tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503652079049919182012-01-09T09:24:59.218-08:00Alayna Williams' Collection of Oracle Facts and FictionAlayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.comBlogger671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-85506942201194166952011-12-12T09:00:00.001-08:002011-12-12T09:05:38.074-08:00

Hi, folks! I've decided to do some consolidating of blogitty blog goodness. From here on out, I'll be blogging at salamanderstales.blogspot.com. In a couple of days, I'll be starting the Twelve Days of Nerd Christmas...I would be over the moon if you'd come join me over there for some nerdy holiday fun!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-34032725137036049282011-11-02T12:34:00.001-07:002011-11-02T12:35:00.185-07:00

As they say on Futurama: "Good news, everyone!"Announced on today's Publisher's Marketplace, a new sale to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Graphia line:“Laura Bickle's THE HALLOWED ONES, pitched as "Witness" meets "28 Days Later" in which an Amish girl must protect her family from a violent contagion, even as fear and denial threaten to erode her community from within, to Julie Tibbott at Graphia,

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-91223128241684475192011-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:46:36.481-07:00

ROGUE ORACLE is featured in today's Beyond Her Book Blog at Publishers Weekly! "I found this book to be very interesting. I love the Tarot cards mixed with the FBI profiling. Those are two stimulating subjects and they mixed well with the story line. The secret scheming and underhanded methods of the Delphi Daughters held my attention from chapter one to the end."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-35220829021381583392011-06-01T19:41:00.000-07:002011-06-01T19:42:27.992-07:00

Hey, folks! Myself and my evil twin, Laura Bickle, are up for the Author of the Month Award at Were Vamps Romance. Check out the full nomination list and vote for your favorites here.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-51180980167232628632011-05-30T19:12:00.001-07:002011-05-30T19:14:57.185-07:00

I'm giving away a signed copy of ROGUE ORACLE at Were Vamps Romance...drop in and say hello for a chance to win! http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/2011/05/alayna-williams-author-guest-post_30.html

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-60010526398701511442011-05-30T09:21:00.001-07:002011-05-30T09:21:54.569-07:00

I'm talking today at Word Whores about one of my favorite subjects...Wonder Woman! She's been my hero since I was a little girl. And she still is.Word-Whores: The Amazon in My Office: "by Laura Bickle Wonder Woman oversees my writing. Okay, slight exaggeration. I’m sure that the *real* Wonder Woman would have much bette..."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-25410743412841233622011-05-28T20:00:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:00:04.124-07:00

I've got a couple of contests going on now to win books!I'm giving away a signed copy of SPARKS by Laura Bickle at Were Vamps Romance, here: http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/2011/05/laura-bickle-character-interview-book.html And I'm giving away a signed set of DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE by Alayna Williams at All Things Urban Fantasy, here: http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-83680113187184182782011-05-23T07:08:00.000-07:002011-05-23T07:08:00.423-07:00

Last week, my mom and I spent some time at the lake. Really restful - it's been a long time since I've been unplugged from the internet for a few days. It's officially before tourist season, so the town is pretty much run by the herons, gulls, and feral cats. Here's a pic:

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-69861818596601841402011-05-20T06:57:00.000-07:002011-05-20T06:59:19.388-07:00

by Janie BillLaura, I am thrilled to visit your website and thank you for inviting me to share the inspiration behind my novels. As a writer, I appreciate your urban fantasy novels and love the female gusto you portray in your vulnerable characters. I share your fascination with developing inner strength by utilizing the unseen forces within life.Although I grew up in the South and keep strong

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-5767055969072936562011-05-09T18:10:00.000-07:002011-05-10T08:29:18.911-07:00

by Theresa CraterI’ve always loved King Arthur stories—the Round Table, Merlin, the sword in the stone, and the Lady of the Lake. When I first heard these stories, the character Morgan le Fey was the wicked sorceress and half-sister of Arthur, out to get him and destroy Camelot.In 1982, Marion Zimmer Bradley changed all that with her famous novel The Mists of Avalon. She told the story from

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-53417286945584081202011-04-25T08:22:00.000-07:002011-04-25T08:22:22.946-07:00

Nicki J Markus: Alayna Williams - Interview: "Today I am lucky enough to be joined by author, Alayna Williams, whose latest release, Rogue Oracle , I recently reviewed . Hi Alayna and we..."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-35597662524525294002011-04-09T08:22:00.000-07:002011-04-09T08:23:59.701-07:00

