Amanda Ashby

GCC presents Laurie Faria Stolarz

2011-12-30T11:08:00.001+13:00

As you might have noticed, I still haven't quite got my new blog up and going, so what better way to really christen it than with the last GCC tour of 2011! Today I've got Laurie Faria Stolarz and her new book, DEADLY LITTLE VOICES, which is part of her Touch series.

Camelia Hammond thought her powers of psychometry gave her only the ability to sense the future through touch. But now she’s started to hear voices. Cruel voices. Berating her, telling her how ugly she is, that she has no talent, and that she’d be better off dead. Camelia is terrified for her mental stability, especially since her deranged aunt with a suicidal history, has just moved into the house. As if all of that weren’t torturing enough, Camelia’s ex-boyfriend, Ben, for whom she still harbors feelings and who has similar psychometric abilities, has started seeing someone else. Even her closest friends, Kimmie and Wes, are unsure how to handle her erratic behavior.
With the line between reality and dream consistently blurred, Camelia turns to pottery to get a grip on her emotions. She begins sculpting a figure skater, only to receive frightening premonitions that someone’s in danger. But who is the intended victim? And how can Camelia help that person when she’s on the brink of losing her own sanity?

Praise for the TOUCH series:
Texas Tayshas List, 2010 (DLS)

Children’s Book Council’s 2010 & 2011 Teen Choice Book of the Year Nominee

Reluctant Reader Quick Pick Nominees, 2010 & 2011, American Library Association

Teens@Random, Favorite Book of 2009 (DLS)

Gold Star Award, TeensReadToo.com, 2009 (DLL)

“…lively first-person narrative…. CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination” – Kirkus Reviews

“An engaging, eerie tale about the darker side of relationships – when it becomes a matter of life and death to know who your friends are.” – KLIATT

“The book was full of shocking surprises and revelations, earning the book five stars. This is a must-read for fans of romance, suspense, and mystery because it won’t disappoint.” – Teens Read Too (DLL)

“Laurie Faria Stolarz is a master creator of suspense and romance. Her words cause the heart to pound, the palms to sweat, the spine to shiver, and the stomach to flutter. The trepidation born from the anonymous threats will make the pages fly, and the palpable tension between Camelia and Ben as they attempt to ignore their hearts causes the fire to burn hotter.” – TeenReads.com

Bio: Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic covers!

2011-10-22T16:30:00.009+13:00

Wow! Turns out that book covers are like buses. First you have nothing and then you have three of them all at once! Anyway, please feast your eyes on the covers for my new middle-grade series, Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic, which is out next June.

I've always been lucky with my covers, and these are no exception! They are actually done by Jeaninie Henderson who also did my Zombie and Fairy cover and I'm pretty sure that she has taken up residence in my brain since I honestly couldn't have dreamed of anything more perfect.

More importantly they are all "so Sophie' right down to her magic djinn ring and her outfits. Oh and seriously, I've even got a magic carpet, just like the one she uses in book three! Plus, I can see a peep of a colored Converse, which Sophie's shoe of choice!

And isn't the cover model amazing? She looks like she's having so much fun (and I can almost see her using some magic to give her hair a bit more bounce and shine, which is what Sophie likes to do, especially when a certain boy is around!)

Anyway, yes, I'm rambling, but I'm honestly so thrilled with these gorgeous covers! I don't have the official back cover blurbs yet but I will get them posted on my website as soon as I do.

But the short version is that the day before sixth grade Sophie Campbell accidentally gets turned into a djinn and then has to learn how to control her powers and hide it all from her mom (who is still super stressed since Sophie's dad walked out on them four years earlier). She also has to stop her new, recently-deceased djinn guide, Malik from ruining her life. Let's just say that chaos ensues!

Wishful Thinking and Under a Spell are both out in June 2012 and Out of Sight will be out a few months later so looks like next year is going to be super busy for me!

GCC presents Kristina Springer

2011-10-15T17:25:00.004+13:00

Today I'm touring Kristina Springer and her adorable new book, Just an Ordinary Princess (which the cutest cover that I ever did see! I want that frock. And the gumboots. And the pretty hair.)

