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Second, today starts the Summer of Seven! Seven debut authors giving away seven books during seven days during the seventh month of July! Let me tell you, rocking books on this list!! We'll be giving away a book each day and at the end of the week, two people will win the ultimate prize pack: one collection of all seven books with their US covers and one collection with the UK covers!
So yes! Lots and lots of books being given away here! How can you be entered to win? Go here! And while you're there, check out all the free stuff! Interviews, downloadable bookmarks, even a summer song! It's just our way of kicking off your summer right!
Here's the official contest entry blurb from the website:
freeBOOKS
Voting begins July 1st, 2009.
You want to win free books, but how, how, how do we achieve that? It's so easy. Starting July 1st vote for Team US or Team UK- and we'll enter you to win one of two prize packs!
US Prize Pack features all 7 escape with 7 books with US covers, and the UK Prize Pack features all 7 escape books with UK covers where available. But you only win if you vote!
Voting will open from July 1st, 2009 - July 7, 2009. Prizes will be awarded July 8th, 2009. Come back and see us soon!
I have all sorts of bubbly things going on that I don't know if I can talk about but rest assured, there's been lots of me bouncing around. I'm not sure anything will come out of the exciting things except that it's sparked many a lovely day dream which is always nice.
JP and I were talking about this over dinner last night as he's a big fan of the "don't count any chickens until they hatch" philosophy. And I totally agree with him -- I'm not really counting chickens. I'm just sort of playing with the eggs -- holding them up to my ear, rattling them around a bit to see if anythings inside, etc.
I think some people are more like him -- afraid somewhat of day dreaming about things for fear of them not happening and then what? Me on the other hand -- day dreaming is how I fall asleep at night. It's funny, I think the only down side to having my first book out is the inability to day dream about it any more. For YEARS I spent my falling asleep time day dreaming about getting The Call. I can't even begin to tally up the different scenarios that I played out in my head.
Incidentally, the real thing was even better and I wonder if that's one reason why I still allow myself to day dream -- because I haven't been let down by reality? It's funny, in my every day life I tend to be someone who can always point to the worst case scenario (which can be infuriating when you play against me in Risk but also made me a good attorney in some ways). And yet when I close my eyes and daydream, it's always about the best case scenario.
Maybe I'm just able to separate my day dreams from reality, or maybe it's that I have a fundamental belief that things tend to work out in the end. So even if my day dreams don't come true, it's not necessarily a bad thing -- it's just a different path. Maybe I also separate my day dreaming from "wanting." Sure I'd love the things I day dream about to come true, and I do to some extent want them to come true, but there's just not that NEED there. Life will go on even if they don't come true.
To me, it's just about the day dream. Something nice and fun to ponder while falling through the edge of sleep. And who knows, maybe those years of day dreaming about getting the call pulled double duty as goal visualization.
What about y'all? Do you day dream? If so, what do you dream about? If not, why?
In other news, I turned in my very own short story (which JP has informed me is not short at all seeing as how it's cresting 10k words) and just got line edits back from my editor for The Dead-Tossed Waves. I also got an invitation to contribute another short story to an anthology and am pondering what to write about next -- anyone have any burning questions about the FHT world they'd like addressed in a short story?
I know I've been totally remiss in recapping the awesome adventures of the Gothic Girls trip to Savannah. My only excuse is being sick but really it's that I've become addicted to Twitter which has caused my blogging itch to be more satisfied. Anyone else found that Twitter's caused their blogging to go down a bit? All of the other Gothic Girls have posted such wonderful recaps of the week that I've had a hard time finding a way to describe it nearly as well as they have!
Also, I have that whole deadline thing again which crimps my time a bit. But in honor of the Gothic Girls (and my deadline) here's an awesome video that was part of a student's senior project at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Hmmm... stop motion as procrastination eh?
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
I would have to say the actual call from an editor, wanting to buy my book was a pretty sweet thing. Finally, I thought, my work is being recognized in a positive light and not with another rejection form letter. Writers get rejected. A lot. You gotta have thick skin or this industry will eat you alive.
Is there anything you can't write without?
