June BOOKLOOT Review

I'm a subscription box junkie, and this month I got my first ever BOOKLOOT!

BookLoot is a monthly subscription box that provides a new release book with several related gifts. The June theme was "Call of the Water." Let's check it out!

If you've never done a subscription box, you're totally missing out. It's always a thrill when they arrive.

When I opened the box, here's what I saw:

The box was packaged very nicely. Notice that the book-- the biggest surprise-- is buried underneath. On top, there are already several gifts to explore.

First, you get a print of the month's theme. June 2017: Call of the Water. Perfect for summer! I'm already excited.

One gift included is lotion bar-- the bar inside smelled great, and the Pirate Princess jar fits the theme of the book. A fun extra gift!

The next gift was a reading journal. On the inside were all kinds of prompts and whatnot so you could keep track of what you read and what you thought about it. BookLoot is a YA themed box, so I think this is perfect!

The next gift: cool art print and short story! Definitely a sexy print to go with the book. Fun! Plus, this is an extra-short story BookLoot published. You can submit your own stories to be featured in the box. How awesome!

Finally, the big prize-- this month's featured book! It came with a letter from the author and a signed card. Let me tell you: This is a beautiful edition. The hardcover looks and feels great, and it's something every book collector would enjoy on their shelves. Definitely a nice-looking book, even if I am judging it by its cover.

It currently has a 4.01 on Goodreads. Here's the summary:

"Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. For generations, her family has been called by the river god, who has guided their wherries on countless voyages throughout the Riverlands. At seventeen, Caro has spent years listening to the water, ready to meet her fate. But the river god hasn’t spoken her name yet—and if he hasn’t by now, there’s a chance he never will.

Caro decides to take her future into her own hands when her father is arrested for refusing to transport a mysterious crate. By agreeing to deliver it in exchange for his release, Caro finds herself caught in a web of politics and lies, with dangerous pirates after the cargo—an arrogant courier with a secret—and without the river god to help her. With so much at stake, Caro must choose between the life she always wanted and the one she never could have imagined for herself.

From debut author Sarah Tolcser comes an immersive and romantic fantasy set along the waterways of a magical world with a headstrong heroine determined to make her mark."

What a cool summer read! I look forward to it.

So, you get all of this for just $29.99. Check 'em out and subscribe here!

AND GUESS WHAT? DID YOU KNOW BOOKLOOT subscribers will be the FIRST to get BURY THE RABBIT? Yep, I've signed on to be featured in their October box. I can't wait to see the scary extras. Not just that, but subscribers get an exclusive TRILOGY edition! See more details about that here.

Follow me on Facebook for all sorts of extra fun updates and contests, or visit my webpage here.

Promo Team

Hey, Rabbit in Red fans and supporters--

This summer, I'm networking with various entertainment sites to run promotions for my books. Do you run a Facebook page or have a strong Instagram following of people who would enjoy my trilogy? E-mail me at joechianakas@gmail.com, send me your page link(s), and tell me why you'd like to join the promo team.

The best perk is that I offer royalties, a cash payment of a percentage of sales. I only work with one page at a time, for a week or whatever time we negotiate. If you and I commit, we will develop an agreement where you earn royalties from the books sold during the time you helped promote them!

Interested? Shoot me a message.

Below: Images, links, and posts for the promo team to use. Feel free to modify for your page, but I wanted to make this as easy as possible for the team. Thanks, all!

Sample posts and images

Suggestions:
1. Keep posts brief and to-the-point
2. Use a link each time so those who click on it will be taken directly to a shop
3. Use a variety of images. Copy the ones below
4. At minimum, consider posting one thing each morning and one thing each evening. You can certainly do more, but this will help get the most. Personally, I'd do a post when I first wake up, a noon/lunch time post, and an evening/night post.
5. Tag me when you can (@joechianakas)

Here are 21 posts for you to use (perfect if you post 3x a day for 7 days!)