Jamie Edwards has loved everything about growing up on a pumpkin patch, but ever since her cousin Milan Woods arrived, things have really stunk. Jamie can’t imagine it was easy for Milan to leave her life back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois, population one thousand. But it’s kind of hard to feel sorry for her since (a) Milan’s drop-dead gorgeous; (b) she’s the daughter of two of Hollywood’s hottest film stars; (c) she’s captured the attention of everyone in town, including Danny, Jamie’s crush since forever; and (d) she’s about to steal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!

Are we in love with it yet? Though so. Anyway, here is a bit more insider info about the book and Kristina!

1 How did you come up with the idea for this book?
I love pumpkin anything—candles, bread, you name it. I was staring at my pumpkin colored kitchen walls and the idea of a pumpkin patch setting popped into my mind. Then I thought what if you were a teen girl who grew up on an awesome touristy pumpkin patch. And I was off from there.

2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?
My favorite is whenever someone loves one of my books. In one case I went to an author fair and a whole teen book club had come to meet me. It was fun.
3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?
Hubby and kids for scoping out pumpkin patches with me and one of my critique partners (and fab YA writer and YA librarian), Deena Lipomi, for reading the book several times and her great advice.

4 Describe a typical writing day
Running my kids all over the place and once each is in school (the littlest one is only in for two hours, two days a week), I write. Fast.
5 Tell me one strange random fact about this book.
The corn chucking I talk about in the book is actually something we used to do in college when we were bored.

Competition time

2011-09-28T18:05:00.003+13:00

Hello lovely peeps. Though I'd better do a bit of a catch up since I've been MIA for so long!

I'm over at We Love YA talking about all things writing and television related and there is also a giveaway comp going on so please swing by and enter (and tell me what your favorite TV shows are!)

There is still time to head over to Amazon and buy You Had Me at Halo on Kindle for the bargain price of 99 cents before it goes back up again.

I'm still getting in some lovely reviews of Fairy Bad Day, which is wonderful. Turns out that cheeky fairies and Skittles are a popular combination. Who knew?! ReadPlus said:

"Ashby has brought together the tried formula of a school for talented paranormal teens, a quest to save the world from evil and an interesting romance to make a very enjoyable, quick read. Teen girls who are after something amusing and cheerful will enjoy this one. I will certainly be reading anything else by this author purely for the laughs I know I will receive from her clever dialogue." ReadPlus Pat Pledger

And City Book Reviews said:

"This fairy read puts a new spin on a cliché that I have not seen before. Full of action, entertaining banter, and fairies (of course), Fairy Bad Day is a fun paranormal read that any young adult fan would enjoy putting on their summer reading list."City Book Reviews, Missy Wadkins

And finally, because it can't all be about me. I'd like to give a special shout out to Teri Brown who has just sold an an amazing new YA series. The first book is called Houdini's Daughter and I'm already dying to read it!

Oh and one last thing. Some of you might know that in August the beautiful and talented Sandra Hyatt (Hyde) died suddenly. This was such a terrible shock to everyone who knew Sandra and I think it will be quite some time before the news really sinks in. However, her family and her closest writing friends have set up the Sandra Hyde Memorial Trust to help emerging writers and if you would like to contribute to it, you can do so here.

You Had Me at Halo Kindle special

2011-09-25T16:24:00.009+13:00

Dear sweet, kind, lovely blog readers,

Have I mentioned how pretty you look today??!!!!

Anyway, yes, I know I'm a very bad author for ignoring you for so long so as a way of saying sorry I've reduced the price of my kindle book, You Had Me at Halo. That's right, for one week it will be 99cents over at Amazon.

You Had Me at Halo was my first published book and not only was it a Romantic Times Top Pick and a finalist in the Reviewer's Choice Awards, but Publisher's Weekly said it was 'The Lovely Bones meets Bridget Jones' so if you haven't read it yet then now is your chance. But be quick because I'm only going to keep the price down for one week. And no, there aren't any steak knives to accompany it, mainly because my heroine isn't trustworthy when sharp objects are concerned!

When Holly Evans wakes up dead at the tender age of twenty-two, she’s pretty sure things can’t get any worse (especially since her boyfriend was about to propose to her with a diamond ring the size of her knuckle). But Holly’s wrong and it turns out that she’s still got some mortal baggage to unload before she can walk through the pearly gates, which is why she’s being sent back to earth to get things sorted out.

