%20-%20ebook-610-wide.jpg?cc=1678819474014)
I'm super excited to show you the 5 year anniversary glow up for Wicked Descent! I'm super pleased with the design and I think it definitely shows Avery Belmont in a whole new way.
Plus, I have included the book in Kindle Unlimited for a limited time. I'm not sure how long I'll be leaving it in the program, but this means that the ebook is only available on Amazon. Paperbacks will be available at all your regular outlets shortly.
What do you think? Do you love it?
The world of social media and interaction has transformed immensely over the last year, but one thing is for certain—video is here in a big way and it’s not going anywhere. Tik Tok, Instagram Reels, Zynn, and a host of other apps are jumping on the Youtube visual bandwagon, but in shorter, more easily consumable ways. People are watching longer and connecting in ways that used to be reserved for in-person events only. But as an author, how can you leverage this video boom to reach readers and build strong communities around your work? Why would you want to?
The surge in video-based content may seem overwhelming, but it presents so many amazing opportunities for authors to build their platforms and communities for those who choose to embrace it. Network with other authors halfway across the world. Have a livestream conversation with a dedicated reader thousands of miles away. Expand your reach into markets you only dreamed of accessing before. This is the magic of video. This is the future of truly global marketing for authors.
To celebrate my birthday and my new Authortube channel I'm running a stock your Author Library Giveaway!
If you're a writer or author who would love to up their game, enter the giveaway below for your choice of 3 paperback copies of some of my favorite writing and marketing books. I've also included a few of my own books, just in case you want to mix some pleasure with your business.
Contest runs from August 12th to September 7th and I'd love for you to enter.
Also make sure to check out my authortube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ScarlettKol to check out my videos on writing and publishing. (You can also subscribe while you're there - just sayin')
Enter below to win!
***This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or any other social media outlet.***
Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Prize list - winner will have the choice of any three (3):
Newsletter Ninja - by Tammi Lebrecque
2,000 to 10,000 - by Rachel Aaron
Save the Cat Writes a Novel - by Jessica Brody
Take Off Your Pants - by Libbie Hawker
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit - by Becca Syme
Dear Writer, You're Doing it Wrong - by Becca Syme
The Emotion Thesaurus - by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus - by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
The Negative Trait Thesarus - by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
Story Genius - by Lisa Cron
Wired For Story - by Lisa Cron
Damn Fine Story - by Chuck Wendig
Structuring Your Novel - by K.M. Weiland
Write to Market - by Chris Fox
Successful Indie Author Release Strategies - By Craig Martelle
Audio for Authors - by Joanna Penn
Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View - by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Fix Your Damn Book! - by James Osiris Baldwin
Sprinting Journal for Authors - by Author Stationery
Mercury Rises - by Scarlett Kol
Wicked Descent - by Scarlett Kol
Falling - by Scarlett Kol
Dreamer - by Scarlett Kol
Sleepless - by Scarlett Kol
So I finally jumped into the audiobook pool and I'm happy to say that the Wicked Descent audiobook is now on sale on Amazon, Audible, and Itunes.
Check out this story, narrated by the brlliant Chloe Parks right here.
"All families have secrets, but what Avery doesn’t know might try to kill her.
The day Avery Belmont was born, her father disappeared. Shortly after, her mother stole her away to Detroit, far away from the secrets buried deep in Shady Creek. But when her estranged grandmother dies, Avery is forced to return and face the rumors that she’s a witch, making her wish she’d never come back - until Drew Montgomery gives her a reason to stay.
Drew knows things no one else knows. Things about Avery, about her family’s past, and about what really happened to her father. However, the price for information may be too high, as getting close to the striking yet caustic Drew starts to have deadly consequences, and living with the lies may be safer than uncovering the truth."
It's here! It's here! Kingdom of Thorns & Dreams is now live and can be purchased on Amazon or read in Kindle Unlimited right here.
This features my story Dreamer, the next installment in the Faraway High Fairytale series. Paperbacks should be available in November (Dreamer only), but if you love Sleeping Beauty I suggest picking up the ebook as there are some unreal stories in this collection.
As one of Faraway High’s best and brightest, Brea Vardan has her future planned down to the color of her dorm room sheets. But when her sweet sixteen party turns into a nightmare, all her meticulous plans distort into dreams...until an unexpected kiss gives her a second chance at life.
