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Suzanne Young » Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit: Starring Kristina Springer
So excited to feature Kristina Springer on my blog today!!! Her newest book MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS is fantastically fun, and for serious, check out the cover. I love it! Let's hear more:
About MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS:
Seventh grade was supposed to be fun, but Tori is having major drama with her BFF, Sienna. ... [Link]
Drenched in Words » Thankful Thursday
I just started reading FAT VAMPIRE, by Adam Rex, which I believe is going to be the perfect book to counteract the effects of MOCKINGJAY … one of the darkest, most depressing books I’ve ever read.
Here’s just a snippet from Chapter One, in which the main character – a fat, 15-year-old vampire – is trying to chat up a pretty ... [Link]
Frolicking through Cyberspace » Letting Go
My little guy started school today and I'm sitting here worrying about him. I'm not exactly sure why. He ran right out to the playground this morning, excited to get out there and play. When the whistle blew I told him that meant he needed to go line up, so he grabbed his backpack and ran over to get in ... [Link]
megancrewe.com - Blog » How to organize a writing retreat
(or any other sort of retreat for that matter)
I know there are a lot of writers who’d like to attend a retreat, or attend more retreats, but find it hard to make it to or afford the bigger ones out there. That’s the position my critique group was in four years ago. We were sitting around talking about how nice ...
[Link]Author2Author » Release Week and GIVEAWAY!
Tip of the Day: Check out the way cute ad my publisher is running for Fake Boyfriend-- I love it!
YAY!! MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS came out this week! I'm so excited! And I've been getting lots of good reviews from all the biggies- Kirkus, School Library Journal, PW, and Booklist so I'm a happy girl! In ... [Link]
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » The 9 Spot: Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s debut YA novel Under the Mesquite, is about Lupita, a budding actress and poet from a tight-knit Mexican immigrant family coming of age during her mother’s battle with cancer. To celebrate Guadalupe’s launch, I’m asking her 9 essential questions we need to know about every author.
9. Legs or pudding?
Legs, roasted on a stick.
Officially Twisted » If You Really Need Me, You Know How To Find Me
I'm taking a break from my edits to bring you this earworm, courtesy of my daughter whose current favorite girl's name is "Tallulah" and has subsequently been naming all of her dolls, drawings, storybook characters and random bits of fluff "Tallulah."*
Which, of course, only makes me think of this:
From the obscure cult classic, Bugsy Malone starring young Scott Baio & ... [Link]
Aprilynne Pike » What's In A Name?
First, an announcement.
The third book in the Wings series will be titled...
Illusions!!
I know it was a long time coming, and I apologize for that. But now that it's public knowledge, you might be interested in why the book remained untitled for so long. You also might not, in which case you will want to skip the rest of this entry. ... [Link]
writerjenn » The Writing Space
I've seen many pictures of authors' "writing caves" on the internet, and my main reaction is: Holy cow, either everyone else writes in a much neater space than mine, or they clean up big time before taking the picture.
And I understand the impulse to clean up; I really do. But I've often thought that if I ever take a picture of ... [Link]
megancrewe.com - Blog » The little bits and pieces that make up a book
Before I sent my most recent book off to my trusty beta readers, I had a bunch of fact and detail-checking to do, things I hadn’t wanted to stop writing to look up or couldn’t look up once I was at the retreat. My rough drafts are always littered with square brackets around things like [last name] or [car type] to ...
[Link]Author2Author » Keep Reading, Please! (or I Will Follow Her, Follow Her Wherever She May Go!*)
*with apologies to Little Peggy March
Tip of the Day: Lactose intolerant? Going low-fat? Don't underestimate the power of Haagen Dazs sorbets. YUM! (Mango, raspberry, peach, strawberry!)
I was chatting with Tina the other day and expressed my concern that perhaps people who have been reading A2A since its inception in 2008, when we we claimed readers would be following the careers ... [Link]
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » The 9 Spot: Mara Purnhagen
Mara Purnhagen’s debut novel PAST MIDNIGHT comes to us from Harlequin Teen.
Charlotte doesn’t believe in ghosts– unfortunately, they believe in her.
To celebrate Mara’s debut, I’m asking her 9 essential questions we need to know about every author.
9. Legs or pudding?
Pudding.
8. Jean jacket or leather jacket?
Jean.
7. Blind faith or cold logic? ...
[Link]<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » Saturday at Decatur Book Festival!