I started my writing career with two kids in diapers. There were interruptions galore, but I managed to get the books written. Now that they are older and don’t need me as much (Typing this I should point out I have been interrupted three times as school is now on summer break) I find I need bigger blocks of uninterrupted time. I will leave and write at the library or if I am on deadline, I will hide out at my husband’s office for the weekend. It’s tough to keep being pulled away from your train of thought I often look back at the early days and wonder how the heck I managed.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
I hate being stuck. When I am, I will usually write a scene that will be placed in the book later. Something that flows easily because I had envisioned it earlier. It’s usually the first kiss, get together scene. Totally makes me happy and usually helps unblock the previous scene J. So yeah, bring on the lovin’.
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
I love opening lines. I think they really set the tone for an entire book. My current release, Giving Up the V begins like this:
Where does the underwear go? I instantly want to know she doesn’t have her underwear on and why it has to be put somewhere.
In Giving Up the V our heroine is at her first GYN visit and she is suffering the age old dilemma put forth to every woman since the beginning of GYN visits. Where does the underwear go? The underwear is the last thing you take off so where do you put it? On top of your tidy folded clothes or hidden underneath? Where you put it says a lot about a person. I suggest picking up Giving Up the V to see exactly what I mean.
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Hah! Totally depends on my goal at the time. Am I itching to become a zombie or do I want to make my escape? I think in all fairness zombies should be slow, but then where is the conflict in that? Slow zombies just breed complacency.
About Giving up the V:
What's So Wrong With Waiting?
Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought.
Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy?
When I've been out an about the past few weeks I've tried to stop by and sign stock whenever I can, so if you're looking for a signed copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, try the following bookstores:
Charlotte, NC:
Park Road Books (in Park Road Shopping Center)
Barnes & Noble (by SouthPark Mall, The Arboretum, and Carolina Place Mall)
Borders (by SouthPark Mall and off Rea Road)
Joseph Beth Booksellers (at SouthPark Mall)
Savannah, GA:
Barnes & Noble (Oglethorpe Mall)
Books a Million (Abercorn St just down from B&N)
Macon, GA:
Barnes & Noble (The Shoppes at River Crossing, Riverside Drive)
Atlanta, GA:
Little Shop of Stories (Decatur, GA)
Barnes & Noble (Northpoint Pkwy and Mansell Rd in Alpharetta)
Books a Million (Canton Marketplace - 575 & Hwy 20 in Canton)
Greenville, SC:
Barnes & Noble (Woodruff Rd and Haywood Rd)
If you look for The Forest of Hands and Teeth at most Barnes & Noble locations and can't find it on the shelf it's hopefully stocked on a table of "New and Bestselling Science Fiction & Fantasy" (one reason I hit so many B&N for stock signings!) Thanks to all the booksellers I met and talked to over the past few weeks -- y'all totally rock!!!
Anywhere Else:
If you don't live anywhere near any of those locations or if you can't find it and you'd like an autographed and/or personalized copy of FHT, you can order it from my local indie, Park Road Books. Let them know if you want it personalized, etc., and they'll call me to come down and sign it for you! They're only a few miles away and I'll take any excuse to visit a bookstore :) You can email them at books [at] parkroadbooks.com or call 704-525-9239 and they'll set you up! A huge thanks to the folks at Park Road Books for offering to do this for me!
I'm also starting to schedule some things in for the fall and will let you know when I have details!
About Twenty Boy Summer:While on vacation in California, sixteen-year-old best girlfriends Anna and Frankie conspire to find a boy for Anna’s first summer romance, but Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.
TWENTY BOY SUMMER is a debut YA novel that explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
About Sarah Ockler:
Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six—an adaptation of Steven Spielberg's E.T. Still recovering from her own adolescence, Sarah now writes for young adults. After several years of wandering between New York City and Denver, she and her husband Alex now live in Upstate New York with lots of books and an ever-expanding collection of sea glass. Twenty Boy Summer is Sarah's first novel. Visit her online at www.sarahockler.com.
The Interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
There have been some amazing exciting moments on this journey, like finding an agent and seeing the cover for the first time and getting reader emails, but the one thing that stands out as most exciting is the thing that officially kicked off my career as an author... gGetting "the call" from the 212 area code (New York City) that Twenty Boy Summer had sold to Little, Brown!
Is there anything you can't write without?