Now instead of scoring A’s, Brea battles to stay awake as she searches for the identity of the one who cursed her, plunging deeper into a hidden world of terrifying mythological monsters. With a target on her head and a less than charming prince at her side, Brea must unravel the secrets of the past before someone puts her to sleep for good.
DREAMER is Sleeping Beauty reimagined with dreamy romance, magic, and mystery that’ll keep you up at night.
That's right all!! September 12th to 14th I will be in St. Louis signing books and taking names. If you haven't been to Penned Con it's two MASSIVE ballrooms of the best authors signing and just basically hanging out with all the fabulous readers. The event is family friendly and will feature from children's book all the way to your steamiest adult romances.
There is also an amazing 80's theme this year, so it's going to be totally tubular! Partial proceeds also go to fund Autism research, which is amazing. Join me, would you?
Just put the final edits on the FALLING novella that will be included in the Kingdom of Salt and Sirens box set coming March 5th.
The book will be available exclusively in the set for a bit, but then as a stand alone and paperback.
Preorder the box set here to get 12 books from some amazing authors. Plus, the best part, they are all Little Mermaid retellings. I'm so excited...maybe because I might still have a crush on Prince Eric, but what's not to love, right?
"Don't interfere with the humans.
That's the number one angel rule, but Arianna has broken it--again. As punishment, she's cast out of heaven and into small town Iowa with one week to uncover the meaning of humanity. But if Arianna can't figure out the human world she'll lose her wings forever, and heaven isn't the only player interested in whether she'll succeed, as a fallen angel might make the best weapon in the fight between good and evil."
If you’d like to participate, you can visit all ten blogs, collect the numbers, and then enter the final total on the Brewing Books Rules Post (www.bit.ly/BrewingBooksRules) for your chance to win one of our amazing Brewing Books Prize Packs! (But remember only ten authors not 14)
TOUR RUNS FROM MONDAY, DEC. 3rd through WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5th.
For this tour I'll be featuring my debut novel MERCURY RISES.
MERCURY RISES is a retelling of Robin Hood, but from the point of view of a 17 year old Maid Marian, named Mercury. It's Robin Hood, mixed with Kiera Cass' The Selection Series, with a Gossip Girl cherry on top.
I've paired this read up with David's Tea Electric Lemonade! This is a great treat either hot or cold, described as "This bright and zesty version is especially electrifying with its tart and fruity combination of yerba mate, lemon, currants and berries. Bold, tangy with just a hint of sweetness." Now, for anyone who's read the book, Mercury Masters is definitely just that: bold, a little tart, but sweet in her core.
Check out the blurb below for the book InD'Tale Magazine said:
"This modern Robin Hood tale is able to tease gasps, laughter, and tears from even the stoutest reader! Filled with nerve-wracking escapes and changing perspectives the audience gets a feeling of riding in a locked car, not knowing the destination but enjoying the time getting there."
A girl looking for a way out.
Being the daughter of New America’s leader, Mercury Masters has everything a girl could want. A glamorous life full of beautiful people, and the power to have anything she wants, except for one thing—to escape. Because Mercury’s perfect life comes with secrets to keep. Dangerous secrets that if made public would destroy her, her family, and her father’s reign. Then she meets Hawk.
A boy looking to be a hero.
Hawk, a handsome prep school dropout turned vigilante, has his own family secrets. Deadly secrets that have haunted him since he was fifteen. But instead of fighting the ghosts of his past, Hawk has assembled a group of misfit hackers and thieves to save the future from the corrupt government of New America and the mysterious virus that is killing off its citizens. But trying to do the right thing is tough when the person you really want to save is your enemy’s daughter.
A love that could kill them both.
Powerful forces keep them apart, but coming together could be the key to saving New America from destruction—even though it may cost both their lives.
Can't wait for the contest - check out the buy links here: http://scarlettkol.com/mercury-rises.html
PRIZE!!
There will be three lucky winners of prize packs — GRAND, GOLD, and SILVER. All include delicious beverages and snacks along with the books!