By Roxanne RhoadsLast year I was brainstorming- a lot. I wanted to set up a new business that catered to authors, specifically authors in the paranormal and urban fantasy genres.See while the popularity of these books has skyrocketed the services catering to them have not grown as fast.It all started back in 2008 when I started the book review and promotion site, Fang-tastic Books.I had started

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-79877239965259439512011-04-04T08:24:00.000-07:002011-04-04T08:25:12.803-07:00

by Nicki J MarcusThe question of whether or not to enrol in any sort of official writing course is one that often concerns new writers.There are many differing opinions on this subject. Some claim formal training is necessary to teach the ‘rules’ of writing such as structure/plotting and grammar. Meanwhile, others advocate a more hands-on approach, believing that writing is a skill that cannot be

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-7878855805136206152011-03-28T11:34:00.000-07:002011-03-28T11:36:36.352-07:00

I'll be on Blogtalk Radio's Other Worlds of Romance tonight at 11pm EST with an excerpt of ROGUE ORACLE: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/other_worlds_of_romance

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-5350365962358275142011-03-24T13:10:00.000-07:002011-03-24T13:12:38.919-07:00

Cheeky Reads: Integrating Feedback Into Your Writing With Guest Author Alayna WilliamsWriting for oneself is a completely different animal than writing for other people. When writing for oneself, there's a freedom to explore any idea or format that one likes. There's freedom to make errors. With an audience of one, there's very little pressure to conform to the ideas of others. There are no rules

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-91897730009238905142011-03-22T08:15:00.000-07:002011-03-22T08:15:23.735-07:00

Guest Post: Alayna Williams - Beginnings, Middles and EndsWriting a novel is like falling in and out of love. It's a relationship with stages. There's bliss, angst, reconciliation, and letting go. There are beginnings, middles and ends. And also sometimes shouting and tears.Beginnings are tough for me. Nothing intimidates me more than staring at a blank page. There's absolutely nothing there but

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-45032213551861504152011-03-19T08:52:00.000-07:002011-03-19T08:52:07.639-07:00

Nicki J Markus: Alayna Williams - Guest Blog and Giveaway: "Welcome to author Alayna Williams who has kindly agreed to come and visit me with a guest blog and an exciting giveaway! Torturing Your Heroine..."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-31100094850704183732011-03-18T08:25:00.000-07:002011-03-18T08:25:19.878-07:00

Nicki J Markus: Alayna Williams - Guest Blog and Giveaway: "Welcome to author Alayna Williams who has kindly agreed to come and visit me with a guest blog and an exciting giveaway! Torturing Your HeroineAs writers, we're told to "murder our darlings." Don't get too attached to any part of the manuscript, and be willing to do the tough work of cutting things that we love that don't work. Be

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-80255361671981511272011-03-17T08:13:00.000-07:002011-03-17T08:13:32.232-07:00

I'm talking about the Two of Swords today with the fabulous Sullivan McPig! Drop by for a chance to win a set of DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE. Pearls Cast Before a McPig: Two of Swords - Guestpost by Alayna Williams + giv...: "Today I bring you a guest post by the amazing Alayna Williams! Some of you might know her book Dark Oracle was on my list of favourite Pe..."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-81564439567535981442011-03-16T10:52:00.000-07:002011-03-16T10:52:58.484-07:00

Chat: Urban Fantasy: Not Your Father's Speculative Fiction with Laura Bickle starts Mar 16Urban Fantasy is a relatively recent category in bookstores, though the roots of the genre reach far back into fantasy, hard-boiled film noir, and the Whedonverse. Laura Bickle discusses the past of UF and future directions with gratuitous references to Dashiell Hammett and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-27020965919828393012011-03-05T18:42:00.000-08:002011-03-05T18:53:15.282-08:00

by Alana Joli AbbottI've done a lot of playing in other people's worlds. When I was just starting out as a writer – in my elementary school years – I wrote what we now call fan fiction. These were the days before the Internet, so any sharing was done by passing around hand-written or printed fictions to close friends and chatting about what we'd written about the characters. In my stories, I

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-26703287107578596822011-02-22T15:44:00.000-08:002011-02-22T15:49:32.411-08:00