I have my rituals and preferences, like incense and classical music and my 3-legged lucky writing pig Chancho, but I *can* write without them if I had to. I try to be flexible, because inspiration often strikes at really inconvenient times! All I really need is a pen and something to write on!
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
I choose to... write an explosive make-out scene! So far, I haven't blown anything up in my books, but I'm open to the idea, especially if there's making out after. We'll see. ;-) In my opinion, any kind of fireworks are good for stories!
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
From Twenty Boy Summer: "Summer seems to arrive with us, as though the entire place has been asleep since last September, awakening only as taxis and rental cars line up to deposit us along the beach -- families with toddlers, college kids on break, retirees seeking to warm themselves under the California sun, and our own motley crew. Together we break upon the pier like a tidal wave as she rubs her winter-sleepy eyes, stretches, and turns on the coffee for us."
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Pro. I don't hold on to most of the traditional "rules" for zombies and I love when writers or artists take a fresh, new approach. So, bring on the Gabrielles! ;-)
I asked Sarah to share a recap post of her road to publication if she had one and the link is here.
Thanks Sarah! And now on to Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard:
Fifteen year old Callie just wants to impress the popular girls when she buys a pair of Prada heels on her class trip to London. She didn’t plan on tripping, conking her head, and waking up in 1815! Now she’s wearing corsets with her designer pumps, eating bizarre soups, and breaking up engagements. If only the nineteen year old Duke of Harksbury wasn’t so bloody annoying, she might have a little fun in Austen-Era England...
About Mandy Hubbard:
Mandy Hubbard grew up on a dairy farm outside Seattle, where she refused to wear high heels until homecoming—and hated them so much she didn’t wear another pair for five years. A cowgirl at heart, she enjoys riding horses and quads and singing horribly to the latest country tune. She’s currently living happily ever after with her husband (who, sadly, is not a Duke) and her daughter (who is most definitely a princess). Prada and Prejudice is her first novel.
The Interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
Holding my ARCs. It was So exciting to see the way the entire thing comes together as a package... and to read it as a book and not a word document!
Is there anything you can't write without?
I can, but prefer not to write without Diet Coke. MMM.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
Make out scenes.
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
The first line of SHATTERED, a literary tale I'm still toying with, is "I lie in pieces on the floor." Something about that still yanks me right into the story.
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Anti! I dont want any zombies outrunning me.
I have vanquished the revisions! Long live the revisions! Actually, the lovely Heidi Kling is reading it right now and making wonderful comments. Must say, it's hard to watch her read and gasp and worry about someone other than (a) me and (b) my editor reading this book. *quiver* It's scary to let go of things like that.So yes, big check mark next to the "revisions" on my to-do list. In celebration I'm in Savannah at a writer's retreat and pretending to write while actually just hanging and talking. With big plans to read read read. Actually my big plans are to revise a short story. Yay more revisions!
Speaking of reading, I've been remiss in lauding from on high Sarah Rees Brennan's debut novel, The Demon's Lexicon. It came out on Tuesday and let me tell you: fantastic book. Sarah is brilliant at injecting humor in all the right places -- and good humor. She's also fantastic at creating really hot characters that you fall in love with and care about.
This is one of those books that you're totally going to fall in love with. I read it on the flight down to Curacao in January and the flight just flew by (haha). And Sarah herself is a totally awesome person and I couldn't be MORE thrilled that her book is finally out and I can proclaim its brilliance from the rooftops.
About the book:
Superpowers are awesome -- unless you actually have them, like Avery does. There's only so much he can pass off as "adrenaline" before people start to get suspicious. Probably it's best to lie low, so guys in white lab coats don't come to carry him away, to find out what makes his freakish body tick. Who wants to be vivisected? But flying under the radar becomes a whole lot harder when you can actually fly. It's dangerous to be different, so for now he'll pretend to be normal, unremarkable Avery -- a dull boy -- anything to keep his secret safe.
What he doesn't expect is the horrifying truth about where his powers came from, who else might have them, and the madness of one villain's plan to turn this superpowered dull boy into something even more powerful and amazing.
About the author:
Sarah Cross has saved the world, like, five times since fifth grade — and you didn’t even notice. Learn her secrets at www.sarahcross.com.
The interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
Seeing the interior design for the first time. The designer, Jason Henry, totally blew me away with all the cool details he chose. I love my lightning bolts! (Flip through the book to see what I'm talking about.)
