The winner of the signed copy of INSIDE OUT is:
Heidi V.
Congrats!!!
Winners of signed Maria Snyder bookmarks:
Angelique/Vampires and Tofu
Jenny Medenwald
Weronika Janczuk
And don't worry if you didn't win...I've got one more big contest up my sleeves that I'm preparing for you guys... :)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Do NOT Miss This!!!
What are you doing here? Go here instead. Rockstar-Book-Girls Lisa and Laura are doing an interview with a top TOP publishing professional who is totally secret. As they say:
There's a new totally mysterious, completely anonymous publishing blogger on the interwebs and she ROCKS. Today we're welcoming the amazing Ms. BookSniper for a guest blog.So go! NOW!!! Ask your publishy questions! And you will get answers...and possibly PRIZES! (OK no prizes...except the prize of KNOWLEDGE.)
An Analysis of the Writer Online: Maria Snyder's Online Presence
Have I convinced you to buy Maria Snyder's INSIDE OUT yet? And have you clicked on my contest on Monday for a chance to win a signed copy, or signed Maria Snyder bookmarks? DO IT!
Today, I'm going to focus on the internet presence of an author. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, including what kinds of things I want to do to change up my own website. So today, let's check out what Maria's doing online.
First things first: Maria's author page. An author page is important--I honestly don't know why any writer whose works is published or will be published doesn't already have a web page. Readers want to know what you write--and YOUR link should be the first thing that pops up on Google. If not, you risk losing a potential reader. It's that simple.
It's even more important if you're a multi-book author, like Maria. Now you need a webpage that gathers together all your work in one place--so if someone reads and loves INSIDE OUT, you now have a convenient way to find the author. Let's face it--as an author, it's your name that's the brand people look for.
Maria's got a great online presence already. Her personal homepage is easy to find and well laid out.
Now, I know some of you are going to look at that and go, "eh." It's not flashy. There's no graphics jumping out at you, no background music, there's not even a Flash intro.
Today, I'm going to focus on the internet presence of an author. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, including what kinds of things I want to do to change up my own website. So today, let's check out what Maria's doing online.
First things first: Maria's author page. An author page is important--I honestly don't know why any writer whose works is published or will be published doesn't already have a web page. Readers want to know what you write--and YOUR link should be the first thing that pops up on Google. If not, you risk losing a potential reader. It's that simple.
It's even more important if you're a multi-book author, like Maria. Now you need a webpage that gathers together all your work in one place--so if someone reads and loves INSIDE OUT, you now have a convenient way to find the author. Let's face it--as an author, it's your name that's the brand people look for.
Maria's got a great online presence already. Her personal homepage is easy to find and well laid out.
Which is GREAT.
For an author page, information is key. Which means: don't hide your information with lots of bells and whistles! I see this all the time when I look for an author's email. Let's say I read and loved a book. You guys know this isn't a book blogger site, but if there's a book I truly love, then I want to feature it with a review and an interview. So, I've read Awesome Book, and look for Awesome Author's webpage. I click on Awesome Author's webpage...and can't find her contact info. Sometimes I'll click around, try a few of the randomly named pages ("musings" is common, as are other cutesy phrases that don't really tell you what the page actually is). If I can't find the email address in a matter of seconds, or if the page itself has so many bells and whistles that it doesn't load almost immediately...I don't feature that book on this blog. Period. There are too many other books out there that have what I need instantly. I don't want to have to dig through fancy graphics, cute-but-meaningless fluff, and Flash intros just to find what I'm looking for.
Take a look, also, at the kind of information Maria has. She's got the typical--contact info, reviews, etc., but she also very cleverly grouped all her book covers into one place, has a separate sections for writers (which I appreciate), and has a pretty unique contest page. Seriously. Go check that out. She includes a very clever idea for a referral program...and a way to get more readers to her website and her series.
So--all of that was what an AUTHOR webpage should look like. But what about a BOOK webpage? Recently, Harlequin Teen developed and launched a webpage specifically for INSIDE OUT.
And it's loaded with bells and whistles. There's sound, jumping text, Flash, moving pictures, video. Everything.
Which is GREAT.
Look, a BOOK website is different from an AUTHOR website. A book website should be where all the cool effects are. It should have the fancy stuff, the eye-grabbing details that make you curious.
It should be fun--there's games on the INSIDE OUT website that are just pure fluff, but fun. It should be interactive. I can click here, there, find new stuff, make discoveries. It should grab my attention: the sounds and video that automatically play when the page loads does just that.
It should also have the basic info readily available--which this page does.
The bar at the bottom of the page is easy to find, but doesn't obscure the fancy stuff. If all I want to do is order the book, the first link is right there at my fingertips. If I want to do more--follow on Facebook or Twitter, or anything like that--it's also easily findable and located.