Problem is that when she lands in the body of computer geek, Vince Murphy, she discovers that instead of having left the building, Vince is still very much alive (and remarkably unimpressed at the idea of sharing with a dead girl). So now Holly has to sort out her unresolved baggage in the next forty-eight hours while stuck in the body of a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. And if she doesn’t? Well, let’s just say that she’s probably not going to like the alternative.

So, if you're looking for something a bit lighter to read then this is the book for you!

lots of hugs

Amanda

GCC presents Jeri Smith-Ready

2011-09-24T23:26:00.006+12:00

Well my sweet bloggers, here I am again. Good news is that I'm going to be doing a blog overhaul very soon and then you will be seeing a lot more of me. It will be all singing, all dancing and all glittery. Well, maybe! Anyway, before I start my tour, just to let you know that I've over at Totebags giving some advice to unpublished authors (don't worry, none of it involves complicated long words or anything that will hurt your brains). So if you're chasing publication, then please pop over and say hi.

Anyway, enough about me. Today I'm touring Jeri Smith-Ready, who is honestly one of the coolest, smartest authors out there and if you haven't read her books then please, you need to get that sorted out stat!!!! So Jeri's latest release is a short story in, ENTHRALLED: PARANORMAL DIVERSION, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong.

This collection of original paranormal YA short stories grew out of the 2010 Smart Chicks Kick It Tour, a multi author, multi city, author-organized tour of the US and Canada. With it, these 16 authors hoped to bring a little taste of the Smart Chicks experience to readers everywhere.

Jeri's story is called Bridge and here is the skinny:

In the world of the SHADE novels, everyone seventeen and under can see and hear ghosts, but no one else can. So when Logan Keeley dies and his eighteen-year-old brother Mickey blames himself, they can’t ease each other’s pain or reconcile their rage. Over the course of SHADE and SHIFT, Mickey sinks into a near-suicidal depression over Logan’s death.

“Bridge” is the story, told in free verse, of how two brothers, with the help of a stranger, forge the chasm between them to find a lasting peace.

REVIEWS

“A solid collection of stories...Sarah Rees Brennan's ‘Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road’ follows a vampire in a boy-band and stands out with its perfect blend of snark and sincerity. It's followed in a one-two punch by Jeri Smith-Ready's intense and earnest ‘Bridge.’...This collection is ideal as a sampler tray for paranormal readers looking to pick up new authors to follow or to further explore the fictional worlds they already know. —Kirkus Reviews 1. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

In the first draft of SHIFT (SHADE book 2), I wrote some sections in free verse from Logan’s point-of view. He had the intro, the outro, and a couple of interludes to bridge parts of the novel where a lot of time passed. None of my beta readers really “got it”—they thought it was supposed to be a song, not part of the narrative—and my editor wanted SHIFT to be consistent with SHADE, keeping to Aura’s point-of-view. I cut Logan’s portions, a few of which were later released on the SHIFT blog tour:

http://hefollowedmehome.blogspot.com/2011/04/shift-blog-tour-deleted-scene-guest.html

But I’d been bitten by the “free verse” bug! I’ve always loved reading verse novels, and since Logan is a songwriter, it made sense for his story to be in verse.

Besides, Logan is a special dude. He’s more like me than any other character in the series. I wanted to show him apart from Aura, the POV character in SHADE, so readers could see who he was without her.
2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?

Definitely the YA Crush Tournament this summer, when another SHADE character (Zachary) went from last seed all the way to the finals and gave Jace from Mortal Instruments a serious challenge. It happened not because of anything I did, but because Zach’s advocates (bloggers Amy and Jen at Fictitious Delicious) created the phenomenon now known as “Team Kilt” (Zach is Scottish). They made videos, wrote poems, and rallied fans from around the world to support Zachary. I am still blown away by the hundreds of fans who came out to have fun during the tournament and beyond.

Oh, I wish I'd know, I would've joined Team Kilt (Jace is a bit too tetchy for me!)

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this story?

Can I name four people? It would be Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane—the members of the band Mumford & Sons. I listened to their CD, SIGH NO MORE, over and over and over and over and OVER again, probably five or six times a day for three weeks. Their music is so evocative and heart-rending and redemptive, making it perfect for this story about two brothers learning to forgive each other. These lines from “The Cave” say it all:

I will hold on hope
And I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again.

4 Describe a typical writing day.

No such thing! I get twitchy if I have too much routine and structure, so I’m constantly shuffling things around to trick myself into working.

