Okay, so I launched a book. Hopefully, it was helpful to some of you. Maybe you're like me, and you took notes of what you think might work for you when you launch your book. See that positive thinking there? *wink*
Anyway, I feel like I worked my fingers to the bone during pre-release. Sure, I wrote another book in only three months (yes, drafted, revised, sent to betas, revised again, sent to my agent, and revised again), but that was done in February.
In March, April, and May I focused on promotion. I mean, that's what we authors hear, right? Gotta do this thing, and that thing, and build build build the buzz buzz buzz buzz!
Right?
Right.
So I did all that.
And then June 7 came.
And went.
And the book came out. It was all kinds of glorious and fun and parties and stuff.
When I had a chance to sit down and think, it suddenly hit me: My job isn't over. I still need to write another book, sure. (*panic face* When am I going to do that?) But the business side, the marketing, the promotion still isn't over.
An author has to market their book after release as well. Who knew??
Not me. I do now, and I feel like a moron for not realizing it earlier. Maybe I wouldn't have exhausted myself so thoroughly pre-release. Maybe now I wouldn't feel like crying at the thought of marketing my book.
Maybe you won't make the same mistake I did.
Have you thought about this? What's your marketing plan?
Also, in an attempt to continue marketing, there is a Goodgrounds Approved contest going on until the end of the month. Zenn and Vi explain everything here.
Find Me Online
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Goodgrounds Approved Contests from Zenn and Vi!
I'm a Special Forces recruit for the Goodgrounds. I follow rules. And I make sure other people do too. Today I'm going to be discussing Goodgrounds approved items every Citizen is allowed.
1. Hats. Must be worn at all times to prevent dangerous sunlight from discoloring your skin.
2. Transmissions. Must be plugged in for the mandatory eight hours each night. A device, such as a projection screen, for sending e-comms is permissible.
3. ID cards. Must be carried at all times, regularly updated, and turned over when requested by the authorities.
4. Long-sleeved shirts. Must be worn at all times, no matter the season. Goodies are required to be covered from ankle to hip, wrist to shoulder, and everywhere in between.
There are three ways to get extra entries, and you'll need to fill out the Google form to be counted for them.
1. Make a Resistance video. Examples are found here, and you can comm the videos to Elana (elanajohnson(at)gmail) to be used on the fansite.
2. Purchase POSSESSION from July 8 - July 31. Any retailer, any purchase (ebooks too) from now until the end of the month.
3. Leave a review of Possession. Write a review and post it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads (or your favorite site) from July 8 - July 31.
This giveaway runs until July 31, and winners will be announced on Monday, August 1.
So. Are you a Goodgrounds approved?
Zenn, out.
----------
Yeah, Vi here. For my part of the contest, I'm going to be giving away a signed copy of Possession. But not here. That totally wouldn't make sense, because I don't want the Thinkers to know.
But I do want everyone to read the book.
So go over to Goodreads and enter to win over there.
Aaand, it looks like the Thinkers on GOODreads haven't approved the giveaway yet. Don't worry. We'll outsmart them. The contest runs until July 31, so you'll be able to slip in an entry once I have Jag hack into their system and approve the giveaway.
"Pending approval." Like that's gonna to happen. Oh... just got word: Jag is on it.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE by Matt Blackstone
Okay, I'm here again today to highlight a fabulous contemporary novel, A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE. It was written by an agent-mate of mine, who I actually got to meet when I was in New York City!
Let's dive right in.
About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE is about what goes wrong when a teenager panics, and can't stop. And friends only make it worse.
The official blurb: Rene, an obsessive-compulsive fourteen year old, smells his hands and wears a Batman cape when he's nervous. If he picks up a face-down coin, moves a muscle when the time adds up to thirteen (7:42 is bad luck because 7 + 4 + 2 = 13), or washes his body parts in the wrong order, Rene or someone close to him will break a bone, contract a deadly virus, and/or die a slow and painful death like someone in a scary scene in scary movie. Rene's new and only friend tutors him in the art of playing it cool, but that's not as easy as Gio makes it sound.
About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I wanted to be a professional baseball player, but I was, what the medical profession refers to as, “extremely uncoordinated.” Sports scientists, with the help of modern technology, later diagnosed me as “bad” and/or “unskilled.” (Ha! Excellent use of "and/or" -- love it.) So I settled for writing.
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I wanted to be an author, but it wasn’t easy. First I had to conquer my worst fear: a mountain of rejection letters piled so high on my desk that if I breath or cough or sigh with enough gusto the entire mountain will collapse on me like an avalanche and crush me and cover me in my own rejections and failures and nobody will hear me scream and I’ll die a slow and painful death, which newspapers will find fascinating and therefore report on the front page in big bold lettering, “MAN DIES OF FAILURE; NOT HEART FAILURE, JUST FAILURE”—but since nobody reads newspapers anymore, nobody will hear about it until Comedy Central gets its hands on the story and Steven Colbert proclaims, with a wag of the finger, “Nation, I thought Bill O’Reilly was a loser, a real Loserasaurus [audience cheers]. . . I did, I really did, but then, Nation, [Colbert chuckles], but then I heard of Matt Blackstone,” as the audience, howling like hyenas, chants his name instead of mine: “Ste-ven. Ste-ven, Ste-ven . . .” (This is awesome--and only one sentence! LOVE THAT. I mean, who can write something so awesome in one sentence? Matt Blackstone.)