Just a reminder that I’m going to be at Decatur Book Festival on Saturday, and I hope I get to see some of you there! I’m posting all the deets below, and I’ll repost them on Saturday, just in case!
September 4, 2010 – 2:00pm
Decatur Book Festival
Decatur, Georgia
The Escape at the Old Courthouse
Method Behind the Magic: ...
The B-log Blog » Aw Yeah. It's Coming.
COMING SOON: It just may be the most fun contest that’s been run this year. More than a dozen of your favorite YA authors, an obsession with sweets, and a stunning array of prizes. On September 1st, details will be announced right here and on Christine Johnson’s blog (www.christinejohnsonbooks.com/blog). Until then, here’s a hint:
Into that world inverted... » Being A Writer On the Internet (Complicated! Augh, So Complicated!)
Thanks to y'all for the very thoughtful response to yesterday's post! It got mentioned on the Publisher's Weekly blog, so I am currently feeling famous.
However, I am now going to witter at you again, because some of the response in my comments and elsewhere made me think I was unclear. Or possibly, I just wrote A LOT and people began ... [Link]
The B-log Blog » Reviews and Such
Really nice review of SLEEPLESS from the Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books:
After nearly a hundred years seducing humans to sleep, Eron DeMarchelle is just about to complete his tenure as Sandman and resume a normal human life -- if, that is, he can successfully train his replacement while adjusting to a world that has significantly changed since the last ... [Link]
Author2Author » We should all be a bit more like Betty White
Tip of the Day: Kristina’s book My Fake Boyfriend Is Better Than Yours comes out today!! Congrats Kristina! Everyone else, make sure to check it out.
After seeing the new commercial for the movie You Again my husband informed me that even Betty White tweets and updates her Facebook status more than I do.
My response: “But everyone wants to hear ... [Link]
Drenched in Words » Tim Gunn visits ... and so do Heidi, Michael, and Nina
Project Novel – Book on the Runway
Tim Gunn enters the workroom. “Good morning, everybody.”
“Just me, Tim,” says Lisa.
“Oh, of course! I beg your pardon. Authors today … not designers.” He smiles. “I’m a very busy consultant.”
Lisa smiles back.
“Well, the big day is finally here,” he says. “Your book is heading to the runway.”
“I know, I’m very excited.” Lisa tries ... [Link]
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » NOM NOM NOM
COMING SOON:
It just may be the most fun contest that’s been run this year. More than a dozen of your favorite YA authors, an obsession with sweets, and a stunning array of prizes.
On September 1st, details will be announced here and on Christine Johnson’s blog.
Until then, here’s a hint:
[Link]
writerjenn » Passion
If you're a writer, I recommend this post by R.L. LaFevers on annastan 's blog. An excerpt: "You are writing to feed your soul. ... Own that dream, and be willing to feed and nurture it for the rest of your life. There is no shame in that. Honoring your dream does not diminish your love for others." Print ... [Link]
Through The Wardrobe » Fabulous New Fiction: 2k10 Debut Author Denise Jaden
Denise Jaden has written a gorgeous book about loss and faith and family: LOSING FAITH . I know it's gorgeous because I could not put it down. I'm so pleased to introduce her on the blog today.
meganfrazer » Music Monday: Love the Way You Lie
A co-worker and I had an interesting discussion about Eminem’s new song, “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rhianna:
We both agreed it’s a very powerful song, especially Rhianna’s crystal clear voice. She was uncomfortable, though, with some of the lyrics. In particular the end where he says that if she tries to leave again he’ll tie her to the bed ...
[Link]megancrewe.com - Blog » Report on the retreat
For the second time this month, I’m back! This time from my in-person critique group’s fourth annual writing retreat.
The five of us who were able to make it convened at a cottage just east of Parry Sound, which turned out to be even more ideal than it sounded online. All the trees made it totally private, there was a big ...
[Link]The B-log Blog » Starstruck ARCs
I am starting to field a lot of email requests for ARCs from reviewers and bloggers. If you are interested in an ARC of STARSTRUCK, which comes out next Summer, thank you! I am happy you want to read it. But please note the following:
First, please understand that I do not get boxloads of ARCs to pass around. For my ... [Link]
Author2Author » Do You Really Have to Write?
Tip of the Day: So busy! My new Android phone can take notes and to-do lists; I just have to figure out how to use it. If you have an Android, start with AppBrain.com, the online app store.