And there you have it. Two examples of what an author should be doing online in her own webpage--easy to read, simple layout, obvious information--and in her book webpage--fun, exciting, and intriguing.
Basically, an AUTHOR website should answer all your questions, but a BOOK website should make you ask questions...questions that get answered when you buy the book.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Interview: Maria Snyder, Author of INSIDE OUT
YOU
We can all read about your bio from the back of your book or your FAQ online. So, what's a completely random fact about you that most people don't know?
I'm competitive when I play volleyball. I use to be really laid back and just played to have fun and be with my friends. But now if I'm playing in a league, I want to win!
As a child, what was your favorite book? Have your tastes changed since growing up?
Back when I was reading picture books, I loved Frederick by Leo Lionni. When I was older, I read a ton of mystery novels since my mother enjoyed mysteries. I started with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, and moved on to Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Robert B. Parker and Ed McBain. It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I started reading science fiction and fantasy. That was when my sister met her future husband and he got me hooked :) I still enjoy a good mystery, but I think the biggest change in my reading habits is I'm more open to a wide variety of genres as well as nonfiction.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A dancer and actress :)
YOUR BOOK
How much of you is in your book? Is there a character like you? Is a situation in the book derived from real life?
I always say that everything I do, everyone I meet, and my entire life experiences are all fodder for my imagination. I enjoy doing hands-on research because it lets me translate an experience into words for my readers. So to answer your question, everything in my books is filtered through me, so there is a part of me in each character and situation. For example, I'm not a psychopath, but I can imagine myself as one (this is where those acting lessons I took come in handy) and I'll try to see the world through his eyes.
What was your timeline for the book? How long did it take to write, revise, submit, and finally, get published? How did you feel at these stages?
I'll start with Poison Study because it was the first book :) It took me a good 3 and a half years to write Poison Study (by the end I was so sick of the story, I thought it was utter crap!) and another 2 years to revise it to a point where I was satisfied enough to send it out to publishers (still wasn't 100% happy, but at that point, I didn't care and just wanted to send it out!). The submission process took another 2 and a half years (almost gave up a couple times, but I had made a list of 20 publishers to send it to and I was determined to finish the list). I found a publisher (Yes! Best phone call ever!) and then another 2 years before the book was actually in the bookstore (longest pregnancy ever!). 10 years total. However, Magic Study took 18 months to write and revise and another 6 months to hit the shelves. Fire Study one year to write/revise. Deadlines were a factor and being able to write full-time as a writer instead of doing it as a hobby. To read the whole rejection/submission process I went through, go to my website and have a laugh or two :)
[Beth interjects to say: holy cow! Ten years total for POISON STUDY to come out. WOW!!!!]
If your reader could only take away one emotion, theme, or idea from the book, what would you want that to be?
Never give up hope. That there is always a solution to a problem and if you keep trying and working and don't give in, you'll find it.
YOUR WRITING
What are your goals as an author? Where do you want to see yourself as a writer in 5, 10, 15 years?
I've already reach a number of my goals, like hitting the New York Times Bestseller list. But I would like to stay on the list longer than two weeks :) I would also love to win a RITA award (it's given by the Romance Writer's of America), and an Andre Norton award (for a YA science fiction or Fantasy from SFWA). I hope in the future, I'll still be writing and traveling around to do book signings and events. I hope I'm not jaded and still enjoy creating stories and meeting readers.
What's the most surprising thing you've learned since becoming a writer?
How many people within my publisher who touch on my book before it's printed and released. Besides my editor and copy editor, there are the art department, marketing, public relations, sales force, and digital team. It's a vast army of people who work very hard behind the scenes to put the book together.
Beyond the typical—never give up, believe in yourself—what would be the single best advice you'd like to give to an aspiring author?
Watch out for sharks! If a publisher or agent is asking you for money to publish your book, run away! They should pay you for your story not the other way around. There are a ton of con artists out there, looking for writers to swindle. Check references and also check these two excellent sites for publishers and agents to avoid: Writer's Beware, and Predators and Editors.
What do you consider to be your strongest talent in writing? Your weakest?
Strongest: Characterization. Weakest: Grammar.
What's a writing pet peeve that you have?
Passive voice! I always hate to read it in books (including my own!) - all those "was crying" or "was standing" or "was running" - it's "cried" and "stood" and "ran." Drives me crazy!
Thank you, Maria, for doing the interview with us!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Contest: Win Signed INSIDE OUT, Bookmarks!
Recently, I had a chance to be in on the book promotion of INSIDE OUT and--the best part--got a chance to read INSIDE OUT a bit early.
And dude.
It's freaking awesome.
AWESOME.
This week, it's all about the awesome that is INSIDE OUT.
And just so you don't feel jealous, I'm giving away a copy. A signed copy. AND I've got a ton of signed bookmarks for runners up! So there are lots of chances to win!!!!
