The Write Path

How To Hook Your Reader

2012-02-22T06:00:00.001-08:00

And now for a little writing advice from my favorite book doctor, Jason Black http://www.plottopunctuation.com/ .This post is taken from a session he gave at the summer 2011 PNWA conference, entitled, How to Hook the Reader.

There are four parts to hooking your reader:

1. Show your characters.

2. Put them in conflict.

3. Foreshadow catastrophe.

4. Include interesting context.

First- Character based hooks. You need to make your reader wonder about your character. They need to ask- *Who is this person? *What’s he doing and why? *What’s special about him? *How did he end up this way?

Second- Conflict hooks. You need conflict in every scene. Ask yourself- Did I show conflict? What was the conflict about? How did it start? Why will anyone care about this conflict?

Third- Catastrophe hooks. Readers need to feel that something is at stake. Ask yourself- What hangs in the balance? What are the consequences for success or failure? Did I open too big? (If you open big, where do you go? It is hard to sustain middle chapters.) Am I giving hints or huge revelations?

Fourth- Context and Circumstance hooks. You need to get your reader wondering about the story. They need to ask themselves- Where is this place? What would it be like to be there? What are the rules of this place?

And the winner of Lenobia's Vow is...

2012-02-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Jordan! You won my copy of Lenobia's Vow by PC and Kristin Cast. Please check your email. I will be running to the post office this Friday with the last two winners books :)

YA Giveaway- Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Barnes and Noble chooses Don't Breathe a Word as Top Teen pick this month!
http://www.hollycupala.com/2012/02/bn-chooses-dont-breathe-word-for-top.html

Go Holly! To celebrate I'm giving away a SIGNED copy of Don't Breathe A Word. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

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Crater Lake book review and blog tour

2012-02-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this stop on the Crater Lake Blog tour from Cedar Fort Books- http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-crater-lake/ . Crater Lake: The Battle for Wizard Island is a tween fantasy novel written by Steve Westover. I’m excited to share my review with my readers.

The Story- Strange things are afoot at Crater Lake National Park, and siblings Ethan and Jordan are smack dab in the middle of them. On a day hike with their parents and park ranger/uncle Bart, they are shocked to death when their parents and uncle sink into the earth along with their new friend Allie’s parents. Now alone, they head back to the rangers station, only to run into Boy Scout’s Brady and Jacob, whose troop disappeared into the earth too.

While trying to figure out what to do, the children are confronted by a Native American boy named Che-tan, who claims to know what happened and how to rescue everyone’s friends and families. He tells a strange story about magic and rival gods, Chief Llao and Chief Skell.

With no other options, the children begin a quest into the underground where Chief Llao is imprisoned. But, first they most discover hidden relics that will allow them to unlock the Chief’s prison and free their family and friends. On their adventure they are confronted by zombies, shape shifting humans, and carnivorous plants.

My Thoughts- It took me a few chapters to get into this book. I found it a little confusing how the author skipped around from different people’s POV’s and stories. I couldn’t figure out who the main character was. Turns out, there is no main character. It’s all five children together. Once I got that under my belt I was able to go with the flow.

The story is interesting with all the things about quests I like. Things like near death, a hunt for sacred objects, magic powers, and zombies. The author does a good job keeping things in the air. You can’t really tell if Che-tan is a good guy, plus he seems like a big coward, always running when things are tough. Then there is Chief Llao- is he really the bad guy like Che-tan says? There is some question when the kids confront him- plus we never meet Chief Skell, so we can’t make our own opinions. I’m really intrigued at what will be in book 2.

If you'd like more info check out these sites:

Author Website: http://stevewestover.com/Home.html

Author Blog http://westoversleftovers.blogspot.com/

Book Poster page: http://craterlakebook.com

And the winner of The Underside of Joy is...

2012-02-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

I was out of town at my sister's wedding this week, so this post is a few days late. But, a big Congrats to Beth Wade! You won the ARC of The Underside of Joy. Please check your email.

Book review and Giveaway- Shadow Moon by Marilee Brothers

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to review Shadow Moon, the fourth book in the Unbidden Magic Series. Written by Marilee Brothers and published by Bell Bridge Books, this series is one not to miss. And as an added treat, the author sent me a SIGNED copy of the first book, Moonstone, to start readers out on their journey. To enter the giveaway, fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it, click 'read more'.

The Story- Allie is back and ready to face the evil trimarks, but before that happens, she is faced with prejudice from a new religious cult in her area. As she secretly tries to figure out the cults nefarious plans, she meets Sammie, a homeless young girl that has been "adopted" by the church. Right away, Allie knows there is more to Sammie than meets the eye.

As Allie tries to live a somewhat normal life, she is also pushed to find her long lost twin sister. Using some sneaky means, Allie tracks her sister down, and Junior, Allie and Allie's mom take off on a road trip. Unfortunately, government agents kidnap Allie and force her to live in a secret compound while they test her powers. Without moonlight to aid her powers, Allie is trapped.

My Thoughts- I love this series. I bought the first book, Moonstone, at a book conference last Spring. I sucked it up and ended up going straight to the publisher to buy the next two in the series. When Shadow Moon came out, I couldn't wait to read it and I wasn't disappointed.

The story is strong, and for those who did not like Allie going to the world of fairy, this book deals with the tried and true trimarks. Once again, Allie is in the hot seat and uses her powers in new and exciting ways to defeat the bad guys.

One thing this book didn't have was the romantic tension that I loved in the first three books. That made me sad. Junior is present, but there is nothing going on. Romance is one of the driving forces in the series, and I hope the author will bring it back in the next book.

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Book Review- Outside The Lines by Amy Hatvany

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I get a chance to read a book outside of the kidlit genre. Recently, I was sent an ARC of Amy Hatvany's newest book, Outside the Lines, a deep and complex novel. I'd like to share a review with my readers.

The Story- Eden, a woman in her thirties, is looking for her mentally ill father. When she was ten, he slit his wrists, and that was the last time she saw him. In the present, her mother's fight with cancer has led Eden to realize the shortness of life, and the desire to see her father again.

Eden risks everything to hunt for her father. She spends time in homeless shelters and morgues looking for clues. As her search continues, she discovers lies told to her by her mother, and struggles to cope with the reality of her childhood.

In the end, a new romance and inner strength give her the boost she needs to continue her search and find out whether her dad is alive or dead.

My Thoughts- Wow, this is a deep and well planned out novel. I was amazed at how the author delved into the world of mental illness and brought it to the forefront of her writing. The details and images she invokes are so real and true to life, as if she's personally witnessed events such as in the book.

The whole novel is told in two different point of views and time frames. We start out with Eden in the present and then jump to Eden when she was 10, the year before her father's attempted suicide. We also see through David, the dad's eyes, in the past and present. By writing the novel this way, the author brings you deep into the story, where there is no right or wrong. Where there is just life and its complications. You are able to understand and feel everything from both perspectives.

Now for the ending, no spoilers, but I did feel the story ended poetically, but before it was finished. But, I think this is because the author ends it with hope, that changes are in the works, and that both Eden and David love each other and are going to fight for their relationship. The ending leaves the reader room to explore the feelings that have been stirred up while reading.

Outside the Lines takes you on an emotional journey. If you've ever wanted a peak into the world of mental illness and its affects on families, this is the book for you. FYI- this is an adult book and contains some alcohol use, drug use, sex and crude language.

If you live in the Northwest like I do, then you have a chance to get a signed copy of the book! Amy will be at the following locations for signings:

Friday, Feb. 10 - Third Place Books, Bothell, WA 6:30 PM

Sunday, Feb. 12- Barnes & Noble, Woodinville, WA 2 PM

Thursday, Feb. 23- Powell's Books, Beaverton, OR 7 PM

Big Publisher Vs. Small Publisher

2012-02-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I like to look back through my resource materials for interesting blog ideas. Today's blog about publishers comes from information in my SCBWI Nuts and Bolts guide. The topic, Does Publisher Size Matter? by Suzanne Williams. Plus, a few of my own ideas.

First, the advantages of a big publishing house.
*They have the money to distribute and market your book.
* They can sell and market your book internationally.

*They have huge lists.
*They can get your book into the hands of reviewers, book stores, and bloggers easier.
*Their name carries a lot of weight.
* They can pay bigger royalties.

But, their disadvantages:
*It's hard to make it through the slush pile.
* Many only accept agented material.
*If you aren't an A-lister, you might get lost in the mess.
*If your editor leaves, what happens to your book?
*Strict Policies and contracts.

Now, the advantages of a small publishing house.
*You will be one of a select few of writers, and will get personal attention.
*Your book, though maybe a mid-lister, will get special attention.
*Smaller slush pile, and most accept unagented material.
*More marketing attention.
*There are a lot of small houses.

The disadvantages:
*Though you get marketing attention, they don't have the big bucks to publicize and promote.
*Their list is small and they only accepted a few writers.
*Usually they don't have the money for big royalties, if any.
*They are financially vulnerable and might fold.
*Mostly local exposure, not national or international.

In my opinion, when you are first starting out, it doesn't matter. Though every writer dreams of a big contract with a New York publisher, the truth is, we send out queries to houses both big and small that publish our style of writing. If you are very lucky you might get one offer. If I get one offer, and the publisher is a good publisher (any size) I'll jump on board. Hopefully, as my reputation grows and I write more books, I'll make it into the bigger houses.

And the winner of Harbinger is...

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Caitlin! Rafflecopter picked you as the winner of the Harbinger ARC. Plus, I'm throwing in some swag.

Book Giveaway- Lenobia's Vow By PC and Kristin Cast

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Up for grabs today is the newest House of Night Novella by PC and Kristin Cast, Lenobia's Vow. Fill out the rafflecopter form to enter. If you don't see it, click 'read more'.

From Goodreads- The second in the enthralling new mini-series of novellas from the #1 bestselling authors of the House of Night, Lenobia's Vow tells the gripping story behind the House of Night's enigmatic riding instructor – and one of Zoey’s closest allies against evil.

In a small southern town at the turn of the century, young Lenobia is developing into a beautiful young woman with ideas of her own. But when she is Marked as a fledgling vampyre, her world turns upside down, and she is drawn to the musical streets of New Orleans. There, she learns of the city’s dark underbelly, ruled by powerful black magic. As Lenobia experiences her first love – and loss – and discovers a passion for horses to sustain her, she must come face-to-face with Darkness itself. And she may not escape without scars."

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Book Review- The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

2012-02-03T06:00:00.001-08:00

The Peculiars, by Maureen Doyle McQuerry, is an interesting YA fantasy with hints of steam punk. Published by Amulet Books, it will hit shelves on May 1, 2012.

The Story: Lena wants to know who, or rather what, she is. From the time of her birth she’s been different, with long, double knuckled fingers and huge, yet skinny feet. A doctor once told her mother that Lena was part Goblin. But, since Lena’s father disappeared a long time ago, there is no one to ask about the truth.

On her eighteenth birthday, Lena inherits a small sum of money and decides to travel into Scree, the rumored home of so-called peculiars (people who aren't quite human). She gets waylaid in the small costal town of Knoster, and ends up working as a library assistant to the strange Mr. Beasley. She enjoys her time in his eccentric house and develops a relationship with her co-worker, Jimson Quiggley.

However, Mr. Beasley knows more about the world of peculiars than he is willing to share, and Lena gets wrapped up in a government conspiracy that might betray her friends. On the run, Lena travels into Scree, hoping to find her father. Instead, she finds other peculiars enslaved as mine workers because of their differences. Can she save her friends and discover the truth about her heritage?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book, mostly because it has a different flare than other fantasy novels. It takes place in the past, using steam punk gadgets and fairy tale creatures. I like Lena. Her character is vulnerable, real, and because of this, she ends up believing other people’s lies and getting herself into trouble.

The mystery of who Lena is also pulls you through the story. Though important to the plot, by the end of the book you realize the answer doesn’t matter. Lena is who she is, and doesn’t need a label. But, FYI, the author does answer the question.

Another aspect of the book I enjoyed, were the side characters. The author does a good job fleshing out their storylines. The strange Mr. Beasley is a great eccentric, yet lovable old man. Jimson, Lena’s love interest, is a developing character, someone who grows and changes his views throughout the book. And then there is Merilee, a peculiar with wings. Her character comes to be almost like a sister to Lena.

The Peculiars is a different type of fantasy story with a good plot and well developed characters. The cover art is also amazing. I say put this in your ‘to be read’ pile.

The six "C's" by Larson and Pomada

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet agents Michael Larson and Elizabeth Pomada at the summer 2011 PNWA conference. They are the founders of the Larson-Pomada Agency in San Francisco, CA. The session they hosted detailed the six “C’s” to becoming a writer in the digital age. I’d like to share with my readers the terrific advice they gave.

Content- Your writing starts with passion. Make sure you read plenty of books. Michael emphasized, “Read what you love to read and write what you love to write”.

Creativity- Creativity is the secret sauce. You need to come up with original ideas and think outside the box. As you write, do research. Michael said, “The more you learn. The more you can earn.”

He also suggests you make writing a daily ritual. And never, ever submit too early. Revise until your work is at 100%. Get feedback from critique groups or free lance editors to help with revisions.

Communication- Be a people person. Writing is the only part of the process that should be done alone. You need to test market your book through blogs, podcasts and perhaps self-publishing. A writer should have a platform and be visible both on and off line. Also, have a promotion plan. Great books fail all the time with inadequate publicity.

Contentpreneuring- An author needs to survive and thrive in a competitive market place. Elizabeth said, “Publishing is a circus.” You need to know the trends and rules. How do publishers work? What do they want? What will make or break your book. According to Michael, right now the trend is for shorter books with shorter chapters. Also, a book needs to do well in its launch window. You must have competing media to promote your book.

Commitment- Think of your career as a lifetime of books, not just one book. Go to conferences. Do what it takes to reach your goal and avoid things that don’t help promote your goals. Find a balance in your life that works so that you are able to write at your best. Michael reminds all writers that, “failure happens. Keep learning. Have faith in yourself”.

Celebration- Make sure you celebrate all accomplishments both big and small!

Hilarious Video about Editors

2012-01-31T09:00:00.001-08:00

OK, I found this link being tweeted about and I just have to share it with my readers. It is way too funny about a day in the life of an editor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwhp3MuXXE

And the winner of Brendan Buckley's Sixth-Grade Experiment is...

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Maegan Morin, you won the ARC of Brendan Buckley's Sixth-Grade Experiment!

The Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Halverson- ARC giveaway

2012-01-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

For today's giveaway I am putting up for grabs an ARC for The Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Havlerson. This is not my typical kid lit giveaway, and will probably interest readers in the women's contemperary world. To enter, just fill out the rafflecopter form below. Click 'read more' if you don't see the form.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

"Set against the backdrop of Redwood forests and shimmering vineyards, Seré Prince Halverson's compelling debut tells the story of two women, bound by an unspeakable loss, who each claims to be the mother of the same two children.

To Ella Beene, happiness means living in the northern California river town of Elbow with her husband, Joe, and his two young children. Yet one summer day Joe breaks his own rule-never turn your back on the ocean-and a sleeper wave strikes him down, drowning not only the man but his many secrets.

For three years, Ella has been the only mother the kids have known and has believed that their biological mother, Paige, abandoned them. But when Paige shows up at the funeral, intent on reclaiming the children, Ella soon realizes there may be more to Paige and Joe's story. "Ella's the best thing that's happened to this family," say her close-knit Italian-American in-laws, for generations the proprietors of a local market. But their devotion quickly falters when the custody fight between mother and stepmother urgently and powerfully collides with Ella's quest for truth.

The Underside of Joy is not a fairy-tale version of stepmotherhood pitting good Ella against evil Paige, but an exploration of the complex relationship of two mothers. Their conflict uncovers a map of scars-both physical and emotional-to the families' deeply buried tragedies, including Italian internment camps during World War II and postpartum psychosis.

Weaving a rich fictional tapestry abundantly alive with the glorious natural beauty of the novel's setting, Halverson is a captivating guide through the flora and fauna of human emotion-grief and anger, shame and forgiveness, happiness and its shadow complement . . . the underside of joy."

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Book Review- Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

The next book in the Drake Chronicles, Bleeding Hearts, hit shelves on Dec. 20, 2011. Written by Alyxandra Harvey, and published by Walker Books for Young Readers, it is a paranormal romance involving vampires.

The Story: It’s time for Connor Drake to meet his love interest. Lucy’s cousin, Christabel, is in town, and doesn’t understand why everyone is so scared to go out at night. So, what’s a teen to do? She goes out of course, and straight into the arms of a vampire.