ONE

Every horror fan should read Rabbit in Red! It's a wild ride through your favorite scary stories.

Start the trilogy here for just a couple bucks! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

TWO

Rabbit in Red won horror book-of-the-year and has been a #1 bestseller multiple times! If you haven't started this awesome horror journey yet, get a copy now today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

THREE

Wow-- Horror Block and Box of Dread both sent copies of Rabbit in Red to thousands around the world. Have you read this yet? It's a MUST READ! Get your copy today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

FOUR

The second book in the Rabbit in Red series is even better than the first! Darker, scarier, deeper-- no joke! Wow, and that ending? I can't wait for the third book!

Get a copy today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LW96ZYO 

FIVE

Horror fans: Who knows where @JoeChianakas book Rabbit in Red gets its name? Comment below!

Haven't started this #1 horror book? You're missing out. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

SIX

Have you seen the cover for the final Rabbit in Red book? SICK! I can't wait.

Start the series today. The final one releases on Halloween! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

SEVEN

It's only $2.99 on Amazon! Less than a trip to Starbucks. What are you waiting for?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

EIGHT

I can't love this book any more than I do, and if you're a horror fan, you just have to read it too!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

NINE

There's an awesome rock song inspired by Rabbit in Red! Listen to it here!

Get your copy of the #1 horror book TODAY: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

TEN

You don't see a live-action trailer for a book very often, but Rabbit in Red has an awesome one! Wow!

The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

ELEVEN

Once you've read the first, you have to get the second. LOVE the first, but the second is even BETTER! 

Burn the Rabbit is available here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LW96ZYO 

TWELVE

Have you seen all the five-star reviews? No wonder it earned #1 horror book-of-the-year!

It's on sale for just a couple bucks! So worth it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

THIRTEEN

The last book comes out on Halloween! As if we need another reason to love that day! Now's the perfect time to start following the rabbit.

Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

FOURTEEN

Horror Society calls Rabbit in Red "Horror's Hottest Trilogy!" Have you started this yet?

https://www.horrorsociety.com/2017/05/09/dig-horrors-hottest-trilogy/

FIFTEEN

SWEET read: "Down the Rabbit Hole." A magazine interview with Rabbit in Red author @JoeChianakas

http://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2017/jan-feb/down-rabbit-hole 

SIXTEEN

Who loves Horror Block? Did you know they picked up Rabbit in Red AND Burn the Rabbit!?!

Here's a cool TV interview with author @JoeChianakas the artist who made those amazing covers, @CamronJohnsonIllustrations

http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/living-well/congratulations-joe-chianakas/610339391

SEVENTEEN

We've been sharing a lot because we genuinely love this book. So, who's started it? What do you think? @JoeChianakas said he'll discuss with us in the comments, so post your thoughts!

Didn't get it yet? What the hell are you waiting for? :) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

EIGHTEEN

If you could be a part of any horror movie like the characters in Rabbit in Red, which movie would you want to experience?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME 

NINETEEN

@JoeChianakas loves the #19. 19 characters are invited to Rabbit in Red in book one, and you'll find subtle uses of the #19 all throughout. It's an allusion to what? Who knows?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AEAY0ME

TWENTY

If you loved this book as much as we did, please post your review on Goodreads and Amazon! @JoeChianakas does contests where he gives away free swag to reviewers, so post yours today and get entered to win!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33858298-rabbit-in-red


TWENTY-ONE

The last Rabbit in Red post (for awhile anyway, I promise). For those who loved it like we do, check this out! There's an exclusive trilogy edition in the works, and the final book, Bury the Rabbit, releases on Halloween!

http://joechianakas.blogspot.com/2017/06/bury-rabbit-release-date.html

Short Story Contest

Attention all writers and lovers of horror!

I'd like to offer you a chance to be published in the final book of my Rabbit in Red trilogy, Bury the Rabbit!

Why? Well, I'm ending a series that, in part, celebrates our passion for the horror genre. Although stories end, our excitement for this genre, I hope, never will.