Then I had to let go, which is hard because you get close to a manuscript. (Oh, boy, do you ever.) It’s your blood and sweat and tears and time—all that time!—and if you’re lucky, you’ll finish a few drafts and become even closer. You’ll become friends. Not friends of friends or Facebook friends or John McCain’s “(my) friends,” but friends. Real friends. Friends as tight as family. Homies—yup, you and your manuscript become homies.
You know deep down, really deep down (if you dug long enough to reach China) that your homie is only a Microsoft Word file, a stack of paper filled with words, words that make a book—not even a book, almost a book, but it’s your baby, your friend, your homie and though you don’t have a history of ascribing love and friendship to inanimate objects, you can’t help but feel sad and scared and apologetic when you mail it out because you’re tossing him into the wild all by himself and suddenly you understand why in Cast Away Tom Hanks screamed “I’M SORRY WILSON! I’M SORRY! WILSON I’M SORRY!” when the current carried his volleyball away because now your homie is alone and you’re alone and all you can do is wait. If you emailed your materials, your only option is to click “refresh.” You realize that refresh is a terrible word, a truly terrible word to describe what you’re going through because you feel a lot of things, but none of them are refreshment.
You hate yourself for throwing your characters into the wild. (Refresh.) You hate that they’re all alone and buried in a pile of slush. (Refresh.) You picture them slashed and bloody and shredded into a million little pieces. (Refresh.) You feel bad for James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces, for getting spanked by Oprah on national television but you envy him now. (Refresh.) You hate the word “refresh” and hate that you’ve been a sucker for it all your life: soda, slurpies, Gatorade, frozen lemonade—all them tasty but none of them nearly as refreshing as a glass of water. (Refresh.)
So, yeah, it wasn’t easy. My first book/homie, You All in the Kool-Aid But You Don’t Know the Flavor, was a memoir about my Teach for America experience, from the boot camp of summer Institute to the streets of West Baltimore; from political corruption ($50 million was stolen from the city budget) to crumbling schools (my principal at Frederick Douglass High School changed students’ grades to improve our graduation rate)— things got so bad that HBO spent a year in our school filming Hard Times at Douglass High). (Oh my heck! I'm stunned right now...) After a year of revision and three rounds of submission all I had to show for it was a note from my agent that said there was nothing more to do. (Aw, sad.)
Six months later, right before a family trip to Mexico, I decided to give it another shot with a new project, a new homie: A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE. I couldn’t type fast enough—at the beach, at the pool, on local sweaty bumpy buses to and from Chichen Itza, on the plane ride home, and then every morning and night until I finished. I spent two months revising it before I sent it off, mumbling a prayer at the mailbox. Four months later I had a two-book deal. (Woo hoo!)
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
Garden of Eatin's spicy blue tortilla chips. They're delicious. Yes, I would lose Survivor. I'm okay with that. (Well, almost anything loses to tortilla chips, so yeah.)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate, preferably in ice cream, in cookies, or placed on my pillow, like they did when I was six at a hotel near Hershey Park. Unfortunately, nobody has done that since.
Matt's got mad social networking skillz. Check him out, yo:
Twitter
Website
Twitter contest--to win 1 of 10 autographed hardcover copies of A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE!!!
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.
Or on their blogs:
Let's dive right in.
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE is about what goes wrong when a teenager panics, and can't stop. And friends only make it worse.
The official blurb: Rene, an obsessive-compulsive fourteen year old, smells his hands and wears a Batman cape when he's nervous. If he picks up a face-down coin, moves a muscle when the time adds up to thirteen (7:42 is bad luck because 7 + 4 + 2 = 13), or washes his body parts in the wrong order, Rene or someone close to him will break a bone, contract a deadly virus, and/or die a slow and painful death like someone in a scary scene in scary movie. Rene's new and only friend tutors him in the art of playing it cool, but that's not as easy as Gio makes it sound.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I wanted to be a professional baseball player, but I was, what the medical profession refers to as, “extremely uncoordinated.” Sports scientists, with the help of modern technology, later diagnosed me as “bad” and/or “unskilled.” (Ha! Excellent use of "and/or" -- love it.) So I settled for writing.
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I wanted to be an author, but it wasn’t easy. First I had to conquer my worst fear: a mountain of rejection letters piled so high on my desk that if I breath or cough or sigh with enough gusto the entire mountain will collapse on me like an avalanche and crush me and cover me in my own rejections and failures and nobody will hear me scream and I’ll die a slow and painful death, which newspapers will find fascinating and therefore report on the front page in big bold lettering, “MAN DIES OF FAILURE; NOT HEART FAILURE, JUST FAILURE”—but since nobody reads newspapers anymore, nobody will hear about it until Comedy Central gets its hands on the story and Steven Colbert proclaims, with a wag of the finger, “Nation, I thought Bill O’Reilly was a loser, a real Loserasaurus [audience cheers]. . . I did, I really did, but then, Nation, [Colbert chuckles], but then I heard of Matt Blackstone,” as the audience, howling like hyenas, chants his name instead of mine: “Ste-ven. Ste-ven, Ste-ven . . .” (This is awesome--and only one sentence! LOVE THAT. I mean, who can write something so awesome in one sentence? Matt Blackstone.)
