WINNER of the GIVEAWAY and more . . .

Over the past month, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet many new awesome bloggers, tweeters, instagrammers, facebookers, and authors. I want to start off by saying: THANK YOU.

Thank you to every single person who reads my posts, who reblogged the GIVEAWAY, and interact with me regularly through our social media sites. In just a moment, I am going to announce the winner of my Giveaway, but I have a second announcement that I hope you will stick around for…

Without further ado, the winner of Agency in the Hunger Games GIVEAWAY is:

Annette Rochelle Aben

Congratulations, Annette Rochelle Aben! Please go to my CONTACT page and send me an email including your mailing address so that I can ship this book to you as soon as possible!

For my second announcement, I want to thank the blogger who shared and reblogged my GIVEAWAY the most on various social media sites:

Eugi’s Causerie I

As a HUGE thank you, I would like to send you a copy of my book as well! Please send me an email and I will be sure to send out my book!

That’s all folks, thank you to everyone else who participated and reblogged!

*Also, in the near future, I am considering opening up “BOOK REVIEW LOTTERIES” where I will post a blog for twenty-four hours accepting submissions of books that people are wanting reviewed. At the end of that twenty-four hours, I will select one of the submitted books which I will later review and post on my blog.

Would you be interested in particpating? Let me know in the comments!

LAST Chance to Enter GIVEAWAY

You have 48 hours left to enter the Agency in the Hunger Games FREE Giveaway! In the next 48 hours, every repost, reblog, etc., counts for DOUBLE the amount of entries!

Do you love the Hunger Games? Do you know someone who does? Do you simply love receiving new books in the mail?

Make sure to reblog the original GiveAway (click here!)

Rememeber, you can earn DOUBLE entries by sharing my Giveaway on WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Just hastag #AgencyintheHungerGames

Already shared? That’s okay! You can reshare for more entries!

Every time that you share, I will award you a new entry (that means you can literally have countless entries by sharing and re-sharing!)

Thank you to everyone who have already shared; you guys are amazing!

See all the rules by clicking the link:

*Almost 3,000 WordPress Followers GIVEAWAY “Agency in the Hunger Games”

GIVEWAY! Working Toward 3,000 WordPress Followers!

You still have a chance to enter the Agency in the Hunger Games FREE Giveaway! Do you love the Hunger Games? Do you know someone who does? Do you simply love receiving new books in the mail?

Make sure to reblog the original GiveAway (click here!)

Rememeber, you can earn extra entries by sharing my Giveaway on WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Just hastag #AgencyintheHungerGames

Every time that you share, I will award you a new entry (that means you can literally have countless entries by sharing and re-sharing!)

Thank you to everyone who have already shared; you guys are amazing!

See all the rules by clicking the link:

*Almost 3,000 WordPress Followers GIVEAWAY “Agency in the Hunger Games”

Book Launch Recap: “Agency in the Hunger Games”

The Launch Party for Agency in the Hunger Games took place on February 23rd and it was an absolute success! 

The theme was “Hunger Games;” so naturally, we had black table cloths, red candles, gold silverware and napkins, red plates, and Mockingjays galore! Games included “Name that Tribute” and “Reveal the Rebel Message.” Want to play? Keep your eyes open for my upcoming post: Hunger Games Inspired Party Games!

One of the most exciting parts of the launch was the Costume Party! 

Congrats to Tifnie for the best-dressed Katniss (complete with bow and arrows)!

Books were sold and signed. Food was eaten and drinks were served. Someone asked me, “How does it feel?” I said, “Incredible and real.” 

REAL was definitely the word I would use to describe yesterday. It’s one thing to be told that your book is going to be published. It’s another thing to see that book online for sale. It’s even another thing to hold that physical copy in your hand. But there is nothing, nothing, quite like holding a party to celebrate that accomplishment, actually selling and signing books that you know someone is going to take home and read.

If someone had asked me, “So are you an author now? Real or not real?” I would have to say an affirmative, “Real!”

Launch Party TODAY: Tune in on Instagram!

I cannot believe that today is finally here. For those of you who have walked alongside me for the past two-three years, I’m sure you can’t believe it either. After all this work, and waiting, and revising, and more waiting, and editing, tweaking, deleting, improving, and yes, more waiting, today is finally here.

Today is the Book Launch Party for Agency in the Hunger Games!

Not only will I be hosting an in-person Launch, but I’ll have an online launch as well and I hope to see you all there! In fact, it starts RIGHT NOW!

Trivia Question #1: Can you name the tribute who was killed by long-beaked birds in the second Quarter Quell? First blogger to answer correctly gets a shout-out on my blog in the form of reposting my favorite post from your blog!

At 3pm, PST, I will be announcing the winner of the free book GIVEAWAY! Don’t worry, you can still enter! Click this link and follow the directions. One lucky reader will be the happy owner of their own Agency in the Hunger Games by the end of today! Be sure to tune in to Instagram @KaylaAnnAuthor to follow for more trivia questions, launch party details, and announcement of winner!

See you all soon! I’ve got a few finishing touches to put on this party . . .

Let’s Talk Hunger Games

Why do we love The Hunger Games? Why do we crave to read stories in which children, even as young as 12, are pitted against one another in an arena and forced to kill each other on live television? Do we truly fear this reality in our own lives?

Or rather, is it all about control? Do we read these stories and embrace how every individual character from the main protagonist Katniss Everdeen to little “Eddie” of the District 8 bombing desire control in their lives? In a society where our words are monitored, our actions judged, and even our thoughts persecuted, is it any wonder that what we desire is the ability to control our actions and what determines those actions? Indeed, what else are we searching for so eagerly than agency itself.