Meanwhile, the Drake family has other problems. The Hel Blar, zombie like vampires, seem to be rallying under a new leader and attacking other vampires in droves. Solange Drake, still recovering from her transformation into a vamp, is still unbalanced. Lucy, her best friend, only wants to help. Of course, Nicholas Drake, Lucy’s boyfriend, tries to protect her. Keiran, Solange’s boyfriend, and Helios-Ra warrior doesn’t know what to do. And so the story goes.

My thoughts: A really big mix of a lot of different characters, but hey, it works. I enjoy following the Drakes and their love interests through out all the books. This time, the story gets a little twist with Christabel. Nobody tells her what is going on, thinking to protect her. Of course, she just ends up in the middle of everything and her life hangs in the balance.

This book in the series wasn’t quite as exciting as the previous book, Out For Blood. It feels more like a bridge book, filling in empty plot points before the next book. But, it is good fun. Plus, the ending is- wow! A total cliff hanger. It will definitely make you yearn for the next in the series. I can’t wait to find out what happens.

Do you live in Washington State and write Children's Books?

2012-01-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

Washington State Book Awards

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST by SCBWI WWA

The Washington Center for the Book administers the annual Washington State Book Awards (formerly the Governor's Writers Awards), given for outstanding books published by Washington authors the previous year. They are looking for more children's authors to honor for 2012. The deadline for 2012 submissions is April 1.

You can find the 2011 winners, entry guidelines and submission form here on the Seattle Public Library website.

Interview with Gina Damico, author of Croak

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

First, a little about the upcoming YA thriller, Croak, due to hit shelves March 20, 2012.

"Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?"- from Goodreads.

I had the opportunity to interview, Gina Damico, the author.

1. Gina, what inspired you to write a fantasy novel about Grim Reapers?

To be honest, it just popped into my head one day. I like paranormal fantasy-ish stuff that's still grounded in the real world, and I thought that teenage Grims would be a fun way to do a dark comedy, which is what I like to write. Also, telling people that I wrote a book about grim reapers always gets me the oddest looks.

2. How long did it take you to go from 1st draft to publication?

About three years. A large chunk of that time was revising with my agent, Tina Wexler of ICM, pretty much tearing the whole book apart and putting it back together again. It was all worth it in the end, though, because she sold it to Julie Tibbott at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and here we are today, with all sorts of bells on.

3. Where you a part of any groups, critique, SCBWI, etc...?

During writing, not so much. (Unless you count my family, who gave me such helpful advice as, "Why are you always writing about death? Did something happen to you as a child? Be honest, Gina.") But now I belong to SCBWI and the Apocalypsies, who are a group of 2012 YA/MG debut authors who pretty much saved my life in terms of how to promote a book, how to be an author, how not to jump off a bridge, etc.

4. Are you having any sort of book launch or book blog tour? How do you plan to promote your book?

I am currently in the midst of planning both a book launch and blog tour, so I can't give any official word on that yet. But I organized and took part in the Apocalypsies YAmazing Race, a fun blog hop that introduced readers to a whole bunch of new authors and our debuts. And I'm tweeting, blogging, and engaging in general hijinkery around the internet. Maybe I'll get myself a sandwich board and take to the sidewalks.

5. What was your favorite book growing up and why?

Man, I really loved the Babysitter's Club books. I know they're not classic literature or anything, but for some reason those plucky young entrepreneurs just really did it for me. And I wasn't even a babysitter. I took a class and got certified for CPR and everything, and not once was I ever put in charge of a child. The next-door neighbors actually requested my sister instead of me. It's not like I eat babies (anymore), people!

6. Any advice for struggling writers out there?

Go to conferences and hobnob with other writers, agents, and editors. I met my agent a conference before I queried a single letter. I know that's not typical, but getting your stories out there can't hurt, and more often than not you'll get some good advice along the way. Oh, and if you're going to hand out business cards, make sure they don't look like you printed them on your home printer, like I did. Tina is still having a good laugh at that one.

Thanks Gina! For more info, check out Gina's website www.ginadami.co

The Larson-Pomada Literary Agency

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

At the summer 2011 PNWA Conference, Michael Larson and Elizabeth Pomada, of The Larson-Pomada Agency in San Francisco, took the time to give their advice about pitches and the real role of an agent.

The group was told that agent's use pitches to look at you as a writer. They want to see potential in you and your ideas. Agents and Editors are also looking to see if you can meet the needs of the marketplace and promote your own work. Michael said the magic formula is “talent, luck and persistence”.

Make sure you use good grammar, correct spelling and the proper introduction. They also mentioned that a writer needs to use clear and concise English. Michael was firm that the very first things out of your mouth should be title, genre, intended audience and word count.

Why should a writer have an agent? A good question. Elizabeth said that an agent is a mediator, advocate, mentor, scout and negotiator. Editors don’t have the time to edit, so agents are the new editors. They also take care of business matters so that you are free to write.

Agents also know what editors want, who to submit to and who to avoid. Did you know agents reject 90% of what they read? Make sure your work is 100% ready when you submit it.

Further advice, if you are unable to get an agent, then it is absolutely necessary to get help with your contract. They told us, “You will be taken advantage of”.

The Agents:

Michael Larsen, Elizabeth Pomada, Laurie McLean and Lindsey Clemons are the literary agents at Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents. According to their website, “Michael handles non-fiction. Elizabeth represents commercial fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, romance, mysteries and memoir. Laurie handles adult genre fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, westerns, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, etc.) and children’s middle grade and young adult books. Lindsey represents adult thrillers, mysteries and literary fiction.” http://www.larsenpomada.com

Queries should be sent via email to the specific agent. No attachments. Each agent has different submission requirements. Response time varies from 4-8 weeks.

Elizabeth Pomada- please email the first 10 pages and a 2 page synopsis to larsenpoma@aol.com . (14- point typeface, double-spaced and no attachments) Their website mentions, “Elizabeth cannot take the time to read a full manuscript if other agents are reading it. That’s why she asks for complete manuscripts, on an exclusive basis, when she is interested in a project. More info here- http://www.larsenpomada.com/lp/pages.cfm?ID=2

Laurie McLean- “At present, my assistant Pam van Hylckama Vlieg and I are only accepting unsolicited queries at queryagentsavant@gmail.com . Otherwise, I will take submissions for everything I represent from people I meet at conferences or who are referred to me by clients and publishing professionals.” More info here- http://www.larsenpomada.com/lp/pages.cfm?ID=51

Please send the first 10 double-spaced pages and a 1-2 page synopsis. No attachments.

Michael Larson- Straight from the website, “For non-fiction please read Michael’s How to Write a Book Proposal book-available through your library or bookstore and through our website- so you will know exactly what editors need. Then, before you start writing, send him the title, subtitle and your promotion plan via conventional mail (with SASE) or email.” More info here- http://www.larsenpomada.com/lp/pages.cfm?ID=3

There are also two associate agents looking to build their lists:

Lindsey Clemons- thrillers, mysteries of all sorts and literary fiction. Please query her with the first ten pages of your MS and a 1-2 page synopsis. No attachments – at Lindsey.Reads.Books@gmail.com

Kat Salazar- Children’s Picture Books, Easy readers, Chapter books, Middle-grade, and YA. For adult audiences she is interested in both fiction and non-fiction. Please query with first 10 pages and a 1-2 page synopsis. No attachments- at QueryKatSalazar@gmail.com

Tune in next week for Inside the Publishing World Wednesday, when I take a look at Michael and Elizabeth’s conference session- The six “C’s” to becoming a writer in the digital age.

And the winner of The Skeleton's Knife is...

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Patsy Hagen! Rafflecopter picked your name as the winner of Joni Sensel's book, The Skeleton's Knife.

Call for Poetry Submissions

2012-01-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

Piecemeal Publishing Submission Call

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST by SCBWI WWA

Piecemeal Publishing is calling for poetry submissions from authors, published and unpublished! If you would like to contribute to Piecemeal Publishing’s anthology of poetry, please submit two children’s poems suitable for ages 5 – 11 yrs. Deadline is February 20, 2012.

Send all submissions and questions to piecemeal-submissions@hotmail.com. Please include your submission in the body of the email. Here's the website to check out for more information.

Make sure when you're submitting your work that you read through all the guidelines and information.

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne- Book Review plus ARC and Swag giveaway

2012-01-23T00:27:00.000-08:00

Time for a YA paranormal thriller entitled, Harbinger, by Sara Wilson Etienne. Published by Putnam, it hits shelves on Feb.2, 2012. To win a SIGNED ARC and some swag, fill out the Rafflecopter form.

The Story: Faye has problems. She lives in a world where the environment is out of control, where oil reserves are exhausted, and where people survive in Cooperatives. On top of all that, she’s a bit crazy. From the time she was six, she’s heard and seen things no one else could.

Now, her parents have shipped her off to Holbrook Academy, a school for troubled youth. She is placed into a group with six other teens, her new “family”. While there, her problems become worse, and it starts sucking her new friends into the situation. Every morning, all six of them wake up with blood on their hands and no memory of the night before. Making things more confusing is her interest in Kel, a strange boy that seems to connect with Faye on an intimate level.

Determined to unravel the mystery of her strange behavior and visions, Faye takes on the world of the supernatural past.

My Thoughts: I have had a hard time reviewing this book. The first 2/3 was amazing, and I couldn’t put in down. The story of Faye sucks you in, begging you to read on and solve her mystery. Clues are left around the academy, and as a reader, you follow every one. The plot is complicated and full of twists. I actually didn’t figure out the entire mystery because the author keeps it well hidden.

Now, the last 1/3 of the book, where the mystery is explained, was troubling. There’s such a big build up, and then the conclusion is just strange. It does fulfill its role, tying up all the loose ends and explaining everybody’s different parts. But, it just wasn’t very satisfying. Plus, even though the character of Faye is well fleshed out, her love interested, Kel, is not. I think this is because the author wanted to leave us wondering if Kel is the Harbinger or not. But, in doing so, you don’t really get to know him and you don’t feel invested in their romance, which is supposed to transcend time.

The cover is absolutely amazing. I know that is not part of the author's work, but I often pick up a book because of the cover, and this one would drag me in. A unique and suspenseful story, Harbinger does find a niche in the YA market, but I came away with ambiguous feelings. I say, give it a shot, it really is a unique work of art.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review- Stealing Magic by Marianne Malone

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today’s book review is a middle grade adventure entitled, Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure, by Marianne Malone. This book is the second in a cute series about two tweens who find out that the miniature doll rooms in a museum are more than just a display.

The Story: Ruthie and Jack think that all is well with the magic Thorne Rooms at their local museum, until they use their magic key to shrink and enter one of the rooms. Before, the rooms were alive, filled with magic, but now, some of the rooms are static and dull.

With an art thief on the loose in town, Ruthie and Jack worry about their special rooms and are determined to find out what is wrong. In the meantime, Ruthie begins taking art lessons from Dora Pomeroy, an interior decorator that is studying the miniature rooms.

Things go from bad to worse when Jack’s magic key is stolen and more objects begin disappearing out of the doll rooms. Together, Ruthie and Jack discover the secret behind the magic rooms and put a stop to a villainous art thief.

My Thoughts: A great sequel, though not as fast paced as the first book. I enjoyed learning more about the magic rooms. The idea that you can shrink and enter into magical doll rooms from different eras and centuries is what every little girl dreams about.

I also like the subplot. Ruthie and Jack travel back in time to 1937, via the Paris room, and meet a Jewish girl at the Paris Expo. Knowing that she would be in danger if she returned to Germany, Ruthie and Jack concoct a plan to save her.

Great characters and a good plot make this book perfect for young readers. The book stands alone, though I think reading book one would be a good idea. It is easy to figure out who the art thief is, but, the way Ruthie and Jack go about catching her is the big story. The plot could have used a few more twists and turns, but I don’t think a young reader will be disappointed; they’ll be able to follow things easily.

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, it will hit shelves on Jan. 24^th, 2012.

Author Interview with Kami Kinard- Children's Writer

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Kami Kinard, author of the just released middle grade novel, The Boy Project. Her book, published by Scholastic, landed on shelves Jan. 1, 2012.

First, here is the blurb on Goodreads:

"For anyone who's ever felt that boys were a different species....

Thirteen and wildly creative, Kara McAllister just had her best idea yet. She's going to take notes on all of the boys in her grade (and a few elsewhere) in order to answer a seemingly simple question: How can she get a boyfriend?

But Kara's project turns out to be a lot more complicated than she imagined. Soon there are secrets, lies, and an embarrassing incident in the boy's bathroom. Plus, Kara has to deal with mean girls, her slightly spacey BFF, and some surprising uses for duct tape. Still, if Kara's research leads her to the right boy, everything may just be worth it...

Full of charts and graphs, heart and humor, this hilarious debut will resonate with tweens everywhere."

The Interview:

1. What inspired you to write a middle grade/tween novel?

I was inspired to write this novel after reading my old middle school diaries. The diaries helped me to remember those tween feelings. But back when I was in middle school, I would have never been brave enough to do what my main character does.

2. Did you use personal experiences? Yes! The diaries! How did you get tween info? My son was in middle school at the time, so I overheard some good stuff! And I asked a lot of questions.

3. What is you writing process like? Do you outline or free flow? I usually free flow until I am about halfway done. Then I’ll sometimes do chapter summaries to get to the end. I outline loosely every now and then, but I didn’t do that for this book. After I finish a first draft, I usually revise heavily. I keep revision notes in notebooks and am meticulous about going back through that first free flowing draft.

4. Were you a part of any writing groups, critique, SCBWI, etc? While I was writing this manuscript I was part of three writing groups, one local (I was the only children’s author) and two online groups. I only shared this manuscript with the local group. I think I read them about 20 pages, just to see if the manuscript was as funny as I thought it was. You can’t get a real-time reaction like this with an online group. They were laughing their heads off when I read it, so I decided I’d nailed the humor.

The online groups I was in are wonderful and filled with smart, accomplished women. They helped me with other manuscripts that will hopefully make it into the world! Because of a family crisis, I had to drop out of all three groups last spring. (One kept me on as an honorary member.) I also have a friend or two who I do full manuscript exchanges with. This doesn’t happen often, but it is good to have someone give you big picture advice.

I am also a member of SCBWI, and I had the first 10 pages of this manuscript critiqued by editors twice at conferences. One told me I used too many exclamation marks. She was right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other suggested I add some charts and graphs. She was right too!!!! I’m a believer in listening to critiques and taking suggestions. But in the end, I do make my own choices.

5. What book inspired you as a child? I loved Lloyd Alexander’s imagination. One of my favorite characters was Nancy Drew. I admired her intelligence and spunk.

6. What advice do you have for other writers out there? Besides reading lots of good books, it is important for you to always want to improve your craft. You need to find other writers who are better than you to emulate. And you need to recognize that there are writers out there who are better than you. I’ve learned a lot by going to conferences and workshops and I’ve also learned a lot from some very kind mentors over the years. Luckily, I love to learn, so this part of writing is also fun and fulfilling to me!

For more information about Kami, check out her website at www.kamikinard.com

Time to Register for SCBWI WWA Spring Conference

2012-01-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

It's Time! It's Time! Registration is now open for my favorite writer's conference! REGISTER HERE!

How to Pick a Title

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I’m going to look at the all important TITLE. Yep, the thing that potential readers first see when they look at your book. I have to admit, if I see a really lame title, I’m not likely to pick up the book. Or, if the title is boring or doesn’t draw me in, I tend to put that book back on the shelf.

I almost always have a working title in mind when I’m writing my first draft. It makes me feel like I own that story. Plus, when I talk about the book with others, I have something to refer to it as. Often, I’ll try to judge people’s reactions when I mention the title. I want to see if they lean forward or their eyes widen. I know, weird, but it gives me a sense that my title might draw an agent or editor to my book when I query.

For example, at last summer’s PNWA conference I had a consult with a well known agent. He seemed to like my pitch and asked for me to send him some pages. Before I left, he asked me if the manuscript had a title. When I said Drained, he smiled really big, shook his head yes and told me he really wanted to see my work. I left floating off the floor. You see, my title not only reflects what is happening in the book, but it is intriguing, people want to know what is being drained or how. (I'm still in edits, but can't wait to send it to him soon)

One word of caution, the first MS I tried to get published was called The Awakening. I loved this title. It went along with the book in two different ways: the awakening of an old evil villain and the awakening of our hero's magic. It wasn’t until I began querying and researching that I realized that the title was overused. At the Whidbey Island Writers Conference last Spring, I was told by an editor that all the one word titles have been used. So, I think it might be a good idea to run a search on your title. You don't want there to be 30 books with your title. How would anyone ever find yours?

So, are there rules to picking a title? Yep. I turned to one of my resources, You Can Write Children’s Books Workbook by Tracey E. Dils, for some guidance. She suggests that there are 3 rules for a title.

