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  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 PM

[info]fabulousfrock
I was answering someone's post the other day (can't remember who) about WHY do you write YA?

A lot of people end up saying it's because they still feel 17 in their mind or something. But I'm afraid that isn't my reason. I definitely feel 26 and I *like* 26! (It's a hip 26, I hope, but hip is timeless. You can be hip at 12 or at 60 if you've got it.)

Sometimes I feel like my reasons are poser-y. Like:
--I write YA because it's what the friend who encouraged me to submit was writing.
--I write YA because I love the books and the market seems really creative and not divided on genre lines as much as adult work.
--I write YA because the children's writing community is just awesome! And I'm not sure where most of the adult writers are even hanging out.

But today I was playing the remade Final Fantasy IV. It's SO fun, so far. I love the updates, but it also takes me back to how much I loved this game the first time I ever played it, when I was 11 or so. I loved FF IV so much, I made comics, fan fiction, plans for my own games, board games, a recipe book with invented ingredients AND a Final Fantasy newspaper. Yes, I was obsessed.

Everything was like that in the magical time period of youth, up through the teen years. Whether it was Final Fantasy IV, Elfquest comics, X-Men, The Mists of Avalon, Xanth, The Nightmare Before Christmas, anime... Everything I loved was read and re-read, watched and re-watched, played and re-played, ripped off and absorbed into my own worlds, and generally subject to a level of adoration and obsession like nothing in adulthood has ever quite compelled.

I know I'm not the only one! You can see that adoration shining in the eyes of Harry Potter and Twilight fans and hear it in the fan letters some of you have posted.

Yes, I realized, that is why I write YA. Not because I feel 17, thank goodness, because 17 is kind of stressful, but because I'm not sure art ever meant so much to me as during those years, and I yearn to stay a part of that connection.




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Fun book meme

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 AM

[info]jessicaburkhart

I’m stealing this from Sara Hantz.

:)

The Big Read, an initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts, has estimated that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they’ve printed. How do you do?


1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.

I cheated because I’m lazy and just bolded the books I’ve read and skipped the other steps. (If you see italics, they're Sara's.) Fun!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

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More progress...

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 PM

[info]kazdreamer
Revision Progress on DOL (pages revised):

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
166 / 220
(75.5%)


Second Chance (Urban fantasy short story):

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
502 / 5,000
(10.0%)


Critiquing CP's ms (chapters read):

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
13 / 26
(50.0%)


Yes, I'm counting the reading/crit. And no, I haven't made as much progress on DOL as I would've liked. But still... I'm getting there.
  • Mood: tired

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You Tell Me: What's Your Least Favorite Word?

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 PM
[info]bransford

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NathanBransford/~3/343534773/you-tell-me-whats-your-least-favorite_23.html

After last week's You Tell Me in which we discussed our favorite words, reader John Ochwat had the good sense to suggest this week's topic. And it's even better:

What's your least favorite word?

Mine is proctor.

Take it away, word gurus!

Word Vine!

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 AM

[info]megancrewe
Chris insisted I wasn't to mention this until it was officially up--and now it's officially up! The very cool online games site Miniclip.com now features his Word Vine game. So, if you haven't tried it, head on over and give it a shot. It's a lot of fun for us wordy types. :D



And if you like it, pass on the word!
  • Mood: pleased

Live Journal Mystery Theater - The Answer

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 AM

[info]brian_ohio
First... let me just state that I'm stunned no one actually got it exactly right. (I say 'exactly' for a reason, I'll explain in a minute. Hold your horses.) I thought you guys would have been on to me from the start. Just a little research and you would have been able to narrow it down pretty easy. Then again, who the hell has time to research a blog mystery. Seriously. Who? Nobody. So, I understand that. I have trouble just reading everyone's blog, let alone commenting, let alone researching. Sheez!

But one person was on the right path. [info]macbeanermentioned the 'interests' theory which is exactly what  I used. BUT! I didn't do my own research. Yep. I thought I had four general interests and only ONE of my LJ friends had all four. Turns out I was wrong. I should have used 'panthers' instead of 'cats' as my final clue. Ugh!

