6cast: Night of the Coyotes

It's been a while since I recorded a 6cast. In fact, my last one wound up becoming an animation you might remember as The Mockingbird Song. This new one is chock full of the horror and cheese that some people seemed to like about the old episodes (which you can still hear here). It's called "Night of the Coyotes," and it's my take on another popular subject. 6cast: Night of the Coyotes

I made it to a list!

Good job, you guys! Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow is currently #66 on Amazon's bestsellers for "children's spine-chilling horror." That list updates every hour, so it probably won't stay there. But here's a screenshot from earlier! (And here's where you can order your own.)

Update: as of 11:11 AM, it's now #28 on that list!

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow

LOS ANGELES Book Launch Party at Metropolis Books

Los Angeles people! Come and see me at Metropolis Books downtown at 5pm, Saturday, August 27th! 440 S. Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 Metropolis is a lovely little book store, and it's easy to reach via the red line to Pershing Square if navigating downtown on your own isn't your cup of tea (and there will be cups of tea at the event, now that I mention it).

Google Plus and some very old sketches!

First of all: Google+! I'm on it! So, if the one thing holding you back from leaving Facebook was the pages you follow, here's one less to worry about. In other news, I found an old, old, OLD sketchbook of mine yesterday (and some world war II goggles, but never mind that). There are Skary sketches in there from way back when Childrin R Skary was barely a few pictures here and there, and even before a certain little girl was forgotten. Here are just a few.

Book Giveaway

Well, that was fast. Remember that June 20th date I mentioned in my previous post? It just so happens to be the deadline to sign up/log in at GoodReads and put your name in for one of two advanced reader copies of the Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow that I'm giving away! I made it easy for you this time. Just click the button below to get started. Anyone in any country is eligible. Signups start now and end June 20th, 2011. GoodReads selects the winners, and I will sign the winner's copies. Keep in mind that these are paperback ARCs only - they're pretty close to the finished hardcover product but not quite. Either way, it's a chance to read it (and review it, of course) before almost everyone. You'll even see some artwork in there that's a little different from the final version! Ready? Get thee to GoodReads!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow by Katy Towell

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow

by Katy Towell

Giveaway ends June 20, 2011.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Carousel Gets Its Own Site

Check it out! The book has its own site! It's pretty basic. Tells you most things you might like to know (and possibly already do) about the book. But there are a few extra goodies in there even for those of you who've already seen everything and are just waiting for it to come out already.

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of SorrowLike downloads! Right now, there are some printable posters, but there may be a few more fun things added soon. Anything in particular you'd like to see? Tell me and chat about it with other folks on Twitter or Facebook.

There's also an events calendar. I may have a few things coming up this year. No specific dates just yet, but keep your eye on the site for updates!

Well... maybe there are a couple of specific dates. One would be the release date of August 23rd, of course. The other would be June 20th. I'll tell you why soon. ;-)

Questions about Carousel

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow book coverFirstly, did you see the trailer? http://skary.com/blog/skary-childrin-and-the-carousel-of-sorrow-book-trailer/ You did? Hooray! Now on to the info. Several of you have asked questions about the book, so here are a few answers! 

1. Where can I pre-order the book?

Most places! Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell's and iBooks are just a few examples. Check with your favorite book store.

2. Will it be available in my country?

It'll be available worldwide. I wish I had more specific info, but it should be available online at the very least for most of you.

3. Will there be a Kindle edition?

Yes! And Apple, too!

4. Will it be in stores or only online?

As far as I know, it will also be in stores. If nothing else, you can ask your bookseller to order one for you.

5. Is it illustrated? Did you do the drawings?

Yes and yes. I painted the full-color cover and drew all of the black and white interiors in pencil (well, one of them's in crayon).

6. So... is it a picture book or a chapter book or graphic novel or what?

Chapter book with lots of illustrations.

7. What age is this book for? Will it be okay for kids? Will *I* like it?

This is a children's novel aimed at grades 3-7, but I kept all of you in mind, too! So, basically, it's safe for the young'uns but nothing less than what you'd expect from me regardless of age group. (All right, so there's no evisceration.) The publisher's catalog says that if you liked the Lemony Snicket books, you'll like this too. But if you didn't like the Lemony Snicket books, forget the publisher's catalog. *Jedi wave*

8. Can I get a signed copy? Will you be doing a book tour?

I don't have a lot of info on this one, but there will be a way to get your copy signed *somehow*. I will not be selling copies directly from my site or anything, though.

