dark Knight Soundtrack a good deal while writing this novel. It would certainly help set the mood for ALL THAT BURNS’s more dramatic moments.

Well, this one isn’t about faeries, but I’m a huge fan of the film adaption of Neil Gaiman’s STARDUST. There’s magic and humor and skyship pirates and romance and vengeful witches. Regardless, the stars kind of act like faeries in this movie anyway.

I’m starting a new series in the fall. I can’t talk much about it yet, but it’s a duology that I’m publishing through Little Brown, and it’s very different genre wise from the ALL THAT GLOWS’s series, as well as my other novel THE WALLED CITY.

Ryan Graudin is doing a preorder special through her local indie Blue Bicycle Books. You can pre-order a signed copy of All That Burns and get a free ALL THAT BURNS tea (a ginger plum flavored black tea). Don’t miss this special offer! Click here to pre-order a signed copy of All That Burns.

Follow the All That Burns by Ryan Graudin Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

My name is Ryan and I've been writing ever since I grabbed one of my dad's old tax ledgers and created this masterpiece: see image.

My writing has since improved, though my obsession with wolves has remained relatively the same (I even own a wolf-hybrid pup.) My childhood was a happy, sunny thing. I grew up on a steady diet of fairytales, salt-marshes, music and brothers who would re-enact Redwall battles with me in the back yard. I went to an artsy sort of high-school that allowed cello recitals in the hallways and impromptu poetry slams in the cafeteria. It was there I decided that writing was what I wanted to do more than anything.

I'm officially a grownup now (I suppose one must admit that once they turn 26). My diet still includes fairytales, salt-marshes and art, but there are a few new loves thrown in. A big one is travel. Pieces of my heart are scattered like breadcrumbs all over the globe--I've bartered them off for writing inspiration, so I suppose it's a fair trade.

When I'm not cramming my earthly belongings into a backpack and waiting in airport security lines, I'm doing one of the following: Writing YA novels, Photographing weddings with my husband, Making our little white cottage more homey, Playing with my wolf pup, Trying out Korean récipes, Haunting local coffee shops with my friends.

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