What it comes down to is the murderer really wanted to win the Live Journal of the Year Award. So this person went the extra mile to have their Live Journal noticed. Sadly, they also killed all of the judges in the process. The one other clue I used, other than the interests, was the shiny black cloak. Put it all together and the answer is...
  • Mood: groggy
  • Music:None

The loneliness of being neutral

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 AM

[info]jbknowles
Yesterday, E got together with his two Harry Potter pals, M and B. M and B are both girls. According to E (and, I admit, my own observations), M and B do not get along all that well. They sort of both like to be in charge. Anyway, they do like to get together sometimes and play Harry Potter stuff.

On the drive over, I told E that if M & B started to fight argue, he should try not to take sides.

He said, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not that kind of person."

He was quiet for a minute.

Then he said, "You know what? Sometimes it's lonely being neutral."

I know just what he means.

Today the almost-9-year-old and I are driving to NH to spend a few days with his cousins. I wish the sun would come out.

In book news, I finally finished reading Octavian Nothing: Volume IIand I thought it was incredible. I also thought the author's note at the end was one of the most moving notes I've ever read.

I've also started reading THE YEAR WE DISAPPEARED: A FATHER-DAUGHTER MEMOIR by Cylin Busby and her father John Busby. It is AMAZING. RIVETING. I wish I had a day to just sit and read. HIGHLY recommended. I'll say more when I finish. :-)

In Netflix news, E and I are addicted to AVATAR. Any other fans out there? We've just started season 3.


Have a great weekend, everyone!

~*~*~*~*~*~

[info]halseanderson Daily 15 Keeping Myself Honest Check-In:
Yesterday: 290 words
Today: 515 words


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TORI AND RANTZ PHOTOS FROM VIDEO INTERVIEW

  • Jul. 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 AM
[info]himhdotcom

http://www.hereinmyhead.com/updates/?p=522

Take a look at recent photos of Tori looking fabulous (and sans wig!) taken by Rantz Hoseley in between takes of CBT video interviews recorded before the San Diego Comicon.


Source: Rantz Hoseley’s Flickr.

The Lion vs. The Mouse

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 PM

[info]jmprince
                                                                                            

For those who, like me, enjoy the history of children's publishing (ie: DEAR GENIUS), this is an interesting article.  It's all about famed librarian, Anne Carroll Moore, and how the children's library came to be. It goes on to discuss the big kerfuffle between her and E.B. White (and his wife, Katharine). Fascinating reading for those who are entertained by such targeted history. 

  • Mood: curious

Thank You, Charlie Bartlett

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 PM

[info]m_stiefvater
Because you were a lovely 1 hour 37 minutes.

Have any of y'all seen the movie Charlie Bartlett? It's that one that's sort of Ferris Bueller's Day Off with prescription drugs. Basically, it's an over-educated, misplaced high school kid who turns the boys' bathroom into a confessional/ psych clinic. It's hugely funny, painfully honest, and exactly how a good YA book would look/ sound if you translated it to the big screen.

Anyway, the pacing at the end was a bit uneven, but Charlie, I can't really feel bad about that, because the rest of it was so good. And the ending was sweet. Sweet as in wicked. Well, sweet as in awww too.

Anyway, *love*. :D free counterstatistics

WL Art Contest Finalists

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 PM

[info]melissa_writing
Finalists for the Wicked Lovely Art Contest are up here [link].  They are divided into 3 age groups.  I'm astounded by the talent out there.  Thanks, all, for indulging my art cravings & letting me shop for art supplies to give away.  Doing this is such a treat.

The judges are now weighing in, so I'll be able to pass out prizes soon.

DUE TO THE DELAY (a couple judges were very swamped & we had more last minute entries), I'll be passing out a couple extra prizes.

OTHER:
Yes, artist interviews are still forthcoming.

Yes, there will be another contest.

Where did this burst of energy come from?

