Award Winning Author

My photo
Karen Dales is the Award Winning Author of "The Chosen Chronicles" which include "Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles," "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles," and "Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles." She is currently at work on "Thanatos: Book Three of the Chosen Chronicles" and a Historical Romance set in Edo Japan.
Karen loves receiving emails from fans. If you'd like to email her:

karendales@karendales.com

www.karendales.com

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Amazon Review

This is the FIRST review of my book from a fan on Amazon.com When I read this my jaw dropped open in surprise!


5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it! I didn't want this story to end..., July 19, 2009
This is a very rich novel; beautifully written. It is the kind of book that you won't want to put down--and that you won't ever want to end. Filled with romance, mystery, deception, and surprises, Karen Dales does a wonderful job of making the reader understand and care about the characters in her story. I was quickly drawn into the story, eagerly discovering the secret histories of each character and wondering what choices each would make. It was easy to become emotionally connected to them, even to the extent of becoming frustrated with some of the stubborn and bewildering traits a few of them displayed! The main characters were quite endearing, and perhaps I became a bit too attached to them.

Angel of Death is an exhilarating story in which Karen Dales seamlessly blends beautiful descriptive pieces into a fast-paced story. I was never bored or tempted to skim through this book--not once! I believe Angel of Death is destined to be a classic, and would make a wonderful movie production.

And, of course, I want the next book in the series to be published right now!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Audio Book?

I've been asked a lot lately about whether or not my novel will be turned into an audio book. I DO want to do this and I have the technology living in my home, run by a professional sound engineer.

The questions I have floating in my mind is this:
1) Should I impose on my husband's AMAZING multimedia godlike powers again?
2) How many people would want me to do this, ie. is there really a market.
and
3) I'm heard of some authors reading the book themselves. I think this would be fun, but would it be appropriate for me to be the reader.

What say all of you?

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Polaris23 Last Day

What an amazingly awesome time I had this weekend. It was exhausting and I swear my face is sore from all the smiling and laughing I did.

I met a lot of wonderful folks at Polaris this year and I want to thank my Marketing Goddess, my Tech/Sales God and my Publicity/Web Goddess for making it the success that it was. I could not have done it with out them. LOVE YOU GUYS!

Today I was let off my leash a couple of times to go and check out the other dealers and do two interviews. One visual and one audio. Once I know when and where they are posted on the 'net I will repost them here and let everyone know about them. That's 4 interviews in two days!

I want to thank the folks of
Polaris for doing such an amazing job running the convention. All your folk were friendly and helpful. I'm so going to come back next year. Hopefully you'll have me back as a Guest again.:)

I also got a chance to talk with the folks of Ad Astra2010 and I'm going to be contacting them about being a guest there too. I was even asked to be a guest at a con in Rochester, NY, in November, but I think I may have to pass on that as I'm hoping to be in D.C. for a week in the middle of October. I met fans A Polaris from D.C. and when I told them I would be coming down to their neck of the woods they were thrilled. They're (hopefully) going to help me contact an independent bookstore down there so I can possibly do a book signing/event. Cross fingers.

My Tech/Sales God set a number to be our success number for books sold at Polaris and we went over it. For all of you who didn't get a book you can order it from my website
http://www.thechosenchronicles.com if you want a numbered and signed edition. If you're in the US Amazon.com carries my book.:)

Next stop is
FanExpo where I'm appearing. After that is Word On the Street in Toronto. After that is still in the works!

Cheers!

Karen Dales
Author
"Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen"
karendales@thechosenchronicles.com
Website:
http://thechosenchronicles.com
Buy On Amazon.com:
http://tinyurl.com/aodonamazon
Buy On Createspace:
https://www.createspace.com/3387185

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Polaris23 Day Two

I can't believe that I am awake and typing this. Please excuse any and all spelling and/or grammar errors that may and will occur. Today was a freakin' fantastic day that started early in the morning and went well into the evening. I am TIRED! But really stoaked about the whole day.

We sold a lot more books today and I have to say a big thank yous to my marketing goddess, my publicity/web goddess and my tech god. You guys rock.

Today I spent my day tethered to my table to talk with fans and sell books. I was only allowed away just to go to the washroom.:) I did bring a box of my numbered special editions and sold few of them. Most of the books were non-numbered.

The highlight of my day is that Claudia Black happily accepted a copy of my book! I'm so thrilled! Claudia Black is going to read my book!

Other awesome highlights: at the vampire panel (I wasn't on it) my book came up in the discussion which sent an interviewer over to my booth. I got a nice 10 minute interview! WHOOT. When it's out on the 'net I'll make sure everyone hears about it.:)

I'm also going to be interviewed again tomorrow by another company.:)

I was also really shocked and honoured that a fan drove 1 1/2 hours to Polaris just to get a copy of my book!

So far it's been a great experience and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Wish me luck!


Karen Dales
Author
"Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen"
karendales@thechosenchronicles.com
Website:
http://thechosenchronicles.com
Buy On Amazon.com:
http://bit.ly/SBz2
Buy On Createspace:
https://www.createspace.com/3387185

Friday, July 10, 2009

Polaris23 Day One

10/07/09

I'm back from my first night at Polaris23 and I had a great time. I can't wait to head back tomorrow morning for another fun filled day.