Release day for ROGUE ORACLE is today...and I dunno where today went! It managed to slip through my fingers among work, the flu, and cat sitting. I'm happy to have the latest book out of the nest and on bookshelves...and to hear good wishes from friends and family. It makes my little heart swell. More info on ROGUE ORACLE is here: http://juno-books.com/blog/?p=1158And now...a nap!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-70029359155691722142011-02-21T17:29:00.000-08:002011-02-21T17:31:14.580-08:00

New ROGUE ORACLE review from Pearls Cast Before a McPig! WOW!!Rogue Oracle is dark, gritty, disturbing, intense and utterly awesome!Tara and Harry both have some serious fights on their hands in this book and I must confess they had me worried about their safety and happiness more than once. Even though the overall tone of the story is grim it never crosses the line that makes a story too angsty

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-28926369827200477712011-02-21T08:56:00.001-08:002011-02-21T09:01:11.921-08:00

It's a special pleasure when I hear from someone who really connected with my story...so I'm over the moon to receive this awesome review from I Heart Reading!"If you’re tired of reading the same fantasy novels over and over again but in different format and with other titles, or you rather stake a vampire than read another love story with vamps in the lead role and you feel like declaring war on

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-80563489633245157522011-02-16T13:33:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:35:39.492-08:00

Tara’s nostrils flared, smelling a familiar cigarette. “Hello, Pythia.” A dragon of smoke blew across the window, and the Pythia stepped into the weak light. The short woman jingled softly when she walked, her swaying hips strung with a scarf covered in coins; she‘d been dancing. She paused before the sink to tap her cigarette into an ashtray. A curtain of dark hair fell over her face, strands

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-32359626743918599832011-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:36:35.498-08:00

CHAPTER 1 He’d do anything to hear those voices again. Galen’s head was too silent. The other voices in his head had drained away, leaving him alone. He pressed his cold hands over his ears so that he could hear his own blood and breath thundering, like the ocean in a shell. It was a bit less like being alone. He peered into the darkness, waiting. Waiting for the next voice to fill his thoughts

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-59845678324037509252011-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:002011-02-01T00:00:01.142-08:00

by Denise VerricoLaura, thanks for having me here today! I thought it might be fun to share some of the lore that ties in with the world building in my Immortyl Revolution novels. Although most vampire myths were spawned in Eastern Europe, a lot of evidence points to the legends first arising out of India. When I was developing my series, I became fascinated with Indian religions, mythology, and

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-69869093831098627412011-01-06T09:57:00.000-08:002011-01-06T09:57:56.792-08:00

Bewitching Book Tours: Alayna Williams Rogue Oracle Tour Schedule: "Here are the current dates scheduled for the Rogue Oracle Tour If you have not been contacted about being a host but would like to be one p..."

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-88967813299958667122011-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:002011-01-01T19:45:00.710-08:00

Though I'll still be here at Salamander's Tales and Delphi's Daughters, I wanted to let y'all know that I've joined a new group blog. Look for me under my alias, Laura Bickle. It's called Word Whores, and I'm in excellent company. Hope you come by and join in the fun!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-17500414641455768822010-12-24T19:10:00.000-08:002010-12-24T19:12:12.547-08:00

Drop by Myth, the Universe, and Everything to win a copy of DARK ORACLE...Guest Post: Alayna Williams (and a contest!)

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-5605438127400167242010-12-23T08:56:00.000-08:002010-12-23T08:57:35.875-08:00

This is as festive as I get...Craig Ferguson pretending to be the lead singer of Flock of Seagulls + a robot + the Mythbusters + Modern English + a fuzzy bunny. Happy holidays, all!Okay. I lied. I found *one* thing on the interwebs that's more festive:see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-46366769812164648362010-12-01T16:19:00.000-08:002010-12-01T16:21:59.547-08:00

The fabulous Stella at Ex Libris was kind enough to host me (as my alter ego, Laura Bickle) for a guest blog this week! Commenters have a chance to win one of three copies of SPARKS...and yes, the contest is international! Drop by here for a chance to win.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-61079278489317132522010-10-25T12:11:00.000-07:002010-10-25T12:15:14.018-07:00