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 PM

[info]angie_frazier
Don't ask me how I did it. Today's totals:

WIP #1 - 2,040 words
WIP #2 - 1,180 words

Excuse me while I go pass out.
  • Mood: exhausted

Lisa's Toe Speaks

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 6:45 PM

[info]lkmadigan
I’m not a cute little piggy, anymore.

I’ve cheerfully borne Lisa’s weight since she took her first toddling steps. As she grew up, she learned to jump, skip, and run. During her teen years, she went through a dancing phase. Thank God she wasn’t ever good enough to take her ballet lessons to the Dark Side: “toe shoes.” (Shudder.) I didn’t mind those jazz shoes … they looked kind of cool, and didn’t pinch me too much.

As an adult, I’ve spent time standing, walking, pivoting, and running. I didn’t mind the years she spent doing yoga – that was more about balance than fast motion. I’m good at balance. You tell me to grip the ground and I will do it for days.

I’ve minced in high heels and shuffled in slippers. I stride in black boots and run in athletic shoes. I get to come out in warm weather. I got my first pedicure just a couple of years ago!

She has stubbed me more times than I can count. A few years ago she even broke one of my smaller colleagues during a run on the beach, when her little boy plowed into her. Man, that hurt like a [expletive deleted]. But my colleague did not require special treatment to repair himself.

When she decided to take up tae kwon do last year, I was leery. Especially when I saw the way she threw herself into it, like she was 20, instead of … MUCH OLDER.

“Take it easy,” I cautioned her. “Okay, you can kick really high. Good for you. But there’s no need to fling me into the air so recklessly.”

She didn’t listen. She was drunk on endorphins. Several months ago, she wrenched one of the smaller Lefty colleagues. “See?” I warned. He turned a furious purple, but wasn’t badly injured.

“Who are you trying to impress?” I asked. “Your tae kwon do instructor is always pleased with you … he won’t mind if you dial it down a notch. You have to be careful of that squishy floor mat.”

Last night she was the only one at class. Lots of people on vacation. Her tae kwon do instructor had her punching the bag, then kicking it. YES. We love kicking the bag, as long as she does it right. It’s very satisfying. Then he taught her the next series of moves she needed to memorize for her belt test.

She was getting tired.

“Okay, good job, slow down a little,” I advised. “Wait … I’m caught on the mat … OW! Oh, &*$#!!!! I’m not supposed to roll under like that! Oh, ^%*+&!!!! Did you hear that popping sound?”

Even the instructor heard it. “Do you want to ice that?” he asked, worried.

She said no, and finished the class.

What a dumbass.

By the time she got home, I was twice the size of Big Lefty and turning colors. Her husband got her the ice pack and some arnica gel. Did you guys know how awesome arnica gel is? It helps with swelling like MAGIC.

She felt bad enough; I didn’t have the heart to berate her. She was already thinking she might have to give up tae kwon do. Heck, maybe she should. I would prefer to go back to yoga, or non-impact swimming.

I hurt so much that even the sheet lying on top of me last night kinda hurt. This morning her husband took her to the doctor, where she eventually got an x-ray.

Yep, I’m broken. There’s a little crack in my bone, and she’s going to be wearing a rigid blue shoe-thingie for the next four weeks while I heal. Attractive.


( My LJ debut: )
  • Mood: tired

Nip That Rumor In The Bud

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 PM
[info]pubrants

http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2008/07/nip-that-rumor-in-bud.html

STATUS: I’m totally laughing.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? A WHITER SHADE OF PALE by Annie Lennox

Sometimes I just can’t help but want to know how a rumor gets started. I’m particularly delighted with the one that I had passed on Stephenie Meyer’s TWILIGHT (titled as something else? FORKS?) when it was in query form or on submission.

Folks, TWILIGHT was sold by an agent friend of mine back in December of 2003—long before I started representing anything in the children or young adult world as that didn’t happen until early of 2005.

There wouldn’t have been any reason for Ms. Meyer to send me a query (and we certainly didn’t see sample pages) of this project as I didn’t represent young adult at the time.

