Promote, Promote, PROMOTE.
If you have no idea about this novel I have declared 'Phenomenal' than please click this link to read my original blog review!
So why all the fuss? Why am I pushing this book at you AGAIN? (Well, for one, I can't exactly beat you over the head with it... saying 'Read me' 'Read me' so this will have to do!)
Besides it being a MUST HAVE for your book collection, Unauthorized Access is celebrating a brand new cover!!
HOW exactly does one celebrate a brand new cover? By offering the e-book FREE for a THREE DAY event!! Andrew McAllister has graciously invited the world to read the suspenseful story he has created! Not just that...oh no...Not only can you get this gem for your Kindle for free at his event, please see the end of this blog for a print edition GIVEAWAY! (I really sound like a used car salesman, eh?)
On March 6th thru to March 8th Unauthorized Access will be FREE for Kindle on Amazon.com!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Unauthorized-Access-ebook/dp/B00896U00C
If you are on FACEBOOK than please RSVP to the event using this link!!
(Tell Andrew I sent you!)
I recently interviewed Andrew McAllister where he discusses everything from the new cover, to how he got started writing. Even sharing his dream cast if Unauthorized Access were to become a movie!
Moi: What made you decide to give the book a fresh new look? Who designed the cover?
Andrew McAllister: First of all, a big thanks to you, Reenie,
for featuring me on your blog once again. You’re a wonderful supporter of indie
authors and it is much appreciated! (You are very welcome Andrew!)
I work with Thomas K. Matthews
Illustration out of San Diego. The original book cover for Unauthorized Access
was purposely designed to have the look and feel of an old-fashioned pulp
fiction paperback, with an edgy feel to it. After doing numerous book signings
and other public events, however, I decided I would rather present a modern
look and feel, more consistent with the story and with today’s thriller genre.
I couldn’t be happier with the result! And so far reader response to the new
cover has been amazing.
Moi: What
was the process like?
Andrew McAllister: The process was amazingly interactive,
despite the fact that I live 3,000 miles from San Diego. First we brainstormed
a few general concepts that we thought might work on the cover, basically
drawing from scenes in the book. We thought of a young woman running through
the woods at night, for instance. We finally settled on an urban look because
that matches the story. Then Tom Matthews worked up several concept covers,
using different images, color schemes, layouts, typefaces, and so on.
We settled on the one we liked the best
and then had a series of interactive work sessions. That was a blast! Through
the magic of Skype and email we were able to work as if we were in the same
room. We fiddled and tweaked the details until the result satisfied both of us.
The process took a few weeks but I feel like the result is well worth it!
Moi: Do
you have any other novels or plans for one in the works?
Andrew McAllister: Absolutely. I try to avoid saying too
much about my works in progress because I have a tendency to think out loud and
paint myself into a corner. I don’t want to decide I’d like to go in a
different direction with some part of the story, and then feel like I can’t
because I already mentioned a particular detail publicly. The book is another
thriller, though, in a similar vein as Unauthorized Access. There is plenty of
raw emotion and uncertainty over how the characters can possibly end up okay.
The main character is a college student who reaches out over the Internet to
someone he has never met, hoping this stranger can help him out of his
situation. His message? “I think someone is trying to kill me.”
Moi: What
inspired the novel Unauthorized Access?
Andrew McAllister: Some number of years ago the itch to
write a novel became so great that I couldn’t possibly ignore it, so I started
spending my idle moments wondering about story ideas. Besides being a writer, I
am also a computer scientist, so I had a vague idea that the story should have
an Information Technology angle. They say to write what you know, right? Then one
day I was listening to an interview with an Internet security expert on public
radio. “Can you imagine what would happen,” he said, “if someone managed to
take down the systems at a bank?” His remark got me imagining exactly that
scenario, and Unauthorized Access was born.
My first decision was that the book
wasn’t going to be a story about the cyberattack, but rather about the people
affected by the attack. I was thrilled when one reviewer commented on this,
saying that Unauthorized Access “…may have a computer-based premise, but the
novel is entirely the story of the protagonists, not their computers.”
Moi: When
did you begin writing?
Andrew McAllister: For me, writing began as a natural spinoff
of reading. I was a voracious reader growing up, and I still am. The idea of writing
didn’t occur to me, however, until I was an adult. Then one day the idea just
strolled fully formed into my brain. “You’d like to be a novelist,” the idea
informed me. I agreed, and we’ve been partners ever since. I started the way
most writers do, with short stories, writing contests, and writing classes. I’m
still quite fond of the short-short story that was a contest winner with Alfred
Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
Then one day I decided to take the
plunge and write a novel. After that initial effort crashed and burned, I
picked myself up, dusted off my ego, and had another go. Before long I was
working on Unauthorized Access.