Is there anything you can't write without?
My sanity. Too much noise and too much heat make me crazy.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
It depends on the book. :)
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
"Vivisection leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
I like my zombies slow and shambling. :)
And I have to say, that like a lot of authors, one of the best things about selling foreign is getting the foreign covers. I've already shown y'all the UK/Australia/NZ cover for FHT (and if you want a sneak preview of the cover they did for DTW (which is gorgeous!) then you can find it on the FHT facebook page that my UK pub, Gollancz, put together). And while procrastinating the other day I found my German listing complete with cover! Wahoo - it comes out over there August 9! I've been drying to share it with y'all!
It's just so cool to see all the different ways to approach this book. And I feel so completely and utterly lucky and blessed by the cover gods for all three so far - love love love them all! What do y'all think?
Hey Y'all! Happy belated Memorial Day! Today's stop on the debs blog tour is another North Carolina author Leigh Brescia and her debut novel, One Wish.
About the book:
Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.
Leigh Brescia grew up in North Carolina, spending most of her days playing in the woods behind her home and imagining she was a princess. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Communication from Mount Olive College and her Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. She currently teaches online English composition courses for three universities, and an online “Writing Novels for Young Adults” course for UC Irvine.
When she’s not grading papers or writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She sings when she’s in a good mood and has killed every plant she’s ever owned. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and her three-year-old.
The interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
All of them! The truth is each one has superseded the last. I was excited when I got the message about WestSide wanting One Wish. I was excited when I saw the contract. I was even more excited to see my cover; more excited than that to see proof pages. I practically freaked out when my box of ARCs arrived, and now that I’m seeing my pre-order page pop up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, that has become the highlight so far. I’m assuming when my author’s copies arrive I’m going to self-destruct. :)
Is there anything you can't write without?
All I need is my laptop, some classical music, and milk and chocolate.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
As terrific as make-out scenes are, my best writing days are the ones where characters fight. It’s amazing how quickly words fly from my fingertips when someone is yelling . . . I’m not sure what that says about me, though. So . . . if I’m stuck, all I have to do is make a character mad.
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
This is from my currently untitled WIP:
And yet here I was—torn: wanting to pull him closer, saving him, and at the same time wishing I could hop on the back of his motorcycle and, for once, allow someone to save me.
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
I’m not really attuned to the zombie world, but you know, anti-fast zombies would, in many ways, be preferable. :)
Someone asked me a while back why I mention that I live with JP in my bio. I was fairly surprised by the email (mostly surprised that someone would notice my bio and care enough about it to take the time to email me). I guess I never really thought that much about it when I wrote it, in the same way I didn't think that much about including my cats or dog in the bio. I kind of feel like a lot of authors include their significant other, where they live and what pets they live with. I always thought it was sort of the formula for author bios.
Anyway, it did get me thinking about why I'd put that info in there. I mean, I already dedicated the book to him and gave him a special shout out in the acks -- why also mention him in the bio? I guess this also dovetails into the question I'm asked a lot (esp from family) about when he and I are getting married. It's strange to me -- as if somehow our commitment to each other would be different if we had the state sanctioning our relationship. I mean, we share a mortgage -- these days I feel like that's a lot harder to get out of than a marriage.And yet at the same time, I know just how important that piece of paper (the marriage certificate) is because massive amounts of money, ire and time are spent debating which relationships get it and which don't. I feel sort of bad that JP and I haven't gotten married because we actually *can* get married when a lot of people in love can't. Why haven't we? Time (time to plan it much less when all the family can all get together), money (they're frigging expensive), the weight of expectations (everyone has opinions on a wedding) etc etc. I don't know, I guess I wake up each morning and go to bed each night not questioning my commitment to JP or his to me -- I don't need the label. I guess I understand why other people do need to be able to label us and it makes me a little sad that they somehow think our relationship isn't as serious as it can be because of it.
Of course, I didn't mean for this to be a post about marriage, I meant it to be a post about JP! Here's why I included him in my bio: because he is my life. We're one of those disgusting couples who can literally spend all our time together and we never get tired of it. He's an amazing man -- someone who gets up early to write because he loves it, who goes to bed late so that he can edit my WIP, someone who puts his everything into his job and clients -- always trying to be better. He's wicked smart (his law school grades would make you sick) and amazingly patient and kind (as shown by his care for Daphne, our brain damaged dog). He's a great lawyer and he's a phenomenal writer and I'm a lucky lucky woman that he loves me. He's also pretty darn good looking (and did I mention younger!?).