But it always involves coffee and comfy clothes.

5 Tell me one strange random fact about this story.

At every stop on the Smart Chicks tour, the audience members entered to win the chance to be killed in one of the anthology short stories—I mean, for someone with their name to be killed in our stories. I hope Cindy thinks I did her justice.

GCC presents Dear Bully

2011-09-19T21:29:00.002+12:00

Today I've got a super important book to talk about. Dear Bully was put together by two of the wonderful GCC authors, Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones in response to the death of Phoebe Prince last year after she was bullied so badly that she took her own life. As a mother with two kids in primary school the idea that they might face cyber bullying as well as regular bullying is completely terrifying and anything that we can do to break it down and stop it from happening has to be worth it.

WHY THEY DID IT
Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones formed the group YAAAB (Young Adult Authors Against Bullying) in April 2010 when they both coincidentally blogged about the Phoebe Prince case on the same day. Megan reached out to Carrie expressing her frustration with this case and the fact that bullying that seemed to be growing at a ridiculously fast rate. As a Massachusetts resident and having already spoken about bullying in schools, Megan was horrified after hearing about the bullying that took place in the Phoebe Prince case.

While writing her books, SISTERS OF MISERY and THE LOST SISTER, she had to dig deep to make “mean girls as evil as she possibly could. When she heard about all the bullying and bullycide stories in the news, she felt like the bullies had jumped off the pages of her book and into real life. She was also disheartened by the numerous times she’d done book signings and would say to readers, “I hope you never meet girls as mean as the ones in my book.” Shockingly, they almost always said, “We already have.”

Carrie Jones was also moved to do something, as she was the target of bullying as a young child due to a speech impediment. Together, they felt that they owed it to teen readers to discourage bullying -- to make it "uncool." Megan Kelley Hall started by creating a Facebook page that kicked off an entire "movement" to end bullying. This was the day that Megan, Carrie and other authors decided to use their platform as Young Adult authors to actually facilitate change and to be a voice for those kids who cannot speak out or are too afraid to be heard.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Right away, a large number of authors jumped on board of this cause -- wanting to be involved in any way possible. The Facebook group jumped from 5 to 1500 members in one weekend and is now closing in on nearly 5,000 members. Carrie and Megan were thrilled when HarperTeen offered to put all of the stories into an anthology. The thought of having 70 authors – well-known, highly successful writers – sharing their personal bullying stories with their fans was something beyond what they had ever hoped for.

The stories in DEAR BULLY come from all angles: from the point of view of the victim, the mother, the friend, the sibling, the classmate – even a few from the actual bully. Some of the stories are light-hearted, while others are raw and emotional. All of them drive home the point that bullying is something that almost everyone has experienced. And while that is a sad fact, they want to prove that it's not a rite of passage. It doesn't make you stronger, wiser, or better. But it is something that can be overcome, something that can be changed, something that is relatable, and something that one should never be ashamed of. Through these stories, the authors want to show that they understand what teens are going through today. It is important to encourage bystanders to speak up and make bullying unacceptable. Parents and adults must get involved. Bullying is something that people no longer have to endure--at least, not by themselves.

Though quite a lofty mission, the goal of DEAR BULLY is to help just one person get through a difficult time, and hopefully make bullying a thing of the past.

Don't forget to join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dearbully, visit the website at www.dearbully.com, or follow DEAR BULLY on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dearbully.

I'm back!

2011-09-15T11:14:00.005+12:00

Oh, look! I'm back in time to collect my Worst Blogger In the World. Ever. Ever. Ever Award. It's so pretty and shiny. Though of course I wouldn't be the bad blogger I am if it wasn't for the help of my television and the teetering pile of awesome books that are sitting next to my bed...

Anyway, yes dear friends, I have been bad and there is no promise that I will get any better, but I'm here now so let's play! First up, I just want to let you know that I had a lovely weekend at the CYA conference in Brisbane where I got to meet so many great people (well, I say meet, you might say rugby tackle to the ground, but let's not split hairs!)

But now I want to tell you about a new book written by my lovely buddy, Lauren Fobbs who also goes by the name Empress Awesome (sorry guys, I've already tried to steal this tag off her and she's not letting it go!!!!) Anyway, Lauren is wickedly funny and has self-published her book, The (Sparkly) Vampire (Obsessed) Diaries and if you think that this sounds like my cup of tea, then you'd be right!

