Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
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February 11, 2016 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, On An On, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
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February 4, 2016 | Categories: Music | Tags: exitmusic, laney mcmann, music, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
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January 28, 2016 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, Phoria, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
#CRYSTALLUM Book Trailer #YA #UF
Finally I get to share the Official Book Trailer for CRYSTALLUM,
book #1 of the Primordial Principles. 🙂
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November 23, 2015 | Categories: CRYSTALLUM, New Releases, Primordial Principles, Young Adult Novels | Tags: book trailer, Booktrope, Crystallum Book Trailer, CRYSTALLUM by Laney McMann, Crystallum The Primordial Principles, Teen books, teen reads, The Primordial Principles by Laney McMann, upcoming YA releases 2015, YA Book, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, young adult paranormal romance, young adult urban fantasy | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
Alabama Shakes
Gimme All Your Love
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October 15, 2015 | Categories: Music | Tags: Alabama Shakes, Gimme All Your Love, music, my music, thursdays off the beaten track, TIED by Laney McMann, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
Son Lux
No Fate Awaits Me
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September 28, 2015 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, my music monday, Son Lux, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
It’s been a while since I’ve played some music, here you go:
Coeur de Pirate
Flume
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September 24, 2015 | Categories: Music | Tags: Coeur de Pirate, laney mcmann, music, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
COVER REVEAL ~ CRYSTALLUM (Primordial Principles 1) by Laney McMann #YA #UF
Hi guys!
So, today I’m really excited to finally reveal the cover of the first book in my new YA urban fantasy series, The Primordial Principles,
CRYSTALLUM
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: 14 and up
Publisher: Booktrope
Release Date: Fall 2015
BLURB:
Kadence Sparrow wasn’t born a devil’s child—she was turned into one. Now, she’s hiding from the truth, and running for her life.
For years, Kade’s true nature has lurked behind an illusion, so when her dad gets another job transfer, she knows the drill: no close friends, no boyfriends, and most importantly: don’t expose what she is. Ever. Keeping secrets is easy. Lies are second nature. So is the loneliness—and the fear, but when the Shadows attack, and Kade meets Cole Spires, she could expose everything she’s trying to hide.
As one of the Celestial Children, Cole lives by an oath: defend the Ward, protect the Primordial race, guard the gateways, and stick to his own. Everything else is a distraction, and besides, he’s lost enough. Cole’s job is clear, and no one his age does it better. So, when he meets Kade in a club downtown, he assumes she just wants his attention. Most girls do, but Cole soon realizes … Kade isn’t like most girls.
The children of heaven and hell are living among us, fighting an age-old war. And falling for someone from the opposition is not an option. But a chance encounter between Kade and Cole will blur the rules, as Kade’s journey to keep her truth hidden catapults them together and into a web of lies, forcing her to not only face the demon inside her, but to answer the hardest question of all.
Which is thicker—blood or water?
Add to your TBR list on Goodreads:
****
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September 10, 2015 | Categories: Booktrope, Cover Reveals, CRYSTALLUM, Primordial Principles, Upcoming Releases, Young Adult Novels | Tags: Booktrope, cover reveal, CRYSTALLUM by Laney McMann Cover Reveal, laney mcmann, TBR pile, Teen book, teen reads, The Primordial Principles by Laney McMann, upcoming YA releases 2015, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, YA Paranormal Romance, YA Urban Fantasy, YA urban fantasy books 2015 | 2 Comments
TRUE (Fire Born 3) Playlist Countdown #YA #UF #PNR
I am currently compiling the playlist for TRUE, the final book in the Fire Born Novels trilogy, which releases in September.
Today I am sharing the first track. The playlist won’t be shared in order until the book releases—can’t give you guys too many hints. 🙂
****************
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July 6, 2015 | Categories: A Fire Born Novel, Music, New Releases, Publishing, TRUE, Writing, Young Adult Novels | Tags: laney mcmann, music, The Fire Born Novels, TRUE (Fire Born 3) by Laney McMann, TRUE (Fire Born 3) Playlist, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, YA paranormal romance author, you tube, young adult paranormal romance, young adult urban fantasy | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
My Music Monday
Awolnation
I Am
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June 29, 2015 | Categories: Music | Tags: Awolnation, laney mcmann, music, my music monday, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
Crystal Castles
Frail
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May 28, 2015 | Categories: Music | Tags: Crystal Castles, Frail, laney mcmann, music, Thursday's Off The Beaten Tracks, YA Author, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
It’s Official ~ My New #YA Series Has A Home
I am thrilled to finally announce that my new YA Urban Fantasy series,
The Primordial Principles,
has found a home.
I am happy to be joining the very talented and community-oriented group of authors at Booktrope.
**********
CRYSTALLUM,
the first book in the Primordial Principles series,
will release in the fall of 2015.
Cover Reveal and blurb are coming soon!