I sold some books and reconnected with friends I hadn't seen in a donkey's year! Wonderful!

Tomorrow I'm taking a box of numbered special edition books to the fair as some folks are interested in them.

Numbered special edition books are going fast so if you want one and you can't make it to Polaris, please make sure you order it through my website
http://www.thechosenchronicles.com I don't know if I'll have any left for KG or FanExpo at this rate.

Cheers!


Karen Dales
Author
"Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen"
karendales@thechosenchronicles.com
Website:
http://thechosenchronicles.com
Buy On Amazon.com:
http://bit.ly/SBz2
Buy On Createspace:
https://www.createspace.com/3387185

Monday, July 6, 2009

Book Launch Success!

Last night I was the special guest of the best party of my life. It brought out friends I hadn’t seen in years and was attended by people who became fast friends. I had the time of my life.

You may be wondering what it is that you missed if you could not have attended. It was the Book Launch Party for my newly released novel ‘Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen,’ and it couldn’t have gone any better than it did.

It’s success is not due to my part of the evening, though I do have to say that I may have contributed (being the author of the book), but it would not have gone as well as it did without the amazing help of some wonderful folks.

In not any particular order –

Evan Dales, my husband and staunch supporter even when things may seem bleak, thank you so very much for being there. Without you we would not have had the commercials and book trailer playing on the big windscreen. Without you we would not have had sound for the reading. Without you we would not have had any video taken of the event. And without you we would not have had Marshall Dane to play two amazing sets for us. Thank you. I love you!

Irith McConnachie, my Marketing Goddess. Some would say marketing manager, but you have done such magic that only a Goddess could do. I am extremely blessed to have you in my life and for all the help and support you give me.

Stephanie Herman-Winkler, my Publicity Goddess. You have suffered with technology to make things work. You indeed are a great treasure to me and I value your friendship. Thank you so much for all that you have done, and you looked stunning in your corset.J

Mike Winkler, my Tech God. Thank you so very much for your wiring and technological expertise to make things work when it doesn’t appear that they will. Mayhap, with your help, Evan will stop losing his hair.J You are indeed a treasure.

Marshall Dane – When Evan told me he met you at the Canadian Musician awards and that you agreed to play for the Book Launch I was really happy. When you came in with your guitar and began to play for us I instantly became a fan. I am very lucky to have had you play at my event and I look forward to the day when I can say “I had Marshall Dane play at my Book Launch and I have the video to prove it.J” You really made the evening. Without you it wouldn’t have been so successful.

We arrived at the Fox and Fiddle on Yonge Street at 4pm to the surprise that some folks were already there, upstairs on the patio! It took time, but we got the whole area settled and set up. When 5pm showed up people began to arrive. More and more folks flowed in and I was grateful that we had the upper patios for our needs.

Many folks headed to the patio for dinner and I eventually was sent up there too. Gotta feed the author so she doesn’t pass out, right?J While I waited for my food to arrive, I had the wonderful opportunity to move from table to table and talk with folks.

After dinner more folks arrived and more mingling was done. It was wonderful to see so many new and supportive faces. Even my parents and in-laws came out. More books were sold and then it was time for Marshall to play his first set. My goodness he is incredible! If you can, you MUST get his CD. What a wonderful performer and he charmed everyone.

Then it was my turn to perform. It was my first public reading of my book and I had tried, without success, to figure out what part of the book I should read. I had asked several folks who have read my book their opinion. Eventually I left it to Irith to request her favourite part. I read the first love scene between the Angel and Jeanie. It went really well.

Then we had the raffles. Three little ‘goth kits’, two bottles of wine and a fencing lesson for four were raffled off. I’m really happy that the person who really wanted the fencing lesson won it. I’ve never seen anyone so excited! I hope you enjoy, Brett!

Marshall played again for us (thank you Irith for convincing him to do another set;) and it was great!

With so much entertainment we went for a break before the bloody cake cutting ceremony.J Marshall was swarmed by lots of lovely ladies buying his CD and lots of folks bought my book. Photos were taken as more folks arrived. Then it was time for the cake to be cut.

I have to admit I’ve never cut a cake with a sword before. I was contemplating using a nice over handed swing, but that would have made a mess. I did it gently. The rest of the evening was filled with sugar filled pixies J and socializing.

Much praise was sung about my book from folks who had already read it, which made me blush or laugh. I think the funniest was that someone got completely turned around and lost on the TTC Subway because she became so engrossed. In every case, I was happy to hear that folks were enjoying it, making those who have not yet read it want to read it.

I’m writing this the day after the party, in a futile attempt to recover, know that this Launch is just the beginning. I have to get the energy going again because in 4 more days I’ll be at Polaris23 as a Notable Guest and from all that I have heard about it, I should expect it to be amazingly busy and loads of fun.

Cheers!

Karen Dales
Author
"Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen"
karendales@thechosenchroni