Cover for ROGUE ORACLE has been released! http://juno-books.com/blog/?p=1092ROGUE will be available in March, 2011. Here's the skinny:The more you know about the future, the more there may be to fear.Tara Sheridan is the best criminal profiler around - and the most unconventional. Trained as a forensic psychologist, Tara also specializes in Tarot card reading. But she doesn't need her divination

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-61191296607661145522010-06-20T15:40:00.000-07:002010-06-20T15:42:34.252-07:00

I'm over at Danielle Monsch's Romantically speaking, giving a podcast Tarot reading and guest blogging about one of my favorite cards for creative folks, the Magician.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-20329543293038984962010-06-18T09:17:00.000-07:002010-06-18T09:18:51.423-07:00

I'm over at the fabulous Dark Faerie Tales today, talking about Tarot and wanting to know the future! Drop by for a chance to win a copy of DARK ORACLE.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-56566354434960009652010-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:002010-06-16T15:33:36.618-07:00

The Knight of Wands has been on my mind, lately. It keeps turning up in my Tarot spreads, and seems to have chosen itself as my new significator. My significators have changed over time, but this is the first time it's been a knight. The Knight of Wands is traditionally hot-tempered, plunging into situations and charging forward. The Knight's full of fiery energy, sometimes depicted with dragons

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-79312313838008079852010-06-15T14:30:00.000-07:002010-06-15T14:31:26.102-07:00

I'm over at Fang-Tastic Books, chatting about a Tarot card reading I did for DARK ORACLE. Come by for a chance to win a signed copy!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-72917385357552334332010-06-14T09:39:00.001-07:002010-06-14T09:40:12.375-07:00

I'm over at All Things Urban Fantasy's Paranormal Summer Fest for an interview, chat, and giveaway!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-90277863943291179922010-06-13T17:17:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:18:21.873-07:00

I'm having an awesome time over at Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick! We're chatting about Tarot and the lovely site hostess is giving away a copy of DARK ORACLE. Come by and join the fun!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-89701333723099404752010-06-01T11:30:00.000-07:002010-06-01T11:33:22.462-07:00

The Bitten by Books DARK ORACLE release party is now underway here! Drop by for a chance to win a Kindle. The contest has beene extended to 6/6!I'm also over at Lovin' Me Some Romance today (as Laura Bickle) - drop by for a chance to win a copy of EMBERS!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-1636363591133852682010-05-31T20:21:00.000-07:002010-05-31T20:22:02.583-07:00

Want to win a Kindle? Join me at my release party for DARK ORACLE at Bitten by Books tomorrow...RSVP here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=25193

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-79102828585812100512010-05-25T17:35:00.001-07:002010-05-25T17:38:37.497-07:00

Here's my entry for World Tarot Day's largest Tarot reading on earth...I drew the Ace of Pentacles from the Mystic Dreamer deck:

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-80790364667780851352010-05-25T16:27:00.001-07:002010-05-25T16:31:57.310-07:00

Today is the release day for DARK ORACLE! It also happens to be World Tarot Day. Pretty cool, huh? Here's the publisher's blurb:TARA SHERIDAN HAS A GIFT...AND IT ALMOST KILLED HER.As a criminal profiler, Tara used science and her intuitive skill at Tarot card divination to track down the dangerous and depraved, including the serial killer who left her scarred from head to toe. Since that savage

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-34261537281551559922010-05-20T12:16:00.000-07:002010-05-20T12:18:36.821-07:00

Today, I'm over at Donna Grant's blog, chatting about how the Tarot can inspire and shape characters in a story. I'm explaining how the Queen of Swords was the inspiration for Tara, the heroine in DARK ORACLE.Drop by and say hello!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-46679022400396632302010-04-05T08:41:00.000-07:002010-04-05T08:43:03.688-07:00

Chapter OneThe air seethed, like a living thing disturbed.Dust settled from the sky as the roar of the explosion rolled away into the desert. Gradually, the sky cleared, revealing stars. In the sandy haze of dust, a building had blistered open, like an empty shell too weak to hold a great and terrible seed. Chunks of concrete littered the ground, illuminated by weak sparks and fizzles from the

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-51027416351077537662010-04-01T05:39:00.001-07:002010-04-01T05:43:15.516-07:00

I'm guest-blogging today at Savvy Readers about EMBERS...and am tickled pink to see that EMBERS is the #2 most popular paranormal book on their list, and DARK ORACLE is #5!This is a great start to the day. My husband and I are going to a Christoper Moore reading this evening. BITE ME - A LOVE STORY was just released, and we're hoping to stand in line to have our copies signed. I can't wait to

