Emotobooks- Guest Blogger

A perk of NaNoWriMo is that you can make some new writing friends! This is Alexis and we decided to guest blog for each other. I'll let you all know when my post is up on her site.

Also- December is almost here and that means I'm looking for a new Sponsor Swap friend! If you are interested or have questions please email me at lovewokemeupthismorning@gmail.com.
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Thank you, Emmy, for letting me hang out for a little while at Love Woke Me Up This Morning. I'm taking this opportunity to reach out to writers---and readers---and let you all know about something very new and very cool called the emotobook revolution.



I've recently joined the creative team at Grit City Publications as an editor. Grit City is a new group based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We publish fiction; serialized ebooks in monthly installments. But we're more than a team of writers, editors, and publishers. In order to create emotobooks, we also incorporate the talents of some amazing illustrators.

If you’re like me, simply the term, “emotobook,” gets your attention. What is that?
An emotobook is a short ebook, usually part of a series called a season. The length of each season is equivalent to a novel or novella, so each issue represents one episode of the continuing story arc. But an episode is not simply a chapter; each episode has conflict and resolution. Think of a TV episode.

Despite the brevity of each emotobook, each issue is written and illustrated to engage the reader on a deeper emotional level than traditional prose. How does the emotobook do that?

Well, first the writer must write something really interesting. Something with action. Something with tension. Suspense. Drama. You know the drill. Most genres can work, as long as the story is on the edgier side. Then the writer passes this intriguing story into the hands of an editor at Grit City Publications, such as myself, and if the story fits, the editor decides where to insert the illustrations. (We also help writers adapt their novels, novellas, and short stories into the emotobook style.)
The illustrators are an integral part of the creative team, because they interpret each scene and react through expressionistic art. These abstract illustrations enhance about four to six scenes per emotobook. It’s really amazing.

The emotobook revolution is opening doors for all writers, novices as well as published authors, because we work with you to add something unique to your story. Emotobooks are also becoming popular with readers, and not just the serious reader, but the casual reader as well. Why? Well, emotobook issues and singles are quick reads. If you become hooked on a serial publication—a season—then you’re only spending a commute to work or a lunch break on each issue.
Of course, if you drive to work, reading an emotobook while driving is not recommended… although you will probably want to do it.

If you have a novel, novella, or short story idly sitting on your laptop, why not read the emotobook handbook to see if it could fit with Grit City? It’s free, short, and comprehensive. It's also a great guide for those who want to attempt the emotobook style from the beginning.
If you’ve read the handbook and you’re interested, or if you just have questions, shoot me an email at aj2185@gmail.com.

And for those of you who just want a closer look at emotobooks, you can check out Grit City’s maiden publication and namesake, Grit City by Ron Gavalik. Find more information on where to get Grit City at the Emotobooks Page on my blog.

Alexis is an editor at Grit City Publications---the new medium of emotobooks: fiction meets expressionistic art. She runs the writing blog, Bunny Ears & Bat Wings, and the book review blog, Blackbird Books. Information about her freelance writing services can be found by clicking here. Alexis lives in the greater Pittsburgh area and is a proud new mom and a happy wife. You can also follow her on Twitter @lexisjen and find her on Google+.