Then I had to let go, which is hard because you get close to a manuscript. (Oh, boy, do you ever.) It’s your blood and sweat and tears and time—all that time!—and if you’re lucky, you’ll finish a few drafts and become even closer. You’ll become friends. Not friends of friends or Facebook friends or John McCain’s “(my) friends,” but friends. Real friends. Friends as tight as family. Homies—yup, you and your manuscript become homies.
You know deep down, really deep down (if you dug long enough to reach China) that your homie is only a Microsoft Word file, a stack of paper filled with words, words that make a book—not even a book, almost a book, but it’s your baby, your friend, your homie and though you don’t have a history of ascribing love and friendship to inanimate objects, you can’t help but feel sad and scared and apologetic when you mail it out because you’re tossing him into the wild all by himself and suddenly you understand why in Cast Away Tom Hanks screamed “I’M SORRY WILSON! I’M SORRY! WILSON I’M SORRY!” when the current carried his volleyball away because now your homie is alone and you’re alone and all you can do is wait. If you emailed your materials, your only option is to click “refresh.” You realize that refresh is a terrible word, a truly terrible word to describe what you’re going through because you feel a lot of things, but none of them are refreshment.
You hate yourself for throwing your characters into the wild. (Refresh.) You hate that they’re all alone and buried in a pile of slush. (Refresh.) You picture them slashed and bloody and shredded into a million little pieces. (Refresh.) You feel bad for James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces, for getting spanked by Oprah on national television but you envy him now. (Refresh.) You hate the word “refresh” and hate that you’ve been a sucker for it all your life: soda, slurpies, Gatorade, frozen lemonade—all them tasty but none of them nearly as refreshing as a glass of water. (Refresh.)
So, yeah, it wasn’t easy. My first book/homie, You All in the Kool-Aid But You Don’t Know the Flavor, was a memoir about my Teach for America experience, from the boot camp of summer Institute to the streets of West Baltimore; from political corruption ($50 million was stolen from the city budget) to crumbling schools (my principal at Frederick Douglass High School changed students’ grades to improve our graduation rate)— things got so bad that HBO spent a year in our school filming Hard Times at Douglass High). (Oh my heck! I'm stunned right now...) After a year of revision and three rounds of submission all I had to show for it was a note from my agent that said there was nothing more to do. (Aw, sad.)
Six months later, right before a family trip to Mexico, I decided to give it another shot with a new project, a new homie: A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE. I couldn’t type fast enough—at the beach, at the pool, on local sweaty bumpy buses to and from Chichen Itza, on the plane ride home, and then every morning and night until I finished. I spent two months revising it before I sent it off, mumbling a prayer at the mailbox. Four months later I had a two-book deal. (Woo hoo!)
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
Garden of Eatin's spicy blue tortilla chips. They're delicious. Yes, I would lose Survivor. I'm okay with that. (Well, almost anything loses to tortilla chips, so yeah.)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate, preferably in ice cream, in cookies, or placed on my pillow, like they did when I was six at a hotel near Hershey Park. Unfortunately, nobody has done that since.
Matt's got mad social networking skillz. Check him out, yo:
Website
Twitter contest--to win 1 of 10 autographed hardcover copies of A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE!!!
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.
Or on their blogs:
- LiLa Roecker adores Torn
- Beth Revis interviews Goddess Test author Aimee Carter – with giveaway
- Carolina Valdez Miller delights in Texas Gothic AND Bad Taste in Boys – with giveaways
- Jessi Kirby is giddy about Hourglass
- Shana Silver fawns over Forever
- Jen Hayley is hot for Wildfire
- Matt Blackstone savors Something Like Hope
- Stasia Ward Kehoe jumps for Bumped
- Veronica Rossi devours Bad Taste in Boys
- Christine Fonseca is crazy about Cryer’s Cross – with giveaway
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Write What You Know
Dude, this is not your typical "write what you know" blog post. I'm going to branch out a little bit, drawing on another Printz speech I heard last week.
This time, it was A.S. King that caused the tears to flow. She won a Printz Honor Award for her novel, PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ.
She talked a bit about how she watched her mother die, and then get resuscitated right in front of her. From this, she realized that teens do need their parents.
And since then, she hasn't been afraid to write what she knows. And I don't mean that she sets her books in the town she lives in, or that she bases a character on someone she knows.
I mean, that she writes what she knows emotionally, and she's not afraid (remember to be brave!) to do it, even if it's not popular.
I think sometimes we write to a trend, instead of writing what we know. And it's those books that are written by people who know that are truly meaningful. A.S. King wrote a book that she knew. She was brave enough to do it, and she said during her speech that she was grateful she found a publisher that would "put up" with her crazy stories.
So when I heard A.S. King speak, I felt empowered to write the way I want, no matter how popularity played into it.
Are you digging deep to write what you know?
She talked a bit about how she watched her mother die, and then get resuscitated right in front of her. From this, she realized that teens do need their parents.
And since then, she hasn't been afraid to write what she knows. And I don't mean that she sets her books in the town she lives in, or that she bases a character on someone she knows.
I mean, that she writes what she knows emotionally, and she's not afraid (remember to be brave!) to do it, even if it's not popular.
I think sometimes we write to a trend, instead of writing what we know. And it's those books that are written by people who know that are truly meaningful. A.S. King wrote a book that she knew. She was brave enough to do it, and she said during her speech that she was grateful she found a publisher that would "put up" with her crazy stories.
So when I heard A.S. King speak, I felt empowered to write the way I want, no matter how popularity played into it.