1. “A good title makes the reader want to read the story.”

2. “A good title doesn’t give away the story’s ending.”

3. “A good title reflects what the story is about.”

She also lists a “title test” you can use if you’ve already picked a title. Ask yourself, does your title capture the essence of your story? Does it develop suspense and draw the reader in? Is it clever or a good word choice? Does it hint at the conflict of the book? And finally, can it help suggest an illustration for the cover of the book? This last question is very important. Besides that title, the cover art can really make a reader pick up your book.

One other thing, no matter how much you love your title. Remember, the publisher gets final say. I’d much rather have a book published than not, because I argued over a title.

And the winner of my 1,000 follower giveaway is...

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Ricki Marking-Camuto-Dunn! Rafflecopter picked your name to win my Doctor Who and Torchwood giveaway. look for an email to come your way.

Book review and Giveaway- Brendan Buckley's Sixth-Grade Experiment by Sundee Frazier

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have a marvelous middle grade book to share with everyone, Brendan Buckley’s Sixth-Grade Experiment, by Sundee Frazier. It hit shelves on Jan. 10, 2012. I have my signed ARC to giveaway, all you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter form and tell me what your favorite science experiment was in school? A follow is not necessary, but appreciated.

The Story: Brendan Buckley is starting his first year in middle school. He has a whole slew of friends, plus a new one, Morgan. He meets Morgan, a previously home schooled girl, at a rock club meeting. Now, she will be going to his school too, and he is not sure what he thinks about it.

At school, Brendan and Morgan get paired up to work on their science project. Together, they come up with a biomass experiment involving cow manure. As they work together, buds of romance begin.

At home, Brendan has other problems. His dad always seems to be gone, either studying for school or on shift as a police detective. Plus, his parents are trying to adopt a baby, and everything at home needs to be perfect for the adoption agency.

My thoughts: A great middle grade read, perfect for children. I love the fact that this is a multi cultural book that fits in universally with all kids in middle school. When I first started reading, I was amazed at how smart Brendan seemed to be, but the more I read, the more I wished I’d been that smart at 11. The stuff he does seems remarkable; he knows so many facts and excels at both school and Tae Kwon Do.

This is a superb book full of first love angst, family relationships, best friend drama and coming of age themes. I highly recommend it. The plot runs smoothly and seems very real to life. The characters are also very real; I could picture a family just like Brendan’s living down the street from me. Brendan is also a great main character. The author does a good job letting the reader into his world. When his pet anole dies, you feel his sorrow.

This book should be on the shelf at every elementary school.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review- Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Its book review time! I’m reviewing one of my favorite authors today, Mercedes Lackey. Her newest book is Beauty and the Werewolf, published by Luna, and is number six in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series.

The Story: Isabella Beauchamps lives with her father, stepmother and two step sisters. Bella pretty much runs the show, taking care of the household and running the errands. One of her favorite things to do is visit “Granny”, the wise woman of the town, who lives in the woods.

On one of Bella’s outings, she ends up coming home too late and is attack by a wolf. Bella comes to learn that Sebastian, a local nobleman and wizard, is a werewolf, and that he’s the one who bit her. Now, she is forced to live in his castle, with his invisible servants and strange half brother Eric, the woodsman. She must live, isolated from her family, until it is determined whether she will turn into a werewolf.

Living at the castle is lonely, but Bella soon begins running things, just like back at home. She turns Sebastian’s invisible servants into an unstoppable, yet friendly workforce. She also ends up dressing as a boy and learning to be a junior huntsman with Sebastian’s brother.

Throughout all her new adventures, Bella is working on one problem that becomes dear to her heart, breaking Sebastian’s werewolf curse.

My Thoughts- This book is an interesting remake that combines both little red riding hood and Cinderella. I had a fun time figuring out which pieces of the story belonged to which fairytale.

The story itself is light hearted and interesting. Lackey does a great job adding tension to the plot by introducing two mysteries. The first is the mystery behind Sebastian’s invisible servants. The second, and predominate quest, is solving Sebastian’s werewolf curse. I really think the two mysteries are what make this book a success.

There is violence in the book, so I recommend it for teen and up.

Author Interview with KM Walton

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

KM Walton is the author of Cracked, a YA novel that tackels very serious issues. Published by Simon Pulse, it hit shelves on Jan. 3rd. I had the lucky chance to interview Kate about her book and writing habits. If you'd like more info about her, I've listed the weblinks below.

Blog: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.kmwalton.com/
FB fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cracked-fan-page/225425247511173
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9930875-cracked

BLURB
"Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems.

Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better…." from Goodreads.

INTERVIEW

1. Cracked takes on some very serious subjects, such as abuse and bullying. What inspired you to delve into these subjects?

I think the short answer to this question is: life. I wrote CRACKED after ten years of teaching and working closely with adolescents. Watching them label each other and make assumptions based on appearances or rumors was something I battled against every day I was in the classroom.

Also, after I read Sherman Alexie’s THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF A PART TIME INDIAN, Libba Bray’s GOING BOVINE and John Green’s LOOKING FOR ALASKA I was inspired to try my hand at a contemporary YA. I didn’t know I was “allowed” to be that real in a young adult book. The books I read growing up were all fine, well and good, but they were filtered through the lens of the adult writer. The main characters in Alexie, Bray, and Green’s books weren’t filtered by anything. They were real. They were authentic. I never once heard the adult author’s voice creeping into those characters.

I wanted to try and write a book like that.

2. Did you do research into teen abuse? Was it hard emotionally to learn about?

I think my twelve years teaching, predominantly middle school, served as my research. While those years in my classroom were glorious in every way, I’d still say it was emotionally fueling—as a future writer—to work with my students who were bullies, in addition to the victims.

3. How long did it take you to go from 1st draft to publication?

I queried three different novels for a total of 2.4 years. Once I landed my literary agent—the wonderful Sarah LaPolla from Curtis Brown Ltd—she was able to sell Cracked, to the brilliant Annette Pollert at Simon Pulse, in two months.

4. Are you having any sort of book launch or book blog tour? How do you plan to promote your book?

This past Saturday night was my book launch event at Chester County Book and Music Company—my favorite local indie—and 300 people were in attendance. It was the largest YA book launch in the history of the store! I am still floating around my house in the “happy bubble”. Each time I remember a detail or moment from the night, I smile. I’m grinning a lot.

I wrote a two part blog post titled THE ANATOMY OF A BOOK LAUNCH, in which I give every detail of my promotion plan.

Part 1: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com/2011/12/anatomy-of-book-launch-part-1.html

Part 2: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com/2012/01/anatomy-of-book-launch-part-2.html

5. What was your favorite book growing up and why? As an adult, what's one of your favorite teen books?

Growing up: Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Patterson was a book I read a few times. I am a fan of human stories based in reality, especially those that rip your heart out and make you feel things so deeply. That book remains one of my favorites.

As an adult: I can’t sing the praises enough for A. S. King’s Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Her writing is incredible and so is her ability to tell a brilliant story. If you’ve read this book then you know of which I speak. If you haven’t, well, I’d remedy that right quick. You won’t be sorry. That book wins, wins, wins.

6. Any advice for struggling writers out there?

I used to give the advice of “never stop writing” but I’ve revised my advice to “write to become a better writer.” I believe there is a huge difference. If all you do is write the same way in which you’ve always written, you’re not growing as a writer. How does one hone their craft (and I do mean craft – writing is an art form, one that must be studied)? Take classes, research the craft, read a lot in the genre in which you write, spend the money to attend writing conferences and get quality critique feedback.

Push yourself every single time you sit down to create something new.

A big thank you to Kate for taking the time to answer my questions. Pick up her book now at amazon.

SCBWI WWA Great Critique 2012

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. Time for the Western Washington branch of the SCBWI to host its Great Critique. Now, if you're a kidlit author, and you aren't a member of the SCBWI, shame on you! Go to their website right now and sign up http://www.scbwi.org/ . Ok, on to the info.

This was my second great critique, and it was just as awesome as last year. I was put into a group hosted by published author Suzanne Selfors.
With me were two fellow writers, Ruth Dight and Tiffany Guerzon. Ruth is working on a middle grade boys fantasy/adventure. Tiffany, winner of the 2010 PNWA picture book literary contest, is working on a paranormal middle grade. Her website is http://www.tdguerzon.com/ .

I received the best advice. You know that middle grade book that I turned into a YA? Well, I was told it should be middle grade. So, I need to switch it back again. And you know what? It feels better that way. My fellow writers gave me great advice, and I can't wait to start more edits tomorrow.

Suzanne Selfors, author of Smells Like A Dog, was a wonderful host. She gave us great tips on what to look for when critiquing a fellow writer. First off, pay attention to the pacing. It will help a writer to say, "I was bored there" or "I dozed off there." Then they know where to focus. Plus, if you tell them what drew you into the story, they can elaborate on those points. Other things to ask yourself include: Did you understand the set up? Was there a motive and a feeling of what was at stake? Did the dialogue sound believable for the age group or time period? Answers to these questions will help a writer revise their manuscript.

One thing that Suzanne pointed out was a writer's habit of using too much detail. She told us that detail is fine in the first draft, it helps the writer orient themselves. But, as you edit, you need to be willing to let some of it go.

Another piece of sage advice that Suzanne told us, "Everybody is writing a novel. So make the first few sentences or pages really stand out to grab an agents attention." For more info on Suzanne check out her website http://www.suzanneselfors.com/ . She has two books coming out in 2012. The first is a YA romance/fairy tale, The Sweetest Spell. It hits shelves in August. Next, in November, is the 3rd installment in her "Smells" series, Smells Like A Pirate.

I had a wonderful time. I have so much to work on that I feel like staying up late, but I know I need some sleep, so, goodnight.

And the Winner of Fire World is...

2012-01-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Kelley Johnsen, rafflecopter picked you as the winner of Fire World.

Book Review and Giveaway - The Skeleton's Knife by Joni Sensel

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's time for a book review and a cool giveaway. Let’s take a look at the third book in the YA fantasy Farwalker trilogy, The Skeleton’s Knife, by Joni Sensel. Joni signed my review copy, so I am happy to host a giveaway for this great book. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

The Story – Ariel Farwalker is stuck in a love triangle between her long time friend, Zeke, and the boy her heart races over, Nace. Trying to break the tension, Ariel decides to head off on a Farwalker quest to destroy an evil knife with traces to the underworld.

While on her quest Ariel discovers an old smuggler’s cove and a new friend, Dain, a windcharmer. To save the life of a dear friend, Ariel heads to the land of the dead where an old enemy is intent on revenge and her chances of returning to the living shrink from slim to none.

My Thoughts - One of the main things I like about the Farwalker books are the small settlements Ariel finds that are left over from the destruction of the world. The smuggler’s cove she finds is interesting in that it is a dying community that is full of past history.

The love triangle involved in the story is one any teenager can relate to: the old friend and the new love. Who do you choose? I enjoyed the way Joni solved the problem, it felt real to life and you aren’t cheated by having one of them die, so the choice is made by the main character, not for the main character.

Another plus is the introduction of two new characters, Dain and Cassalie. Both these ladies are well written, and are very interesting characters full of voice. They move the story along and add a great subplot. The story itself holds its own and can be read independent of the rest, but I suggest reading the whole trilogy.

If you would like to learn more about Joni and her writing, check out http://www.jonisensel.com/ .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't Breathe A Word Book Launch Party

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Last night, I had the great opportunity to attend Holly Cupala's book launch of her newest YA novel, Don't Breathe a Word. It was a wonderful time full of friends, food and a special reading by Holly. I picked up a copy, so look for a book review to come in the near future. Until then, here is the back copy:

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.
Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.
Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.
Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

Sounds so good. And, I was lucky enough to have Holly sign my review copy!

A special part of the evening was learning about New Horizons, a youth charity in Seattle. 30% of the nights proceeds went to their cause. They provide outreach and serves to youth on the streets. They supply clothing, showers, meals, laundry, advocacy, referrals and counseling. In their own words, they provide love.

To help out please check out their website- http://www.nhmin.org/

To learn more about Holly and her writing,go to http://www.hollycupala.com/ . And don't forget to pick up your copy today!

2012 Comment Challenge

2012-01-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

The Comment Challenge is an opportunity to get to know other book blogs out in cyber space. Hosted by Mother Reader and Lee Wind , the contest/challenge runs from Thursday, Jan. 5 to Wednesday, Jan. 25. And even though I'm late getting into it, don't worry, you can just do a couple extra posts.

The goal is to comment on 5 book blogs everyday. You keep track of your numbers and then report in to Lee Wind every Wednesday. On the 25th is the final check-in. On that day any bloggers who reached the 100 comments left goal, will be entered to when a prize package. There will also be random prizes just for trying.

So come join the fun today, you can still sign up, just go to http://www.motherreader.com/ A full list of blogs participating is on her site.
Now, go off and leave some comments!

Book Review- The Marked Son by Shea Berkley

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Marked Son, by Shea Berkley, is a YA fantasy novel that takes place in the normal world and the world of the fey.

The Story- Dylan has a rough life. His mother is a flake who abandoned him on a sheep ranch with his grandparents, who he’s never even met. The one thing in Dylan’s life that brings him peace, are his dreams of a strange girl, dreams he’s been having since he was eight. But lately, his dreams have taken a bad turn and he feels that somehow, his dream girl, is in danger.

On the sheep farm, Dylan finds a place to plant his roots. Things are going somewhat well until strange things start happening, and only Dylan can see them. Suddenly, he is pulled into the world of fairy, a world where a cruel ruler is intent on killing half breeds and taking over the realm.

In the world of fey, Dylan finds the girl he’s been dreaming about, Kera. She is a hidden half breed, and allotted to become the cruel tyrant’s wife. Together, Kera and Dylan fight to change things and protect the one’s they love.

My Thoughts- A good addition to the fairy genre. These fairies aren’t the cute, little, lovable ones. These fairies are more human, living in a world that is cruel, and out of their control.

My favorite character is Dylan. He is so interesting. His character shows lots of growth and understanding. He goes from an abandoned teenager to a loyal, brave friend.

The story is told from both Dylan’s and Kera’s point of view, which allows the reader greater insight into the unknown fairy world and also into each character. There is a bit of violence and some death. A good read for ages 10 and up.

The Apocalypsies Contest

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

HEADS UP! Thanks to author Lauri Reyes of http://1000wrongs.blogspot.com/ for sharing this great contest!

January 16th starts the YAMAZING RACE - the coolest hop ever! Each of 58 debut 2012 young adult and middle grade authors will be posting information about their soon-to-be-released novels. (Many will also be hosting giveaways). At the end of the hop will be a list of questions about the books. Answer the questions correctly and you will be entered into a drawing for a whole slew of book related prizes including ARCs (advanced reader copies), book marks, T-shirts and more!

The YAMAZING RACE will run for one week only. Be sure to check back here on the 16th for the list of participating authors. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to "meet" 2012's newest authors! And please spread the word! In the meantime, be sure to stop by the APOCALYPSIES BLOG- http://apocalypsies.blogspot.com/ to get all the latest news about 2012 best new books!

Windward Publishing

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Let's get to know Windward Publishing, an imprint of Finney Company. "Windward Publishing, founded in 1973, merged with Finney Company in 2001. Windward offers nature books on popular subjects including shells, fishing, mammals, sharks, birds, and more. Windward Publishing is home to most of Finney Company's children's books."- http://www.finneyco.com/about.html#windward

Regarding fiction, they handle young readers, middle grade and YA. The subjects lean towards adventures, animals, nature and the environment. Check out Storm Codes by Tracy Nelson Maurer http://www.finneyco.com/stormcodes.htm

Most of their books appear to be nonfiction. They are looking for young readers, middle readers and young adult books that deal with animals, careers, science and nature. They also publish activity books and young adult textbooks. Check out, Eye on the Iditarod: Aisling's Quest by Aisling Lara Shepherd and Hope Irvin Marston. http://www.finneyco.com/eye_iditarod.htm

They are open to submissions. For fiction, send a query. For nonfiction, submit an outline/synopsis with 3 sample chapters. Here's info straight from their website- Please make sure the materials you submit are easy to read. Submissions must be typed. NO HANDWRITTEN, ELECTRONIC, OR E-MAILED SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

For each manuscript, please submit the following:
1. Query letter describing your manuscript, background, and qualifications.
2. Brief (one page or less) overview.
3. Table of contents, introduction, and at least three chapters.
4. Short description of the proposed market(s) for your submission.
5. Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for our reply and anything you want returned - we cannot be responsible for the return of manuscripts for which postage has not been provided.

