August 2022 Newsletter + Book-a-Versary!

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Hello, dear readers!

I hope you’ve all been keeping safe, happy and healthy.

Friends, it’s been exactly a year since Under the Milky Way was released! Time sure travels at warp speed! I want to take this chance to thank all of you for supporting me and my book. Over the past year I’ve received wonderful messages from readers of all ages saying how much they enjoyed meeting my book couple, Hayden and Cassidy. It’s a real thrill!

UTMW was released when we were under lockdowns and restrictions here in Australia. Hard to believe, but it was only a few weeks ago that I had my first close encounter with the book in an actual shop! Here’s me signing a copy at Better Read Than Dead:

I’ll be joining a number of fantastic romance authors for a mega book signing at the Australian Romance Readers Association’s Romantic Rendezvous next February. Julia Quinn (!!!) and Audrey Carlan are special guests. Click here for dates and details, and look out for the hashtag #ARR2023 in your social spaces.

At the end of this month, I’m heading to California. It’ll be my first overseas trip since 2019. As well as bookspotting and working on my latest novels, I’ll be seeing Duran Duran on their 40th anniversary tour. (!!!) Some of you may be aware their songs play a special role in Under the Milky Way. Check out all the songs that inspired UTMW on my Apple Music playlist.

Until next time, take good care of yourselves, and happy reading and/or writing!

x Vanessa

November 2021 Newsletter & Giveaway

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Happy…er, November?

Wow, how did we get here so quickly? I hope you’ve all been keeping well.

November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Or NaNo. Writers all around the world have committed themselves to writing 50,000 words over the next 30 days. I almost said nah to NaNo this year, but there’s a particular paranormal project I need to finish, so I’m joining in with the aim of writing at least 20,000 words. I’ll have to cut down my daily rowing sessions, but it’ll be worth it. Are you participating? Good luck to you! You can do it!

Thank you to everyone who entered last month’s Ghost Giveaway! L.C. of Canada won an e-copy of THIS IS YOUR AFTERLIFE 👻 and an UNDER THE MILKY WAY 👽 paperback. Congrats, L.C!

Who’s ready for another giveaway? Make sure you’re following me on Instagram, because I’ll be running a flash giveaway there between November 2 and November 5 (EST). Up for grabs is a print copy of Eric Smith’s new YA release, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY. International entrants are very welcome. There’s huge buzz for this book. I can’t stop humming the song. Here’s the blurb:

It’s been incredible to hear from readers about how much they enjoyed UNDER THE MILKY WAY. And the 5-star reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, including the one below, keep me motivated to write every day. They really mean a lot. Thanks so much!

Until next time, take good care of yourselves, and happy reading and/or writing!

x Vanessa

September 2021 Newsletter

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Happy September, dear readers!

A very special hello and welcome to all my new subscribers. Great to see you here!

Although I was (and still am) in lockdown during August along with most of Australia, it was an action-packed month. ICYMI, Under the Milky Way was released by Entangled Teen in North America! It’s such a thrill to know readers are picking up my book. Aussie readers, the book will hit bookstores here on September 28.

To my delight, Kirkus Reviews said, “Barneveld offers a cleverly constructed plot, letting readers in on much that [heroine] Cassidy doesn’t know while still springing an unexpected development late in the tale that adds an intriguing complication.”

Last month, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by writing coaches Karlie & Brooke. So much fun! Catch up on our chats about writing and marketing on their YouTube channel.

I also got a huge buzz when a whole crew of extraspecialterrestrials invaded my internet spaces for the alien chic challenge. You have got to check out contemporary author and TikTok queen Mariah Ankenman’s stunning Space Girl transformation here.

 
 

Now, I feel like I’ve really made it, because the amazing illustrator Lulu Lucky has been posting Under the Milky Way fan art! Here’s a few of her adorable pieces:

 
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Reading, Watching, Writing This Month

My teetering reading pile includes YAs Mark of the Wicked by Georgia Bowers and Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith; Sapphire Promise, based on a true story, by Sally Brandle; the very hot Two Secret Sins by Anna Campbell; A Consequence Made In Greece, Annie West’s 45th book for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

I’m watching and loving Hacks. Jean Smart plays a legendary comic who’s forced to work with a 20-something writer-in-exile.