Are you digging deep to write what you know?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Be Brave
Okay, so I attended ALA last week (photo recap coming soon!), and I got to attend the Printz Reception. As part of that, I heard the four honor winners, and the Printz winner, speak.
Lucy Christopher not only has a wicked accent, but she said some beautiful things. Her novel, STOLEN, won a Printz Honor Award.
During her speech, she said two words that I needed to hear: "Be brave."
She was talking about her books, and how the MC's needed to be brave to survive their stories. She talked about herself as an author, and how she had to be brave during the writing.
I am such a huge baby, but it sort of made me cry. (The poor S&S people I spent the weekend with wonder if I need Prozac. Seriously.)
Braveness is something we need as authors. It is a hard world out there. A tough business, as I'm sure you've heard. There is so much noise, coming from every direction.
An author needs to be brave.
They need to don that bravery during drafting. It's okay to think outside the box, and try something you've never done before. You might be surprised at the results.
Authors need to be brave during critique sessions. Really listening takes courage.
Authors need to be brave during revisions. Don't be afraid to cut anything in your MS. They're just words, and if you're that attached to them, copy and paste to a new document. But be brave enough during revisions to truly make your book the best it can be.
Authors need to be brave during submitting. There are so many things that are out of your control at this point. Write the best book you can. Have faith that it'll get into the hands of the right agent/editor at the right time.
For me, when Lucy Christopher said "Be brave," I heard "Get writing something, you lazy hump." And so I am. I am being brave.
I am writing.
How's your bravery? What are you doing that requires you to be brave?
During her speech, she said two words that I needed to hear: "Be brave."
She was talking about her books, and how the MC's needed to be brave to survive their stories. She talked about herself as an author, and how she had to be brave during the writing.
I am such a huge baby, but it sort of made me cry. (The poor S&S people I spent the weekend with wonder if I need Prozac. Seriously.)
Braveness is something we need as authors. It is a hard world out there. A tough business, as I'm sure you've heard. There is so much noise, coming from every direction.
An author needs to be brave.
They need to don that bravery during drafting. It's okay to think outside the box, and try something you've never done before. You might be surprised at the results.
Authors need to be brave during critique sessions. Really listening takes courage.
Authors need to be brave during revisions. Don't be afraid to cut anything in your MS. They're just words, and if you're that attached to them, copy and paste to a new document. But be brave enough during revisions to truly make your book the best it can be.
Authors need to be brave during submitting. There are so many things that are out of your control at this point. Write the best book you can. Have faith that it'll get into the hands of the right agent/editor at the right time.
For me, when Lucy Christopher said "Be brave," I heard "Get writing something, you lazy hump." And so I am. I am being brave.
I am writing.
How's your bravery? What are you doing that requires you to be brave?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young
Okay, today I'm talking about a book I really loved. I mean, I talk about a book I love every Thursday, but A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young is wonderful. I enjoyed the writing. I loved the longing in the main character. I swooned over the softness in the male MC, Harley. I adored the not-run-of-the-mill ending.
And the premise! A brilliant premise that doesn't feel cookie-cutter or overdone. A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL genuinely read unique.
Okay, so you probably want to know what it's about now, right? Here's a brief synopsis, from the lovely Suzanne herself!
About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL is about a girl compelled to help people, even though doing so is slowly erasing her existence. (Nice. 25 characters left.)
And the official blurb: We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be forgotten.
Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.
Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?
About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. I was writing murder mysteries starring my friends back in junior high. I think a few of them are still floating around somewhere.
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
A push from a family member. Otherwise I’m not sure I would have considered it possible.
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
Dental floss. I’m an obsessive flosser. (Oooh, good one. I enjoy flossing more than the average person too.)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
BACON. (Hallelujah! I swear I can feel the heavens opening up.)
So see? You must pick up this book at your favorite bookstore today! It's amazing.
I've also read about 12 books over the past week or so--I'm on a total reading kick. I've added most of them to my upcoming Thursday features. They're THAT GOOD. Are you in a reading high? A slump? What are you reading now that you've enjoyed?
And the premise! A brilliant premise that doesn't feel cookie-cutter or overdone. A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL genuinely read unique.
Okay, so you probably want to know what it's about now, right? Here's a brief synopsis, from the lovely Suzanne herself!
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL is about a girl compelled to help people, even though doing so is slowly erasing her existence. (Nice. 25 characters left.)
And the official blurb: We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be forgotten.
Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.
Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?
About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. I was writing murder mysteries starring my friends back in junior high. I think a few of them are still floating around somewhere.
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
A push from a family member. Otherwise I’m not sure I would have considered it possible.
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
Dental floss. I’m an obsessive flosser. (Oooh, good one. I enjoy flossing more than the average person too.)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
BACON. (Hallelujah! I swear I can feel the heavens opening up.)
So see? You must pick up this book at your favorite bookstore today! It's amazing.
I've also read about 12 books over the past week or so--I'm on a total reading kick. I've added most of them to my upcoming Thursday features. They're THAT GOOD. Are you in a reading high? A slump? What are you reading now that you've enjoyed?
Monday, June 27, 2011
Remember...
Hey guys! This is me waving from hot and humid New Orleans! I'm going to be here until Tuesday, and in a rare fit of exhaustion, I've decided to take this entire week off of blogging. I will still put up my Bookanista post, mostly because it's already done.
Hope you have a relaxing ease into July and a happy Independence Day!