Submit to: Finney Company, 8075 215th Street West, Lakeville, MN 55044

Additional info:

Buys stock photography.
Accepts MS/illustration packages.
Publishes books 6-12 months after acceptance.
50% of books from 1st time authors.
Author's payment is negotiable by project.
Advances are offered.

1,000 Follower Giveaway

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

A big THANK YOU to all my followers! I recently broke the 1,000 GFC follower mark, so now it's time for a gratitude giveaway.The only requirement is that you be a follower, plus you can tweet for extra entries. To enter, just fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it, click 'read more'.

What I am giving away is near and dear to me, something I've been a fan of for over 30 years, Doctor Who! and more recently Torchwood.

Book 1: Hardback-Doctor Who: Beatuiful Chaos. The Doctor and Donna together again!

Book 2- Hardback- Torchwood: Bay of the Dead. Jack vs. Zombies! Yes, it's as good as it sounds.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, is a Cinderella tale for the future. It is published by Feiwel & Friends, and will hit shelves this week, on Jan. 3rd.

The Story- Cinder is a cyborg and in Cinder’s world people don’t like cyborgs. She is in the guardianship of a step mom and has two stepsisters. As the book begins, Cinder works as a mechanic, repairing androids and electronics. At work in her booth at the city market, Cinder is surprised when Prince Kai stops by to ask for help with his childhood robot.

Soon Cinder is pulled into the Prince’s world, though not by choice. When Cinder’s stepsister comes down with the plaque, her step mom sells Cinder to the city to use as a medical test subject. While at the palace labs, Cinder runs into Prince Kai again and soon learns of the political pressures he is under, including a proposed marriage to the evil Lunar queen, Levana.

Things go haywire at the palace and Cinder learns about her missing past and her upcoming future.

My Thoughts- A good retelling of the Cinderella fairytale with some added bonuses. The whole idea of Cinder’s secret past is a great subplot. It is kind of obvious who she is near the beginning of the book and you just have to wait for her to figure it out or in this case, be told. I also like the addition of an evil queen. Levana is known for being ruthless and is a danger to both Kai and Cinder. The idea that Lunar people have a way to brainwash people is interesting too. I’m looking forwards to Cinder developing powers of her own.

I think the best part about this new version of the tale is that book one doesn’t have a happy ending. Cinder will not become a princess right after the ball, in fact, she must flee for her own survival. The next book in the series is going to have to rely on an original plot and I think the author has ended book one in the perfect place to do just that.

This book is good for ages 8 and up. Kids will love the fairytale retold in the future and enjoy the new plot twists.

Book Review- Replication by Jill Williamson

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have a very interesting book to review today. It is a YA sci-fi called Replication by Jill Williamson. The novel deals with cloning and when science goes too far.

The Story- In the underground labs of Jason Farms, live 55 boys, all clones. One of these clones, Martyr, is anxiously awaiting his eighteenth birthday, the day he expires. He is excited to fulfill his purpose, to save humanity.

The doctors who run Jason Farms have told the boys that above the labs, the earth is toxic and full of diseases. The boys have been created to allow the doctors to experiment and find a cure for the toxins and illnesses. But, Martyr has one wish before he dies. He wants to see the sky.

Above the labs, in the real world, lives Abby, seventeen year old daughter of Dr. Gonyer, one of the lab’s scientists. Abby is dealing with the loss of her mother from cancer, her father’s new job and their move to Alaska. At school, Abby is sought after by quarterback extraordinaire, JD Kane, who she wants nothing to do with, and is annoyed at his arrogance.

Then, Abby has the greatest surprise of her life. One night, she finds JD hiding in her room! But, is it really him? It looks like him, but with a bald head. Abby meets Martyr, and her whole world changes. Together, Abby and Martyr try to bring the world the truth about Jason Farms, but the doctors are after them and will do anything to shut them up.

My Thoughts – This is a really good, thought provoking book. The very first chapter, where Martyr is introduced, is heart wrenching. The injustice of the clone’s lives and the experimentation that they endure makes you mad. The doctors believe the boys aren’t “really” human and that they are justified in their experiments.

The subplot that runs through out the book is Abby’s faith in God, and her belief that what is taking place is immoral. Many books can be heavy handed about religion, but I found that though religion is mentioned a lot, it fit in perfect with the story and I wasn’t put off.

The pacing of the book is fast, action, action, action, with touches of romance. A good read for 12+.

Query Contest Winners!

2011-12-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Glenn Jason Hanna! Your query was picked by Variance Publishing to win the 5 page Manuscript Critique.

Here is the winning query:

When three brothers find a girl stealing tomatoes out of their garden, the eldest one wants to tell their parents, the youngest one wants to beat her up for stealing. The Middle child recognizes someone in trouble, so Jason Teller give her something to eat and offers up his garage to sleep in for the night. His older brother rats her out to his parents anyway, the girl is taken away by the authorities and 11 yr old Jason never sees her again.

Two years later Jason is visited by an older version of himself, now a great scientist who has invented time travel, only the device is faulty and the 102 year old Jason cannot return to his own time. Desperate, the older Jason gives the time machine to his younger self and tells him to hold until the he is older and can fix it. Under no circumstances is he to use it, but really, what thirteen year old can resist a time machine?

Now Jason Teller is trapped, bouncing around from 1990's Florida to Confederate Tennessee. At first he vows to leave history alone, but touched by the people he encounters he begins to tamper with past events trying to change history for the better, which is easier said than done. But Jason is determined. He will get home, he will right past wrongs including his own when he fails the girl he once met stealing tomatoes in his own backyard. Glenn Jason Hanna

Congratulations to Beth Wade! Rafflecopter picked your query to win second place, a query critique.

I will send your query and email on to Variance so they can do the critique.

A big thanks to everyone who entered. More contests will be coming soon.

Book Review- Pure by Julianna Baggott

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

And now for a book review about one of my favorite subjects- end of the world disaster survival. Pure is a YA sci-fi written by Julianna Baggott and published by Grand Central. It is set to hit shelves Feb. 8, 2012.

The Story- The world as we know it ended in a bright flash, sun on sun on sun. Inside the dome, people survived. Outside the dome, people died. Those few that survived outside, did so with terrible deformities and injuries. Almost a decade has passed since the detonations and those who survived are now struggling to live day by day.

Pressia lives outside the dome. When the bombs hit, a baby doll head was fused to her hand, now it is a living part of her. Everyone around her has similar problems. Whatever you were near at the time of the detonations, you are now fused with. People even became parts of rocks, dirt and trees. Pressia is about to turn 16, the age when a person is required to turn themselves over to the OSR and is never heard from again.

Partridge lives inside the dome. He attends classes with other boys and has his genes manipulated as part of weekly tests. His father is a high up scientist in the dome, the one who controls the genetic coding. Due to a slip of the tongue, Partridge learns that his mother might still be alive outside and is determined to find her.

Together outside the dome, Pressia and Partridge team up to search for his mother. The deeper into the search they get, the more horrible are the truths that come out.

My Thoughts- First off, this book is told from the voice of an omnipresent narrator. It felt very confusing at first, characters being referred to by their names and not in the first or third person. There is a small prologue that starts off the story and just from the voice used there, it feels like it is somebody that knows Pressia well, perhaps her grandfather, but then later on, I figured I was wrong and never did figure out who was telling the story.

I have to caution that this book is not for young readers. The author does a wonderful job at descriptions and settings, but the vividness they portray is creepy. The way people are fused to objects kept spinning around in my thoughts, the images are freaky, but the use of them by the author is way cool.

I enjoyed the puzzles in the story too. Several of the subplots end up intertwining and you have to follow clues to figure them out. The ride the author took me on was entertaining and thoughtful. It definitely shows a side to nuclear bombings that I’d never thought of. In fact, the author points out the hope that readers will find their way to non fiction books about the atomic bomb and the horrors that resulted.

The book ends by separating out the youth that will be the main stars of the second book, which will be a fun read. I’m not sure how, but they're going to take on the dome.

And the winner of the mid winters eve hop is...

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Memrie, rafflecopter picked you as the winner of my Mid Winters Eve Hop. A Signed copy of The Day Before will be headed your way.

Proper Manuscript Format

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'm often surprised at critiques or first page reading sessions, by the mistakes that are made formatting manuscripts. For Inside The Publishing World, I thought I'd take a look at proper MS format, and though there is no one "correct" way, there are professional guidelines.

The first page: In left hand corner should be a single spaced list with your name, address, phone number and email addy. I also like to include the date. In the upper right corner I like to give the word count and genre. For example, 70,000 words, YA Fantasy.

1/3 to 1/2 ways down the page should be your title, all in CAPS. Double spaced below the title is "by Your Name". Then, 1/2 to 3/4 of the way down the page begins your story. If you are attending a first pages critique, your correctly formatted first page should only be 1/2 a page of writing.

Following Pages: The following pages of your manuscript should include your last name and title in the left hand corner (White/My Awesome Book) and page number in the right. All new chapters should begin 1/2 ways down on a new page.

Important tips:
*Use white paper (nice grade) that is a normal 8.5" X 11" in size.
*Double space your manuscript. It makes it easier for the editor to read, and it is proper.
*The first page doesn't need a page number, but make sure the rest have one.
*Use a printer with dark ink.
*Use a common font such as Arial or New Times Roman. Proper size is 12.
*There should be 1" margins on each side.
*Left justify your paper.
* No double sided pages.

And the winner of Human Blend/Earth Blend is...

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

A big congrats to Lindsay Ann, rafflecopter picked you as the winner of Lori Pescatore's books! Please check your email.

Book Giveaway- Fire World by Chris D'Lacey

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Up for grabs is book 6 in the Last Dragon Chronicles, Fire World, by Chris D'Lacey. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it, click 'read more'.

From Goodreads:
After destroying a trace of dark fire, David, Zanna, and the Pennykettle dragons vanished. In a brand-new world, Co:per:nica, which runs parallel to that of Crescent Lane, firebirds roam the ancient librarium, a museum for books. But when 12-year-old David and Rosanna accidentally injure one of the firebirds, they are suddenly thrust into a remarkable adventure. The evil Ix have taken over one of the firebirds, turning it to the side of darkness, but the birds have a secret:They know about the existence of dragons. And from across the universe, one may come to their aid....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Dumpling Days by Grace Lin

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

I discovered a fantastic upper middle grade read that I’d like to share, Dumpling Days, by Grace Lin. Published by Little, Brown books, it is an amazing multi cultural story filled with color, history and wit. It hits shelves Jan. 2nd, 2012.

The Story- Pacy loves her life in America and is surprised when her parents decide to spend a whole month in Taiwan to prepare for their grandmother’s sixtiest birthday.
Even though Pacy is Taiwanese/American, she and her two sisters do not speak Chinese and know practically nothing about Taiwan.

The trip is harder than Pacy thought it would be: she looks like everyone else, but can’t understand a thing. Plus, Taiwan is so much different that America, so busy and crowded, it scares her. The one thing that gets her through her vacation is the amazing food in Taiwan, especially the Dumplings.

As Pacy and her sisters Ki-Ki and Lissy spend a whole month in Taiwan, Pacy learns who she really is by discovering her family history and Taiwan’s amazing folklore.

My Thoughts- This is an amazing book. It is not your typical middle grade read. The book is jam packed with culture, that for me was fresh and delightful. I learned things I’ve never known before.

Children will really connect with Pacy and her problems. She feels lost in a place that is supposed to be familiar. Plus, she has to search for her own identity and learn to love family. I highly recommend this book to any reader, middle grade, YA and adult. All three levels will find something fun and new. A great read for educational purposes too, children will learn in a fun and NOT boring way.

What more can I say? Put it on your too read list.

Cover Reveal- Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Chosen Ones is a YA dystopian novel by Tiffany Truitt and published by Entangled Publishing. This is a first in series. It's currently scheduled for release in April, but that may change. I've requested an ARC, so hopefully I'll have a review for you soon. But for now, here is the awesome cover and a small blurb.

"What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?"

Mid Winter's Eve Holiday Hop

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's the Mid Winter's Eve Holiday Hop hosted by http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/ & http://oasisforya.blogspot.com/ .
As my part of the hop, win a SIGNED copy of Lisa Schroeder's YA novel, The Day Before. Enter on the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it click 'read more'. Here's the blurb from Goodreads -

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.
The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

Don't forget to hop over to the other blogs here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SCBWI Western Washington's 21st Annual Conference

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

A heads up on one of my favorite writer conferences- the Spring SCBWI Western Washington conference! Now, straight from the Chinook Update email:

On Your Holiday Wishlist: 2012 Conference Tuition?

Registration will be in mid-January, but why not ask for conference tuition this December? Instead of that deluxe Justin Bieber parfum collection. Do you really want to smell like teen spirit when you could, instead, be making great strides in your children's book career?

We're thrilled to announce the speakers (and scroll down to find out about groovy new opportunities we'll have at our conference happening April 21-22, 2012 at the Redmond Town Center Marriott (opportunities hipper than the word "groovy" for starters):

SCBWI Western Washington's 21st Annual Conference: A Parade of Words and Pictures

Artwork from Balloons Over Broadway. Copyright © 2011 by Melissa Sweet. Used with permission Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Keynotes!
Keynote illustrator Melissa Sweet has won many awards, including a Caldecott Honor. Check her out on the Martha Stewart Show!

When keynote author Matt de la Peña isn't writing award-winning novels and picture books, he's teaching creative writing to adults and talking to kids all over the place.

Winner of oodles of awards and accolades, including SCBWI’s first Crystal Kite Regional Award for “A Bedtime for Bear,"keynote author Bonny Becker is a local treasure.

Keynote author Rachel Vail wowed us at SCBWI International. And we're thrilled she's written for every age, from toddlers to teens, including those elusive beasts, lower elementary.

With an unrivaled flare for humor in his popular middle grade series, The Chet Gecko Mysteries, Bruce Hale is also a pro at reaching his target audience, whether it's at school visits, in workshops, or on Skype.

Art Directors & Illustrators!
Lucy Ruth Cummins is all over Simon & Schuster's pages! As an award-winning art director on the colophon page, and on the half-title page (and cover!) of THE TAKING TREE, which Lucy illustrated.

When he's not busy running for charities, Scott Magoon runs the risk of being too talented. He's a fantastic art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Boston, as well as an award-winning illustrator and author of numerous picture books.

Editors!
Andrew Karre is the editorial director of Carolrhoda Books, Carolrhoda Lab, and Darby Creek, divisions of the Lerner Publishing Group in the currently cold and snowy (odds are, right?) lands of Minnesota. He has an omnivorous appetite for books for all ages.

Senior editor with Tor books, Susan Chang acquires fantasy and science fiction middle grade and YA novels for the Starscape and Tor Teen imprints.

Andrea Welch, fellow West Coaster, edits at Beach Lane Books's beautiful La Jolla headquarters. She adores picture books, and it's no wonder—she gets to work with the amazing Mem Fox!

Executive Editor Nancy Conescu at Penguin's Dial BFYR is a dynamo with a heart and loads of experience. Read about one of her recent acquisitions here.

Agents!
Whether it's commercial fiction or heart-warming picture books, Jenny Bent has made representing bestsellers a habit. Learn more about her at Literary Rambles or The Bent Agency.

With 35 years in the publishing industry before donning the agenting cloak, Rubin Pfeffer has the eye and experience it takes to find the diamonds in his submissions box. Find out more at East West Literary and see a clip of him on an editor/agent panel.

Former professor and current smarty Eddie Gamarra is a literary manager/producer with The Gotham Group, representing screenwriters, directors, animators, authors, illustrators, publishers, and animation studios around the world. He specializes in children's and family entertainment, of course!

Chris Richman, agent with Upstart Crow Literary, loves books for boys, unforgettable characters, and fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Distinguished Faculty!
Seattle writer, dance teacher, and SCBWI WWA member, Helen Landalf's YA debut FLYAWAY, debuted this month from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

Tammi Sauer is a picture book dynamo (TWELVE and counting!) who has worked with Bob Shea, 2011 keynoter, Dan Santat, and fellow faculty member Scott Magoon!

Senior Publicity Manager at HarperCollins, Caroline Sun's recent campaigns include Carson Ellis and Colin Meloy's Wildwood, Shel Silverstein's Every Thing on It, and 2011 National Book Award winner Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.

Tricia Lawrence is an energetic star on the rise. As the newly minted associate agent at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, where she is also the social media strategist, Tricia is currently building her list as well as tweeting and blogging her way around the internet.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL!
Ask to have your stocking stuffed with these incredible Friday (April 20, 2012) extras:
Hands-on Collage Workshop with Melissa Sweet!
Illustrator Master Class with TWO Art Directors!
Fiction Intensive with Matt de la Peña!
Non-fiction Intensive with Andrew Karre!
Published Pros Workshop!