I've also experienced an incredible publishing journey. Trust me: it wasn't easy and it sure as heck wasn't always good. I'm honored and thrilled that Rabbit in Red has reached tens of thousands out there, and if I can give something back to a fellow writer, then I'd love to do that.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Write a short story (no more than 5000 words, no minimum word requirement) using one of the characters in Rabbit in Red. This can be ANY of my characters. Think fan fiction.

2. Put that character (or more than one) through one of the following scenarios:
   A. Have them re-create a famous horror movie scene in virtual reality like we do in book one
   B. Have them journey through your own section of Hellfire, like we do in book two. Add your own twist to the haunt!
   C. Have them explore a real-world horror location (and of course make something creepy happen!).

3. Submit to me no later than Monday, July 3. That deadline is approaching quickly, but we need to be able to go to print soon. Bury the Rabbit releases on Halloween, but it still goes through several proof copies before it hits the shelves.

EMAIL stories to me at JOECHIANAKAS@GMAIL.COM. Stories should be either attached as a Word Doc or share with my a link via Google Docs.

Keep in mind that I won't be the judge. I know some of you, and I don't want to be biased. I will have a panel of independent judges.

I will notify the winner early July. Your story will be included in Bury the Rabbit, along with your own introduction/short bio. It's my way of thanking fellow horror writers for following Rabbit in Red with me. Your story will potentially be read by tens of thousands!

GET TO WRITING! Spread the word!

Haven’t started the series?

Get Rabbit in Red and Burn the Rabbit on sale on Amazon for just $2.99 (Kindle edition). Or request the paperback copies at your favorite local bookstore!

Or search for them on whatever platform you prefer to read. We even have a great audio edition for the first book on iTunes, Amazon, and Audible. But if you ask me where to get them: always support local. Call your favorite bookstore and put in an order for the first two books today and get caught up!

Follow me on Facebook for all sorts of extra fun updates and contests, or visit my webpage here.

Bury the Rabbit Release Date!

I've got exciting news about the final book in the Rabbit in Red trilogy, Bury the Rabbit.

Originally published in fall 2015, Rabbit in Red went on to earn best horror book-of-the-year. It also got picked up by Horror Block, a mystery subscription box, and was sent to over ten-thousand subscribers. The response from their customers was “exceptional,” and so Horror Block even picked up the second in the series, Burn the Rabbit, to send to subscribers. Since then, Rabbit in Red has popped up in two other subscription boxes and has become an international hit.

What can you expect out of the final book? 

Here’s a back-of-the-book teaser:

In this final volume of the Rabbit in Red trilogy, the scares move to real-world horror locations in the most bone-chilling challenges yet. The winner gets to claim ownership of Rabbit in Red and all its fortunes. But multiple villains all want the empire for themselves, and others seek deadly revenge.

Not everyone will survive, and the darkest night of Bill, Jaime, and the other Rabbit in Red students’ lives has only just begun. They discover surprises about their past and face their biggest threats. What will be their fate? Will they bury the rabbit forever?

The big questions now are: how can you get it and when?

I’m so excited to share with you a unique partnership. I’ve teamed up with BOOKLOOT, a monthly book subscription service that provides subscribers each month with a new release and 3-5 extra gifts that relate to the theme of the month.

And—you’ve probably guessed it—we’re releasing Bury the Rabbit first to BookLoot subscribers! The book will be in their October box and will ship in the middle of the month. You’ll get a box full of scary goodies just in time for Halloween!

For me, I’m honored because this allows me to reach hundreds of new readers! For BookLoot, I will be encouraging my readers to subscribe to their service, especially for October.

And NOT ONLY will you be the FIRST to get Bury the Rabbit, you will get an exclusive TRILOGY edition if you get BookLoot's October box! We’re creating a special paperback edition with all three books in one and a NEW cover by Rabbit in Red artist, Camron Johnson Illustrations. How awesome is that!?!