Catch you back here on July 5.
Hope you have a relaxing ease into July and a happy Independence Day!
Catch you back here on July 5.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Finding Your Flexibility
Okay, I've been thinking a lot about flexibility lately. Not in the like, the physical sense, because I haven't been able to pass the flexibility test since I was nine years old.
No, today is dedicated to a state of being flexible.
I think I'm flexible in certain areas of my life. In teaching, I'm extremely flexible. You need your class to make a table of contents and your class is waiting at the door? No problem. Wait, there's an assembly, and it started 10 minutes ago? No problem.
Teachers are nothing if not flexible.
I think I'm flexible in my parenting strategies. You want to take that trash out in 14 minutes? No problem. (But if you don't take it out in 14 minutes, I own your xBox.) You don't want to eat what I made for dinner? No problem. (Hey, I make dinner sometimes.) Make yourself a sandwich.
I guess I just didn't really realize how much flexibility is required in publishing a book.
I looked up some quotes, because I really like quotes.
"Be firm on principle but flexible on method."
~Zig Ziglar
I like this because often we read about how we should be writing, or how many words a day it takes to become an author. I'm here to say that I don't follow hardly any of them. Sometimes I read a book a day. Sometimes I go a whole month without reading. Sometimes I write 10 words a day. Sometimes 2000. Sometimes 0. My method is not yours, and yours is not mine, but we can all be working toward the same things.
"Be clear about your goal but be flexible about the process of achieving it."
~Brian Tracy
I really like this too. Do you know your goal? If so, allow some flexibility into your journey. Because authors have to be flexible. You might have to change something in your novel you're not thrilled about. You might have to wait longer than you'd like for your book to come out. You might have no control over the cover image, or the release date, or anything really, except the words of your story.
I think flexibility is the key. And those found in possession of it can open the door labeled "Not Freaking Out" and find a squishy couch to sit on inside. With cupcakes.
So, how's your flexibility?
No, today is dedicated to a state of being flexible.
I think I'm flexible in certain areas of my life. In teaching, I'm extremely flexible. You need your class to make a table of contents and your class is waiting at the door? No problem. Wait, there's an assembly, and it started 10 minutes ago? No problem.
Teachers are nothing if not flexible.
I think I'm flexible in my parenting strategies. You want to take that trash out in 14 minutes? No problem. (But if you don't take it out in 14 minutes, I own your xBox.) You don't want to eat what I made for dinner? No problem. (Hey, I make dinner sometimes.) Make yourself a sandwich.
I guess I just didn't really realize how much flexibility is required in publishing a book.
I looked up some quotes, because I really like quotes.
"Be firm on principle but flexible on method."
~Zig Ziglar
I like this because often we read about how we should be writing, or how many words a day it takes to become an author. I'm here to say that I don't follow hardly any of them. Sometimes I read a book a day. Sometimes I go a whole month without reading. Sometimes I write 10 words a day. Sometimes 2000. Sometimes 0. My method is not yours, and yours is not mine, but we can all be working toward the same things.
"Be clear about your goal but be flexible about the process of achieving it."
~Brian Tracy
I really like this too. Do you know your goal? If so, allow some flexibility into your journey. Because authors have to be flexible. You might have to change something in your novel you're not thrilled about. You might have to wait longer than you'd like for your book to come out. You might have no control over the cover image, or the release date, or anything really, except the words of your story.
I think flexibility is the key. And those found in possession of it can open the door labeled "Not Freaking Out" and find a squishy couch to sit on inside. With cupcakes.
So, how's your flexibility?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire
Dude, today I'm featuring a young adult novel, HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire. I found this book to deliver something unique--time travel (or something very close to it)--in a genre where things are starting to blur together for me.
First, a little bit more about HOURGLASS: For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
My favorite parts:
1. Emerson -- she's a great character. Convincingly complex and conflicted about who to believe and what she can do. She's also smart and resourceful when she needs to be. I liked that.
2. The setting. I must be like, a true Southerner at heart or something. All the books I read that are set in the south captivate me (SHADOWED SUMMER by Saundra Mitchell, for one). I thought Myra did a good job with the setting, describing it enough for those of us who haven't actually been there, but not overdoing it.
3. The romance. I think it's a pretty well-known fact that I like books with kissing. So yeah. HOURGLASS has some kissing, and it makes me very happy. Ha!
So add HOURGLASS to your list if you haven't picked up a copy yet. You won't be sorry.
What about you? Have you noticed a trend in the kind of books you like (Southern settings, anyone?)?
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.
Or on their blogs:
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
My favorite parts:
1. Emerson -- she's a great character. Convincingly complex and conflicted about who to believe and what she can do. She's also smart and resourceful when she needs to be. I liked that.
2. The setting. I must be like, a true Southerner at heart or something. All the books I read that are set in the south captivate me (SHADOWED SUMMER by Saundra Mitchell, for one). I thought Myra did a good job with the setting, describing it enough for those of us who haven't actually been there, but not overdoing it.
3. The romance. I think it's a pretty well-known fact that I like books with kissing. So yeah. HOURGLASS has some kissing, and it makes me very happy. Ha!
So add HOURGLASS to your list if you haven't picked up a copy yet. You won't be sorry.
What about you? Have you noticed a trend in the kind of books you like (Southern settings, anyone?)?
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.