It's going to be another, incredible conference—won't you join us? Registration opens online in mid-January! Watch the blog- http://www.chinookupdate.blogspot.com/ and on twitter- @scbwiwwa for more info. Don't forget to make sure your SCBWI International membership is up to date to receive any and all conference tuition discounts!

Book Review- Rumors from the Boys' Room by Rose Cooper

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

*Please join me on Dec. 22nd for the Mid Winter Hop Giveaway!

It’s time to review a great new middle grade novel that has hit the shelves. The second in the Blogtastic series, Rumors from the Boy’s Room is Rose Cooper’s second novel.

The Story- Sofia is back, along with her best friend Nona and her bow wearing enemy Mia. This year, Sofia is getting all the information for her school blog from conversations overheard in the hallways and outside the boys’ room. Of course, she still tends to mess things up. The big news of this school year is that an exchange student is coming.

The other hot news item: Sofia’s mom is pregnant, and Sofia is feeling the brunt of her mother’s mood swings.

Troubles arise when the foreign exchange student, Lukas, falls for Nona. Mia is none to happy about it and Sofia sets out to protect her best friend from the revenge of the popular girls.

My Thoughts- A really cute middle grade read. Girls will enjoy this book. Sofia is her sarcastic self causing lots of problems and funny mishaps. Like the first book, this one is a journal, with lots of humorous drawings to describe Sofia’s feelings.

The story felt quicker and the plot was not as involved as the first book, but still it is good fun. The headings got a little confusing, sometimes I wasn’t sure which day it was or when something was happening.

I loved the theme that was a subplot of the Nona and Lukas relationship. Nona tries to get Lukas’ attention by dressing up and pretending to be something she is not. It isn’t until she gives up on her silly plan and returns to her wonderful normal self, that Lukas becomes interested again. Girls take heed- be yourself.

A funny, laugh out loud book, Rumors is perfect for middle grade readers.

Book Review- The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Way We Fall, by Megan Crewe, and published by Hyperion is a tense YA thriller. It will hit shelves on 1/24/12.

The Story (SPOILERS): Kaelyn and her family have returned to a small island off the coast of North America. Everything is just like normal, until Kaelyn goes to Rachel’s house to do a school project. While doing homework, Rachel’s dad comes into the room, coughing, sneezing, itching and talking ridiculous stuff. A few days later he is dead.

Soon, the island is cut of from the mainland and thrust into a quarantine. Kaelyn’s father, a microbiologist, works day and night at the hospital trying to find a cure, but still people keep getting sick, even Kaelyn’s mother.

As more people die, the community begins turning to anarchy, fighting for food and meds. When Kaelyn falls ill, it seems like the end, but when she recovers, she brings hope to the island. All together 6 people have recovered from the virus. Several months pass and soon most of the population is dead. Desperate to save the last member of her family still alive, her little cousin Meredith, Kaelyn uses her own blood as a serum to help. The story ends with Meredith maybe getting better and the ferry boat returning after months of desolation.

My Thoughts- A great thriller that blends reality and terror. The book is written as a type of journal, from Kaelyn to her friend Leo. We are able to watch day by day the spread of the illness and how it affects people. Unlike other thrillers, this illness is not a gory violent death. Instead, people have flu like symptoms and the desire to hug everyone.

The author does a great job detailing the panic that would ensue in a town when it is isolated and under quarantine. I really liked that the majority of the town residents kept things decent. Teenagers step forward and begin bringing food to those in need. Of course, there is the gang that breaks off and terrorizes everyone.

A subplot running through the book is the budding romance between Kaelyn and Gav. Amongst all the death, these two find strength in each other. As they grow closer, you can only hope that Gav survives, because you never know whose going to drop.

The characters are well developed, so you feel connected to many as they suffer. The only thing that took me by surprise is the ending, it was very abrupt. I’ve noticed a trend of abrupt endings lately in YA. Things are left hanging a bit, but hopeful, so if this is a single standing book, you think the ones that have survived so far will make it. But, I suspect that this is a series, so what I really want to know is if the virus spreads to the mainland and if the effects are more global.

A tense read, but really thought provoking. I'd say it’s good for ages 12 and up.

Query Contest with editor Stan Tremblay from Variance Publishing

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Win A 5 pg Manuscript Critique!
Happy Holidays to all my readers! As a special treat I've arranged for a query contest sponsored by Variance Publishing. First place, picked by editor Stan Tremblay, wins a 5 page manuscript critique. Second place wins a query critique.The contest will run for one week only. Check out Variance Publishing here.

They have two imprints. The first, Deviation, specializes in thrillers. "Thrillers of All Genres. We're looking for fast paced thrillers...breakneck paced thrillers. But when we say thrillers, we're not talking just present day, Ludlum-like stories. We want the range, people! Science-fiction, fantasy, historical horror, action/adventure. The gamut. It's just got to be fast paced."

The second imprint, Blip, publishes upper middle grade and young adult.

TO ENTER THE CONTEST:

Leave your query on the Contest Query Enteries page, in the forum. Either click the above page link or click here. Make sure you include your name and email. This will put you in the running for THE FIRST PRIZE- a 5 page manuscript critique from Variance Publishing! The Variance submissions department and Stan will choose the winner. DO NOT leave personal critique comments about other people's queries.

To enter to win second place, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it click 'read more'. Make sure you've already posted your query in the forum. A random winner will win the critique.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the Winner of Shatter Me is...

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Kasee Johnson! Rafflecopter picked you to win the ARC of Shatter Me by Mafi.

*Come back tomorrow for my first ever query contest with an editor from Variance Publishing!

Human Blend by Lori Pescatore- Book Review and Giveaway

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I recently read a great YA sci-fi/fantasy that I'd like to share. The title is Human Blend by Lori Pescatore. Lori signed my review copies of her first two books, Human Blend and Earth Blend, and I'm giving them away! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. You don't have to use facebook (even thought that's the big box) you can sign in with just your name and email too. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

The Story- Julie is on the run from some really bad guys, the raping, murdering kind. She has taken refuge in a small town called Marion, Virginia, the home of Mountain Dew. Immediately she is attracted to a local boy named Austin and sets about trying to make her move permanent.

She takes a job volunteering at the local hospital, where she can use her special ability, healing, on the sly. One doctor takes notice though, Dr. Eli, a handsome man with no heartbeat! (No, not a vampire). The stage is now set for a romantic triangle and of course, the return of the really bad guys.

My Thoughts - I just have to say, I've read some great self published works lately, the first Remembrance by Madow (see review here) and now Human Blend. Personally I believe both these books should have been published by one of the big guys.

This story is unique and completely deserves its own little niche in the YA world. Look-out, because I'm going to give away some SPOILERS here. You see, Julie doesn't know who she really is. She was kidnapped as a child and raised by the kidnappers to do horrible things. The catch is, that for most of the book we don't know why she has her special abilities. Turns out, she is a human blend. Years ago, survivors from another planet took refuge on earth. Their only way to reproduce is to splice their genetic code into an already fertilized embryo, thus the blend. Each child/blend born has a special power or two. What a great plot line.

Now then, there is also a cool sub plot . Who is Dr. Eli and why does he have no heartbeat? Here we have the emergence of another all new type of paranormalish creature. Turns out Eli is an Earth Blend. A creature made by Mother Earth to protect itself. These creatures are really cool, with special powers of their own.

The story is well written, with great new memorable characters. It is an upper YA novel not just because of instances of sex, but because some of the violent life Julie was forced into, was described, and its not pretty. I highly recommend you add Human Blend to your must read list.

Now, a note about the second book- Earth Blend. This book takes up where Human Blend ends. It is full of more suspense and secrets. Plus, the love triangle continues. On the critical side, I felt that although the story is just as strong, there's a little too much back story. Lori fleshes out her characters well, and their history is obvious without needing to flashback to it.

The second book is also more on the violent side, with the flashback's spotlighting different character's disturbing pasts. Including a rape by the Earth Blend Percone, that I really didn't like, but luckily wasn't described in detail.

Lori again pulls the reader through the story with hints of secrets revealed and hidden powers discovered. Plus, there's the sweet feeling of revenge for Julie. Another great read by Pescatore.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

I had a chance to read an ARC of the upcoming Egmont release, Every Other Day, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. A great YA addition to the genre.

The Story- Kali is not quite human, well, every other day that is. On her odd days she is a self healing hunter of evil demon creatures. She lives her life in solitude, not wanting to endanger anyone else. But, the first day she attends public school, her life changes. She actually makes her first real friend, Skylar, a self confessed psychic. She also ends up saving the head cheerleader, Bethany, from a blood sucking chupacabras.

By allowing the chupacabras to invade her own body, Kali finds out she’s not alone in the world, that somewhere out there, her soul mate Zev is being held prisoner. With the help of her new friends, Kali sets out to rescue Zev, but she only has 24hrs to do it, because then she’ll turn into a human again.

My Thoughts – Great idea! I always wonder how come I didn’t think of that, it’s such a simple concept- every other day you change into something different. Anyway, Kali is a great character. She is so vulnerable on her human days and yet she still is on the look out to help others anyway she can. When she is inhuman, she is a butt kicking Amazon. Loved it.

Zev is also very interesting. The whole book you want them to get together, but when they do, huge twist! And then there is Skylar, who is my favorite character. She tells everybody she’s just a little bit psychic, when in reality she’s a whole lot psychic. Once you read the story, you’ll realize just how brave and courageous she really is. Her character adds humor and life to the book.

It is a really interesting look at a world like our own, that went down a different path. The funny thing, everyone knows hellhounds and demon creatures exist, but when confronted with vampires and psychics, everyone denies they exist. So true of human beings, denying what’s right in front of them.

This book is fast paced, full of action and great characters.There is a bit of violence, so I’d say this book is for 12 and up. Expected pub date is Dec. 27th, 2011.

And the winners are...

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Mary DeBorde (M.A.D.). You won my 12 days of gifts galore giveaway and a CD Copy of Holly Cupula's book, Tell Me a Secret.

Congrats to Dayle Butler! You won my Book Lover's Hop and a copy of the ARC of Bedbugs.

A breakdown of Children's Book Genres

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

New writers often attend meetings and wonder at the jargon that is used. I thought for Inside the Publishing World Wednesday I'd take a look at the different divisions of Children's Books.

Picture books or PB - are for the youngest of children, usually under 8 years. Manuscripts are up to 1,500 words, but 1,000 is average. Page wise they run 6-9 typed pages. When put into book format they run either a 16 or 32 page format. Plots are simple and the illustrations, which are on every page, play a large role in telling the story.

Chapter Books- these books are for the next level of readers, ages 7-10. They fall into two categories- early chapter books and regular chapter books. Early chapter books have manuscripts that are up to 30 pages long and are broken into 2-3 page chapters. For example, Nate The Great books by Sharmat. Regular chapter books run 45-60 pages and are broken up into 3 or 4 page chapters. These books usually are full of action and have more complex sentence structures, but still have short paragraphs. Check out the Ramona books by Cleary.

Middle Grade or MG- This is my sweet spot. Middle grade books are for children ages 8-12. The manuscripts run between 100-150 typed pages and can run between 20,000- 50,000 words. At this age children are ready for more complex stories, subplots and secondary characters. Middle grade books often come in series because children at this age get hooked on characters. A great example of MG is Holes by Sachar.

Young Adult or YA- For ages 12 +, these works run between 130-200 typed pages and are usually between 50,000-85,000 words. Plots are complex, issues sometimes extreme, and there are several major characters and many subplots. Themes often are relevant to what is facing teenagers of our day. Check out Matched by Ally Condie.

Cross-over - These books are becoming more and more popular with the release of works such as Harry Potter and Twilight. Manuscripts are like YA, but the plots are often interesting to adults and can be sold in both the YA and adult market.

Just a side note- there are no specific requirements for any type of book. The above information is more of a guideline. You'll find books that break the norm in every genre.

The Gaia Wars- Blog Tour with Prizes

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Gaia Wars blog tour! I had a chance to read this book and its sequel, Battle for Cascadia. So, sit back, relax and let me tell you a little about the books and the author, Ken Bennett.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of The Gaia Wars eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

You can also enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle Fire, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 9th, so you don’t miss out. Following this post is a schedule of Novel Publicity events.

I can win too! Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll. Please vote for The Write Path in the Traffic Breaker Poll.

The book review:
The Gaia Wars is a very interesting book which spins Native American folklore with science fiction, all set in modern day America.
The Story: 13 year old Warren Wilkes lives in a beautiful mountain community. He loves to hike in the wilderness and swim in the lake. But now, a greedy land developer has moved into town and wants to build a gated community. Desperate, Warren resorts to vandalism. But, he's seen, and has to make a run for his life. He heads to the only place he knows, the mountains. It is while hiding that he discovers an old corpse and a mysterious medallion.

Now, Warren begins to uncover mysteries from the far past and from his recent path. Specifically, the death of his parent's in a fire at a ranger station. The medallion leads him to a world where aliens exist and some of them want to destroy the planet.

The second book, Battle For Cascadia, finishes Warren's story. He is now leading a fight against an evil alien and its troops. With only a hand full of supporters and the help of Mother Earth, Warren takes on dark forces that even the US army can't conquer.

My Thoughts- First off, I really think the two books should have been one. The second is much shorter than the first. But that is a technical issue. The story itself is strong. I really liked the beginning of Gaia Wars. Warren is a typical teenager, out to protect what he loves most, in this case his mountain. And just like a typical kid he doesn't think about the consequences to his actions. So, when he goes after the land developer and his son, Warren is only thinking about a mean practical joke. But, things blow up in his face.

Another thing I enjoyed about the beginning, is that you don't know who to trust. There are several people who seem to know about the medallion, but you never really know who the bad guy is until after a dramatic escape scene.

The blend of science fiction with Native American history is unique. I enjoy the way it is interwoven through out the story. Overall, both books are a good read for ages 10 +. There is a bit of violence and disturbing images. Mostly about shapeshifting soldiers that kill people and then take on that person's form. Older kids should be able to handle it. And as a bonus, the second book ends on a totally unexpected shift.

The Author:
Kenneth G. Bennett is the author of the Young Adult novels The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia (the second book of The Gaia Wars), as well as the forthcoming Exodus 2018, a paranormal thriller set in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. A wilderness enthusiast who loves backpacking, skiing and kayaking, Ken enjoys novels that explore the relationship between humans and the wild. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son. Visit him on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

To Win the Prizes:

1.Purchase your copy of The Gaia Wars for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2.Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3.Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4.BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of The Gaia Wars or its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. Autographed copies of The Gaia Wars and its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia, are also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a YA read that’s full of adventure & intrigue? Check out The Gaia Wars. Reduced to just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7ywpZ #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see The Gaia Wars book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of The Gaia Wars and its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia, are also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see The Gaia Wars book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of The Gaia Wars and its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia, are also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a Kindle Fire or a $100 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Kenneth’s most recent blog post. How easy is that? Autographed copies of The Gaia Wars and its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia, are also up for grabs.

Book Review- Heir to Power by Michele Poague

2011-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have a YA sci-fi novel to share today, The Healing Crystal- Heir to Power, book one by Michele Poague. It is a big book, over 500 pages, so my review is longer than normal. There’s just too much good stuff to go over.

The Story- The colony of Survin has been hidden for over 5 centuries, protecting an ancient relic called the Healing Crystal. At sixteen, Kairma is the next in line to inherit the artifact.
There are several problems that confront her as the heir. First, she has been touched by the white ones, strange worm like humans that live underground, whose bite almost killed Kairma. She survived, but now resembles a white one with long white hair and pale skin. Several of the villagers distrust her and think of her as a witch, unfit to wear the Healing Crystal.

Second, a few years ago, the colony was hit by a plaque, killing off a large portion of the population. Because of old logs that have been kept by previous Mirals (female leaders of the colony), Kairma learns that their genetic pool is too low and that her people won’t survive unless new blood is introduced soon.

Third, in order to protect the Healing Crystal, the rules of Survin call for the killing of any strangers that stumble upon their colony. The older residents of the village will not hear of letting strangers in to help add fresh blood. As the story begins, one stranger is seeking shelter in their village, wishing to study the Godstones, four large faces that are carved into a near by mountain. Trep, desperate to survive, tells of weapons and cities beyond that could help the Survin people.

Risking all, Trep is allowed to leave with a handful of male villagers to buy guns and hopefully bring back fresh bloodlines. Kairma and the colony face great danger when evil men follow Trep back with plans to destroy the people for their gold.