The only catch? This contest is going to be QUICK. You've only got until Saturday to enter!!! Contest ends April 10th at midnight.
WINNERS!
Wow. WOW. I had nearly 200 entrants in the Book Deal Celebration contest, and with the extra entries, there were over ONE THOUSAND chances to win!
The first winner, who wins the prize pack for readers (which includes all this:)
The first winner, who wins the prize pack for readers (which includes all this:)
-A $30 gift certificate for Amazon (or other online book seller of your choice). That way you can get whatever books YOU most want to read RIGHT NOW. I've got plenty of good suggestions if you want any, though!
-A "Get Happy" tea set from the Tea Revolution: includes mug, tea, strainer, and top. I can't think of anything better than curling up with a good book and sipping hot tea. Unless, of course, there's chocolate involved. Hey...
-A package of Lindt chocolate truffles, the best chocolate in the world, imo
-A booklight
-A "booksling"--a bookmark that can also hold a pen or highlight for those days you want to read and take notes
-A fancy flower bookmark for those days you just want to read :)
-A sekkrit surprise
-A journal--hey, readers can write, too!
-A star necklace from Avon. I saw this necklace and flipped--it is full of pretty stars. As you guys know, Across the Universe is a science fiction, and stars play a pretty important role in the book.
The Winner of the Reader's Prize Pack (out of 372 entries) is:
The second winner gets the writer's prize pack, which includes all this:
-A critique of your query letter and first three chapters
-A copy of Elana Johnson's super-amazing e-book, From the Query to the Call
-A HUGE bag of chocolate-covered expresso beans from my fav coffee shop, Village Coffee (cause we all know writers need chocolate and coffee)
-A copy of the Working Writer Day Planner, full of tons of helpful info for writers
-A really pretty journal
-Flag-it Post-it Notes that you can use to highlight and mark-up your manuscript as you revise
-A Laini's Ladies (the Muse of Writing one, of course!)
-A "Rolla" style notebook--it's like a binder and notebook in one, with the ablity to add, remove, and move around pages. I thought this would be perfect for organizing editing notes, or to take to a conference
-A sekkrit surprise
-A book-shaped locket. One of the themes in my novel, Across the Universe, is that of leaving home and standing on your own two feet (hence the original title that some of you probably remember: Long Way Home). The locket is shaped like a book with a bird's nest stamped on the front, and a bird flies away from the chain. This was custom made for me by The Enchanted Locket on etsy, and you and I will be the only two people with the original design!
The Winner of the Writer's Prize Pack (out of 1382 entries) is:
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Butterflies at Easter
I know spring is here when the cherry trees outside my house buzz with bees and flutter with butterflies. I couldn't help but take some video of the butterflies and bees in the cherry trees, and it reminded me of Easter. Hope you enjoy!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Live-Blogging: Revisions, This time with Meaning!
The gloves are on. You know, the ones Jodi made me that I featured here. They make me feel all writerly and cool.
And I need to feel all writerly. Because tonight is poker night. Which means my husband has all his buddies over, and they spend all night playing poker or gaming on the XBox. Which means I hole myself up in my office, put on my writerly gloves, and force myself to work all night. Past live-blogging on revisions can be found here and here and here and here.
How will it go? Stay tuned to find out!
9:42: Got a full glass of SunDrop, my gloves are on, my laptop is charged, and I'm ready to go!
9:55: OK, I've got pretzels to go with the SunDrop, and am NOW ready to go.
9:56: It worries me a bit that some of you might not know what SunDrop is. It's a bit localized. Do any of you not know of the glorious Southern soda?
10:11: I was going to post about how well I'm doing, but then realized I was only on page five.
10:16: The poker buddies wanted to see my article in Publisher's Weekly (they didn't believe my husband). You SO know I hoped up for that!!!
10:22: My friend Heather chatted me up :)
10:27: Jemi didn't know what SunDrop was, which gave me an excuse to look up a pic of it. Basically, it's like Mountain Dew, but better.
10:44: I'm on page six. SIX. I'm going to need more pretzels and SunDrop.
10:53: I won't lie. I went in for chocolate. Don't look at me like that. The Easter bunny came early.
10:55: Distracted by Twitter and chat....Hey, Heather, they're playing our song! I guess that's a hint to get back to work...
11:02: A hint I completely ignored. OK, going back to work!
11:18: The chocolate's not cutting it. I'm going in for ice cream! (By the way: I'm still on Chapter One. See why I need ice cream?)
11:57: I am fully recharged an ready to re-enter the fray! To prove to you how serious I am, I've got "Defying Gravity" playing on repeat. That's right. I mean bizness.
12:10: Heckyeah. The ice cream worked.
12:21: Woot! Woot! Finished chapter 1!!! OK, so I highlighted two spots to go back to, but still--mostly done chapter 1!
12:36: See that wall? That one, right there? I HIT IT.