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » Even Successful Queries Aren’t Stunning
So on Friday, I posted my very first query letter, which was a pretty bad query letter. Agent/Writer/Deb Extraordinaire Mandy Hubbard popped by to say it wasn’t half-bad. And it wasn’t- with some tinkering, I did manage to get a couple of partial requests with it.
Here’s the thing- I think most competent writers will produce an okay query ...
[Link]Officially Twisted » Big Reveal #2!
I can't believe I am actually saying this, but after waiting a heckuva long time, I can finally announce some Honest-to-G-d progress on my publishing journey by shouting to the world:
I GOT MY EDITS!
"YES!" says I. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
It's hard to express how excited I am about receiving these much-longed-for nuggets of brilliance from my amazing editor, (and, ... [Link]
Into that world inverted... » Being A Writer And A Reader On the Internet
So, I love reading books. This is probably not going to come as a huge shock to anyone. I also love writing books. Again... not breaking news...
Recently on the internet, I saw someone being skeptical about my online book reviews (I also write non-online book reviews, but that is neither here nor there, as this post is about the internet!), ... [Link]
writerjenn » Sunday stew
More brilliance showered upon the blogosphere this week. I fell in love with this blog post by Jeannine Atkins on revising: "As I trim, I watch to make sure that not too much meaning disappears, but leave just enough to hint or provoke. I’m trying to be as careful as a jeweler chipping a precious stone, knowing the right angle ... [Link]
Suzanne Young » Novel Graveyard
Another installment of NEVADA FALLS--an unedited, unpublished manuscript from my graveyard. Catch up on the story HERE, or you can read all of the other graveyards.
I sometimes skip chapters to keep the length short for posts, and there is swearing, so you've been warned. :-)
NEVADA FALLS
“What’s the damage?” Marisol asked as I sat down at our lunch table. Trevor had ... [Link]
writerjenn » August Debuts
Here is August's crop of debut novels:
The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz, by Laura Toffler-Corrie. Middle grade. Amy Finawitz deals with a best friend who has just moved away, a mysterious old diary, and a set of unlikely friendships.
The Freak Observer, by Blythe Woolston. Young adult. Loa has just suffered several traumatic losses, and the ... [Link]
Love, Leigh » Ruby Rush
So it’s kind of obvious, based on my revisions post last week, that I’m in kind of a funk. Regular readers of this blog know that when I’m annoyed or stressed the first thing I reach for is a pair of scissors.
And then I start chopping.
This actually comes from when I was a struggling grad student with no money. ...
[Link]Frolicking through Cyberspace » The Deep Dark Depths of my Writing Life
My friend and critque partner Stephanie Theban asked me some tough, personal questions about my writing life on her blog: Stories. Read'em. Write'em. She really got me thinking about things I'd never even realized, like how life on the mountain has prepared me for the publishing world. I had no idea!
[Link]Drenched in Words » Happy Friday
I'm a little under the weather today, so I'm just going to pop in and say, "Have a great weekend!" and share a photo from last August with you. (Summer rerun!)
[Link]
Author2Author » On quitting and writing and disagreeing with Stephen King
Tip of the Day: Have you entered the Contemps challenge yet? Agree to read 18 of the 21 contemporary YA novels releasing over the next year, and you have a chance to win all 21 books! Details about the challenge are HERE.
I caught a discussion going on yesterday on twitter about this blog post. To summarize, a guy who's been ... [Link]
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » Everybody Writes Bad Queries
Everybody writes bad queries, at least at first. There’s no set way to create one, advice conflicts on what to put in one, and frankly, it’s a skill like any other- you must practice it to excel at it.
In light of #queryfail #queryslam and SlushPileHell, I’d like to take another approach. Most people don’t have their learning curve slapped up ...
[Link]Deva Fagan's Journal » Series, Dogs and Frogs
Note: I talk about Mockingjay below -- general reactions not specifics, but just FYI if you are avoiding any discussion. I also talk about Stroud's Ptolemy's Gate and Clare's City of Glass, though again trying to avoid specific details.