Here's the skinny

Jeanette Thomas is in love with all things Twilight. So when the new hottie at school, Steven, starts taking notice of her she's positive that she's found her very own vampire boyfriend. Unfortunately, in The World of Jeanette, sexy Irish boys with albinism can sometimes be mistaken for the undead; and after she gets dumped for taking her Twilight obsession too far, she sets out on a life changing quest to win Steven back. And when Jeanette wants something, not even paper towel mini skirts, conniving aunts, and the entire expanse of the U.S. can stop her from getting it... but her budding love for the charming and mysterious Grayson just might.

Cute, right? Lauren also has a Goodreads competition going so if you'd like to win a copy then scoot right over!

Anyway, because no one gets a free ride on this blog, I've also put Lauren through her paces! Let's see how she did!

1) How did you first get the idea for your current book?

I would definitely have to blame it on the current vampire craze—I was taking a break from writing to read some two-star Goodreads reviews for popular books because ~~I thrive off of other authors’ pain~~ ~~I was morbidly curious~~ Ooh, look, a llama! So anyway, I was reading Twilight reviews, and lots of people I know are obsessed with Twilight, so I figured why not throw my coin in the competition and write a vampire novel, too? Or a faux-vampire novel, as it were.

Actually, when I had writer’s block on a novel I had been working on I started writing something to get the ideas flowing and it just sort of…happened. And I liked it enough to finish it. But the first story’s cooler, let’s stick with that.

2) What's a normal writing day for you?

I don’t really have a schedule—that is, I don’t make time for writing. *horrified gasp* I sort of just stick it in random hours of the day. *someone at the back of the room faints* Ideally, I get up in the morning (not the afternoon) and eat, work out, eat, surf the internet, practice my violin, eat, surf the internet, go out, eat, go to work, eat, surf the internet, go out, eat, and watch tv and write in between everything. Key word there is ideally.

3) I found that some books are pure joy to write and others need to be dragged kicking and screaming from your mind. What was this book like to write?

Relatively easy. The only problem I ran into was reaching my word count goal; The story was rolling out so rapidly it wouldn’t have felt genuine to add another scene just for word count sake. But then I realized I should add a faux-werewolf to go with my faux-vampire and teen girl, because who doesn’t love love triangles? It probably would have been about 15,000 words if I hadn’t added that aspect. Also, the faux-were character, Grayson, fit so well into the story and had so much chemistry with everyone else that adding scenes was no longer an issue. In the end, I think this is the most fun book I’ve ever written.

4) The best blooper I've ever done as a writer was when I had my heroine hand the hero something. Problem was they were sharing the same body at the time! So to help lessen my embarrassment, I'd love to know what your best writing blooper is and did someone catch it before your book went into print?

Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing: After I submitted my Kindle version to Amazon and was busy formatting the (amazingly awesome) paperback version I noticed an unfinished scene in the manuscript that I thought I had deleted! I mean, I fixed it immediately but… there are four people in the world who have a scene that ends right at the good part. Yeah. Sorry about that.

5) And finally, since most people who read this blog know that I have an unhealthy addiction to television, let’s get down to the nitty gritty – what are your favorite shows both past and present?

We definitely have that in common Amanda—sometimes I’ll even turn it on for background noise instead of using the radio. My absolute fave shows are Psych, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Futurama, The Office, Judge Judy, Hell’s Kitchen, pretty much everything on TLC and Bravo…it’s a sickness, I know. But if it makes it sound any better, I usually do my internet surfing or writing while I watch TV. ( Not sure it makes it sound better. Luckily, I am quite unashamed.)

GCC presents Jennifer Echols

2011-07-28T11:18:00.004+12:00

Ah yes, and any hopes I had of being a regular blogger this year appear to be well and truly out the window. We are slowly getting settled into our new life though there are still a lot of things waiting to be crossed off the To-do list (you know like 'find lots of money', 'get fabulously slim and gorgeous') but overall the kids are settling in and no one has laughed at me for having such a weird hybrid accent from my years away.

Anyway, today it's not about me, it's all about Jennifer Echols and her latest release, Love Story. But before we just start can I please just mention that Jennifer is also our fearless leader who organizes the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit tours and without her we would be lost, so she needs an extra big cheer for being so awesome!!!!!
Love Story

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions – it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter… so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter… except this story could come true.