1:02: Thank God for dictionary.com
1:13: Oh, hello Chapter 4. *bats eyelashes*
1:24: Hey, Chapter 4. Remember all those nice things I said about you? I TAKE IT ALL BACK I HATE YOU AND YOU'RE MEAN AND YOUR MOTHER SMELLS OF ELDERBERRIES.
1:27: FINE BE LIKE THAT. STUPID CHAPTER 4. I ALWAYS LIKED CHAPTER 3 BETTER ANYWAY.
2:13: Fine. FINE. Chapter 4, you win. FOR NOW.
2:14: Bed.
And I need to feel all writerly. Because tonight is poker night. Which means my husband has all his buddies over, and they spend all night playing poker or gaming on the XBox. Which means I hole myself up in my office, put on my writerly gloves, and force myself to work all night. Past live-blogging on revisions can be found here and here and here and here.
How will it go? Stay tuned to find out!
9:42: Got a full glass of SunDrop, my gloves are on, my laptop is charged, and I'm ready to go!
9:55: OK, I've got pretzels to go with the SunDrop, and am NOW ready to go.
9:56: It worries me a bit that some of you might not know what SunDrop is. It's a bit localized. Do any of you not know of the glorious Southern soda?
10:11: I was going to post about how well I'm doing, but then realized I was only on page five.
10:16: The poker buddies wanted to see my article in Publisher's Weekly (they didn't believe my husband). You SO know I hoped up for that!!!
10:22: My friend Heather chatted me up :)
10:44: I'm on page six. SIX. I'm going to need more pretzels and SunDrop.
10:53: I won't lie. I went in for chocolate. Don't look at me like that. The Easter bunny came early.
10:55: Distracted by Twitter and chat....Hey, Heather, they're playing our song! I guess that's a hint to get back to work...
11:02: A hint I completely ignored. OK, going back to work!
11:18: The chocolate's not cutting it. I'm going in for ice cream! (By the way: I'm still on Chapter One. See why I need ice cream?)
11:57: I am fully recharged an ready to re-enter the fray! To prove to you how serious I am, I've got "Defying Gravity" playing on repeat. That's right. I mean bizness.
12:10: Heckyeah. The ice cream worked.
12:21: Woot! Woot! Finished chapter 1!!! OK, so I highlighted two spots to go back to, but still--mostly done chapter 1!
12:36: See that wall? That one, right there? I HIT IT.
1:02: Thank God for dictionary.com
1:13: Oh, hello Chapter 4. *bats eyelashes*
1:24: Hey, Chapter 4. Remember all those nice things I said about you? I TAKE IT ALL BACK I HATE YOU AND YOU'RE MEAN AND YOUR MOTHER SMELLS OF ELDERBERRIES.
1:27: FINE BE LIKE THAT. STUPID CHAPTER 4. I ALWAYS LIKED CHAPTER 3 BETTER ANYWAY.
2:13: Fine. FINE. Chapter 4, you win. FOR NOW.
2:14: Bed.
Pay it Forward: Author Interview with Shelli Johannes-Wells
Edited to add: sorry this posted a bit late--I thought I scheduled it, but I guess not!
Everyone has a different path to publication. This week, I'm featuring authors on the way: authors who have found their agents or their publishers and are in the homestretch towards reaching their dreams. Their stories are each different--but they are all inspiring. By showing you how THEY did it, I hope you remember that YOU can, too!
This week has been great! Today, for the last interview, I'm featuring Shelli Johannes-Wells,
an author I'm sure you all know from her super-popular Market My Words blog. Shelli's represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group. In addition to writing for teens and tweens, Shelli is also a pro at marketing.
Tween Paranormal – On the Bright Side
After dying in a car accident and witnessing her own funeral, Gabby becomes a 14 year old Bright-in-Training (BIT) and Transfers up to Cirrus, where SkyFones, SkyPods, and InnerNets are all the rage. As if her death isn’t bad enough, Gabby is assigned to protect her school rival, Angela Black, who is now dating her lifetime crush, Michael.
As Gabby moves through her Bright Training, she is tortured by leaving her family behind and the possibility of losing her first love forever. Instead of protecting Angela as pledged, Gabby goes on probation for illegally sabotaging her. In a desperate attempt to interfere, Gabby triggers a series of “death-changing” events and learns what happens when you hate someone to death.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?
I wrote and tried to sell a fairy book in 2005. It went to acquisitions twice but did not make it. I shelved that book and started an ecoYA. Last fall I went on submission. A few agents sent back longer rejection letters with feedback that was similar. Basically, I had to change the entire plot. I spent 5 months doing that and requeried those 3 agents asking if I could resubmit. In addition, I told them about my Tween angel book I was working on. 2 months later I had several offers for representation. Alyssa was one of the 3 that had allowed me to resubmit my manuscript after the rewrite. We are currently subbing .