Moi: You
are an avid reader. Can you share your biggest literary influences?
Andrew McAllister: I’m an omnivore when it comes to books.
I’ll read just about anything if it has conflict and can hook me enough to keep
turning the pages. I have to admit, though, that my fave reads are action and
suspense. I love World War II history, so authors like Alistair MacLean, Jack
Higgins, and Ken Follett are naturals for me. In fact, an audio book version of
Follett’s The Key to Rebecca is currently plugged into my car stereo. Other
notable reads that come to mind are Jaws by Peter Benchley (which I read in a
single sitting), The Godfather by Mario Puzo, and everything by Stephen King.
The Stand is my favorite book of all time.
The bulk of my reading over the years,
however, and the greatest influence on my writing has been the work of thriller
writers like John Grisham, Lee Child, David Baldacci, and Christopher Reich, to
name just a few. I love it when characters are thrown into terrible messes and
must scratch and claw their way back some semblance of normality.
Moi: You
have had so many wonderful 5 star reviews. Can you describe that moment when
you read the first one?
Andrew McAllister: You know, if there is one aspect of the
published novelist experience that has surprised me the most, it might be online
reviews. Some of my expectations turned out to be true, for instance that
reviews have become an important “currency” by which an ebook is judged while
someone is considering whether to read it.
One thing that surprised me, though,
was that almost everyone who reviewed Unauthorized Access on Amazon or
Goodreads has reached out to me beforehand. People have sent me emails,
Facebook posts, text messages, even phone calls to let me know how much they
enjoyed the book. The idea of writing a review often comes up as part of these
conversations, and once the idea has been broached, most people are happy to
help out by writing a short review.
My first 5 star review followed an
email I received from a young Canadian college student who was traveling in
Europe last summer. She downloaded Unauthorized Access onto her Kindle on a
recommendation from one of her girlfriends. She ended up reading the entire
book in a single sitting while on a long train ride. It was a delightful
feeling to have that email pop up in my inbox. In some sense this type of
feedback is a validation of years worth of effort.
Moi: Are
there any genre’s you enjoy that people might be surprised about?
Andrew McAllister: Like I said, I’ll read anything that
holds my interest, but it’s usually more about the individual book than the
genre. I’ve never been much into romance books, but I recently read On The Island
by Tracey Garvis-Graves. It was wonderful! The first night I started reading it
I was up half the night. In this case the cliché was true – I couldn’t put it
down. I also truly enjoyed The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I’m not sure if
reading two books is enough to classify me as a romance-aholic, but I can
certainly appreciate some books in the genre.
Moi: As
I mentioned in my blog, I could picture Unauthorized Access as a Hollywood
Blockbuster. If that were to happen, who could you see in the lead roles?? Cast
your movie!!
Andrew McAllister: It makes me happy that you’re not the only
person who has suggested the idea of a movie. Of course that’s the kind of
validation only a few authors ever get to enjoy. It’s fun to dream, though, so
here goes.
I should start with Rob and Lesley, the
young couple who are also the two main protagonists. I’ve described Rob as
having dark, spiky hair, so I thought someone like Josh Hutcherson would look
the part. For Lesley I chose Odette Annable. What a handsome couple! Do they
look like they belong together or what?
Tim Whitlock is the same age, but he’s a
complex character, a little on the geeky end of the spectrum, with many
different sides to his personality. My bet is that Michael Cera could pull that
off.
Stan Dysart is the bank president. He’s
charming, professional, and ultra capable, but he’s no shrinking violet. He has
a surprisingly ruthless side that not every reader sees coming. I’m going with
the very distinguished Eric Roberts.
Then there’s the ultimate menacing bad guy,
Ray Landry, who also has a cultured side. One look at Jason Statham’s face and
you know he could pull off that role!
Finally in Chapter 1 the reader meets Mary,
Stan Dysart’s capable office manager. Who better to play this role than our
very own Reenie!
(I would LOVE to! Have my people contact your people!!) ;)
GIVEAWAY!!!
Do you want to own your own print edition of Unauthorized Access compliments of the author?? I have ONE up for grabs and if you ask my previous winner (or the people I have gifted this book too) they will tell you 'it's goooood!'
The rules are simple:
Open to residents of Canada & the United States.
One Entry Per Person.
You can enter one of two ways!!
Email me your name, age and province/state at reeniediva@gmail.com to enter OR visit my Facebook Page and send me a message with the same information.
Contest Closes March 9th at 7pm EST.
Happy Reading Everyone!
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