That would also have been pretty darn early in my career (as I opened my own agency doors in August 2002). I had just sold my first project as my own agent in February of 2003, so I can’t imagine I was on too many radars back in those early days.

(Which I remember so fondly as we only received 10 to 15 email queries a day rather than the 80 to 100 we get now…).

I’m absolutely tickled by this rumor, and only Ms. Meyer could say for sure whether my agency was on her agent list or not, but sorry, from the knowledge I have, it’s not true.

Teaser Tuesday-- SHATTERED

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 PM

[info]mandywriter
From SHATTERED, which may or may not be my book 2:

“Hey, stranger.”

Blake. My heart jumps into my throat at the sight of him, but I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t seen him in so long or if it’s because I know Connor is just feet away, his back to us.

He looks good, his dark hair under a baseball cap that brings out his expressive brown eyes. I think of that day we jogged in the forest, I think of that moment, and I play it over and over again as I stare at him and try to keep the panic at bay.

“Hi. Um, it’s not a good time, okay?”

I whisper it. I sound ridiculous. Even I know that.

And he knows why I’m acting like this, because he stands up straighter and looks in all directions, scanning the crowd for his rival.

Connor turns around, as if on cue, and meets his gaze, and I see the way his hands slip off the baseball cards he’d been flipping through and shove hard into his pockets, and he walks over to us, his quick long strides gobbling up the ground before I can think of a way out of this.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Connor says, his voice  loud. Too loud. I know the other fair goers hear him. I see their stares without meeting their gaze.

Judging me. Everyone wants to judge me.

“Nothing, man. Just talking to an old friend.”

“I told you to stay away from her,” Connor says.

Blake arches one eyebrow. He looks equal parts irritated and amused. As if Connor isn’t a threat to him. “Last I checked, you don’t control what I do.”

My face drains of all blood even though my heart is pounding so hard I can barely make out their words. I start to step closer to them, to come between them, but Connor blocks me as he moves in front of me.

“Fuck off, buddy,” Connor says. He has Blake by a few inches, but I know Blake is in the best shape of his life. I can see it on him, all the muscle, taut over his arms and legs as he steps around and clenches his fist, looking more defensive than aggressive.

“I don’t want trouble,” Blake says. I know it’s the truth. I know Blake has no interest in a fist-fight. “I just want to talk to her.”

“Talking time is over.”

Blake takes one step back, but that’s it. It’s a compromise Connor won’t accept. 
Connor doesn’t do compromise. 

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Following the Market

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 PM
[info]bransford

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NathanBransford/~3/342922764/following-market.html

A couple of different interesting threads of discussion opened up in the comments section of yesterday's post, and there's one in particular that I've been seeing around the Internet lately in different forms, namely the sentiment (or resentment) that agents and publishers determine what's popular and what becomes a bestseller.

To a certain extent, yes, definitely, agents and publishers control the funnel and decide what gets published and what arrives in your friendly neighborhood bookstore. Agents decide which projects to pitch to publishers, editors determine what to publish, and the publishers decide how to spend marketing money. So yes, obviously there is some amount of influence.

But honestly it's kind of like throwing a stick into a river. You can try and throw it in the right spot, but once it hits the current who really knows what's going to happen? And let's face it, how it floats downstream depends a lot more on the stick and the current than the toss.

To be sure, publishers can position a book well, and they can see it take off. There's nothing like a committed publisher to work wonders for a book's success. Or they can do everything in their power and it still might not take off. I think it's tempting for people outside of the biz to think of the publishing industry in monolithic terms, as if there are two people, agent and editor, using the Midas touch to determine what turns to gold. If only.