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-75715707323542550792010-03-25T18:46:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:47:32.814-07:00

I'm guest-blogging today (as Laura Bickle) over at Raven Corinn Carluk's blog about balancing the dreaded day job with writing. Come share your experiences about the necessary evil.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-4319680893738932532010-03-22T13:36:00.000-07:002010-03-22T13:38:50.010-07:00

Today, I'm interviewed by the fabulous Tracy Sharp over at Blithering Fool. Tracy is the author of REPO CHICK BLUES and FINDING CHLOE, both wonderful books. And she's half the excellent duet of HEARTS AFIRE OCTOBER from Liquid Silver Books. Come by and join us as we chat about writing!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-50547232944300043662010-03-22T05:34:00.000-07:002010-03-22T05:35:32.965-07:00

I'm guest-blogging today (as Laura Bickle) over at Star-Crossed Romance. I'll be talking about ghosts and ghost hunting. Drop by and say hello to the things that go bump in the night!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-71040161779663828862010-03-19T07:19:00.001-07:002010-03-22T13:39:58.397-07:00

Raven Corinn Carluk, paranormal vampire romance author of All Hallows Blood, is guest blogging over at Salamander's Tales on the Joy of Being a Plantser: www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-30134027660639830532010-03-18T18:52:00.000-07:002010-03-18T18:53:34.537-07:00

Check out Pocket Books' free urban fantasy sampler, featuring excerpts, interviews, and short stories by authors Sonya Bateman, Laura Bickle, Lori Devoti, Seressia Glass, Stacia Kane, and Jeri Smith-Ready:http://www.simonandschuster.com/admin_assets/2443_UF_Sampler_Spring_2010.pdf?mcd=z_100317_PDF_Spring-Sampler_JunoBooks

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-21151449661688955472010-03-12T07:04:00.001-08:002010-03-12T07:04:51.182-08:00

I'm interviewing with Dawn McClure over at Embrace the Shadows today, talking about setting things on fire, writing, and the hero's journey. But not necessarily in that order.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-24635626534465960342010-03-09T11:47:00.000-08:002010-03-09T11:50:46.964-08:00

I'm blogging today at Hooked on Heroines about the Oracle of Delphi: http://hookedonheroines.blogspot.com/2010/03/mythic-heroines-priestesses-of-delphi.htmlDrop by and say hello!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-49422722128893074572010-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:002010-03-01T09:37:37.473-08:00

This week, Tarot card reader, photographer, writer, and poet Patricia Kelly (blogging as Roswila) is joining me for a unique and insightful Tarot card reading... FIVE VESSELS: a Tarot card reading with commentsI’d like to thank Alayna for this opportunity to share about The Tarot, my favorite oracle. Before I go on to the card layout I designed for this post and the reading I did with it for

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-45261764885591121442010-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:002010-02-22T00:00:03.236-08:00

A Brief Introduction to ScryingByLinda Gail WaltersScrying – the magickal practice of visualizing images in or on an object for the purpose of divination is an ancient and useful technique for any practitioner of the magickal or divinatory arts to learn. The verb to scry comes from the Middle English verb descry meaning to catch sight of or to make known. The most familiar form of scrying is the

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-55958000270135269722010-02-21T18:03:00.000-08:002010-02-21T18:05:28.115-08:00

I'll be blogging Monday (as Laura Bickle) on Hooked on Heroines about Ishtar as a mythic heroine. Ishtar was the inspiration for Anya in EMBERS. Please drop by and say hello!

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-40202435202237018742010-02-18T05:44:00.000-08:002010-02-18T05:45:49.848-08:00

I'm excited to introduce a new blog, Hooked on Heroines. Hooked on Heroines are: Maria Lima, author of Blood Lines series from Pocket/Juno Books; Linda Robertson, author of the Persephone Alcmedi series from Pocket/Juno books; myself, Alayna Williams author of the Delphic Oracle series from Pocket/Juno, and my alter ego Laura Bickle, author of the Lantern series from Pocket/Juno. We'll be

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-61927469398022689322010-02-17T06:58:00.000-08:002010-02-17T07:02:15.567-08:00

Ran across a new site detailing weird and whimsical fortune cookies: www.badfortunecookies.com. Spotted this strangely appropriate fortune. Maybe that's why my bellydancing class was canceled this week. Hmmmm...