GRAND: 5 books! LOST by Connie Roberts; MERCURY RISES by Scarlet Kol; CHARM by J.A. Armitage; ALICE by J.M. Sullivan; and THE REVOLUTION OF JACK FROST by K.M. Robinson
GOLD: 3 books! OF LEGEND AND LORE (anthology); DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST by Juliet Marillier; and THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Katherine Arden
SILVER: 3 books! CROWN OF ICE by Vicki L. Weavil; SCEPTER OF FIRE by Vicki L. Weavil; and WIDE AWAKE by K.B. Anne
Thanks so much for stopping by! It's always great to have visitors. Your next stop is at the lovely K. B. Anne's website here. However, feel free to hang out on my page and check out my other releases.
Do you have a chef or a writer on your Christmas list? Or maybe you just like to find new authors and eat yummy snacks?
Either way, I have the book for you!
From the Heart: Writing Advice and Tasty Recipes from Inkspell Authors (including me!)
Food warms the heart. It brings people together as they gather to share in the feast.
Becoming an author does not follow a single route. There are many ways to reach the goal.
Let Inkspell Publishing’s best-selling and award-winning authors tempt you as they share their favorite recipes and writing advice with readers.
Also get a sneak peek at the amazing stories by Inkspell Authors: Liz Ashlee, Melissa Kay Clarke, Pamela Q. Fernandes, KG Fletcher, HC Harris, Scarlett Kol, Mark Love, Tammy Mannersly, Amanda Marin, Alyse Miller, Shilpa Mudiganti, Celia Mulder, Ashley Pagano, Connie Smith, Lisa Voisin, Grea Warner, and Clara Winter
Available November 1, but preorder is on now. Only 99 cents for the ebook, and I hear there may be a paperback coming later if you prefer a physical copy.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JCGRXGD
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/from-the-heart-92
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-heart-inkspell-publishing/1129741183?ean=2940161947616
Back in May, I held a double book launch for Mercury Rises and Wicked Descent at McNally Robinson Bookstore. It was an amazing night! As part of the formal program, I did readings from both books and gave a short speech on how I became a writer. Since then, I've had a few requests to post that speech online, so here it goes:
I was always a huge reader. A peculiar little girl with mousy brown tangled hair and a mouth that never quite seemed to shut when it was supposed to. And I believed in magic. I swore my mom's jewelry box held treasures with secret powers for the right beholder, and that if someone looked hard enough they might just find the entrance to a fantastic world unlike our own. I made friends with a wonderful librarian, named Mr. Smith, who helped me find the best fantasy novels that fed my addiction for the extraordinary. I travelled through the looking glass with Alice, through wrinkles in time, and saved the world from the rising dark with the old ones. And as I grew up, my fixation on the strange grew up too. I moved onto melancholy vampires that looked like Brad Pitt, Needful Things, and prom queens covered in pig's blood, plus any bizarre thing that author Christopher Pike put a pen to.
But around that time, the stories of others ceased to be enough for me. The words flowed from the pages and wrapped themselves around my brain, until I started writing my own stories. Weird, and wonderful, and terribly, terribly written stories that screamed with teenage angst and horrendous grammar. But they were a part of me. When I was sad, or alone, or confused, the words and the worlds they created were always there to help me make sense of things, or let me escape, at least for a little while.
And then the words stopped. Novels were replaced by textbooks, and adulting replaced the time I allowed myself to indulge in my fantasy worlds. I had a house, a car, a family, and a career that I loved, but I no longer had the ability to believe in magic like I did when I was young. After all, I'd never seen a white rabbit in a waistcoat to chase off to Wonderland, and no mysterious strangers appeared on my 16th birthday to tell me I was part witch, or goddess, or slayer, even though it would've been so cool if they did. And you know what, I missed it. So in the late, late nights when my infant son was awake and shouldn't be, I let my mind wander back. And slowly, quietly, the words started to come back to. They were rough, and awful, and mostly in the recycle bin now, but I started writing stories. Of medieval knights cursed to battle an evil queen for all eternity, of futuristic princesses and high-tech thieves, and of magic, pure and simple. And now, I get to stand here, in front of all of you nice people and share what I wrote and maybe some other peculiar girl with tangled hair or boy whose mouth doesn't quite shut might find magic in these pages like I did with so many others that have come before me.
Walt Disney said, "those who don't believe in magic will never find it", but my recommendation is that if you do find it, never let it go.
It's been a bit of a whirlwind lately with the launch coming up and both MERCURY RISES and WICKED DESCENT coming out in paperback, but it's been great.