Here is a more in depth look at my journey to getting an agent.
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Everyday. I don’t because I love to write. It’s that simple.
Thank you, Shelli! You can find Shelli online at her blog or website.
This week of interviews is being hosted by Elana Johnson, and several other bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon, including:
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Pay it Forward: Author Interview with Terry Lynn Johnson
Everyone has a different path to publication. This week, I'm featuring authors on the way: authors who have found their agents or their publishers and are in the homestretch towards reaching their dreams. Their stories are each different--but they are all inspiring. By showing you how THEY did it, I hope you remember that YOU can, too!
So, stick around all week to find out about lots of up-and-coming authors! Today, I'm featuring Terry Lynn Johnson, author of DOGSLED DREAMS, coming next year by 4RV Publishing. Her blog features cool stuff about writing and dogsledding!
Tell us about your book.
Dogsled Dreams is being released by 4RV Publishing LLC http://www.4rvpublishingllc.
12-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer. But dangerous beavers, flying poo missiles, freezing blizzards and her own self-doubts all stand in her way.
Read more about it at my website www.terrylynnjohnson.com or my blog http://terrylynnjohnson.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?
I took an on-line writing course in 2008 to help me write a memoir of my outdoor adventures. My tutor talked me into writing a story about dogsledding instead. It ended up becoming a full length middle-grade manuscript.
I sent it out to a few Canadian publishers. I was asked by several houses for the full manuscript, so that was encouraging. When that failed, I did a complete rewrite and pitched it to Vivian of 4RV Publishing at the Muse online writers conference last fall. She immediately asked for the full, and then sent a contract!
After I returned from the hospital with a fractured head from the the ill-advised chair-dance of victory, I signed the contract. I'm currently working with my fabulous editor on final revisions.
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Almost every non-writer that's heard about my book coming out exclaims, "You wrote a book?"
"Um, yeah, that was the easy part."
The only time I felt like I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go through revisions again, was a low point in the process. My editor had suggested some things I was a) unsure I should do, and b) unsure I could do.
On one hand, it's totally awesome to work with an editor, have the rough spots pointed out to you exactly so you can learn where your strengths and weaknesses are. But I've also had moments of self-doubt.
A quick example of this would be, "Terry, I think this part here needs to be funnier."
"What? How do I do that? Do you think I'm brilliantly witty or something? This is TOO HARD!" Then something clever wakes me up in the night and I sneak downstairs to write, chuckling at my luck in getting a pushy editor.
I didn't give up because my writing just gets better the more I learn. Unlike going to the gym when I see the improvements, but then somehow figure I don't need to go anymore. Writing is much more fun so it's easier not to quit.
Thank you, Terry! You can find Terry online at her blog or website.
This week of interviews is being hosted by Elana Johnson, and several other bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon, including:
- Lisa and Laura Roecker
- Kirsten Hubbard
- Carrie Harris
- Kim Harrington
- Leah Clifford
- Victoria Schwab
- Suzette Saxton & Bethany Wiggins
- Amy Holder
- Kathy McCullough
- Tiffany Schmidt
- Susan Adrian
- Dawn Metcalf
- Gretchen McNeil
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
PS
My interview for the Pay it Forward week is online now at Elana Johnson's blog. Read it to see my book's plot summed up in a tweet!
Edited to add: Several people have asked me to add a little more about one of the questions in the interview--namely, the question of who I'd most like to meet. I chose Martin Luther, and people would like a little more of a reason why.
Martin Luther is someone I've been aware of most of my life, since I'm a Lutheran and was raised as such. But more than that, I'm just hugely impressed with the courage it took to question things. That's what I most love about him. He was raised a Catholic in a world where being anything but Catholic was not just considered wrong, it was considered wrong-and-they-could-kill-you-for-it. But despite being raised in the status quo, so to say, he was able to question that world. He used his eyes and mind and heart to come up with his own opinion, and once he developed his own set of beliefs, he struggled--at risk of his own life--to stand up for his beliefs. That's what I love about him. As a young girl, I will never forget about learning of the Diet of Worms and hearing the words attributed to him: "Here I stand." That's been the way I've modeled my life: determine on my own what I myself believe, and never back down from it.
Now, there are some things I *don't* like about Luther, namely his anti-antisemitism and the way he recanted his translation of the Bible at his death. That's one reason why I'd want to *meet* him (as opposed to unilaterally saying he's my hero) because I'd love to be able to discuss--and hopefully dissuade him from--these ideas.