And I’m feverishly working on a follow-up to Under the Milky Way.

Next month I’ll have a special Halloween giveaway for subscribers only. Until then, take good care of yourself, and happy reading!

Vanessa x

'Under the Milky Way' Release Day!

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Greetings, Extraspecialterrestrials!

 

Please welcome to the world my brand-new YA paranormal novel, UNDER THE MILKY WAY! It’s my first traditionally published print release, so you might say I’m over the moon!

This dream came true thanks to my fab agent Beth Miller and everyone at Entangled Teen — you’re all superstars!

A special shout-out to my writer friends for supporting, encouraging and teaching me. Love you all.

I’m especially thankful for the lovely reviews so far, including these two:

“Pay attention and hang on. This book is just like a mystery, giving you blips and “hidden in plain sight” clues that just kept compiling until it all comes to light and you’re like, THANK YOU! Not a typical story and I just have to say I’m impressed.” ~ Julie, One Book More

“It’s not your typical alien romance. This story includes disappearances, aliens, conspiracies, and decades-old mysteries full of intrigue and danger. The plot is pretty unique, and I like how the author wove several seemingly unrelated stories together.” ~ Coffee.And.The.Bibliophile

Follow my social profiles for more release day — and release month! — fun. You’ll most often find me on Instagram. There are plenty of guest blogs and giveaways happening through August. And don’t forget, the Under the Milky Way Alien Chic selfie challenge is on now. Details on how to get alienated are on my blog. Here are just a few of the brave extraterrestrials who’ve posted so far:

 
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If you see UNDER THE MILKY WAY on the shelves “in the wild”, be sure to let me know! In the meantime, happy reading, and keep your eyes on the skies!

Vanessa xxx

August 2021 Newsletter

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Greetings, Extraspecialterrestrials!

It’s August, and that means it’s my book’s birthday month! UNDER THE MILKY WAY will hit the bookstores across North America on the 10th. I’m so thankful for the reviews that have started rolling in. Reviewer Daisy on Goodreads said, "I consumed this book in one sitting (finished within two hours).” So great to hear that, Daisy — thank you!

I have so much to tell you. In fact, I might have to send out two newsletters this month! Forgive me…

The winner of my exclusive subscriber giveaway is Robyn E.H. Congratulations! Robyn will receive a signed paperback, a UFO Spotter’s Notebook, Milky Way chockies and a one-of-a-kind UTMW tote bag.

In case you missed my first-ever live author chat, you can find it on YouTube. I had the best time chatting and laughing with my fellow Entangled Teen authors Molly E. Lee and Shakir Rashaan. Thank you, Brittany Zimmerman, for keeping us in line!

Keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming YouTube interview about writing tips with Karlie and Brooke.

Roll Up for the Magical Blog Tour!

Here are some of the upcoming events going on this month:

  • August 10 - release day! - I’m taking over/invading Entangled Teen’s Instagram account from 6pm EDT. (Aussie friends, this is August 11, 8am AEST.)

  • Chapter By Chapter Book Tours has planned a 30-stop blog tour. Keep an eye on their site for the itinerary. You’ll find deleted scenes, excerpts, and much more on the tour! If you’re a blogger and want to be a host, please sign up here asap!

  • August 11 - Visit me at WriterSpace.com, where I’ll be talking about how music influenced my story. There’s a $10 Prezzee digital gift card up for grabs too.

  • August 12 - I take on the famous title challenge at Fresh Fiction.

  • August 13 - I’m under the spotlight at the Harlequin Junkie blog. Enter my Rafflecopter giveaway on the day for a chance to win my book.

  • August 15 - I’ll be guest blogging at the Australian Romance Readers Association. Swing by to find out what inspired me to write UNDER THE MILKY WAY.

Selfie Challenge

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The Under the Milky Way Alien Chic selfie challenge is underway! You’ll start seeing aliens everywhere on my social accounts. Don’t worry — I swear they’re friendly! More details are on my blog if you want to join us.

Thanks so much for reading! I’ll be in touch again soon. :)

In the meantime, stay safe and take good care of yourselves.