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April 23, 2015 | Categories: Booktrope, Publishing, Upcoming Releases, Young Adult Novels | Tags: Author, book deal, Booktrope, Crystallum, laney mcmann, The Primordial Principles, Urban Fantasy, YA, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, young adult book releases 2015 | 6 Comments
TORN (Fire Born 2) is LIVE. #YA #ReleaseDay #Giveaway
The Fire Born are back and
TORN is LIVE.
In honor of TORN’s release, I have a ton going on.
Check it all out:
BLURB:
Find Max.
That’s all Layla cares about. Not healing from the Fomore attack. Not finding answers to how she survived a fall that nearly killed her. Nothing will stop her. She will find him. She’ll even pair up with an overbearing Fallen Angel who’s hell bent on making everything harder than it needs to be if she has to.
Protect Layla.
For Max, nothing else matters. Not the bruises covering his body. Not the pain radiating from his broken bones. Not even his hands tied behind his back. He will find a way to save Layla, and the Fomore will pay if they’ve hurt her.
Every. Single. One of them.
In the second installment of The Fire Born trilogy, a new breed of villain looms—one Layla and Max will never suspect, and this killer has nothing to lose. Better yet, with Max and Layla’s deaths, victory is in the grip of the enemy.
Will Max and Layla find each other in time, or is it already too late for them both?
*************
The Book Tour is happening now, and here’s the schedule for anyone who wants to see what I’m talking about: TORN Book Tour
**********
The TORN Book Blast and Book Blitz are also happening all over social media for the next few days. Thank you, thank you to all the awesome bloggers/readers, and writers who are participating!
**********
Also, as I mentioned a few days ago, TIED (Fire Born 1) is one sale until September 15th to celebrate its ONE YEAR book birthday. : ) (Plus, it gives you guys a chance to pick up the book if you haven’t yet, before you read TORN. They kind of need to be read in order.)
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And finally, the GIVEAWAY!
I have several giveaways happening across the board, three to be exact.
The TORN Book Tour giveaway and the Blast I’ll be hosting alongside my publisher, as well as all the other bloggers participating. The Book Blitz Giveaway is being hosted by Itching For Books (click the banner)
HERE’S WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS on my blog for the Book Tour:
Signed paperback copies of TIED and TORN to ONE winner (U.S. & Canada), E-book copies of TIED and TORN to ONE winner (Int), and signed bookmarks of TIED and TORN to FIVE winners (U.S., Canada, and U.K.)
Rafflecopter
AND here’s what up for grabs for the Book Blast:
Signed paperback copy of TIED and TORN to ONE winner & e-book copy of TIED and TORN to ONE winner (Int).
Rafflecopter
WHEW! That’s it guys. Sorry for the long post. I’m off to finish the 3rd Fire Born Novel 😉
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September 8, 2014 | Categories: A Fire Born Novel, Blog Tours, Book Blasts, Fire Born Updates, J Taylor Publishing, New Releases, TORN, Young Adult Novels | Tags: Author, Fiction, Giveaway, Goodreads, J. Taylor Publishing, laney mcmann, The Fire Born Novels, TIED by Laney McMann, TORN (Fire Born #2) by Laney McMann, TORN Blog Tour, TORN Book Blitz, Upcoming urban fantasy 2014, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, Young Adult book releases 2014, young adult paranormal romance, young adult urban fantasy | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
This week on My Music Monday:
Postiljonen ~
All That We Had Is Lost
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August 25, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, my music monday, postiljonen, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
#WritersAgainstBullying
My publisher made me aware of an anti-bullying campaign happening across social media called, Writers Against Bullying, and has asked me to join in on the movement and speak up.
I thought for the sake of this post that I would look up the definition of bullying. Most people seem to assume it only, and I use the word ‘only’ very, very lightly here, means being knocked around. It doesn’t.
The definition per StopBullying.gov defines bullying as the following:
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
I never thought I got bullied as a kid, and then I read this definition and realized I was wrong. Honestly, after reading that definition it would be safe to assume that everyone has been bullied at one point or another.
I write young adult fiction, and I remember being a teenager very clearly. Everyone talking about everyone else, spreading rumors, excluding people, making fun, it seemed so normal. Thing is, bullying can have life long, and sometimes devastating, consequences. When I was in middle school, a guy grabbed my butt in the hallway. I sank my nails into his arm, detaching his hand, and he called me a bitch and slapped me. Across the face. In a crowded hallway. And No One did anything. Including me. I was shocked and pissed and suddenly afraid. Too afraid to say a word to a teacher, or the dean, or even my mom. I didn’t think that was bullying. But it was. Hell, when I was in middle school, no one even talked about bullying. I avoided that kid like the plague for two years in middle school.
Now, I’m a mom, and I dealt with my son getting bullied on and off from Kindergarten through Fourth grade. I was told by more than one teacher that, “Boys will be boys.” Those words triggered the same anger I felt in the hallway when I was 13 years old. Boys will be boys. Boys can do what they want and not get in any trouble for it, because, you know, that’s what ‘boys’ do. Thing is … it’s NOT what all boys do, and it’s NOT okay to use a cliche as an excuse for that kind of behavior.