So happy birthday, JP and I look forward to sharing MANY MANY more. And yes, family, I promise we'll get married soon :)
About the author:
Aprilynne Pike has been spinning faerie stories since she was a child with a hyper-active imagination. At the age of twenty she received her BA in Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found at the gym; she also enjoys singing, acting, reading, and working with pregnant moms as a childbirth educator and doula. Aprilynne currently lives with her husband and three kids in Utah, and dreams of warmer climates.
About the book:
Aprilynne Pike's WINGS is the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.The Interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
I think the most exciting moment was getting my original call. Wings was my second book that my agent tried to sell and just that morning, I seriously had convinced myself that I needed to give up on this stupid and fruitless writing dream. Within the hour Jodi called to let me know that Tara, my editor, wanted my book.
Is there anything you can't write without?
My trusty laptop. Some people can do the writing by hand thing, but I totally can't. I need my computer!!
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
Explode something. I'm actually not very good at make-out scenes. I tend to re-write them several times. Exploding? I'm good at that.:)
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
At one point one of my characters, David, says to Laurel, "“We’ve proved it scientifically—you’re amazing. I’m just human.”
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Anti!! That girl scares me!!
I also asked each author to link to a post about their path to publication, if they had one, and Aprilynne pointed me to her FAQ page on her website so go there for more info!
Hey Y'all!! Tap & Gown is out today!! HOORAAAAYYY!! I've been so excited about this day for a long time because I get to run to the bookstore and re-read the final installment in Diana Peterfreund's Secret Society Girl Series! I'm usually not a fan of re-reading but I honestly love to re-read Diana's books. Part of that is because, as one of her critique partners, I read the drafts in chunks and love to be able to sit down and peruse the whole thing in one final sitting. But the other reason is because I'm just flat out a fan of her writing. Amy is a fantastically clever and smart character and I find myself giggling and falling in love with her every time I read a book in the series. Also, I dig the romance and suspense!I know it's a crazy day for Diana, having the final book of her first series out, but it also pretty fun for me too (hey, that's the best part of being friends -- I get to live vicariously!). As most of y'all probably know, I've been a fan of Diana's for a long time. When I was getting back into writing in 2006 hers was one of the first blogs I started following. And no lie: I wanted to be like her when I grew up! I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am now if not for Diana -- for her encouragement, her friendship and aid in navigating the book world, and just for being a dang good friend. Thanks Diana :)
So a HUGE congrats to Diana for the final act in her series -- it's brilliant! And I know that all her Amy fans are going to TOTALLY love Astrid!!!
And for fans of the series, Diana has an awesome series of posts that are dossiers of the characters on her blog. There's also a great fan video for the series on the fansite here. Go forth, buy the book, buy the series and read -- you won't be sorry!!
And also -- isn't this a gorgeous cover? Not only that, but Cindy was the artist behind the paintings for each chapter header (she is a wicked talented artist!). Silver Pheonix received a starred review from Booklist and was also recently named one of Booklists's 2009 Top Ten Sci Fi/Fantasy Books for Youth. Also, Cindy has a great book trailer here. Without further ado, let me introduce Cindy and her beautiful and captivating debut novel, Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia:
About the book:
On the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. She can reach into other people's spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams...and that's just the beginning.
ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor's palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. Here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.
About the author:
Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. The author is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy Pon lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.
The Interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
seeing my gorgeous book jacket. i got tears in my eyes!
Is there anything you can't write without?
having at least an inkling of what comes next.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
probably explode something. ha! make-scenes
are not easy to write!
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
"Chen Yong sat hunched near the flames, his broad shoulders folded forward, in a posture of reverent prayer."
i choose this because it is from a favorite
scene in SILVER PHOENIX. also because i have a crush on my hero. =)
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
ANTI! they will eat my brains if they are fast, no?