Just to give an example, sometimes people think that publishers determine what is stocked in big chains and in WalMart. Nuh uh. They can pitch them in there and try to use their influence and reputation to get books stocked, but except for the occasional
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<p class="ljsyndicationlink"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NathanBransford/~3/342922764/following-market.html">http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NathanBransford/~3/342922764/following-market.html</a></p>A couple of different interesting threads of discussion opened up in the comments section of <a href="http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2008/07/query-trends-im-seeing-triple.html"target="_blank">yesterday's post</a>, and there's one in particular that I've been seeing around the Internet lately in different forms, namely the sentiment (or resentment) that agents and publishers determine what's popular and what becomes a bestseller. <br /><br />To a certain extent, yes, definitely, agents and publishers control the funnel and decide what gets published and what arrives in your friendly neighborhood bookstore. Agents decide which projects to pitch to publishers, editors determine what to publish, and the publishers decide how to spend marketing money. So yes, obviously there is some amount of influence.<br /><br />But honestly it's kind of like throwing a stick into a river. You can try and throw it in the right spot, but once it hits the current who really knows what's going to happen? And let's face it, how it floats downstream depends a lot more on the stick and the current than the toss.<br /><br />To be sure, publishers can position a book well, and they can see it take off. There's nothing like a committed publisher to work wonders for a book's success. Or they can do everything in their power and it still might not take off. I think it's tempting for people outside of the biz to think of the publishing industry in monolithic terms, as if there are two people, agent and editor, using the Midas touch to determine what turns to gold. If only. <br /><br />Just to give an example, sometimes people think that publishers determine what is stocked in big chains and in WalMart. Nuh uh. They can pitch them in there and try to use their influence and reputation to get books stocked, but except for the occasional <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2195474/"target"_blank">blind sell-in</a>, stores decide what they're going to stock. Yes, publishers will offer to pay for placement for some books, but stores decide whether to take them up on that and which books get the good spots.<br /><br />So even before a book arrives in a bookstore or superstore a massive array of people have made a bet on a book. An agent thinks it will sell. An editor thinks it will sell. The sales team pitches it, the publicist promotes it, the buyers decide to stock it, the newspapers decide what to review, etc. etc. etc. The books you see in the bookstore are the books that a whole lot of people have guessed are the books that will sell the most copies. And even with so many people weighing in, there are still tons of surprises! <br /><br />And the surprises happen because ultimately book buyers determine the market. Everyone else is just chasing.<br /><br />To a large extent, readers get the books they deserve. This isn't the TV business where there are only so many TV shows on, or the movie business where there are only a couple hundred movies in mainstream theaters. Every B&N and Borders has tens of thousands of individual titles. Tens of thousands! There is a ton of choice out there, and nearly every conceivable niche is filled. And out of those tens of thousands a few books catch on with the public and become bestsellers. Publishers may have helped that happen, but at the end of the day, to paraphrase Monty Python, "No one expects THE SHACK."<br /><br />Now, obviously with so many people chasing books that will sell, there's not <span style="font-style:italic;">always</span> a pure incentive for a book to be really good. Some books will sell regardless of quality and some big authors may mail-in the occasional dud. Buyer beware (although I would argue that most of the time people call something "crap" just because books are subjective). And honestly, agents and editors are actually really good at determining what will sell. Sure, no one's batting 1.000, but you can't last long in this business if the books you champion don't sell. <br /><br />As long as we're operating in a capitalistic society, this is how the game is played. The publishing industry has been a for-profit industry for a couple hundred years now, and the "they only publish crap" complaint has been around just as long. Trust me, we're just trying to follow the market.<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?a=rtxfbJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?i=rtxfbJ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?a=Smshmj"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?i=Smshmj" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?a=jvrsrj"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/NathanBransford?i=jvrsrj" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NathanBransford/~4/342922764" height="1" width="1"/>

breaking dawn is coming...

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 PM

[info]literaticat
[info]notyourmothers


Join us on August 1 at Books Inc. in San Francisco (Laurel Village) or Books Inc. in Palo Alto for a MIDNIGHT MASQUERADE BALL to celebrate the release of Breaking Dawn.

