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Monday, September 5, 2011

A Campaigner Introduction

Okay, so last week I found out about something awesome. A platform-building campaign, put together by Rachael Harrie. (You can click here to read more about it, even though the deadline to sign up has passed. You can click here to see who signed up, and hey, you can still visit their blogs and follow them and stuff.)


I decided to sign up, maybe because I'm insane. (The jury is still out on that one.) (Group 12 and group 22 rep-re-sent!)

And today, I thought it would be fun to introduce myself to the people who are new here (and everyone else). So here goes:

The basics:

  • You say my name E-lay-nuh.
  • I have a book out. It's called POSSESSION. It's a YA dystopian novel, published by Simon & Schuster.
  • My second book, SURRENDER, comes out next summer.
  • I teach elementary school.
  • I have two kids.
  • I also blog on Fridays at The League of Extraordinary Writers with four other dystopian/science fiction debut novelists.
  • I am a co-founder and co-organizer of the awesome online children's writer's conference, WriteOnCon.
  • I wrote a free e-book called From the Query to the Call. It's all about writing query letters, researching and submitting to agents, and how to handle the call when it comes. You can download it here.

The quirks:
  • I like Adam Lambert so much I cut my hair like his. No lie.
  • I am terrified of all animals with more legs than me, as well as all ducks, geese, and snakes.
  • I adore all grape-flavored things, especially soda.
  • I own and wear a shirt that says "Living in a van down by the river." If you don't know what this means, I feel sad for you.
  • I have an unhealthy attachment to bacon.
  • My favorite movie is Two Weeks Notice.
  • I like writing query letters.

What my blog is:
  • Commentary on the publishing world, with a splash of real life. My real life. My experiences in the publishing world.
  • Random posts about movies, music, and the occasional snarky list.
  • Bookanista love for amazing books I've read.
  • A lot of parentheticals (obviously).
  • Book giveaways.
  • A way for me to meet and interact with other writers.

So welcome! I will be participating in Random Acts of Publicity this week, with some awesome book giveaways! If you're looking for a blog post, please feel free to join me in this RAP. More details will be on the blog tomorrow.

So, did you learn anything new about me? If you're in my groups, let me know! I've been to all your blogs, but I'm still matching names with blogs with faces.

Oh! And the winner of THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE is JENNY S. MORRIS! Email me (elanajohnson(at)gmail) and I'll get this out. Congrats!
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33 comments:

  1. StinaSeptember 5, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    I had thought about joining, but in the end decided the assignments weren't in line with what I do on my blog. Maybe next time.

    I still can't believe you love writing queries. Man, you are quirky, Elana. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Natalie AguirreSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Great learning more about you. Glad you're doing the Random Acts of Publicity week. I did my post today since I blog on Mondays.

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  3. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    It's a good thing you're scared of ducks and chickens. They can be mean. =D

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  4. Peggy EddlemanSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    What about dogs that can walk on their hind legs. Does that count as an animal with more legs than you? ;)

    And I hope that someday I'll be able to say I love writing queries, too. After 5 months and a billion attempts at my current, I can't say I'm feeling the love. Someday, Elana. Someday.

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  5. S.A. LarsenッSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Haha...so glad you mentioned it! I think I missed the first assignment. Off to check...

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  6. Danyelle L.September 5, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    *waves* Happy campaigning! And has anyone told you how awesome you are today? :D

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  7. K.T. HannaSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Hi Elana *Waves*

    I have to side with you on the geese front. I HATE them. Has something to do with being bit by one when I was six...
    I aim to one day love writing query letters like you do :D

    Looking forward to campaigning with you! I'm not published yet so I'm not sure how exactly to go about RAP. I missed WriteOnCon this year - but love the concept. Thank you for bringing it to the writing community!

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  8. Jessie HumphriesSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    You are the Most Interesting Woman in the World (Dos Equis style)...(and if you havent seen those commercials I feel sorry for you)...(obviously). :)

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  9. TaffySeptember 5, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Loved your post! You inspire me so next week I'll reintro myself and blog. You're awesome, E-lawn-a. ;)

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  10. LylaSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Hi, Elana! Thanks for dropping by on my blog. You're in my YA group.

    And yes, I did learn something new about you. I learned that you cut your hair like Adam Lambert's. (OMG I just looked up Adam Lambert on google images and your hairstyle DOES look like his! LOL. That's awesome! If I cut my hair like my favorite rock star,it'd have to be bright red and short...hm.)

    I just downloaded "From the Query to the Call" a week ago and I'm in the process of reading it. So far, it's very helpful. Thanks for writing it (and letting us download it for free!). Thank you also for Write On Con!