Vanessa xxx

Pre-order the paperback or e-book of UNDER THE MILKY WAY from these fine places:

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon Canada | Barnes and Noble | Apple iBooks™ | Kobo | Book Depository | Bookshop.org | Bol.com | Boomerang Books | Better Read Than Dead

May 2021 Newsletter

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Get Set for a Cover Reveal…and a Cover Challenge!

Hi!

It’s autumn here in Sydney and the skies have been clear and blue — for the most part! I jog/walk around my local park almost every day, checking on the wild swans and ducks as they prep for winter. I even spotted a turtle and an eel gliding side-by-side in the lake. The proof is on my Instagram feed. ;)

Now, I’ve got some big news: I have a brand-new cover and title for my next paranormal YA release! 

UNDER THE MILKY WAY will be released by Entangled Teen on August 3. 

I’m so excited about these changes! And I hope you’re excited enough to be part of an upcoming selfie challenge. I’m asking all you extra-special terrestrials to dress up alien-inspired outfits, take a selfie while displaying the book cover, and share it on your social spaces from July 1. You could win a signed paperback, and you’ll definitely have a lot of fun.

"Ms. Barneveld has done it again! This story is gorgeous. It has everything: romance, mystery, suspense. The speculative backdrop adds a delicious ambiance to this atmospheric tale. This is everything I want in a book!" Darynda Jones, New York Times Bestselling author of the Charley Davidson series

"Ms. Barneveld has done it again! This story is gorgeous. It has everything: romance, mystery, suspense. The speculative backdrop adds a delicious ambiance to this atmospheric tale. This is everything I want in a book!" 

Darynda Jones, New York Times Bestselling author of the Charley Davidson series

Here’s the publisher’s summary…

Cassidy Roekiem is just an average teen girl from Colorado. Her parents are divorced, she has a cliché crush on the hot new boy, and her social life exists solely through the efforts of a well-meaning best friend. Until suddenly her life turns upside down. 

First, that “hot new boy,” Hayden, asks her out. And one night when they’re driving through the isolated, winding roads of Saddleback Ridge after dark, something happens that neither one of them can explain...

Bright lights in the middle of the forest. Whole blocks of time they can’t remember. They’re nauseous and disoriented. We’re talking full-on episode of The X-Files. But when her fuzzy mind clears, she’s back home, and so is Hayden. Um, what?

Hayden has always been sweet and caring and fun. But now it’s like he’s hiding something. He knows something, and she can’t be sure who he really is anymore or how everything is connected to her. When it happens again…and again, Cassidy needs answers—and fast—because one of these times, she might not wake up at all.

Preorder the paperback or e-book from these fine places now:

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon Canada | Barnes and Noble | Apple iBooks™ | Kobo | Book Depository

Exclusive Sneak Peek!

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Hello, Dear Readers, and welcome to new subscribers! 

Over the past month, I’ve been trying to refill the ol’ creative well, and the best way for me to do that is by watching a LOT of TV and climbing my towering to-be-read pile. And to give my eyeballs a break, I’ve been cooking enormous meals, too. Click here to check out my vegetarian shepherd’s pie recipe, which (two) people practically demanded on Instagram! ;)

Watching

Project Blue Book - This series about a UFO investigation unit is set during the Cold War and stars Aiden Gillen (Game of Thrones). I absolutely loved this. Sadly, there’s only two seasons, but keep an eye on the #saveprojectbluebook campaign to help get this show back on air.

Reading

Becoming Kirrali Lewis by Indigenous YA author Jane Harrison. Effervescent and poignant, this coming-of-age story explores identity and belonging against a backdrop of cultural upheaval in Australia.

Listening

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson. I’ve been listening to this super-cute audiobook during my long walks to the park. The Audible narrator is spot on. I loved the smart, determined heroine, Liz Lighty. This story is for anyone who’s ever had that “weird feeling of otherness.”

Video Excerpt!

Head on over to Entangled Teen’s Instagram and Facebook right now, because as part of Reader Appreciation Month I’m reading an excerpt from my upcoming paranormal YA, THE ABDUCTION! I’d never recorded an author read aloud vid before. Between us, newsletter readers, I was kinda terrified about that. But not as terrified as my characters are of aliens… This video has been captioned for the deaf and hearing impaired.