There will be costume contests, a trivia challenge, food and drink, and very special prizes -- and then at the stroke of midnight, the book we've all been waiting for! Please RSVP either here or: NYMBC at booksinc.net

RED by Jordan Summers

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 PM

[info]kazdreamer
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this:



It's due for release on 4th November 2008, and here's the link to pre-order at Amazon... which I strongly recommend you do. The blurb from Jordan's website (where there's also an excerpt) says:

War is brewing in a near-future world where murder is all but unheard of and the existence of creatures known as the Others has yet to be proven. In the end, one woman will face her fears to stand and fight.

Gina Santiago is a member of an elite tactical team in charge of protecting the world. She’s devoted her life to apprehending the most heinous criminals that prey on society—and now she’s after the worst one yet.

On her own, with no backup, the trail takes her to a dusty, tight-knit town on the fringes of society, where everyone’s a suspect. Even the sexy sheriff, Morgan Hunter, isn’t telling her everything.

The closer Gina comes to finding out the secret of this sleepy little town and its big, bad sheriff, the more scared she gets—because she’s beginning to realize that she has a secret, too. A secret that will change her life…and make her the killer’s next prey.

We all know I don't do too well with review-writing, but I enjoyed this book enough to at least point you guys in its direction! :) It's a shape-shifter book with a difference. Several differences, in fact. Not only is it set in a well-drawn futuristic post-apocalyptic world, the main narrative is interspersed with first-person sections from the shape-shifter killer's POV. These passages were... disturbing. To put it mildly. Incredibly dark and visceral, I was fascinated to see how well Jordan Summers managed to get into the mind of an otherworldly killer. *shudders*

Gina (or Red, as she's known by her team) is an interesting main character - gutsy, determined and complex - and as Red is the first in a trilogy, with the next two books to follow in 2009, I'll definitely be reading them to find out how 'The Dead World' series shapes up.
  • Mood: busy

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Conestoga & RWA

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 PM

[info]melissa_writing
[info]Fangs, Fur, & Fey minicon is this week in Tulsa, OK. (http://www.sftulsa.org/conestoga/)  We have a dedicated program track, as well as joining the main tracks for some events. 

[Note: for those new to the blog, FFF is a writers comm I started Sept 06 with crit partner, J Frost, and author Caitlin Kittredge. It's grown into a largish group with over 100 UF & Paranormal Romance authors.]

For those not attending, please note that many of the panels (but not the social hour at the bar) will be recorded for posting here later.

NOTE: For those attending, this serves as your reminder that we are filming.  :) 

After Conestoga, a few FFF members are attending RWA.  (http://www.rwanational.org/cs/conferences_and_events)

While at RWA, I'm joining 3 FFF members (Jeaniene, Joce Drake, & Kate Smith) & several Paranormal Romance authors for a BlogTalk call-in Radio show.

Ladies of the Night BlogTalk Radio Show Wednesday, July 31, 8-9:00 PM PTD (11 pm – 12 am EDT)

 A night of romance and the supernatural, featuring:

Jocelyn Drake *  Kerrelyn Sparks

* Kathryn Smith * Melissa Marr * Terri Garey *

Jeaniene Frost

Guest Author/Listerner Call in number: 347 826 9686

Please do feel invited to call in & ask questions.

 A lot of FFF members attending RWA will also be doing a Literacy Signing Wednesday.

Attending FFF members will be doing signings at Mini-Con at Conestoga Friday thru Sunday. . . and Speed Dating (no actual kisses or romance, just chat in speed date format!), Pens vs Swords (no actual bloodshed, just enactments of fight sequences from our texts), & a bunch of panels.

Twisted Teaser Tuesday: Lament

  • Jul. 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 PM

[info]m_stiefvater
Time for another Twisted Teaser Tuesday! I have eleven more Tuesday's until LAMENT's release date, and so to celebrate and build up almost unbearable tension, I have decided to do a teaser scene from the novel on my blog each Tuesday. One would not want to be spoilery, of course, so the teasers will be slightly . . . altered from the original scene in order to preserve their secrecy. In this case, I've replaced the main characters in the scene with pelicans. And of course, in the real version, the characters do have hands.

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