Next month I will also be appearing in the RT Booklovers Fan-tastic Day Book Fair in Reno, Nevada. Hundreds of authors all signing their works. I've been to the convention a few times, but this is the first time I will be there as a signing author.
If you are in the area or know someone who is, tell them to check it out on May 19th.
Ever wonder if I'm a real person, or maybe just a fabulous looking (and completely humble) internet bot? Well wait no longer, I will be doing a double book launch for both MERCURY RISES and WICKED DESCENT at McNally Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Come on out! Tell your friends! Who can resist a book store on a Saturday night?
Saturday May 12 2018 7:00 pm - Grant Park in the Atrium, Winnipeg
Young Adult Double Book Launch of Mercury Rises (Inkspell Publishing) and Wicked Descent (Evernight Teen).
A girl looking to escape. A boy looking to be a hero. A love that could kill them both. Powerful forces keep them apart but coming together might be the key to saving New America from destruction—even if it costs both their lives. Mercury Rises is a retelling of Robin Hood by a young Maid Marian in a dystopian near future.
All families have secrets, but what Avery, the protagonist of Kol’s Wicked Descent, doesn’t know might try to kill her. Avery Belmont wants to know why her father disappeared, except the only one with answers is the striking, yet caustic, Drew Montgomery. But when getting close to Drew starts to have deadly consequences, living with the lies may be safer than uncovering the truth.
Raised in Northern Manitoba, Scarlett Kol grew up reading and writing about things that make you sleep with the lights on. As an adult, she’s still afraid of the dark.
As most of you already know, my second novel WICKED DESCENT is dropping on March 2nd from Evernight Teen, but if you can't bear the thought of waiting until Friday to purchase, it is already available for preorder at iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
To save you the search, Kobo can be purchased here or from Chapters/Indigo here.
iBooks would be here.
Barnes & Noble here.
I hope you all love to meet Avery & Drew. This book is one wicked ride!
Hello all,
Wanna know where I'll be for the next two weeks? Here is the schedule for the Mercury Rises blog tour. Make sure to stop by to check out the fun stuff we've been working on and to enter the giveaway.
February 19, 2018 – Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored – Review
February 19, 2018 – Literary Meanderings – Spotlight
February 19, 2018 – The Avid Reader – Interview
February 20, 2018 – Chapter by Chapter – Interview
February 21, 2018 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – Review
February 21, 2018 – White Sky Project – Spotlight
February 21, 2018 – Book-Keeping – Review
February 22, 2018 – Confessions of an ExBallerina – Guest post
February 23, 2018 – Chapters through life – Review and Interview - Some deep probing questions here and a scene from Hawk's point of view
February 26, 2018 – Falling For YA – Guest Post - I did a dream cast for Mercury here - so fun!!
February 26, 2018 – Lisa Loves Literature – Spotlight
February 27, 2018 – Sincerely Karen Jo – Review
February 28, 2018 – Adventures Thru Wonderland – Review
February 28, 2018 – JeanBookNerd – Guest post - This has a vlog post, in case you were wondering if I was a real person :)
March 1, 2018 – Rachel’s Book Reviews – Review
March 1, 2018 – Firstbooklove – Review
March 2, 2018 – Haddie’s Haven – Review
March 2, 2018 – BookHounds YA – Guest post - A "What's On Your Desk" piece, check it out!
March 2, 2018 – Between the Pages – Review
March 2, 2018 – A Magical World Of Words – Review
March 2, 2018 – Xo Editing and Writing – Review
Also, remember to check out the other blog posts! Book bloggers do a lot for authors, we should all show them some love.
Recently I was asked why I became a writer, and the answer was simple, I didn’t become a writer, I’ve always been one. A writer. A creative. A storyteller. Or as my report cards from Kindergarten through Junior High put it, “talks too much”.
But now here I am at an interesting crossroad of change. Tomorrow my debut novel will be released and I will not only be a writer, but I will also add the author badge to my Girl Scout sash of life. MERCURY RISES isn’t the first novel I’ve written. It isn’t even the first novel I sold into publication, but it is the first one that will actually see the light of day…assuming all bookstores don’t go on strike in the next 24 hours, which with my luck could totally happen. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, however, writing in the potential pursuit of publication has been a journey of about ten years. This may seem long, but I know many out there have hustled far longer than that and met with more setbacks and disappointments than I ever hope to, and for that I bow humbly at their feet. But ten years is still a long time, and now that the time has finally come, so do a bunch of mixed emotions.