Martin Luther is someone I've been aware of most of my life, since I'm a Lutheran and was raised as such. But more than that, I'm just hugely impressed with the courage it took to question things. That's what I most love about him. He was raised a Catholic in a world where being anything but Catholic was not just considered wrong, it was considered wrong-and-they-could-kill-you-for-it. But despite being raised in the status quo, so to say, he was able to question that world. He used his eyes and mind and heart to come up with his own opinion, and once he developed his own set of beliefs, he struggled--at risk of his own life--to stand up for his beliefs. That's what I love about him. As a young girl, I will never forget about learning of the Diet of Worms and hearing the words attributed to him: "Here I stand." That's been the way I've modeled my life: determine on my own what I myself believe, and never back down from it.
Now, there are some things I *don't* like about Luther, namely his anti-antisemitism and the way he recanted his translation of the Bible at his death. That's one reason why I'd want to *meet* him (as opposed to unilaterally saying he's my hero) because I'd love to be able to discuss--and hopefully dissuade him from--these ideas.
Pay it Forward: Author Interview with Katie Anderson
Everyone has a different path to publication. This week, I'm featuring authors on the way: authors who have found their agents or their publishers and are in the homestretch towards reaching their dreams. Their stories are each different--but they are all inspiring. By showing you how THEY did it, I hope you remember that YOU can, too!
So, stick around all week to find out about lots of up-and-coming authors! Today, I'm featuring Katie Anderson, author of KISS AND MAKE UP, represented by Cheryl Pientka with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Her blog, Plot This, always has something new and exciting to share.
Tell us about your book.KISS & MAKE UP is represented by Cheryl Pientka with Jill Grinberg Literary Management and is currently under consideration.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?
I started writing a movie about 6 years ago with my blogging partner, Sarah Frances Hardy (www.plotthis.blogspot.com). During the course of writing that screenplay, I wrote a few picture books, a graphic novel and finally a YA, which I ended up falling in love with. Writing YA has stolen my heart. I started KISS almost 3 years ago and queried for about a year or so. I am not a mass queryer. I would carefully choose agents I liked and then query them. The agent I eventually chose was not someone I had ever heard of or considered but was recommended to me by an adult agent. She was previously a scout. I was in the lucky position of speaking with a few agents about representation and as soon as we talked, I knew she was "the one." She is truly my perfect match.
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Thank you, Katie! You can find Katie on her blog.
This week of interviews is being hosted by Elana Johnson, and several other bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon, including:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Inside Out is Out!
As Maria says on her website:
The celebration starts on March 30, 2010 and includes the following: Events, a Video Trailer for the book, a Website What's Inside Out, an Internet tour with Q&As, contests, and prizes Blog Blitz. To see Maps of Inside, go here: Maps, and to see pictures and reviews, go here: News
The website is very cool--be sure to check it out! It has the first three chapters (although, personally, I think the first three pages is enough to hook you), but it also has a really cool quiz to see where you'd fit in the world of INSIDE OUT. Considering I'm always the girl who reads Cosmo for the quizzes, this should show you how cool I think that is. Especially since the quiz said I was a Rebel Leader. Kick @$$!
Next week, I'll have an interview and giveaway with Maria. But for now, here's a taste of what INSIDE OUT is all about!
Pay it Forward: Author Interview with Shannon Morgan
Everyone has a different path to publication. This week, I'm featuring authors on the way: authors who have found their agents or their publishers and are in the homestretch towards reaching their dreams. Their stories are each different--but they are all inspiring. By showing you how THEY did it, I hope you remember that YOU can, too!
So, stick around all week to find out about lots of up-and-coming authors! Today, I'm featuring Shannon Morgan, author of BRIAR-BOUND, represented by Chris Richman of Upstart Crow, and blogger at Daily Pie.
Tell us about your book.
To find answers about his missing father, and armed with only an ancient book of tales and a cryptic note from his mentor, twelve-year-old Jack enters an enchanted forest he knows he can never leave again. In that wood lives ten-year-old Stump, whose elderly guardian hides a ring that holds clues to the girl's true parentage. To bargain for the ring, she lures into the forest a boy who resembles the old woman's long-lost son: Jack's five-year-old brother Peter. BRIAR-BOUND is a middle grade fantasy, represented by Chris Richman of Upstart Crow Literary and currently on submission to publishers.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?
1987: My PSAT suggests I become an actuary. Here's what an actuary does. Riveting.
1988 - 2006: I get a degree in history, then work many, many different jobs, carefully avoiding the shiny but deadly lure of actuarial science. Exactly like Luke and the Dark Side. During this time, I begin writing... grant proposals and standardized assessments. (OK, so I totally dabbled in the Dark Side.)
2006: My favorite TV show ends in a crazy-good cliffhanger! Sudden urge to write fiction! After I write and receive feedback on several stories for an online community, a friend suggests I try NaNoWriMo. I participate in NaNo for the next three years.
2008: I decide to query agents with BRIAR-BOUND, my second NaNo novel, much revised and then titled JACK. I research agencies through Writer's Market and make a list of twenty prospective agents. I query my top 10 first. Get my first rejection in 10 minutes -- SUPERSTAR! Have several requests for partial or full manuscripts.