My Thoughts- This story is amazing. In fact, it is the best part. Clues come at you from all sides as you realize these people are actually survivors of some deadly apocalypse that wiped out the planet Earth. I loved how people like us, are now considered gods in the eyes of the colony, who worship Mount Rushmore, thinking it contains the faces of the gods.

Now for some critique, the book is written from several character’s POV. It hops around like crazy. You have to read the first sentence of each chapter carefully so you know who is talking. I felt this was unnecessary. The author does a great job fleshing out each character and we don’t really need so many POV’s. I think it would have been fine from just Kairma’s and Collin’s.

Next, I can’t figure out what the healing crystal is. This isn’t a bad thing, it will definitely bring me back for book 2, but the whole book I was wondering what it was? It has no magic powers and I can’t think of anything in modern day that it could be. Things that make you say hmm?

Another interesting thing is the use of language. The people of Survin use English, passed down from their readings of the logs. It is kind of funny because some of the words have disintegrated, but you can guess what they used to mean. For example, their leader is called the Miral, modern day for Admiral. The use of the word annum all the time was annoying. I think using year would have been easier. Every time I read annum, it made me pause and pulled me from the story.

But oh wow, what a story. Like I said, it is the best part. If you’ve read enough of my reviews you know I love apocalyptic survival stuff. This book reminded me a bit of The Planet of the Apes, where all but a few traces are left of what civilization used to be.

If you'd like to visit Michele's website - http://michelepoague.com/

Book Lover's Holiday Hop

2011-12-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Book Lover's Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy.
For my part in the hop I am offering the ARC of Bedbugs by New York Times best-selling author, Ben H. Winters. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter from below. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

The story- (from Goodreads)

FOR RENT: Top two floors of beautifully renovated brownstone, 1300 sq. ft., 2BR 2BA, eat-in kitchen, one block to parks and playgrounds. No broker’s fee.

Susan and Alex Wendt have found their dream apartment.
Sure, the landlady is a little eccentric. And the elderly handyman drops some cryptic remarks about the basement. But the rent is so low, it’s too good to pass up.
Big mistake. Susan soon discovers that her new home is crawling with bedbugs . . . or is it? She awakens every morning with fresh bites, but neither Alex nor their daughter Emma has a single welt. An exterminator searches the property and turns up nothing. The landlady insists her building is clean. Susan fears she’s going mad—until a more sinister explanation presents itself: she may literally be confronting the bedbug problem from Hell.

Don't forget to hop over to the other blogs - here.

Changing up the same old, same old book tour

2011-11-30T16:52:00.000-08:00

Are you a writer thinking of setting up a book tour? I read this great article in The Wall Street Journal, by JoAnne Kaufman, that might make you rethink how you plan your tour. WSJ article here

When most people think of a book tour, they think of standing in a room full of chairs, hopefully some are occupied.
Usually they give a lecture or read several chapters from their book. But in today's world of Blackberries and Kindles, people don't seem to want to take the time to listen, they're in and out.

"For decades, the bookstore reading was a given. It gave fans a chance to hear the cadences and inflections of a beloved author, and to decide if they wanted to lay down their plastic right then and there or maybe wait for the paperback. 'When I first started, it was readings, readings, readings. Nobody considered that you could do anything else,' said Evan Boorstyn, the deputy director of publicity at Grand Central Publishing." -excerpt from WSJ article.

I have seen the change myself. The last book tour I went to, at Indie book store, Third Place Books in Washington, was more of a show, with 6 YA authors, Q and A, giveaways and signings. (see pic) It was a real treat. The audience was engaged and the signing a huge success.

I think this new trend is a good thing. Many author's feel uncomfortable reading infront of large groups. As a group we trend toward being hermits. These new interactive book tours seem fun and less threatening. Check out the article for more ideas.

Get to know Boyds Mills Press- Publisher

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Boyds Mills Press, 815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431

"Boyds Mills Press, the trade division of Highlights for Children, Inc., was launched in 1990. Publishing books was a logical step for Highlights, which has a long tradition of helping children develop a love of reading. Boyds Mills Press publishes books that enlighten and entertain, reaching children primarily through bookstores, libraries, and schools."- from http://www.boydsmillspress.com/

The skinny- Boyds Mills Press publishes fiction for ages birth to 10. They seek adventure, contemporary, humor, multicultural and rhyming books. In the nonfiction area they are looking for all levels of nature/environment, history, and science.

They have five different imprints including: Boyds Mills Press, which publishes picture books, nonfiction, activity books, and paperback reprints. Calkins Creek, which focuses on American History. Lemniscaat, which publishes original picture books in the great Dutch tradition. Front Street features children’s and young adult fiction, in hardcover and paperback, and a unique line of art- and design-driven picture books. And Wordsong,the only imprint in the country that is devoted exclusively to poetry for children.

Regarding submissions-

They will not accept by email or fax!

They read submissions in the order they were received.
Response time- about 3 months
Include SASE
All submissions are evaluated for all imprints

Picture Books: "We accept submissions from both writers and illustrators. If you are an author, you do not need to send a query first. Please submit the entire manuscript of your picture book. If you are a professional illustrator submitting a picture book or if you are an author working with a professional illustrator, please include the manuscript, a dummy, and a sample reproduction of the final artwork that reflects the style and technique you intend to use. Do not send original artwork, as we cannot be held responsible for its damage or loss."
Middle Grade Fiction: "Please submit the first three chapters (do not include chapters from the middle of the book) and a plot summary. We will request the balance of the manuscript if we are interested."

For more info- http://www.boydsmillspress.com/writers-and-illustrators-guidelines

Ebooks for children?

2011-11-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

I was recently at a conference where the following statistic was quoted, 75% of all children's books are bought at a brick and mortar store. I was so happy to hear this news. I'd begun to worry about the traditional publishing route for kidlit writers. Publishing contracts often take 2 years to fulfill and if the world switches to epub what will happen?

Thankfully many people feel like I do. Children need real books, with pages and pictures. An interesting article just came out in the New York Times. The article talks about how the kids of e-book-loving adults still prefer paper for their own books. It also brings up the subject/debate about if anything is lost by taking a picture book and converting it to an e-book.

Check out the article by Matt Richtel and Julie Bosman here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/business/for-their-children-many-e-book-readers-insist-on-paper.html?src=me&ref=general

Above picture is of a Kindle Fire.

And the winner of my gratitude giveaway is...

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Squeak! Rafflecopter picked you to win my Gratitude giveaway. Thank you for being a follower. Red Cat and White Glove are on their way.

Book Review and Giveaway- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi, is a YA paranormal set in the future. I am offering up my ARC in a giveaway. Just fill out the rafflecopter form to enter. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

The Story- Juliette has been locked inside a cell for 264 days, with barely any food and no one to talk to. She has been placed in an asylum for murder. One day her cell door opens and a cellmate is thrust inside, Adam. He looks familiar, but in her fugue state she is unsure of everything. The only thing she knows for sure is that she can’t touch people, not even for a second, or they die.

In Juliette’s world, nature is at war with itself. The atmosphere is abused, animals are dying and the weather is out of control. The Reestablishment has taken over promising hope, but has given nothing back but military like control. Warner, a high ranking soldier, has found out about Juliette and wants to use her powers to torture people. Taken from her cell, she finds out that Adam is involved in the Reestablishment and that he is who she remembers, a boy from her past.

Together Adam and Juliette try to escape, but in a world where everything is dying, where can they go?

My Thoughts- A great story told in the 1st person by Juliette. In the beginning even her inner thoughts are cloudy, but as the story moves on, she becomes a more active hero. The author used an interesting form of self thought by crossing out the words Juliette says to herself, instead of the normal italics. It took me a while to get used to the cross outs, but then I enjoyed them just for being something a bit different.

Juliette is a wonderful character. She finds hope and goodness in things. I loved how Warner tries to turn her into a bitter person, but it just isn’t who she is. It is interesting that Adam’s kindness to her in grade school seems to have been a developmental element in her life and vice versa with him. It is a great lead in for romance.

The ending is very X –men ish, which is fun. There really seems to be no hope and then wham, good news. I won’t spoil it, but I can’t wait to read the second book just to learn about these new characters.

An interesting and intense read for any young adult. It landed on shelves, Nov. 15, 2011

Paranormal Turkey Tour

2011-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the paranormal Turkey Tour hosted by Novel Publicity.

That’s right folks, this year, we are celebrating this American holiday paranormal style. And what says paranormal holiday better than a walking, talking zombie turkey?

This zombie turkey brings you important tidings of great prizes that shall be for all people… who participate and win of course.
November 25-27 you could win up to $200 in prizes!

Please leave a comment on my blog to help me win the blog host $50 prize!

The Books:

1. Family Magic by Patti Larsen- Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord, but she just wants to be ordinary. When her coven comes under attack, Syd must face the fact only her power can save her family’s magic

2. The Next Thing I Knew by John Corwin- The afterlife is the last thing on Lucy’s mind until she and every other human on the planet drop dead and find themselves in the hereafter. Lucy drags her social life back from the grave and enlists her friends to figure out the rules of the afterlife and, more importantly, to discover who or what killed everyone and why anyone would do such a mean thing.

3. Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade- Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn’t what she thought. Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything—and everyone—they love.

.4. Farsighted by Emlyn Chand- Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Prizes:

Four $25 Book Entries: For each of the four books in the contest, you can enter to win $25 (up to $100 in giveaways!) Simply buy a copy of the book and email the proof of purchase for that book OR submit the first sentence of the fifth chapter for that book to ParanormalTurkey@gmail.com. Winners will be chosen randomly. Each person can submit one entry per book. Now all the eBooks as part of the paranormal turkey tour are priced at just 99 cents as part of this special promotional tour.Here are the links for each book:

•Farsighted by Emlyn Chand http://ow.ly/7tqhx

•Family Magic by Patti Larsen http://goo.gl/r2Bsm

•Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade http://amzn.to/rKraMo

•The Next Thing I Knew by John Corwin http://amzn.to/tSlj8A

And… if you buy all FOUR books, you are entered to win the Grand Prize!

The Grand Prize:
One randomly selected reader who enters to win all four book prizes (Family Magic, Farsighted, Forbidden Mind and The Next Thing I Knew) will win the grand prize of $100.

So go on now and pick up a copy of these fantastic paranormal reads before the zombie turkey eats you!

Notes:
•All winners will be chosen randomly using random.org.
•Amazon links are provided, but books purchased through any online vendor will qualify with proof of purchase.

12 Days of Gifts Galore Giveaway

2011-11-25T05:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 12 Days of Gifts Galore Giveaway Hop hosted by http://www.darcyandbrian.com/ : Tales From the Nursery, http://www.formulamom.com/ : Formula Mom, and http://www.greenmissionmama.blogspot.com/ : Mom on a Green Mission. There's over $5,000 in prizes offered to help you get the gifts you need this holiday season.
After you are done entering our giveaway you'll want to check out everyone else's AND enter for a chance to win one of three GRAND prizes sponsored by http://www.kudzoom.com/ Kudzoom! Each blog you stop and enter at will be another entry! Grand prizes: $150 Kudzoom GC, $100 Kudzoom GC & $50 Kudzoom GC - open US/Can
Enter here-http://greenmissionmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/12-days-of-gifts-galore-kudzoom-grand.html

For my part in the hop I am offering the CD audio book of Holly Cupala's YA novel, Tell Me A Secret, and she SIGNED it! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

Don't forget to hop over to the other blogs- http://www.darcyandbrian.com/12-days-of-gifts-galore-giveaway-hop/

Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books

2011-11-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

Chronicle Books is hosting it's 2nd annual Happy Haul-idays giveaway where you can win a haul of books ($500 worth) from Chronicle Books. If you comment on my blog post, you can also enter into the giveaway and if I win, I get to choose a commenter on this post to also win $500 of Chronicle Books.

For bloggers:

You can enter by writing a blog post about Happy Haul-idays with the haul of books that you'd like to win and go to Chronicle Books to enter your name. That's it! If you win, you and a commenter on your post can both win $500 of Chronicle Books.

For non-bloggers:
You can enter by commenting on my blog and other participating blogs. There is a list of participating blogs on the Chronicle Books page.

My Charity- First Book

First Book is determined to see that all children, regardless of their economic conditions, can achieve more in school and in life through access to an ongoing supply of new books.

I believe every child deserves a book, hopefully a waterfall of books. First book gets that all important book where it needs to be, in the hands of kids.

http://www.firstbook.org/

My Chronicle Book Choices-

Blue Plate Special
Vincent's Colors
The Space Between Trees
Yoda, Bring You Wisdom, I Will
F in Exams
The Fashion Sketchpad
How I Stole Jonny Deep's Alien Girlfriend
The Alchemist's Cat
The Oaken Throne
Thomas
The Dark Portal
Crystal Prison
Final Reckoning
Earthling
Erika's Story
Art Acivity Packs: Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, Picasso and Matisse
Seeing Stars
Charlotte in Paris

Head to the Chronicle Site and fill out the entry form- http://www.chroniclebooks.com/happyhaulidays/

And don't forget to leave a comment here, you might win $500 in books too!

The Perfect Pitch

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

For Inside the Publishing World Wednesday I am going to take a look at pitches. No, not baseball, writing. I am using notes I took at the 2011 PNWA conference from Janna Cawrse Esarey's class, writing your pitch. Janna is the author of the memoir, The Motion of the Ocean. She used reference materials from Jandy Nelson's "Perfect Pitch" from in Making the Perfect Pitch by Katharine Sands.

What is a pitch? A pitch is a very brief spiel that describes your book in a very clear and interesting way.
There are two types of pitches, the elevator and sit down. The elevator pitch is used in informal situations and is brief, usually less than a minute. It includes 2 or 3 sentences about your book. The sit down pitch is used during an actual meeting with an agent or editor. It runs around 6 sentences and can last up to 2 minutes.

What are the different parts of a pitch? The very first sentence should include your title, genre, audience and word count. Second is the set up. Who are the characters and what is happening to them? Next, include your conflict. What is the problem your hero needs to overcome and what is standing in their way? Finally, give your resolution. This wrap up should evoke emotion or contain a big concept.

Janna gives some great advice:
1. Be precise about the book and where it fits in the market.
2. Do your research before hand. Know some comp titles.
3. Do not tell the story step by step. Do tell the set up, conflict and resolution.
4. Do not talk about your books at arm's length. Use active verbs and immerse the audience in your book.
5. It doesn't hurt to write using a character's specific voice.
6. You can't include all of the characters and plot lines. Choose one thread and make it sing. Be clear and concise.
7. Know what big concepts your book addresses. For example, love, loss, hope etc.

For more info visit Janna's website http://www.byjanna.com/

And the winner of Remembrance is ...

2011-11-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Kaitlynne W, Rafflecopter picked you as the winner of a SIGNED copy of Remembrance by Michelle Madow.

Book Review- Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

*Monday's Giveaway is postponed- Check out my Gratitude Hop*

Vampires and Vampire Hunters, welcome to the YA paranormal, Out For Blood, by Alyxandra Harvey.

The Story- Hunter Wild is the youngest in a prestigious line of vampire hunters. She trains at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she is at the top of her class. The world however is changing, and a treaty is signed between the hunters and the Drake family of vampires.

But not all hunters are happy about the treaty and Hunter is caught in the middle when she falls for the gorgeous vampire, Quinn Drake. Together, they attempt to figure out why students at the academy are becoming ill, some even dying.

My thoughts- I liked that the main arc of the book focused on the illness that is running rampant at the school. Vampires and hunters are the side plot, which is good because there are a lot of vampire books out there. The book takes a social stance against drugs and the havoc they wreak. The people that are hurt the most are the weaker students, desperate to fit in, just like many teenagers in the real world.

The romance between Quinn and Hunter is typical. The funny element is Hunter’s grandfather, who hates vampires, and doesn’t hide it.

Style wise, the book switches back and forth between Hunter and Quinn’s point of views, allowing the reader to feel more involved with the characters. The POV changes worked well and were not confusing. They also let you into each side’s hidden thoughts.

And I just have to say, the ending is great. I didn’t figure out who the bad guy was and that is always a pleasant surprise.

Book Review- Quest For The Scorpion's Jewel by Amy Green

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have a fun middle grade adventure for everyone. I got a hold of a copy of Quest For The Scorpion’s Jewel by Amy Green, published by Warner Press.

The story- Jesse, a crippled boy, lives with his Aunt and Uncle, taking care of their inn. One night strangers knock on the door after curfew and Jesse’s life changes forever. At the door is a group of the king’s Youth Guard, young teenagers, sent on dangerous quests, that few ever survive. One of their party is dead, another injured, and Jesse is soon caught up in their quest.