Plus, Camron Johnson Illustrations will be providing an exclusive Pennywise print as one of the special gifts with my book. Wow! You can never go wrong with Pennywise. ("We all float down here . . .")

Over the next several months, I’ll be telling you a lot more about BookLoot. I’ve subscribed, so I will post photos and a review of what’s in the box each month leading up to my October launch.

Once the October BookLoot box ships, then we’ll make Bury the Rabbit available for purchase in all your bookstores and online shops around the world.

The official international release date for Bury the Rabbit has been set, and I couldn’t be more excited.

When is it?


Halloween. October 31, 2017. That’s when we bury the rabbit!

I hope you’ll grab the October BookLoot Box. You’ll get Bury the Rabbit before anyone else, and you’ll get the exclusive trilogy edition with the new cover. Then be sure to pick up Bury the Rabbit on Halloween, too-- you can never have too many books, right? 

I've never been more excited for fall.

Haven’t started the series?

Get Rabbit in Red and Burn the Rabbit on sale on Amazon for just 99 cents this week only (Kindle edition) to celebrate. Or request the paperback copies at your favorite local bookstore!

Or search for them on whatever platform you prefer to read. We even have a great audio edition for the first book on iTunes, Amazon, and Audible. But if you ask me where to get them: always support local. Call your favorite bookstore and put in an order for the first two books today and get caught up!

Follow me on Facebook for all sorts of extra fun updates and contests, or visit my webpage here.

Contest Time!

In just a few months (see release details here), the final Rabbit in Red book, Bury the Rabbit, will be available. It's been an amazing adventure, thanks to the enthusiasm of friends and readers like you.

So, to build momentum for the release of the final book, I'll be doing a bunch of different promotions this summer. The first is a giveaway in exchange for a review of Rabbit in Red and Burn the Rabbit (the first two books in the series) on Goodreads.

Reviews help authors reach new readers, and for your efforts, you will have a chance to win the following:

You get TWO prizes, if you win:

Prize one: Your choice of A) Rabbit in Red poster, B) Burn the Rabbit poster, C) SIGNED book of either Rabbit in Red or Burn the Rabbit, D) Rabbit in Red t-shirt

Prize two: Your choice of A) Bury the Rabbit poster or B) magnet of any book cover

How to enter:

1. Rate and review Rabbit in Red on Goodreads.
2. Rate and review Burn the Rabbit on Goodreads.
3. After you've done that, then please share either this blog or your Goodreads reviews or post a status/tweet/pic on any of your social media about the book. Tag me so I see it.

Contest begins Tues, June 13 and ends July 13. We will have weekly winners! Once you've done a review on Goodreads, you are entered for the entire contest.

This blog will be updated each week with winners posted below.

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WINNERS

For our first week's winners (June 19), I'm not selecting just one winner. I'm selecting FOUR!

That's because I'm amazed at the turnout and response.

Winners are: SHWAN BROWN, SHIVAWN, BECCA CORDLE, and SALINA PORTER

(Please don't be disappointed if you didn't win; I had someone do this drawing for me, too, so I would stay out of it and be unbiased, or I'd be giving away too many prizes!!!)

To claim your prize: Message me on my Facebook page with your choice of prize from category one and category two. If you want a t-shirt, I only have adult S, M, and L-- out of all other sizes. Be sure to message me your address, too.

FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHO ENTERED: You are still eligible to win! Others can still enter! And now here's your chance for a BONUS ENTRY!

Post a review on Amazon, too! Go to the following links: Rabbit in Red and Burn the Rabbit and submit your review. You could even just copy and paste your Goodreads review over to Amazon!


***************************

Joe Chianakas is the author of Rabbit in Red, a horror trilogy. Rabbit in Red won best horror book of 2016. It was picked up by Horror Block and sent to thousands around the world. The second book, Burn the Rabbit, hit #1 on Amazon’s hot new horror releases and is available now. The trilogy concludes this fall with Bury the Rabbit. Follow Joe on Facebook or visit his webpage here.