Or on their blogs:
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Blog Post That Isn't Really a Blog Post At All
Okay, so I had something epic planned for today, and well, it didn't pan out. Maybe next week. Maybe never. That's the best part about publishing = there are always surprises around the corner.
And since I'm currently in "summer mode" and/or catching up on forums and/or prepping for a phone call tomorrow and/or panicking about ALA, this is the blog post you get.
Just for fun, here's a little snippet of a chat from last night:
Me, Tuesday 8:03 PM: Yeah, so now I have to find something to blog about. No idea.
Her, Tuesday 8:07 PM: Um... something about being flexible? Lol
Me, Tuesday, 8:09 PM: Spew! I also need something for Friday. I am so over flogging right now.
Me, Tuesday, a few seconds later: Flogging!!!!! LOLOLOL
Her, Tuesday, 8:20 PM: Flogging, bwahaha.
Yeah, the story of my life.
I can't even think of a question to go along with this non-post. Maybe... is blogging like flogging? Sometimes? Maybe?
And since I'm currently in "summer mode" and/or catching up on forums and/or prepping for a phone call tomorrow and/or panicking about ALA, this is the blog post you get.
Just for fun, here's a little snippet of a chat from last night:
Me, Tuesday 8:03 PM: Yeah, so now I have to find something to blog about. No idea.
Her, Tuesday 8:07 PM: Um... something about being flexible? Lol
Me, Tuesday, 8:09 PM: Spew! I also need something for Friday. I am so over flogging right now.
Me, Tuesday, a few seconds later: Flogging!!!!! LOLOLOL
Her, Tuesday, 8:20 PM: Flogging, bwahaha.
Yeah, the story of my life.
I can't even think of a question to go along with this non-post. Maybe... is blogging like flogging? Sometimes? Maybe?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday Teaser
Okay, so this isn't really a book teaser. It's more of a chat teaser. See, I have a couple of upcoming chats I want you to know about.
1. Thursday, June 23 at 7 PM. This chat is all about query letters. How to write them, my thoughts on some previously submitted queries, and just general advice about literary agents and querying.
This chat is part of David Farland's Author Advisory Conference Call program. You can find out more here, including how to call in and be part of the chat! If you submitted your query letter, I'm thinking we'll have time to get to them all.
Also, you can always get my eBook, From the Query to the Call, for free on my website.
2. Wednesday, June 29 at 7 PM on the FallenArchAngel fansite. POSSESSION is one of their picks for Featured Fiction this month, and I'll be there to chat Wednesday night about the book, about writing, about whatever! So mark your calendars and come.
3. If you missed the live chat on UStream last week, you can click here to see it. That's one of the best things (and worst things) about the Internet. Once you say or do something, you can watch it over and over. And over.
And that's been my summer so far--planning these things and whatnot.
How is your summer shaping up so far? Hope to see you at one of the chats!
1. Thursday, June 23 at 7 PM. This chat is all about query letters. How to write them, my thoughts on some previously submitted queries, and just general advice about literary agents and querying.
This chat is part of David Farland's Author Advisory Conference Call program. You can find out more here, including how to call in and be part of the chat! If you submitted your query letter, I'm thinking we'll have time to get to them all.
Also, you can always get my eBook, From the Query to the Call, for free on my website.
3. If you missed the live chat on UStream last week, you can click here to see it. That's one of the best things (and worst things) about the Internet. Once you say or do something, you can watch it over and over. And over.
And that's been my summer so far--planning these things and whatnot.
How is your summer shaping up so far? Hope to see you at one of the chats!
Monday, June 20, 2011
In It To Win the War
Okay, so I've been thinking a lot about what it takes to "win the publishing war," and I finally got my thoughts to congeal while watching (okay, listening to--I was admittedly on the computer) a documentary on the Civil War.
Someone said, "Robert E. Lee wasn't looking to win another battle. He was trying to win the war."
I liked that. Sometimes it is about the battles. We tell ourselves we can rest when the next scene is done, or when we've written 1000 words for the day. Those are battles. Because there are a lot of things competing for our time.
But in the end, we're not looking to simply win battles. We want to win the war. And that takes a little bit more than just writing and revising.
It means submitting. I've known a few authors who are afraid to submit. I don't know if this is you or not. But if it is, you've got to get your armor on, write that query letter, pick up your helmet, polish your manuscript, and submit.
You can't win the war without submitting.
You also can't win the war if you don't finish a book. So if you find yourself "battling" with the same pages over and over, maybe you should leave them in the dust and finish the book. Then you can go back to the battle with the goal of submitting in mind.
That's how you win the publishing war.
So are you fighting battles in the hopes of winning the war? Or are you editing the same pages over and over again?
Someone said, "Robert E. Lee wasn't looking to win another battle. He was trying to win the war."
I liked that. Sometimes it is about the battles. We tell ourselves we can rest when the next scene is done, or when we've written 1000 words for the day. Those are battles. Because there are a lot of things competing for our time.
But in the end, we're not looking to simply win battles. We want to win the war. And that takes a little bit more than just writing and revising.
It means submitting. I've known a few authors who are afraid to submit. I don't know if this is you or not. But if it is, you've got to get your armor on, write that query letter, pick up your helmet, polish your manuscript, and submit.
You can't win the war without submitting.
You also can't win the war if you don't finish a book. So if you find yourself "battling" with the same pages over and over, maybe you should leave them in the dust and finish the book. Then you can go back to the battle with the goal of submitting in mind.