Of course the quest, to find the Scorpion’s Jewel, means heading across the dessert and into enemy territory to steal their sacred relic. Things would be bad enough, but the unknown truth behind the Youth Guard is that it is really the king’s way of culling the smartest and most able of his citizens that may someday challenge his reign. So, as they proceed on their quest for the king, the king’s own men hunt them down.

My Thoughts - I enjoyed the story. It was neat that the hero of the book is a crippled boy who uses his brain to compensate for his lack of muscles. It is a really good tale for middle grade readers. I do have to say that I found the first few chapters unnecessary. They are more like a prologue, but all the information given is later found out in the book anyway. Plus, it is from a different character’s POV, which I found confusing until I realized he wasn’t the hero of the story.

Also, there is a subplot that runs throughout the story that I found over emphasized. It seems almost every character rings in on whether God exists or not. The ponderings do add extra depth to the story. It is just brought up a little too much.

Kids will like the action and pace of the book. Once the book gets into Jesse’s part, things keep coming at you, making you want to turn the page. The characters are fun and inviting. My favorite is a sub character, Samar, who is a an old desert thief.

Also, the book ends on an upswing, the group realizing they have to rush back to their fallen companion before the king’s men find him. Voila – book two, Escape From Riddler’s Pass.

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

2011-11-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Hop and it just happens to coincide with my 900th Follower! I promised my readers a Holly Black giveaway when I reached at least 800, so here we go.

Up for grabs are SIGNED copies of Holly Black's White Cat and Red Glove.

Thank you to all my followers. I really appreciate your support and interest in my blog. Because this is a gratitude giveaway, all you have to do is follow my blog, yep, that's it.

Please help spread the word by tweeting : Gratitude #giveaway SIGNED White Cat and Red Glove by @hollyblack from @Dorinewhite http://dorinewhite.blogspot.com/2011/11/gratitude-giveaway-hop.html

Don't forget to hop over to the other blogs- the linky list is after the raflecopter form. Remember to click 'read more' if you don't see it.

Loretta Barrett- Agent

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Meet Loretta Barrett, literary agent and president of Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. in NYC. I had the pleasure of meeting Loretta at the 2011 PNWA conference.

First a little background info. Loretta previously was editor in chief of Anchor Books and a VP and Executive editor at Doubleday. She is a founding board member and acting secretary for Reading is Fundamental, one of largest and oldest children and family non-profit organizations in the US. She founded her own literary agency in 1990.

As an agent, Loretta represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. She says that her tastes are very eclectic and have recently moved into the sci-fi range. Which is cool because her website says she doesn't handle sci-fi or fantasy. Her nonfiction interests include psychology, science and technology, religion, spirituality, current events, history, politics, women’s issues, and memoir. Her fiction preferences are largely mainstream and contemporary. She is particularly drawn to women’s fiction and thrillers. Regarding the children’s market, she handles some YA. A member of the AAR, she has representation in every major foreign market.

She is a very busy lady, receiving over 300 queries a week. A bit of advice, finish your MS before you send your query. Also, tell her if you’ve met. She keeps a list of people and events she’s attended.

Want to check out some of her clients? She represents best selling authors Raymond Arroyo, Ray Kurzweil, Chistopher Kennedy Lawford and Mariah Stewart. For more info check out her website at www.lorettabarrettbooks.com .

And the winner of Abandon is...

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Krystal Larson! Rafflecopter picked you to receive the ARC of Meg Cabot's Abandon. Please check your email.

Solitary- Escape from Furnace 2 by Alexander Gordon Smith

2011-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

The second book in the Escape from Furnace series, Solitary, is just as creepy and vivid as the first.(See review here) Published by Square Fish, it ends at 225 pages.

The Story- At the end of Lockdown, Alex escaped the Furnace into the raging river underground. Too bad it didn’t go anywhere. Now he is imprisoned in Solitary for one month, and oops, the longest anyone has ever survived is one week.

Alex will do anything to prevent himself from going crazy in the pitch black confines of his cell and works out a code with another inmate, his friend Zee. But, the horror continues as rat like creatures, mutants made by the Wheezers, keep trying to break into his cell and eat him. Alex is confused when another mutant, Simon, saves him and asks for help in escaping the prison and telling the world about what is happening. Though he’s a creature, Simon has retained his human intelligence and introduces Alex and Zee to the real behind the scenes horror of the Furnace.

In this second book we find out what happens to all those kids that get taken from their cells, never to return.

My Thoughts- Just like the first book, Lockdown, this book is full of violence, disturbing images and nightmares. I only recommend it for older YA.

That being said, the author, Alexander Gordon Smith, is amazing. The images he brings to life will haunt you. I think the thing that gets me the most is the horrible things that happen to these boys. I keep thinking, there’s no way anyone could get away with that. In fact, the injustice made me livid. There is one scene where Alex has to hide in a chamber full of dead bodies, mutant children that didn’t make it. So creepy.

Thrown into the mix is Alex’s story with his friend Donavon, a character from the first book. The reader can feel Alex’s despair as he struggles to save his friend and does, but not in the way you’d expect, but definitely in a way that fits with the helplessness of the story. But somehow, the reader feels hope, and I can’t figure out why, because the author is always snatching it back.

And the ending, wow! There is no way I’m not getting book three. Alex is just a normal kid, how will he survive? In fact, at the time of this posting, I am anxiously waiting for my package from Amazon to arrive with the 3rd book.

And the winner of the November Hop is...

2011-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Amanda G! Rafflecopter picked you as the winner of my November Hop. Your signed copy of Ripple will be on its way. Please check your email.

Remembrance book review and giveaway

2011-11-10T22:21:00.000-08:00

Remembrance, a breathtaking tale of second chances, is a YA paranormalish romance written by Michelle Madow. And when she sent me a copy to review she signed it so I could hold a giveaway! To enter fill out the rafflecopter form at the bottom of the review, if you don’t see it click ‘read more’.

The Story- Lizzie Davenport has a typical high school life including a best friend, a boyfriend and a struggle with grades. As her Junior year starts, Lizzie is taken by surprise at the arrival of handsome Drew Carmichael, a boy she’s never met, yet feels eerily attached too.

In fact, he seems to know things about her that nobody else does. Whenever he looks at her she melts, which is making her boyfriend, Jeremy, very unhappy. Things get worse when Lizzie’s best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew and talks of love.

As Lizzie grows closer to Drew, he pushes her away, stating that it is for her own good. Confusion sets in, especially when Lizzie begins having flashes of herself and Drew in Regency Era England. What is happening? Has she been reincarnated? And why does the loving Drew she remembers from her past, want nothing to do with her in the present?

My Thoughts- This book took me by surprise. It seems a typical romance, but the author throws in juicy tidbits, like parallels to Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, that make the book fun. There is also the mystery of why Drew spends his time switching between fascination and avoidance of Lizzie.

The book could have been same old, same old, but instead the subplots add flavor. As a reader, you worry with Lizzie about breaking up with her boyfriend Jeremy while at the same time, falling for her best friend’s boyfriend. There is no easy answer there. In fact, I couldn’t believe Lizzie’s courage in her final scenes with Jeremy. She has to boldly lie in a way that churns your gut.

The author does a good job stringing out the mystery of Drew. Lizzie really has no idea about what is happening until mid way through the book, when she has her first flash. Until then, the things that happen are strange and weird. There are also little hints given about the mystery, like Lizzie’s fear of speed and her meeting with an old antiques dealer.

Critically, I liked the first person POV. The main story and subplots are strong and the characters interesting. The book probably didn’t need the preface. In fact, it confused me, jumping from the future to the past. But, overall a great YA read.

Anne Bensson- assoc. editor Thomas Dunne Books

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Meet Anne Bensson, an editor at Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Press. I meet Anne at this summer's PNWA conference.

Anne graduated from Harvard, where she began indulging her reading passion as an editor and managing editor for the Let's Go Travel Series. Now she acquires and edits for Thomas Dunne Books/ Minotaur Books.
Some of her recent acquisitions include Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder and the Gothic suspense novel Beneath The Shadows by Sara Foster.

What other genres is Anne interested in? Well, she loves crime, thrillers, suspense, classic and cozy mysteries. She also likes general and historical fiction. Regarding the children's market, she is looking for quirky and original YA. She is very interested in projects that are fast paced, have a strong narrative voice, and jump off the page characters.

When asked what she does as an editor all day she answered that 90 % of her day is promoting books she is working on. She doesn't have the time to read queries and submissions much, so she does that outside the office.

Thomas Dunne Books has an eclectic list ranging from fiction to non fiction, from debut authors to best selling authors. They have an output of around 175 books a year. Submissions are through agents only.
For more info on Thomas Dunne Books click here- http://us.macmillan.com/ThomasDunne.aspx
For more on Minoataur Books click here- http://us.macmillan.com/Minotaur.aspx

November Giveaway Hop!

2011-11-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the November Giveaway Hop co-hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Tristi Pinkston. For my part in the hop I am offering a SIGNED copy of the YA paranormal novel, RIPPLE, by Mandy Hubbard. The contest is open to anyone 13+ in the US or Canada. To enter fill out the rafflecopter form, if you don't see it click 'read more'. If you like this contest, please leave a comment. It helps me know which books to giveaway.

Ripple Summary (from Goodreads): Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

And the winner of the epub of Farsighted is...

2011-11-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Lisa Richards! Rafflecopter picked your name to win the ecopy of Farsighted. Please check your email.

Book Review- Destined- A House of Night Novel

2011-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

*FYI- Monday's Normal Giveaway is switched to Tuesday for the November Giveaway Hop

Destined, the newest House of Night Novel, from PC Cast and Kristin Cast just hit bookstores, and of course, I scooped it up. This YA paranormal is 325 pages and published by St. Martin’s Griffin.

The Story- Zoey is home, her soul put back together, and her friends by her side.
Still living underground in the Tulsa Depot, Zoey and the red fledglings soon find themselves back at school at the House of Night, along with human maintenance crews and a new student, Aurox. Though Aurox is associated with evil Neferet, Zoey feels an immediate connection to him and can’t figure out why.

The crux of the story is that Zoey’s mother was brutally murdered at Grandma Redbird’s lavender farm and Zoey wants to know how and why. A member of the vampire high council, Thanatos, invokes Stevie Rae’s earth infinity to find out the truth, but the price is high, another death is demanded.

Weaved amongst the main story are the side stories of Dragon Lankford, the sword master and Kalona, the immortal. They both have choices to make. Will they redeem themselves or suffer darkness to win?

My Thoughts- OK, this is the tenth book in the series and sometimes things get stale. I’m happy to say that Destined did a good job keeping up the pace. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to keep coming up with new story arcs, but somehow the Cast’s do it.

First off, Zoey’s character might be the main heroine, but this book is really more of a group story. The previous books have set everything up so that now the story can be told without so many side tracks. Stevie Rae and Rephaim, Zoey and Stark, and Aphrodite and Darius are all couples, plus Neferet has cast aside Kalona and completely sided with darkness. The stage is set. So even though the first several books are fuller of action, these ending books are more satisfying as the stories are drawing to a close. Plus, by now you’re really invested in the characters.

A new character is introduced, Aurox. From the very beginning I liked him. You know he’s someone special, and you really figure out who he is towards the beginning, but Zoey doesn’t until the end. I can’t wait to see what role he will play in the next book.

This book is a YA novel; there is sex, violence and language. I believe the whole series is for older YA.

Book Review- Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ready for a different type of YA paranormal? Try Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore, published by Hyperion.

The story – Danny Gray lives in a world just like ours, except during evolution more than just humans evolved, so did vampires and werewolves. The spin of this book is that a class system has developed where Vampires are the elite and werewolves are treated like scum.
In fact, in Danny’s world, World War II was not against the Jews, but against werewolves.

Danny has a vamp for a mother and a werewolf for a dad, something very unusual. The good news is that science is advanced enough to provide genetic treatments to enhance a person’s inner vampire. Unfortunately, they failed with Danny.

Danny tries to pretend his wolf half doesn’t exist, but when he begins having weird symptoms- fantastic night vision, a keen sense of smell and headaches, Danny knows he’s in trouble.

My thoughts- This book is more a social statement than a book about the paranormal. It does a great job looking at the injustices that are forced upon people just because of race or religion. Werewolves are born werewolves. There is nothing they can do. Danny is only lucky because his half vampire side can be teased into dominance. When that starts failing, we see the wrongs that occur through his eyes.

I love paranormal and this book is a great change of pace. It still has all the things I love, but with a different spin. A good read for ages 12 and up, plus a great book to discuss in group settings.

And the winner of the Trick or Treat Hop is...

2011-11-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Adelina Rosa! Rafflecopter picked you as the winner of my Trick or Treat Hop. Please check your email.

PNWA Writing Contest Open

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you want to make it in the publishing world? Then a little street cred can go a long way. For Inside the Publishing World today I am focusing on writing contests. Winning one is gold on a query and can make an agent or editor take notice amongst piles of same old- same old letters.

One of my favorites is now open: The Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest 2012.
Why do I like this one? Because the benefits of winning are huge. Most contest offer a cash prize. This contest does too, but finalists' also get a nudge into the publishing world. First off, finalists’ manuscripts are made available to agents and editors during the summer conference. In addition, finalists entries are read and judged by an agent or editor to determine the top TWO in each category. Then, the winners are given the opportunity to attend an exclusive Agents and Editors Reception.

Here are more details:
Contest Categories:

1. Mainstream
2. Historical
3. Romance (electronic only)
4. Mystery/Thriller
5. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
6. Young Adult/Middle Grade
7. Nonfiction/Memoir/How-To
8. Screenwriting
9. Poetry
10. Short Story
11. Children's Picture/Chapter Book
12. Adult Short Topics (Article/Essay/Short Memoir)

Awards will be given as follows:

*First Place: $700 and the Zola Award (The Zola Award honors founding member Zola Helen Ross for her vision in creating a writing community more than 50 years ago.)
*Second Place: $300

Entries must be RECEIVED BY February 17, 2012.

For all of the details and submission guidelines please go to http://pnwa.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=13

It's Nov.1, time for NaNoWriMo

2011-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ready, start, write! It's time for National Novel Writing Month. For those who don't know what it is, try 30 days and nights of literary abandon, and there's still time, sign up today at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ . Some personal advice, get a copy of Chris Baty's book, No Plot, No Problem- a great NaNoWriMo resource. I know you can do it, who needs sleep?

I searched the NaNoWriMo archives and found a great Pep talk from author Holly Black.

Greetings fellow writers,

Here are some things I wish someone had told me when I was writing my first book. I want to say them to you in the hopes they will help and encourage you. Even if you’ve heard them before, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.

1) No one can tell if the writing was fun or if it was hard. Trust me. I know it seems like writing that pours out of your brain in a passionate flood should be better than writing that comes slowly and miserably, but the only person who will ever know the difference is you. So no excuses—get the word count done.

2) You don’t have to believe you can; you just have to do it. I remember everyone telling me I had to think positive when I was writing my first book. If I believed I could do it, then I could! If I pictured myself published, then it was going to happen! Which sounded great, except…could I do it? If I didn’t think I could, was I doomed to fail? What if I was almost totally sure I would fail? I am here to tell you—what matters is sticking with it. Even if you don’t know if you can make it through NaNoWriMo, just get through today. Then get through tomorrow. Don’t worry about the day after that, until it’s today. Then you know what to do.

3) There aren’t good books and bad books. There are finished books and books that still need more work. Please don’t let wondering if there’s a market for your book or wondering if the book you’re writing is genius or evidence that you should be heavily medicated get in the way of the writing. Remember, right now you are not writing a good book, you are writing a good draft. Later, you will have lots of time to kill your darlings, make the suspense more suspenseful, to add foreshadowing and subplots. Later you will have time to change the beginning or change the ending or change the middle. Later, you will have time to cut and polish and engooden. For now, trust the process and write (that said, if you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and realize what’s wrong with Chapter 7, then by all means, jot that down for later).

4) Figure out what happens next. Some people swear by outlines; other writers are like to find the story along the way. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, before you quit for the day, write a little bit of the next scene or a couple of lines on what you think will happen next. That way, you are never looking at a blank page.

5) Write for your reader self, not your writer self. You are the best audience for your own work. If you would absolutely love a character like the one you are writing about, if you adore books like the one you are working on, then you are going to know how to make the book appealing—write it like you were the person who was going to read it. Remember the fun bits, the juicy bits, the stuff you linger over in other books—the good stuff.

6) Talk it through. When you get stuck, sometimes it helps to talk through the book out loud—even if only your cat is listening. Sometimes hearing the plot is enough to engage a different part of your brain in solving the problem.

7) Give yourself regular rewards. A fresh cup of coffee (even if it is your 353rd) when you get to the end of a scene, an episode of your favorite show, a snack, a couple of minutes rearranging your My Book is Awesome mix—if you give yourself regular motivational rewards, you will have small goals to work toward.