So, I finished the third book in a brilliant (imo) series on Tuesday night. I was expecting that. What I wasn't expecting ... [Link]
Wit, Words, and Joie de Vivre » Curry Recipe + Tacy update
An update on Tacy: After my last post, I mustered the courage to make an appointment to have her declawed. Then I freaked out. I started wondering if maybe putting her down was more humane than declawing her at this point. It's not like it would solve the original problem that was causing her pain to begin with. But then, ... [Link]
writerjenn » Foreshadowing
I'm rereading Sense and Sensibility, and I think Jane Austen nicely illustrates a certain lesson about deus ex machina vs. foreshadowing in this book. (Therefore, today's post contains spoilers, but I think that's permitted for a 200-year-old book. It's not like I'm revealing the ending of Mockingjay here.)
In S&S, Elinor loves Edward Ferrars, but he is already secretly engaged to a ... [Link]
Gabe's Meanderings- Exploring the Past » Decluttering the debris
When you achieve a goal - say, like writing a book - that you've schemed, dreamed, wished and worked on for a long time, it's a great feeling. And this has made me feel quite happy and proud. But working on this goal - which involved a lot of research into the past - has left me with a present ... [Link]
<link>http://saundramitchell.com/blog</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <s » To be a writer…
To be a writer, you don’t need a BA, an MFA; you don’t need to belong to guilds, go to conferences or to workshops.
All of those things certainly help. They will help you learn to be a better writer. They will help you refine your craft and your art, but as a poor ass girl from the east side of ...
[Link]Drenched in Words » Thankful Thursday
Today on National Dog Day, I’m glad to have these hair farmers in my life.
Clockwise from upper left:
Pepper resting on kid (several years ago); Pepper barking happily at DeeJay, “Give me that shark toy!!” (he loves the game of keep-away); DeeJay menacing the shark toy; DeeJay on a summer day, post-bath.
One of my favorite bloggers, jamarattigan posted ... [Link]
Author2Author » On Rejection
Tip of the Day: Check out this super cute site for tweens-- AllyKatzz.com.
I haven't been rejected in the writing world (lately anyway. Oh, I've been rejected lots and lots and lots, believe me. Just not lately) but I've been feeling rejected with other things the past couple of weeks and it's been bumming me out. Then I came across this ... [Link]
Angie Frazier » YUM
I'm reading Mockingjay, writing the last few chapters of Suzanna Snow #2, and getting ready for my daughter's 1st grade to start next week. So obviously I want to blog about food :-) Specifically, the dinner I whipped up tonight. It was just so tasty I have to share it:
Penne pasta
sauteed garlic and grape tomatoes
sliced avocado
crumbled Feta cheese (or goat ... [Link]
Drenched in Words » Wordy Wednesday
I've seen some people doing "Wordless Wednesday" posts, and I love the idea ... maybe I will do one next week.
But for today, I think I will share this cute YouTube video with you.
[Link]
Aprilynne Pike » A Better Way?
I hate censorship.
All censorship, but especially in children's literature because I think children and teens are SO important to the social structure of our future. The idea that one adult--quite frankly, usually a conservative parent--should have the power to say what other children can and cannot choose to read is a problem. I think parents have every right to censor ... [Link]
Author2Author » Why Suzy C Succeeds (or She Sells Best Sells By the Sea Load)
Tip of the Day: Put your copy of MOCKINGJAY on hold at your library today if you haven't already bought it!
Ahhhhhhhh.
The sound above is both a happy sigh and a sad scream that I've read the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy.
What I realized after talking to my manpanion about MOCKINGJAY is that one of the reasons those books ... [Link]
Just Your Average Crazy Writer » thoughts for my high school daughter
I dropped my daughter off today for her first day of high school. Of course, this leaves me with lots of conflicting emotions: excitement, because I remember how thrilled I was at her age. Sorrow, because dude--hello, this means I'm getting older (haha).
So many things are going to happen for her in the four years she's in high school. And ... [Link]
Officially Twisted » Just Because You Asked: The Infamous Proposal Story
How I became engaged to be married is perhaps the best story ever, all biases aside.
I'm afraid I can't do it proper justice after nearly twelve years and, truth be told, my brain wasn't really capable of coherent thought by the time it was over, so I've depended on a lot of cutting & pasting from my original spew about ... [Link]
writerjenn » What the people want
With election season underway,* I was thinking how politicians often succeed by telling people what they want to hear.
And that kind of audience-pleasing can be tempting for a writer, especially once one has an audience. (A very nice upside to the pre-pub days is that you can write whatever the heck you want, because there are no expectations on you.) ... [Link]