After my son got punched in the stomach, I told him to fight back. He did. The bullying stopped. And that’s the messed up part. As a parent you want your kids to be safe, follow the rules, do the right thing, but … when bullying keeps happening, and that’s just the issue, it can and does in some circumstances, go on and on and on, what then? What’s the right answer to tell your kid then? Be afraid? Avoid that other kid the way I did, always wondering when he’ll do it again. Let him stare you down in the hallway? I told my kid to fight back after he’d been knocked around too many times, and the school did next to nothing, because by that point, I knew he had to defend himself or it would continue. Bullies like having the upper hand. It’s a power trip.
I’m not telling anyone to haul off and hit someone, don’t misread me. But we do need to teach our kids to speak up. Tell someone. I should have, and I think a lot of kids, like I was, are too afraid it will happen again, or get worse, if they say something. But it’s never okay to lay your hands on someone. Guy, girl, kid, adult, alien, superhero, whatever, it needs to stop.
And sadly, I’m only talking about physical stuff in this post. Verbal attacks, being excluded, and singled out, can be just as bad, if not worse. As a girl, I know how mean other girls can be, so don’t think I’m not calling the girls out, too. Girls should be supportive of each other instead of tearing each other down. I have never understood what that’s about.
As writers we have a strong voice that can be heard by a lot of people, so this is a call to all you writers out there to get behind the #WritersAgainstBullying movement. Post pics on Twitter, Facebook, (your page and the Writers Against Bullying FB page), your blog, wherever you’re on social media, and speak up.
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August 22, 2014 | Categories: Writer, Writing | Tags: #WritersAgainstBullying, Author, Bullying, laney mcmann, Writer, ya fantasy author | 4 Comments
My Music Monday
This week on My Music Monday:
Angus & Julia Stone ~
The Devil’s Tears
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August 18, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: angus and julia stone, laney mcmann, music, my music monday, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
This week’s Off The Beaten Track:
Emancipator ~
Greenland
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August 14, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: emancipator, laney mcmann, music, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
This week on My Music Monday:
Mumford & Sons ~
After The Storm
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August 11, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, mumford and sons, music, my music monday, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
Thursday’s Off The Beaten Track
This week’s Off The Beaten Track:
Pretty Lights ~
One Day They’ll Know
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August 7, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, Pretty Lights, thursdays off the beaten track, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
This week on My Music Monday:
Placebo ~
Running Up That Hill
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August 4, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: laney mcmann, music, my music monday, Placebo, ya fantasy author, you tube | Leave a comment
On Writing
A series of random thoughts.
Writing is akin to hearing a thousand voices screaming at you all at once and you trying to decipher which ones you should listen to, and which ones you should ignore. Life’s a bit like that too.
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March 15, 2014 | Categories: Author, Novel Writing, Thoughts, Writing | Tags: Advice on writing a novel, Arts, Author, Book Writing, Fiction, Inspiration, laney mcmann, novel writing, on writing, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, YA paranormal romance author | Leave a comment
Second Book in The Fire Born Novels by Laney McMann to release September 2014
Laney McMann’s debut novel, TIED, a Fire Born novel, will release its sequel, TORN, in September 2014.
The second installment in the Fire Born Novels continues Layla and Max’s story, widening the supernatural world and introducing a new set of characters into the fray. TORN ties together the loose strands started in TIED, and is a key element toward completing the circle of the trilogy.
Unlike book one in the series, TORN revolves not only around Layla LaBelle’s journey, but we get a view inside Max’s head, as the story is written in both perspectives.
TORN releases September 2014 in e-book and print by J. Taylor Publishing
With a passion for the supernatural and all things magical, Laney McMann developed a voracious appetite for reading fantasy at a young age. By the time she reached her teens, Laney had accumulated notebooks full of poems which led to short stories and finally novels, specifically in the young adult dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and mythology genres.
Stay tuned next month, as I have New News regarding the series. 😉
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February 18, 2014 | Categories: A Fire Born Novel, Fire Born Updates, J Taylor Publishing, TORN, Upcoming Releases, Young Adult Novels | Tags: Arts, Author, J. Taylor Publishing, laney mcmann, Layla and Max, The Fire Born Novels, TIED, TIED by Laney McMann, TORN, TORN by Laney McMann, Upcoming urban fantasy 2014, YA books for 2014, ya fantasy author, YA Fiction, Young Adult book releases 2014, young adult paranormal romance, young adult urban fantasy | Leave a comment
My Music Monday
This week: Phoenix
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February 10, 2014 | Categories: Music | Tags: Arts, Author, Inspiration, laney mcmann, music, Phoenix, SOS in Bel Air, ya fantasy author, YA paranormal romance author, you tube | Leave a comment