Over the course of this November, you are going to feel frustrated, despairing, elated and exhausted. You will walk around in a foggy haze at your job or the bank or the supermarket. People will talk to you for twenty minutes and you won’t have heard a word they said because you just thought of a fantastic new subplot. You will look up things on the internet that make you look like a serial killer. But it’s good practice—just think, once you become a professional writer, that’s how you’ll behave all the time!

Holly Black

For more archived Pep Talks, check out
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/pep

Good Luck!

And the winner of The Shattering Arc is . . .

2011-11-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Tiffany Drew, rafflecopter picked you as the Arc winner of The Shattering! Please check your email.

Book Review and ARC giveaway - Abandon by Meg Cabot

2011-10-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

*Sorry this posted early, it was scheduled for Monday.

Abandon, the newest YA release from Meg Cabot and published by Point, is an amazing ride. I have one ARC to give away. Just fill out the rafflecopter form, if you don’t see it click ‘read more’.

The Story- At fifteen Pierce died.
When she came back to life she not only had a strange necklace around her neck, but a memory that no one else believed. Haunted by her experiences of death, Pierce and her mom move to a new town looking for a fresh start. But, wherever Pierce goes, a stranger follows.

My Thoughts- This is a captivating book. You really have to read chapter by chapter so that you can piece together not only what happened when Pierce was dead, but also what happened in her old town after she came back. There are several mysteries that float around aching to be solved.

Pierce’s character is very kind. She always thinks of others first, which is what drives John, the stranger, to her in the beginning. She seems so down to earth, dealing with what happened to her and with a strange man that follows her around.

John is aloof, but enough hints are given that he feels like a very sexy character. The story itself is a modern retake on the myth of Persephone, but with the ending still unknown. Book two, The Underworld, is yet to come. A fun read for ages 12 and up. There is no sex, accept for what’s alluded to on the last page and though violence is there, it is not gory or described in detail.

Book Review- Glimmerglassby Jenna Black

2011-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Glimmerglass is a YA fantasy written by Jenna Black and published by St. Martin’s Griffin.

The Story- Welcome to a world where fairies are real, but can only live in an isolated city called Avalon.
Dana is a teenager who has spent her entire life hiding from her father. Fed up with her drunk mother, Dana decides it is time to get to know her father, her fairy father.

But, when she arrives in Avalon she is pulled into a cutthroat game of fairy politics. Fairies all around are intent on killing her, so she spends most of her time being shuffled between one safe house and another. Ethan, cute son of a rival politician, keeps coming to her rescue. Can she trust him? Plus, she learns that she herself has magical powers. She is a Faeriwalker, a rare individual who can travel between worlds. In fact, one hasn’t existed in over 500 years. Desperate to escape, but with nowhere to run, Dana must be brave and trust in love. In the end, even members of her own family become suspect.

My Thoughts- An interesting book. It has the typical fairy world, the Seelie and Unseelie, and is full of fairy rivalry. The thing that is unique is the idea that fairies are unable to cross into the mortal world. They live in Avalon, a semi-land that exists between fairy and Earth. They are unable to interact with the world except by human proxies.

Dana thinks she is a normal teenager, it is not until she goes into Avalon that she learns she is special, a Faeriewalker. The poor girl doesn’t know what she’s gotten herself into. I enjoyed her character and even better, she is still developing at the end of the book. I can’t wait to see what she’s turned into by book 2, Shadowspell.

Even though there is mild violence, it is not the type to scare younger readers. I’d say this book is fine for 12 and up.

Trick or Treat Halloween Hop

2011-10-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

*My normal Friday book review will be posted tomorrow. Now it's time for some scary fun!

Welcome to the Trick or Treat Halloween blog hop hosted by Tales From The Nursery, Formula Mom and Mama On A Green Mission. For my part I am putting up for grabs 2 new YA novels, The Body Finder and Desires of The Dead, both SIGNED by author Kimberly Derting. I figure dead bodies, serial killers, psychics- hey that's Halloweeny.

The Body Finder- (backcover) Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Desires of the Dead- (inside flap)- Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed.

To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form that's after the blog list. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

Also don't forget to visit all the other blogs participating in the hop:

Shane Thomson- editor Variance Publishing

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Let’s get to know Shane Thomson of Variance Publishing, a small publishing house that focuses on thrillers, fantasy, and adventures. Right now they are also moving into science fiction and the Young Adult and Middle Grade markets.

Shane is committed to working with authors to bring out the best they have to offer. He works up close and personal on each project and involves writers in every step of the process.

At the PNWA summer conference 2011, he told us that as Variance has delved into the e –book world, it has brought back life to the company. They still do some brick and mortar sales, but they are now more focused on the e world. He says the magic price for an e-book is $2.99. He also advised, “Don’t be fooled, the editorial process is every bit as rigorous and exacting as any hardcover edition.”

As an editor, Shane will take a look at any writer, agented or not. He told us, “We will gamble on you if you gamble on us.”

Things you need to know before sending them a query: no advances are given; submit through email, they do take a bit of time to respond. At the moment they are closed to submissions, but hope to open up in the new year.

Check out their website for all the requirements: www.variancepublishing.com

And the winner of Wildwing is...

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Kelsey D, rafflecopter picked your entry as the winner! Check your email.

Didn't win? Don't worry, buy it now from Amazon.com-

Farighted: The Book, The Author, Two Giveaways!

2011-10-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a HUGE blog post. As my part of the Farsighted blog tour I am composing a three part post. First, a book review, second, an author interview with Emlyn Chand and third, two giveaways! Please vote for my blog, The Write Path, in the Novel Publicity Traffic breaker poll-
www.novelpublicity.com/farsighted (scroll way down to bottom of page to vote)

FARSIGHTED, A Review:
Farsighted, by Emlyn Chand, is a YA paranormal of 219 pages.

The Story- Alex is your typical teenager, except for one thing, he’s blind. And of course, there’s also the fact that he hears voices. While starting his sophomore year in high school, Alex grows concerned when he starts hearing conversations that haven’t taken place yet. While wondering if he is psychic, Alex is amazed to learn that “The All –Seeing Miss Teak” has set up shop next to his mom’s flower store.

Along with the arrival of Miss Teak, Alex makes two new friends; Simmi, a new student from India and Sharpi, Miss Teak’s daughter. With the help of his friends he begins learning to control his powers, but things go from bad to worse when he begins dreaming of Simmi’s death, over and over again. Plus, he hears the voice of her killer in his head.

With his life in turmoil, his powers growing, and his dad up and leaving (looks like he’s having an affair with Miss. Teak) Alex doesn’t know what to do. And the toughest part, he’s falling in love with Simmi and will do anything to save her.

My thoughts- This is a great debut novel by author Emlyn Chand. I really loved the multicultural feeling of the book. Even though it takes place here in the US, many of the main characters bring an exotic flavor to the work.

I enjoyed the main character Alex. I can’t imagine how difficult it was, as an author, to have a main character that couldn’t describe his surroundings. Emyln does a great job using his other senses to relate to the world. I didn’t notice any sticky parts, everything flowed. He is a strong individual who must deal with strange situations bombarding him from every direction. I also liked that he is a wonderful son. When his father leaves he does a great job helping his mother and being there to support her.

The tension of the story is like a string pulling you through to the end. The whole beginning of the book I was wondering what was going on with Alex, and then I spent the middle of the book wondering who Dax (the killer) was and of course the end focused on how to stop Dax. Up until the last page I didn’t know if Simmi would make it and if Alex would fail.

And for those who would like an even more mystical flare, each chapter of the book begins with a different rune and prophecy that relates to that particular chapter. Overall, a very tense read, great for young adult readers. Farsighted is coming out as an eBook on Oct 24th and as a paperback on Nov 24th.

Author Interview with Emlyn Chand
Emlyn, How long did it take you to write Farsighted?

Well, that depends what you consider the start of the writing process. I first got the idea for the novel on July 5, 2010. I didn’t start writing it until October, but I thought about it a lot and started building the plot in my head. I wrote about 1/3 of it in late 2010 and then decided to start my own book promotion company, Novel Publicity. That kept me super busy, so I didn’t get back to Farsighted until summer 2011. Then I wrote and wrote in a wild frenzy. I spent about 10 hours per day holding myself “writing hostage” at the local Panera. This lasted about 3 weeks. If I had to pick a definite amount of time, I’d say Farsighted took about one year to write.

What were some of the highs and lows?

There were two points during which I really struggled. The first was in deciding whether or not to write the story that was itching away at my brain, and I actually spent about three months trying to talk myself out of writing Farsighted. It’s too ambitious, my inner critic pointed out. You’ll never get it done, not in the way it deserves to be done, it pressed. But there was another part of me that couldn’t resist; I knew I had to at least try before giving up. I had another low point about half way through. I just couldn’t figure out how to get from where I was to where I wanted to be. Oddly enough, the middle part of the book seems to be most people’s favorite. The highs were pretty much every time that there wasn’t a low. I had a blast writing this story. I often found myself chuckling aloud at the coffee shop. Alex amuses me greatly with his inability to understand certain things. And getting feedback from my earliest readers and finding out Farsighted won the WritersType first chapter contest—that was priceless.

What advice can you give first time authors about finishing that first book?

Well, Farsighted isn’t actually my first book. It’s my second. After lots of back and forth, I decided my first novel would be better off unpublished. So with that said, it’s important to remember that not every work has to be published. My first novel was so important, because it taught me I could see an entire novel through from start to finish. But in that first novel, I made lots of mistakes as a writer. This was actually really beneficial to my career as an author, because I learned what my faults were and sought out ways to improve upon them. I applied all of these lessons I learned to Farsighted. I seem like such a cynic, don’t I? I guess what I’m trying to say is this: have fun with your writing. Don’t put pressure on yourself or your story and don’t try to fit either into some type of mold. Just let it flow :-)

And just for fun- If you were stranded on an island, what one book would you want with you (besides Farsighted)?

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, definitely. It has so many layers and entertains on so many levels. Also the characters in that novel seem more real than those from any other I’ve ever read. If I had Owen Meany with me, I wouldn’t be alone on said island.

And what was your favorite book as a child?

The book that changed my life is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. It opened my eyes to the world that could exist if only I was willing to create it—I think it’s what encouraged me to be a writer in the first place.

First Giveaway- $100 Amazon giftcard This giveaway is sponsored by Novel Publicity, the blog tour host. Any person who leaves a comment on any blog in the Farsighted tour, is entered into a random drawing to win $100! So, leave a comment after the rafflecopter form, you might win :)
The E-Book Contest:
Fill out the rafflecopter form below. If you don't see it click 'read more'.

Book Review- The Death Cure by James Dashner

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

The final book in the Maze Runner trilogy is finally out! The Death Cure, by James Dashner, brings the story of Thomas to a close.

The Story- Thomas and his friends are now in the hands of WICKED. They’ve escaped the maze and the scorched lands and now they are lab rats.
They are told that the time for lies is over, that now they will have their memories restored. But, Thomas doesn’t believe them. So, when everyone else opts to have their memories returned, Thomas and two of the Gladers escape.

They arrive in one of the protected cities in Colorado, only to learn that the Flare is present even there. With no where to run, things look grim as the city is over run my man eating Goners. Thomas and friends join up with a rebel group intent on bringing WICKED down. The end finally comes as Thomas tries to rescue other immunes before the rebels blow up the building in which they are being held.

My Thoughts- I have to be honest, the first book, The Maze Runner, was the best. Even though this book sums everything up, it is just not as suspenseful as the first. But, I have to admit the end was a shocker. SEMI SPOILER** One of the main characters dies and it turns out that after all the kids have gone through, all the brutal violence and death, that WICKED is no where near a cure. The reality is, there is no hope for those left behind.

I’ve enjoyed the character of Thomas. He stays true to himself in all three books. He is a hero, a boy that won’t leave a friend behind, and in the end, the right choice for a leader.

I do have to wonder at the ending. Sorry, another SPOILER**, but they end up somewhere green and lush. I thought the entire Earth was basically ruined by the Scorch and only the protected cities were left. Where do they go? Is it another dimension? In all, it is nice to know that they are finally out of the hands of WICKED and able to live there lives in peace.

The books in this series are very visual, full of brutal violence and disturbing images. Dashner does a great job bringing his world to life. You can actually feel the desperation of the people living in the time of the Flare. The emotion he invokes whenever you read the name WICKED is amazing. You just want to punch a wall every time they are involved in a scene. They are so evil, but disguised as good. A very common theme in today's world.

This book isn't as violent as the previous two, but I still say this is a read for ages 12 and up. Buy it now from Amazon.com. Click below.

Lynn Price- editor Behler Publications

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lynn Price, an editorial director at Behler Publication, is also an established author. Among her works is the award winning Donavan’s Paradigm and The Writer’s Essential Tackle Box. Behler is a small independent publisher that deals in non-fiction and social relevant fiction.
Twelve of Behler’s titles are award-winners, including the Ben Franklin Gold Medal winner East Fifth Bliss, which is being made into a movie. Price gave great editorial advice at this year’s PNWA meeting.

Her first tip, know the marketplace. Writers don’t seem to be in touch with who their competition is. They need to know how their work will sell, if it is unique, and what some comp titles are. “Learn the business” and be well read in your genre.

Next, know what you want from a publisher. Mainstream publishers are there to back you up. If you e –pub then you are a party of 1 and it can be really tough. Know what you are getting into. Some more advice regarding e-pub, she mentions that some of the works out there probably shouldn’t have been born to begin with. Right now there is “no litmus for talent”, anybody can publish. She thinks the e-pub world needs to marinate more.

Regarding her own personal editing style, she does not like it when people refer to their works as a cross between this story or that author. She just wants to know the story. Also, she likes to know some comp titles.

Another thing, she does like a writer to have an agent first. She states that agents are a godsend when communications break down. In fact, she likes having her sales mentioned in Publisher’s Marketplace because that brings agents to her.

If you’d like to get to know her better, check out her blog- http://behlerblog.com/, where she speaks to authors around the US about issues that face today’s writers.

And the winner of Glow is...

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Antane! Rafflecopter picked you as the winner for my ARC of Glow. Check your email.
Didn't win, don't worry, buy it now from Amazon.com

Giveaway- ARC of The Shattering by Karen Healey

2011-10-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

Up for grabs- An ARC of The Shattering by Karen Healey, a YA thriller published by Little Brown. Use the rafflecopter form to enter. If you don't see it click 'read more'. Here's the back cover:

Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief.
When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?

Book Review- Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last month I attended the KidLitCon conference in Seattle. The keynote speaker was Scott Westerfeld, so I took advantage of the situation and bought the entire Leviathan trilogy.

The first book in the series, Leviathan, is a 440 page YA sci-fi fantasy novel published by Simon Pulse in 2009. It is a unique combination of written story and creative illustrations.

The Story – In an alternate 1914, two teenagers are on a collision course with destiny. The world is divided into two factions, Clankers and Darwinists.
Clankers are people who survive through the use of mechanical inventions, building amazing weapons and battleships that walk above the ground like mechanical spiders.

Darwinists are people who have manipulated DNA and created strange beasts that now are used for everything from airships to weapons. Among the Darwinists lives Deryn, a girl living as a boy so she can work in the British Air Service. Then there is fifteen year old Austrian Prince Alek, who is on the run from his own Clanker people after the assaination of his parents.

Deryn and Alek meet up in the snow covered mountains of Switzerland after the British air whale, Leviathan, is attacked and crash lands into a glacier. Alek, hiding out with a few of his loyal followers, helps the crew of Leviathan escape in exchange for safe passage to the Ottoman Empire.

My thoughts- I very enjoyable book filled with imaginative beasts and wonderful metal creations. I love the two main characters, Deryn and Alek. Truth be told, Deryn (Dylan) acts so much like a boy that I actually forgot she was a girl. The character of Alek is great because he is developing into a man, making decisions for himself, doing his own thing instead of what has been planned out for him. I see him growing into a real leader of people in the next books.

The illustrations, by Keith Thompson, are spectacular. The idea of having them in a YA novel is great. Who doesn’t like to see the very words they are reading come to life? Plus, the inventions and creatures described are so very complex and unreal, that the pictures are a necessary to fully comprehend the story.

The plot itself comes from history, the story of World War 1. By adding fictional elements to real life facts, the world that is created is familiar, but magical. I think my favorite thing is the subplot with Dr. Barlow, a determined female scientist who is transporting a case of mysterious creature eggs on the Leviathan. I can’t wait to find out what those eggs are.

A really positive read for kids 10 and up.
Buy it now from Amazon.com