    It was nice to get to know you a little better and I can't wait to read Possession. You're such an awesome lady. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. storyqueenSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Did not know about the grape love. But most of the rest, I've picked up from reading your blog for the past few years! (yes, I've been reading Elana's splashes of life for YEARS!)

    And I've loved every minute of it.

    Shelley

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    I have learned more! Adam Lambert...really? I once cut my hair like Olivia Newton John. Lambert does have a cute cut though! I look foward to getting to the Query stage so I can apply your expertise.

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  13. Chantele SedgwickSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    I so need to get a shirt that says that. Classic. And I LOVE Adam Lambert. Everyone thinks I'm insane, but he has a sexy voice. Just sayin'. :)

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  14. ShalleeSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I've had friends who love the Campaign, I hope you have a blast! I'm hoping to join up for her next one.

    And I LOVE that you have a shirt with "Livin' in van down by the river." Best Chris Farley EVER.

    Though I also like, "I am El Nino. For those of you who don't habla espanol, El Nino is Spanish for...The Nino."

    Makes me laugh every time. :)

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  15. Jenny S. MorrisSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    WOOHOO!!! I am so excited that I won the book. And I am totally planning to pass the love on.

    Van down by the river. Hehehehe. I also feel sorry for those people that don't know what this is. Chris Farley was amazing.

    It's awesome that you are a campaigner (not in my group) hope you have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Catherine StineSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Hi
    I'm in your post apoc group. I teach college lit and I also have two kids-boys. Write on Con sounds great. I'll have to check it out. I already follow your League blog, so it's funny I found you here as well. Cheers!

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  17. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I signed up as well. Although with the Insecure Writer's Support Group's first post this week, I might've stretched myself a bit thin!

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  18. UnknownSeptember 5, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    You're INSANE....ly awesome. Way to join in on the fun! I haven't been able to join, I think I'm too scared to sign up to such a detailed challenge. Just not enough room in that brain of mine.

    Have fun with INSANITY :)

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  19. Leslie S. RoseSeptember 5, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    I could play Two Weeks Notice on an endless loop. I love the part where they test out the mattress and Hugh says "Have a bounce." Sandra's comment about the "meat popsicle" always cracks me up as well.

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  20. Christine FonsecaSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    No idea about your love for parentheticals! WHO KNEW!!! (apparently I have a obsessive love for exclamation points)

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  21. HeatherSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Welcome to the campaign! Awesome to have you with us. And I did learn something new, you're not a critter person! But hey, ducks and geese can be pretty scary. ;)

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  22. Christine RainsSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    It's was great learning about you. You're the first person I've met who likes writing query letters! It's a difficult chore for me. My husband is a sucker for all things grape too. Have fun with the Campaign! :)

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  23. Luanne G. SmithSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Congrats on book two coming out soon.

    Let's see, what did I learn? I think I need to download your book on querying agents. And I too have Adam Lambert hair. And, er, makeup (don't go by last year's picture there. I've cut it all off). :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. CiaraSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    This was great. Now I feel like I know you better. Good luck with the campaign. It was a blast last year. Of course, I've already missed the first challenge. Oh well, I'll get caught up.

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  25. Jeff KingSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Great post... I know I learned something new.

    Thx for sharing!

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  26. Miranda HardySeptember 5, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    I don't know how you do it either, Elana! Glad you are on board as well. This is my first challenge with Rach.

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  27. TirzahLaughsSeptember 5, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Bacon is beautiful.

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  28. GretchenSeptember 5, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Here to rep-ruh-sent from your YA Dystopian group.

    I'm totally with you on the snakes line. Have hated/feared them since I can remember.

    Love love love Writeoncon, period end of story. (so thanks you're wonderful)

    Can't wait to see what this campaign brings.

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  29. Angela BrownSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Hey there E-lay-nuh (hehehe!)
    Glad you are part of the campaign.

    I'm not in the same group with you, however I love your blog so I'm sending a Bangarang shout out from Group 11 YA all genres.

    And don't tell anyone, but I've tried to make my unhealthy attachment to bacon a little better by turning to turkey bacon. From my ever growing muffin top, I'm not sure if that's helping anything.

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  30. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    It's awesome to learn about you! I'm in both of your groups, and I'm pretty sure this Campaign will knock writer's socks off. (Despite what Mythbusters says about that being impossible. Psh, science.) :)

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  31. Enid WilsonSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I love ham, instead of bacon! You've a good list, Elana.

    Every Savage Can Reproduce

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  32. Maria ZanniniSeptember 6, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    I am fascinated by the fact that animals scare you so much. I've met people afraid of dogs, but never such a wide array of creatures.

    What could have happened to you as a child?!

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  33. ali crossSeptember 10, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Yeah! I learned that Two Weeks Notice was your fave movie. And now I'm racking my brain to even REMEMBER that movie. Weird ;)

    ReplyDelete