9. Is that Ida on the cover?

No. That's Beatrice. Same hair style. Different person. When this story takes place, Ida hasn't even been born yet. ;-)

10. When does this story take place?

1924.

11. What about "Boy"? (This one's not about the book, but I get this question every time, no matter what.)

I'm still working on it. That's going to be my answer until it actually comes out. Writing a book and maintaining a website and putting up drawings so you all have something to look at is a lot of work! But I know you want to see it!

New: Skaryz! Update: April Fool's!

Update: All right, I suppose I let this one run long enough. April Fool's everyone! If you actually believed this... and *liked* it... well, I'm happy to disappoint you. ;-) As every series grows, there will be changes. At least, there have to be if the artist wants it to survive the changing times! With that in mind, I've been working on an overhaul of Childrin R Skary that will change it into something fun, hip, and more accessible to a younger demographic. I can't tell you much right now, but I'm in talks with a major retailer on a series of products that may or may not include school supplies, cosmetics, and stationery. Told you I've been busy!

Here's a sneak peek at what's to come:

For Japan

The situation in Japan is pretty dismal, to say the least, and they could use everyone's help. And if you're going to help, it's always best to donate directly. Click here to donate to the Red Cross, or go here to see a list of other reputable organizations that are accepting donations. If, however, you're already shopping for a Skary print, it's worth mentioning that all profits for "Work to Do" (that's the one shown below) will go to the Red Cross. (All my profits, that is. I couldn't say what happens to ImageKind's profits.)

The text translates to "Children are scary." Extra special thanks to Cymark and Katie for help with the Japanese!

 

Halloween in March winners chosen!

The Halloween in March: Unseen Letters contest came to an end as of the 7th, and my judges and I severely (yes, severely) enjoyed your entries! So, before I get to the winners, let me first say that you're ALL fantastic, and if you didn't win, it was because we could only pick three and so had to get down to the nittiest, grittiest, brassest of tacks to make our choices. And those choices are: 1st place Katie

Katie also submitted this one, which we loved:

2nd Place Rachel

The poet ghost!

This one made us laugh:

3rd Place Stephanie

Stephanie also sent us this cute one:

Congratulations, Katie, Rachel, and Stephanie! I'll be in contact with each of you about your prizes soon.

Skary.net goes mobile!

Hey there, phone-handy people! Starting today, you'll see a different version of the site that's simpler and easier to navigate when you visit skary.net from your web-enabled phone type device. It's not the fanciest thing in the world, but, well, that's sort of the point. If you find you'd rather browse the full site instead of the mobile version, just scroll down to the footer any time and click "switch to full site." You can always switch back, too. I can't guarantee it'll work flawlessly on every phone, but it'll get you where you need to go. And, of course, where you need to go is skary.net. (I should totally sell used cars.)

Skary.net Mobile Edition

 

Halloween in March Contest

Remember last year's 31 Days of Halloween? Of course you do! Unless you don't. But that's another matter entirely. You see, you - yes, you! - could win one of those 31 letters for yourself. Not just one of you, but three of you. First things first, though. Here are the three letters up for the winning:

One of you will win your choice of any of those three. Another of you will win your choice of the two still on the table after the first pick. And the third place winner will win the remaining note. Now, here's what you have to do. It won't be too painful. This time.

  1. Write your own ghost letter. It can be from a known spirit in the house or from a new one you've imagined, but it must be related to the story of last year's 31 Days of Halloween.
  2. But you're not just writing it. You're creating it. Use whatever materials you have available to make your letter stand out, whether that's crayon, Photoshop or some kind of strange voodoo. Presentation is important.
  3. Finish it by 12:01 AM Pacific, March 7th, 2011. No exceptions. Not even if you beg.
  4. Send it through the form below. Do NOT send Facebook links. Feel free to post your work anywhere you like, of course, but you must use the form below to enter the contest! Note: the form below is for uploading image files. If you have a video, please upload it somewhere public. Then attach a screen cap via the form below and include a link to your video in the message body.

You may send as many letters as you like, but only one from three different people will be chosen. This is about quality, not quantity. You may get help from friends and family, but only one letter will be sent to you should you be a winner.

Be creative and have fun! Winners will be announced here, on Facebook, and on Twitter by March 11th, 2011.

[CONTEST CLOSED. Results posted soon!]