About the book:
Zack Chase, new in town, gets a crash course in the dangerous, fast-paced lives of local teen athletes. A good-looking, book-loving hockey star, Zack’s also expected to be a womanizing, alcohol-abusing party animal, but it’s not who he is. As jealous, obnoxious team captain Mac hounds him, Zack falls for Goth-girl Jane and befriends her teammate brother, both with their own secrets. Tragedy strikes and affects them all in this true-to-life debut novel, giving readers an insight into the lives of high school students and athletes.About the author:
J.E.’s path to becoming an author was a windy one. After college, she wrote advertising copy for radio and then television and eventually moved on to work in sales and marketing for too many years.
After having a son, J.E. followed her dreams and wrote her first book. Once she started writing YA, she felt like she’d found her home and has been writing it ever since. J.E. lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a new puppy named Meeko. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.
The Interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
I like firsts, so first time things have been the best adrenaline rushes for me. It's hard to pick one when there are so many great firsts along the journey (first phone call with a real live editor, first revision notes from my editor, first ARC, first real live book, first review and on and on!) but the phone call with my agent telling me I had an offer on my book that was probably the most exciting step. I hung up the phone and started singing and dancing around the room. It was a great moment.
Is there anything you can't write without?
Hmm. I don't really require much in the way of physical things. Some caffeine is always good. But, since my books usually go boldly into teen issues-- I can't write without honesty! I try to be as authentic as I can be to my characters if that makes sense. Some things Zack, my main character SAID I cringed about, but I was writing in his voice not mine. I think that's the most important thing to remember. It's writing in a character's voice or world, it's not me.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
Hmm. Neither, really! I usually just write a note to myself and highlight it-- like SOMETHING PROFOUND HAPPENS HERE and keep going and go back to the part that stuck me later when I've had time to think about it outside writing time.
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
Hmm. I like different lines for different reasons that may sound weird out of context. Let's see. In my book titled Faded Genes at this point in time, a young teen is angry with her Mom's boyfriend. Her Mom is pregnant with her boyfriend's child. My favorite line is a question she asks him..."A condom?"
“Hey, ladies, sorry I’m late.” Simon picked that moment to swoop up to the table. He looked back and forth at us, his big charming smile fading a little. “Did I miss something?”
“A condom?” I said.
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Ohh. I like YOUR Zombies, Carrie. Even though they scare me.
Today is a mish-mash of news and tidbits.
First, go buy Dull Boy by Sarah Cross. One of my fave books this year and you won't be disappointed. Seriously, do it. You'll thank me!
Second, today -- and today only -- is Debsness! Click the link for a chance to win!
Third, not gonna lie, I've been having fun reading rumors about the movie rights for The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Yeah, it still feels crazy weird to say "movie rights" and the title of my book in the same sentence. And also, just a reminder - Seven Star Pictures has an option at this point (no guarantees on the movie) and they haven't done any casting. Though that does make me wonder... who would YOU cast?
Fourth, Random House Mondadori has picked up the Spanish rights to The Forest of Hands and Teeth (to be published in Spain and Latin America). Hooray!
Fifth, apparently we're in the sixth printing of the book. And I realized that the author copies I got are all second printings which means I've actually been nabbing any first printings I find at bookstores (and yep, it's VERY surreal to buy my own book - lol!)
Sixth, am revising The Dead-Tossed Waves. That's prob why my blog posts have been on the short and listy side lately :)
Seventh, but that doesn't mean I don't still keep up with Twitter and Facebook -- in fact 140 characters is about all I can muster some days!
Finally, I just wanted to send a HUGE MASSIVE thanks to all my readers -- for buying/borrowing the book, reading it, reviewing it, talking about it, etc. In fact, thank you to all readers out there that keep our YA author/reader/blogger community so vibrant! Y'all rock!!!
Now on to Danielle Joseph and her debut, Shrinking Violet!
About the book:
Shrinking Violet is about high school senior, Tere Adams and her one dream-to be a DJ. By day she is paralyzed when she has to talk to people, but at night, she rocks, doing mock broadcasts in her bedroom. Her confidence is further eroded by her mom, who still sees Tere as the chubby, pale kid, the other children called Snowball. Mom thinks that Tere’s dreams are just silly fantasies, but her new husband, Rob, offers Tere an internship at his top-forty radio station. Her best friend, Audrey, the only person truly aware of Tere’s vast music knowledge, encourages her to take the job. From there Tere must learn to come out from behind her mask. In doing so she confronts the bullies in her life, stands up for herself and falls in love.About the author:
Danielle was a college DJ for five years on the Gyroscope, a world music show, and interned at several top Boston radio stations. She has taught Creative Writing and English to Middle school students. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Danielle now lives in Miami with her husband and two young sons. She is addicted to flip flops, chocolate and YouTube. These days when she’s not writing, you can find her cruising around with the tunes blaring and her internal DJ hard at work.
The interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
I really have enjoyed the whole ride but it was really cool to recieve my author copies a couple of weeks ago. I had a big box from Simon & Schuster waiting for me on my front steps when I arrived home from picking the kids up from school. And there's nothing like the smell of brand new books!
Is there anything you can't write without?
There is nothing specific that I have to have but I do often enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or Diet Coke when I write, depending on the time of day. And for some reason if my office is nice and clean I feel like I'm more productive.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
I'd probably choose the make-out scene because I haven't had any explosions in my novels as of yet. I even googled kissing techniques once. that was fun!
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
"Revenge. And I didn't even inflict it. How sweet it is."
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Definitely fast zombies and if they have a sense of humor, that would be a real plus!
You can find out more on Danielle's website or you can follow her on twitter here!
Zombie turtles I think I could deal with. Zombie cats would likely just be as lazy as real cats (and we all know the way you trap a zombie cat is just to print out a fresh 300 page manuscript -- they can't resist!). Zombie wasps would really suck. Zombie cockroaches.... wait.... there'd prob be no difference. Zombie elephants? And of course we already know about the zombie unicorn.....
See how fun this thought experiment is? Seriously, I really do love trying to come up with the craziest zombie animal I can think of (and please feel free to leave your own thoughts on best/worst zombie animal in the comments!).
So of course I loved it when more than one person sent me a link to this article on zombie ants. I'm just saying... one day....
So naturally, I was super curious to read her book, Dull Boy. I never really read comics growing up (the book is a super hero origin story) and so I wasn't sure how I'd like her book (or if I'd get it). I got the ARC one evening when I was smack in the middle of deadline craziness and I started to read it. And I couldn't put it down. I'm serious, I was going on basically no sleep and wanted nothing more than to drift off and this book kept me riveted. Clearly, the bottom line is that I LOVE THIS BOOK! And I really really want everyone out there to read it because there's no way you won't love it too -- I can totally promise you that. Just read her blog or check out her website to see how awesome this book and her characters and her voice is.Don't just listen to me! Kirkus says that Dull Boy is "a funny teen-super-team origin story" and is a "good bet for all teen sections" and just today Publishers Weekly describes Dull Boy as engrossing and also says, "Like the best superhero stories, Cross's novel has crisp action sequences and a good sense of humor, but also gets deep into the fears and struggles of teenagers who simply don't fit in."
So happy birthday Sarah Cross!! And happy "it's almost your book's birthday" too!!
About the book:
What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe? Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively. This debut novel has it all—an endearing, funny, hopelessly romantic main character, lots of down-home Southern charm, and a sunny, salty beach setting that will transport you to the Carolina coast.
About the author:
Cheryl Renée Herbsman lives in Northern California with her husband and two children, but she grew up in North Carolina and often spent summer vacations at the Carolina coast. Like Savannah, she fell in love as a teenager, and like Savannah and Jackson, she and her boyfriend carried on a long-distance relationship. They are now celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary.
The interview:
What's been one of the most exciting moments in your journey to publication?
I have to say there are many exciting moments. But I think it all really started with the call from my agent saying she wanted to represent me and that still stands out as one of the best.
Is there anything you can't write without?
I can only really write in a private, quiet space. It's hard for me to go deep enough inward to hear the story in public places like coffee shops or parks.
When stuck on a story which do you choose: write make-out scene or explode something?
indulge in me-time, go for a walk, eat chocolate :)
Can you share a favorite line you've written either in this book or a WIP?
This is something Savannah says in Breathing: "I know it's only dreaming. But I reckon if you go on and act like something is real, sometimes it just believes you."
Finally: pro fast zombie or anti fast zombies?
Hmm, I'm thinking fast zombies sound pretty scary, so I'd have to say anti :)