I’m excited. Of course I’m excited. Part of me is still the little girl curled up in the stacks or in front of a sun filled window devouring the pages of my favorite authors like literary pixie sticks and gluttonously craving more. I’ve always wanted to be an author. I’ve always wanted to be able to tell my stories to anyone who would listen. And now that wish is finally coming true. Every second of edits and cover reveals has crackled in my nerve endings, charging me up like Frankenstein’s monster, ready to be unleashed into the world.
And I’m terrified. Absolutely, gut-wrenchingly, wake up screaming covered in sweat, terrified. In a matter of hours people will be able to read what goes on in my head. What if they hate it? But even more terrifying are the additional concerns that come with our modern times; what if it’s problematic? What if no matter how hard I try my story offends someone or multiple someones and becomes fodder for internet trolls and exposé articles on irresponsible authors. What if my author career is over before it starts? Or the worst of all; what if no one even reads it? It’s like trying to cross an invisible bridge over a pit of flesh-eating monsters. Each step puts you further and further from the safe rocky ledge, exposed and vulnerable, completely unsure if your next step will get you closer to the other side or disappear from underneath your feet. But even though the dangers, here I stand, about to take that step, ready or not.
So why do we do it? Why do authors cross their fingers and hold their breath and take another step onto that bridge risking a treacherous fall into a pit of doom and the wrath of a million internet pitchforks? It’s for that one fleeting chance that someone out there will click their link, pick up their novel in a bookstore or borrow it from the library, and for one small moment be taken away. For someone out there to read a line and write it on a post-it note to remember later. To make someone smile, or feel, or be seen. That for at least one person out there, all the work was worth it.
That said, I really hope you get a chance to read MERCURY RISES and love it as much as I do. Authors can be self-conscious, self-deprecating, nervous individuals (see above), but we write because there isn’t anything else in world we’d rather do. We are storytellers, and just like Tinkerbell, if people stop believing we might just disappear.
And if you do love MERCURY, or any other book by any other author, let them know. Leave reviews. Tell your friends. Keep believing.
Have you seen the cover for WICKED DESCENT yet? If you haven't you are missing out because it's GORGEOUS!!!!
I am so thankful to the Evernight Teen team and their cover designer Jay Aheer for this beautiful cover. I couldn't be happier. Can't wait to share Avery and Drew's story with you on March 2nd. What do you think of the WD cover?
The lovely Liv over at Liv's Wonderful Escape let me visit her blog today to drop my writing soundtrack for Mercury Rises and a cool novel aesthetic. Thank you so much Liv!!
You can check out the post here, and please stay a while and check out her other posts.
Also, don't forget about the preorder contest for the Stella & Dot necklace. Contest closes on the 12th and winner will be drawn on the 13th.
Happy reading!
That's right all, the cover for Mercury Rises is now live, and you can see it below. Isn't it gorgeous! Thank you to the wonder Najla Qamber from Najla Qamber Designs for making such a beautiful cover for me to share, and thank you to Inkpell Publishing for all your hard work in making this book a reality.
Mercury is also available now for preorder on Amazon and Kobo until it's release date on February 13th. So that means it's time for a PRE-ORDER GIVEAWAY!
For anyone who pre-orders MERCURY RISES from either site and sends me a copy of their pre-order confirmation they are entered to win a beautiful "On the Mark" necklace from Stella & Dot. Contest is open internationally and will be drawn on release day. Good luck!
Just a heads up, the cover for Mercury Rises will be dropping this Friday January 12th. Are you excited?
It's been a rollercoaster of a few years getting ready for the launch of WICKED DESCENT, but unfortunately this ride has gone off the rails in a major way. My publisher, Rebelight Publishing, has decided to close and with that will no longer be publishing my book. 
I'm sorry out there to anyone who was looking forward to the book's release, but unfortunately things happen that are sometimes out of your control.
I don't know if this is the beginning or the end for my little book, but I promise I will update here and on my social media if WICKED rises from ashes.
Thank you all for your support, and look for MERCURY RISES in 2018.