One of those fulls rests with Nadia Cornier at Firebrand Literary. She decides JACK isn't quite right for her (eek) but earns my eternal thanks by passing it along to Brand-Spanking-New (Not-Even-On-The-Website-Yet) Agent Chris Richman. By coincidence, I'm on vacation in Queens when Chris decides he wants to talk. (I maintain the coincidence. Chris is skeptical, possibly because I was vacationing in Queens. In December.) We meet, chat about books in general and mine in particular, and talk about our career goals. I leave calmly. Two blocks away, I show my husband Dave an envelope containing two signed contracts, and freak out.
2009: Enough partying already, it's time to revise! Chris leads me through three revisions, during which JACK becomes a much stronger project and gets a new title. In April, we go on submission. During that process, I get such consistent feedback from editors that I decide to revise again. This time, BRIAR-BOUND changes dramatically. At this stage, I create Stump, one of the three current main characters. Roughly 43.6% of this revision is new text.
2010: After three draft stages, Chris and I decide the project is ready for submission. Huzzah! Chris takes over and sends BRIAR-BOUND out. I open a YA novel I started writing in 2008 and try not to obsess.
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Never because of rejection or self-doubt. I did wonder early on if writing would become one of a string of hobbies in my wake. But it stuck. I feel like I've found the perfect outlet: years of being a fringe observer, gathering a wide range of skills, and exploring a lot of interests -- it's all paying off. Plus, I'm meeting a lot of great folks in all areas of the industry. Writing is so rewarding I can't imagine giving it up now. Besides, if I did, I'd have to become an actuary, and I'm already square enough. :)
This week of interviews is being hosted by Elana Johnson, and several other bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon, including:
Monday, March 29, 2010
Today in Class: Dramatic Drama
We're studying the plays of Sophocles. They read OEDIPUS REX last week, and this week we're reading ANTIGONE.
Me: So, remember in Oedipus, when Jocasta said, "From this moment forward, I will be silent forever?"
Kids: *nod*nod*
Me: And Antigone is a sequel to Oedipus Rex. There are some things parallel to Oedipus. For example, what did it mean when Jocasta said, "From this moment forward, I will be silent forever."
Kid 1: She was going to kill herself!
Me: Exactly. And here, in Antigone, Haemon says to Creon that "You will never see my face again." What could that mean?
Kid 2: (with utmost sincerity) He's going to rip his own face off!
Me: So, remember in Oedipus, when Jocasta said, "From this moment forward, I will be silent forever?"
Kids: *nod*nod*
Me: And Antigone is a sequel to Oedipus Rex. There are some things parallel to Oedipus. For example, what did it mean when Jocasta said, "From this moment forward, I will be silent forever."
Kid 1: She was going to kill herself!
Me: Exactly. And here, in Antigone, Haemon says to Creon that "You will never see my face again." What could that mean?
Kid 2: (with utmost sincerity) He's going to rip his own face off!
Pay it Forward: Author Interview with Miriam Foster
Everyone has a different path to publication. This week, I'm featuring authors on the way: authors who have found their agents or their publishers and are in the homestretch towards reaching their dreams. Their stories are each different--but they are all inspiring. By showing you how THEY did it, I hope you remember that YOU can, too!
So, stick around all week to find out about lots of up-and-coming authors! Today, I'm featuring Miriam Foster, author of 2010 novel THE FLUTE AND THE DAGGER, as well as the awesomely-titled blog "Dancing with Dragons is Hard on Your Shoes."
Tell us about your book.The Flute and the Dagger, Oaktara Publishers, Summer 2010 (hopefully)
Lissandra Adney, the daughter of a lord, is flung from her
home in medieval England to Hope, a magical refugee world fraying at the seams. Lissandra might be able to help, but first she has to survive earthquakes, assassins and a queen who can manipulate your dreams and claim your soul...
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?
I started identifying myself as a writer in high school, and played with it off and on for a few years after I graduated. Then somewhere along the way, I started to commit. I took classes from the Institute of Children's Literature, finished and revised my first novel. (Ruined it with revision, really. But that's another story.) But I kept trying to learn. I wrote another book, and took what I learned from that one back to the first novel and put it back together.
Around that time, a family friend told me he'd sold a book to Oaktara Publishers, an inspirational small press. He suggested I send the repaired first book to them. I balked at first, because I don't really think of myself as an inspirational author. But my book was clean, and set in a monotheistic world, and I still liked it too much to stick it in a desk drawer. So I sent it in. And they accepted it.