That's how you win the publishing war.
So are you fighting battles in the hopes of winning the war? Or are you editing the same pages over and over again?
Saturday, June 18, 2011
FAIRY BAD DAY by Amanda Ashby
Today, I'm thrilled to have Amanda Ashby here on the blog! She's here to give us a little more information about her new book, FAIRY BAD DAY.
About THE BOOK:
It’s going to be a fairy bad day.
First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he’s really cute, but that doesn’t give him an excuse.
On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you’re thinking—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won’t STOP!
But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately…it’s Curtis.
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
When Emma's dragon slaying spot is stolen from her, she's pretty sure that thing can't possibly get worse. Emma’s wrong!
What people are saying:
"Teens with a taste for the paranormal school story and a tolerance for raucous humor will be involved with and amused by this romantic fantasy. The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews
"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly
“Great fairy fun from page one! If Buffy and Harry Potter got together and threw a magical slayer party, it would be the world Amanda Ashby created in Fairy Bad Day. With plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, emotional depth, and cute boy romance, reading this book will guarantee your day is fairy awesome.” Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Forgive My Fins
"Fairy Bad Day is fairy awesome supernatural slaying fun." Stacey Jay author of You are So Undead to Me and Undead Much
"I really liked that no matter how mad Emma wanted to be at Curtis, she just couldn't stay mad—not with those beautiful brown eyes and that lopsided grin. I loved the cover design, it really drew me in. This was a very good book and I would highly recommend it." School Library Journal Vanessa, age 12
About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I have always loved reading and I’ve always been good at creative writing but I honestly didn’t know that regular people could become authors so I actually studied journalism but I knew fairly early on that it wasn’t a good fit (the essence of journalism is to be concise and factual. So. Not. Going. To. Happen). Every now and then it would bother me about what would happen if my favorite authors hadn’t written my favorite books and I finally had an epiphany and realized that I wanted to write a book. It all felt quite sudden and the moment I said it, I sat down and wrote my first novel in a month. It was completely awful but, as most writers know, once the seeds are planted, we don’t tend to leave them alone!
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
From the moment I had my epiphany I’ve always chased publication. In fact it amazes me the number of hopeful authors who write books and then don’t try and submit them anywhere. I guess some of it is fear, but I never felt like that. I just wanted to get it out there!
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
MP3 player (I don’t watch Survivor so I’m hoping that this is allowed because I will play dirty if my MP3 player is taken off me!)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate!
Thanks for stopping by Amanda--and I can't wait to read FAIRY BAD DAY.
It’s going to be a fairy bad day.
First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he’s really cute, but that doesn’t give him an excuse.
On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you’re thinking—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won’t STOP!
But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately…it’s Curtis.
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
When Emma's dragon slaying spot is stolen from her, she's pretty sure that thing can't possibly get worse. Emma’s wrong!
What people are saying:
"Teens with a taste for the paranormal school story and a tolerance for raucous humor will be involved with and amused by this romantic fantasy. The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews
"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly
“Great fairy fun from page one! If Buffy and Harry Potter got together and threw a magical slayer party, it would be the world Amanda Ashby created in Fairy Bad Day. With plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, emotional depth, and cute boy romance, reading this book will guarantee your day is fairy awesome.” Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Forgive My Fins
"Fairy Bad Day is fairy awesome supernatural slaying fun." Stacey Jay author of You are So Undead to Me and Undead Much
"I really liked that no matter how mad Emma wanted to be at Curtis, she just couldn't stay mad—not with those beautiful brown eyes and that lopsided grin. I loved the cover design, it really drew me in. This was a very good book and I would highly recommend it." School Library Journal Vanessa, age 12
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I have always loved reading and I’ve always been good at creative writing but I honestly didn’t know that regular people could become authors so I actually studied journalism but I knew fairly early on that it wasn’t a good fit (the essence of journalism is to be concise and factual. So. Not. Going. To. Happen). Every now and then it would bother me about what would happen if my favorite authors hadn’t written my favorite books and I finally had an epiphany and realized that I wanted to write a book. It all felt quite sudden and the moment I said it, I sat down and wrote my first novel in a month. It was completely awful but, as most writers know, once the seeds are planted, we don’t tend to leave them alone!
What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
From the moment I had my epiphany I’ve always chased publication. In fact it amazes me the number of hopeful authors who write books and then don’t try and submit them anywhere. I guess some of it is fear, but I never felt like that. I just wanted to get it out there!
Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
MP3 player (I don’t watch Survivor so I’m hoping that this is allowed because I will play dirty if my MP3 player is taken off me!)
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate!
Thanks for stopping by Amanda--and I can't wait to read FAIRY BAD DAY.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Exhaustion Is A Good Thing
Phew. Okay, so the POSSESSION party was amazing! You guys never cease to amaze me. From the winners on twitter, to the many questions in the forum, to the fun live chat, I had a total blast.
And I am now exhausted. But it's a good thing. It means I've done some work. I always feel like this after writing or editing too. So yeah. Exhaustion. It's a good thing.
Today, I'm just going to announce the winner of the prize package from yesterday. If you won, please email me at elanajohnson (at) gmail, so I can get your mailing address.
POSSESSION prize package: Amber! Congrats.
Also, if you left a question in the forum or on the chat, and we didn't get to it, I'll be answering those on my blog in the near future. And if you entered to win a prize package on the forum, those winners have been announced over there.