Being the main character, Katniss finds agency in multi-faceted ways. She must first overcome the restrictions placed on her body by reclaiming her physicality. Her agency then flourishes when she focus on morality and care of others. However, when trauma strikes, her agency is shattered and only vocalization of the pain can restore her ability to know and control her actions.

Readers around the world find strength in Katniss’ brokenness. Similarly, readers find a multitude of other examples of how to attain, reclaim, loose, battle for, and strive after agency through other characters such as Peeta, Gale, Cinna, Haymitch, Prim, Beetee, Mags, Joanna, and many others.

In the comments below, let me know, what determines your agency? What character do you relate to the most?

Check them all out in Agency in the Hunger Games!

You can win your own free copy (but you only have three more days to participate in the Giveaway!)

Hope to see you all at the Launch Party for the costume contest, Hunger Games trivia, and Giveaway!

Hunger Games Prequel: The Cover Art Controversy

Set to be released to the public on May 19, 2020, fans around the world can already pre-order The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Scholastic describes the book in this manner, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will revisit the world of Panem sixty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games.”

Amazon’s description however is a bit more telling:

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s read that again. President Snow is the story’s PROTAGONIST?! Well, we’ve got to give it to Collins for coming out with the unexpected. While I had hoped to read a bit more on Mags, I can’t say that I am not eagerly awaiting my copy (which I obviously am).

Now the real controversy concerning this Collins’ prequel is not its protagonist or plot line, but rather its cover art and title!

Some have gone so far as to refer to the bird as the exorcist bird (referencing the twist in its neck I believe). What do I think?

I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. It feels a lot busier than Collins’ other books’ cover art.

I think the simplistic look has worked really well for Collins’ in the past.

However, that being said, I love trying to analyze the symbols currently present on the new title. We clearly have the familiar bird image, but this bird looks different from the Mockingjay. Could it possibly be a Jabberjay (an ancestor of the Mockingjays)? There’s the golden circle that looks to be covered in thrones, could that be a reference to the Victors of the Games? And lastly, there is of course the snake, which must be a clear reference to President Snow, right? I guess we will all find out in May!

What about you? Have you’re-ordered your copy yet? Do you love or hate the cover art? Let me know in the comments below!

5 Days Until Book Launch & Giveaway!

Hello Bloggers, Hunger Games enthusiasts, and fellow tributes!

I have been hard at work these past couple of weeks, working alongside the publishers, planning the Book Launch, and working on Giveaways. So here’s what I got:

On February 23rd, I will be hosting my in-person Book Launch Party! There will be a costume contest, games, book signing, movie viewing and so much more. However, please do not think that I have forgotten about this wonderful blogging community!

On February 23rd, please join me for my online Book Launch Party on Instagram @KaylaAnnAuthor.

Through my Instagram page, I will be hosting an additional costume contest (send in your best picture of you favorite character to be featured in my story), trivia questions, and going LIVE with the winner of the online Book Giveaway (click here for more info on how you can win a free copy of “Agency in the Hunger Games)!

A special thank you and shout out to @Fictionista for being the first person to read and review my book on Amazon!

The countdown begins today! So practice your Mockingjay whistle, assemble your best costume, and brush up on your Hunger Games trivia knowledge!

Only five more days until the Book Launch! I hope to see you all there!

 

Agency in the Hunger Games BOOK GIVEAWAY! ($40 Value)

Have you read Suzanne Collins famous trilogy The Hunger Games? Have you perhaps only seen the movies? Have you rooted for Katniss, argued over Peeta vs. Gales, fallen in love with Finnick? Have you often drawn parallels between the society of Panem and our own in which you feel unable to exercise your own sense of agency?

If you answered, “yes!” to any of the above questions, then you will enjoy reading my newly released book, Agency in The Hunger Games: Desire, Intent, and Action in the Novels.

You can win your very own free copy by participating today in my Book Giveaway!

Read the rules below:

1. First, like this blog post and leave a comment telling me your favorite Hunger Games character and why!

2. Second, reblog and share this Giveaway opportunity with your own readers. Maybe they like The Hunger Games too!

3. You can share this post on various social medias (WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.) to earn more entries!

4. That’s it, so simple! May the odds be ever in your favor!

WINNER will be announced on a LIVE Feed the day of my Book Release Party (February 23rd)

For 21st-century young adults struggling for personal autonomy in a society that often demands compliance, the bestselling trilogy, The Hunger Games remains palpably relevant despite its futuristic setting. For Suzanne Collins’ characters, personal agency involves not only the physical battle of controlling one’s body but also one’s response to such influences as morality, trauma, power and hope.
The author explores personal agency through in-depth examinations of the lives of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Cinna, Primrose, and others, and through an analysis of themes like the overabundance of bodily imagery, social expectations in the Capitol, and problem parental figures.
Readers will discover their own “dandelion of hope” through the examples set out by Collins’ characters, who prove over and over that human agency is always attainable.

 

 

My Book is IN!

Surprise Delivery for me!!!

This just happened to be on the front porch today! Seeing my name in print… I cannot adequately describe how I feel after three years of hard work. I am so grateful for the people in my life. Ever since I was a child, I would say, “One day, I’m going to be an author.” I was blessed by family that would respond, “No doubt about it!”

I know that there are a ton of dreamers out there who are not as lucky as I am. I know that my success is a combination of God’s gifts, my work ethic, and the support of all those around me. Whether you read my book or not, if you’ve ever asked me about it or encouraged me regarding it, I just want to say thank you!

Hopefully this will just be the start of my writing journey!

   

According to the publishers, my book is officially released to the public! They have the books in stock and are currently filling any pre-orders that they might have received in the past couple of months! You can buy yours here!

I will also be hosting a Give-Away of my book! Keep an eye out for the rules, coming soon!