But it didn't turn out to be that easy. A few months after I signed the contract, Oaktara was forced to change their name. This meant they had to re-release ALL of their backlist under the new name, changing covers, marketing materials, everything. So I entered publishing limbo, a state I'm still not completely out of. Even though Oaktara is releasing new books again, my release date for this year is still fluid. So it's been an exercise in patience, and letting go. Mostly I keep sane by writing more books. :)
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Lots and lots of times. The whole publishing-limbo thing was a big one, but it wasn't the only time. Every time I realize how much there is still to learn, I feel like giving up. I'm trying to find representation for my next book, and that process is fraught with disappointment. When revisions aren't working, when a first draft just won't come. When I read about a writer who's gotten huge success with their first novel, or when I enter a contest and don't even make honorable mention. All those things make me want to quit, and to be honest, I don't expect the feeling will ever completely go away.
Mostly I don't give up because I'm super-stubborn. According to my husband, I'm the original immovable object, and if you tell me something can't be done, the first thing I do is try to figure out how to make it happen. I've come to terms with the fact that I can't control much of this writer business. But as long as there's something I can do, whether it's writing consistently or finding beta readers or just being willing to send stuff out, I'll do it. As long as I can see myself improving, making progress, I can't give up.
Thank you, Miriam! You can find Miriam online at her blog.
This week of interviews is being hosted by Elana Johnson, and several other bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon, including:
Friday, March 26, 2010
Interview!
Sherrie Petersen, who's a freaking awesome blogger, interviewed me today! Be sure to check it out if you want to know my dark, dirty secret....how many trunk novels do I actually have?
Books in the Science Fiction World
Let's wrap up this "Future of Books" week with something fun, k? I'm such a nerd...but I actually think it' pretty cool to see what science fiction worlds think books will look like...
Now, we can't go any further without first talking about....Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! This is the classic future of books. A small device that connects to a wireless inter-universe network of information constantly updating all the information in the entire universe. And it has a nice sensible logo: Don't Panic.
As Adams put it:
But, by and far, most science fiction authors, movies, and shows tend to show the future of books as a thin-as-a-sheet-of-paper display screen. I think the most realistic version of it come from Joss Whedon's Firefly (seen right). It's sort of like a paper-size iPad with many windows open at a time. That can constantly stream new downloaded information. Pretty cool stuff.
Caprica does something similar, but it also shows how casually people treat the future tech: the digital paper has become so cheap and common that people fold it up and stick in their pockets much like we do with our shopping lists. I haven't actually seen Caprica (yet), but here's a vid showing the tech:
This is certainly not a new idea in sci fi (although Caprica and Firefly are among the best, graphics-wise, to show the tech). And there's a perfectly valid reason for why this type of display is so prominent in fiction. We're pretty darn close to this sort of tech already. Check out this flexible color screen--it's thin as paper, can bend, and plays movies and video.
Looks to me like the future is almost here.
As Adams put it:
"What is it?" asked Arthur.
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's a sort of electronic book. It tells you everything you need to know about anything. That's its job."
Arthur turned it over nervously in his hands.
"I like the cover," he said. "'Don't Panic.' It's the first helpful or intelligible thing anybody's said to me all day."
Caprica does something similar, but it also shows how casually people treat the future tech: the digital paper has become so cheap and common that people fold it up and stick in their pockets much like we do with our shopping lists. I haven't actually seen Caprica (yet), but here's a vid showing the tech:
This is certainly not a new idea in sci fi (although Caprica and Firefly are among the best, graphics-wise, to show the tech). And there's a perfectly valid reason for why this type of display is so prominent in fiction. We're pretty darn close to this sort of tech already. Check out this flexible color screen--it's thin as paper, can bend, and plays movies and video.
Looks to me like the future is almost here.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Espresso Book Machine 2.0
In a week of discussions on the future of publishing, I would be remiss to focus only on text on a screen. Because, while I believe that ebooks are not just a passing fad, I also believe that print books will never ever--at least not in my generation or the next--be replaced by ebooks.
How we buy print books? That's constantly changing. I am just old enough to remember when Amazon started, how people said it would never replace brick and mortar stores. And, as much as I hate to say it...Amazon is. At least for now. Because one bit of tech that's been developing mostly quietly is the POD machine that can print, bind, and distribute a book to a waiting customer in literally minutes. The Espresso Book Machine is a marvel, and even though I'd never seen one, I'd heard a lot about it.
Fortunately, I found a really cool video that shows how the machine works with the cover off, letting you see just how quickly a new book can be printed...
How we buy print books? That's constantly changing. I am just old enough to remember when Amazon started, how people said it would never replace brick and mortar stores. And, as much as I hate to say it...Amazon is. At least for now. Because one bit of tech that's been developing mostly quietly is the POD machine that can print, bind, and distribute a book to a waiting customer in literally minutes. The Espresso Book Machine is a marvel, and even though I'd never seen one, I'd heard a lot about it.
Fortunately, I found a really cool video that shows how the machine works with the cover off, letting you see just how quickly a new book can be printed...
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
iPad and iBooks
I'd be remiss in my tech week if I didn't post a link about what iPad means to publishers.
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