So. What exhausts you this fine Friday?
And I am now exhausted. But it's a good thing. It means I've done some work. I always feel like this after writing or editing too. So yeah. Exhaustion. It's a good thing.
Today, I'm just going to announce the winner of the prize package from yesterday. If you won, please email me at elanajohnson (at) gmail, so I can get your mailing address.
POSSESSION prize package: Amber! Congrats.
Also, if you left a question in the forum or on the chat, and we didn't get to it, I'll be answering those on my blog in the near future. And if you entered to win a prize package on the forum, those winners have been announced over there.
So. What exhausts you this fine Friday?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
POSSESSION party!
Okay, so today is the virtual launch of POSSESSION! So many of you have helped to shape my journey thus far, and I wanted to celebrate with everyone, not just my friends and family here in Utah.
Thus, the POSSESSION online party was born!
Today, you can win any number of things, in any number of social medias.
1. Twitter: There will be three prize packages to be won on twitter today. Tweet using the hashtag #POSSESSIONparty from 8:30 - 9:30 AM Mountain time (10:30 AM Eastern). Then again from 12 - 1 PM (2 PM Eastern). And once more from 5 - 6 PM (7 PM Eastern).
The prizes for the twitter contests will include book and swag packages from the Elevensies, some Utah authors, and a dystopian package. Watch the #POSSESSIONparty thread for details.
2. Inside the Resistance fan site: There will be three prize packages to be won in the forums of the fan site. Each has it's own thread, and all you need to do is go over there and comment in the thread of the package you'd like to win.
Prizes include book and swag packages from the Bookanistas, the Elevensies, and a dystopian package.
Also, anyone who asks a question in the "All About Elana" forum will be entered to win:
1. A 30-minute Skype chat for your book club. (1 winner)
2. A 30-minute Skype chat for your writing group. (1 winner)
3. A 30-minute Skype chat for your classroom. (1 winner)
4. 15 winners will get to choose a song from the Vi song list, the Jag song list, or the Zenn song list.
5. All who post a question in the forum will get a swag package mailed to them. All you have to do is go to the "All About Elana" forum, ask a question, and then fill out the form in the "Claim Your Swag Package" thread.
Fansite website: http://www.insidetheresistance.com/
3. On the blog: Right here, right now, you can enter to win a POSSESSION package, with some Bookanista swag!
Prize package includes:
Just leave a comment here and be a follower, and you could win! This contest closes at midnight tonight (one day only!) and is open internationally.
4. Simon & Schuster UStream live chat: It's tonight at 7 PM Mountain (9 PM Eastern) here. You can log on and ask me questions or just chat!
Hope you'll come party with us all over the place today!
Thus, the POSSESSION online party was born!
Today, you can win any number of things, in any number of social medias.
1. Twitter: There will be three prize packages to be won on twitter today. Tweet using the hashtag #POSSESSIONparty from 8:30 - 9:30 AM Mountain time (10:30 AM Eastern). Then again from 12 - 1 PM (2 PM Eastern). And once more from 5 - 6 PM (7 PM Eastern).
The prizes for the twitter contests will include book and swag packages from the Elevensies, some Utah authors, and a dystopian package. Watch the #POSSESSIONparty thread for details.
2. Inside the Resistance fan site: There will be three prize packages to be won in the forums of the fan site. Each has it's own thread, and all you need to do is go over there and comment in the thread of the package you'd like to win.
Prizes include book and swag packages from the Bookanistas, the Elevensies, and a dystopian package.
Also, anyone who asks a question in the "All About Elana" forum will be entered to win:
1. A 30-minute Skype chat for your book club. (1 winner)
2. A 30-minute Skype chat for your writing group. (1 winner)
3. A 30-minute Skype chat for your classroom. (1 winner)
4. 15 winners will get to choose a song from the Vi song list, the Jag song list, or the Zenn song list.
5. All who post a question in the forum will get a swag package mailed to them. All you have to do is go to the "All About Elana" forum, ask a question, and then fill out the form in the "Claim Your Swag Package" thread.
Fansite website: http://www.insidetheresistance.com/
3. On the blog: Right here, right now, you can enter to win a POSSESSION package, with some Bookanista swag!
Prize package includes:
- Signed hardcover of POSSESSION
- Character items: sunglasses for Zenn, a choker for Jag, and a bar code bracelet for Vi.
- 2 “tagged” stickers
- Signed POSSESSION bookmark
- Signed ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (by Beth Revis) bookmark and bookplate, an ACROSS THE UNIVERSE trilogy pin
- Signed POSSESS (by Gretchen McNeil) bookmark and POSSESS-inspired temporary tattoo
- Signed LIKE MANDARIN (by Kirsten Hubbard) bookmark and postcard
- Signed TEXAS GOTHIC (by Rosemary Clement-Moore) bookmark
- Signed MOONGLASS (by Jessi Kirby) bookmark
- Signed AUDITION (by Stasia Kehoe) bookmark
- A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE (by Matt Blackstone) bookmark
- EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS and 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS (by Christine Fonseca) bookmark
Just leave a comment here and be a follower, and you could win! This contest closes at midnight tonight (one day only!) and is open internationally.
4. Simon & Schuster UStream live chat: It's tonight at 7 PM Mountain (9 PM Eastern) here. You can log on and ask me questions or just chat!
Hope you'll come party with us all over the place today!
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