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-32900163414207815862010-02-16T09:20:00.000-08:002010-02-16T09:29:16.588-08:00

I had a Tarot card reading a couple of weekends ago with a reader who used the Greenwood Tarot, by Chesca Potter and Mark Ryan...and I immediately fell in love with the deck. It uses gorgeous nature-inspired imagery in a woodland setting, with hints of Robin Hood and Arthurian legend creeping in. The deck uses lovely symbolism for time, seasons, and the elements. This is one of my favorite images

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-3329440131555310372010-02-13T21:26:00.001-08:002010-02-13T21:40:35.050-08:00

Stumbled across a great beginning guide for the Tarot today at Aeclectic Tarot. The free eBook is here. The book's got some interesting ideas for meditation and visualizations. I suppose I've always been analytical about the Tarot, but never really allowed myself to "fall" into the Tarot that way. My heroine, Tara, in ROGUE ORACLE does this in her dreams. In her visions, she becomes Strength.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-72673717231413227442010-02-10T18:36:00.001-08:002010-02-10T18:37:50.832-08:00

I've firmed up my 2010 Convention Schedule. Fortunately for me, there's a lot going on within driving distance this year. There's plenty of programming to tickle my brain cells, panels to (gulp) sit on, and books to sign. My name tag will probably be in the name of my alter ego, Laura Bickle. Gotta keep those pseudonyms straight! Let me know if you'll be in the neighborhood...I'd love to meet

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-75763282942721543762010-02-10T13:40:00.000-08:002010-02-10T13:46:39.121-08:00

One of my friends and I went shopping at the local New Age stores over the snowy weekend. It was a great chance to catch up, giggle, and browse for goodies.I succumbed to the purchase of another cat candlelamp for my collection. Isn't he gorgeous? I haven't named him, yet, but he reminds me of my own mischievous cats...always plotting something. More mystical cat candlelamps can be seen here:

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-6482570345546392122010-02-02T06:15:00.000-08:002010-02-02T06:17:23.620-08:00

The new DARK ORACLE cover has been released, with blurb:“A compelling story with an intelligent heroine and a fast-moving plot pitting intuition against conspiracy, crime, and dark science.”—Linda Robertson, author of the Circle Serieshttp://juno-books.com/blog/?p=888

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-65380310502696363402010-01-20T05:12:00.000-08:002010-01-20T05:26:58.816-08:00

While busily finishing up ROGUE ORACLE for my February 1 deadline (urk!), I got to do a bit of research on egg divination (also known as ovamancy and oomancy). One of the tertiary characters uses it, and I was curious about what it was all about.I'd heard before about finding blood in an egg being a bad omen. And I'd also heard the idea that a pregnant woman could rub an egg on her belly and then

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-21280668165204144432010-01-03T09:13:00.001-08:002010-01-03T14:04:39.053-08:00

At long last, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's Shadowscapes Tarot will be released by Llewellyn Books in Spring, 2010. More information about Stephanie's art can be found on her website, here: http://www.shadowscapes.com/Tarot/This image is the Two of Swords from her deck, representing balanced force. This image is ©Stephanie Pui-Mun Law.

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-65088242429873443662009-12-30T12:18:00.001-08:002010-01-03T09:08:08.368-08:00

In writing DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE, I discovered that there are a seemingly-infinite number of ways to lay out Tarot cards for the Celtic Cross spread. The Celtic Cross is one of the most popular ten-card spreads, but there tends to be a lot of variation in the layout from user to user. I learned using the Hanson-Roberts deck and accompanying guide, which places the highest outcome card

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450365207904991918.post-50083398089251599412009-12-29T17:44:00.000-08:002009-12-29T18:17:39.018-08:00

Welcome to my blog of...research notes, I guess.I'm the author of DARK ORACLE, forthcoming from Juno-Pocket Books in June, 2010. The urban fantasy novel deals with Tara Sheridan, a modern-day oracle and criminal profiler. Here's what the book's about:Can an oracle change the future she sees? Tara Sheridan swore off criminal profiling years ago. By combining Tarot card divination with her own

Alayna Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525990026112187575noreply@blogger.com0