“A tremendously talented writer with a real gift for developing relationships.”
– Romantic Times Magazine

1 How did you come up with the idea for this book?
When I was in school, I took every creative writing class I could. The experience was always so intense, and the writers in these classes got so touchy and emotional about sharing their stories, that I thought this would be an explosive place to set a romance.

2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?
My critique partner Victoria Dahl and I were both finalists last year in the RITA, an award judged by fellow romance authors. That was very special for both of us.

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?
Vicki and my other critique partner, Catherine Chant, make all my books so much better. But my best friend from high school, Catherine Burns, was also a huge help on this book particularly. She lives in New York City, and when the copyeditor questioned my traffic patterns, my subway stops, and my horses in the middle of the city, she came to my rescue.

4 Describe a typical writing day
I wake up at 4:30 a.m. and try to get in two hours of writing before my son wakes up and I have to make breakfast. After that I try to fit another six hours of writing into my day, but the summer schedule is crazy! Things will be easier when my son goes back to school in August.

5 Tell me one strange random fact about this book.
Hunter writes a story about the sizes of the planets in our Solar System in relation to the distances between them. When I was in eighth grade, I wanted to be an astronomer, and I had an idea for a project like this. It wasn’t feasible because, as Hunter discovers, the distances between the planets are too vast. This is my favorite part of the novel.

GCC presents Melissa Walker

2011-07-22T13:28:00.002+12:00

Yay, today I'm touring Melissa Walker and her new book, Small Town Sinners. I'm such a fan of Melissa's writing and her last book Lovestruck Summer is one of my favorite YA romances because it is so light and delicious and while Small Town Sinners is a very different kind of book, I'm totally intrigued by it!

Small Town Sinners is the story of Lacey Anne, daughter of the pastor and perennial good girl, who is eligible for a lead role in the season’s Hell House production—a role she’s been coveting for years. But when Ty moves to town as casting begins, a new perspective is added to Lacey Anne’s world and she starts to see her tight-knit, Evangelical community in a different light. With the help of her two best friends Starla Joy and Dean, and her potential first love Ty, Lacey Anne begins exploring her own thoughts and feelings about her religion, her community, and her place within both. While this novel deals with provocative issues like religion, teen pregnancy and underage drinking, it is not an “issue” book; the topics are masterfully interwoven into this story of friendship and family.

“Both tender and provocative… Walker creates an astutely balanced portrait of a conservative congregation’s in-your-face response to perennial issues of domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide, as well as of those who struggle to fit the prescribed Christian mold.” –Publishers Weekly

“This secular story about religious people could easily devolve into camp mockery, but because Walker takes her character’s crisis of faith seriously and sensitively, readers will, too.” –Kirkus Reviews

1 How did you come up with the idea for this book?

My friend Joy's mother, Betty, started telling me about her church's "Judgment House" and my jaw dropped. I researched more about Hell Houses and Judgment Houses, and then I pitched my ELLEgirl editor on a magazine story. She bit, I got to write the story. And the small town I visited, plus the teenagers in it, never left me. Here's that original non-fiction story:
http://www.melissacwalker.com/media/ellegirl-hellhouse.jpg

2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?

It has to be sharing the cover of my hometown magazine with the amazing Sarah Dessen.
http://www.melissacwalker.com/sarah-dessen-and-melissa-walker/

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?

I'd like to thank Betty Elliott for sharing her own church's Judgment House story and exposing me to this ritual for the first time. And finally, I'll thank my editor Caroline Abbey who brought out Lacey Anne's story in such insightful ways!
4 Describe a typical writing day.

Wake up, facebook, twitter, blogs. Then write for 10 minutes. Then check twitter. Then write for 10 more minutes. Then check facebook. Then write again. Hopefully reach 1000 words in fits and starts by 2pm, and then work on magazine stories, which are still a big part of my day too. Actually, Stephanie Kuehnert has been doing a #90minwrite challenge on twitter, and that has helped me a lot, when I participate. I feel like I need to spend a solid block writing, and it makes me way more productive.
5 Tell me one strange random fact about this book.
I never say specifically where the book is set... but I can picture the town perfectly.

Winner of the Fairy Bad Day Scavenger Hunt

2011-07-14T00:10:00.002+12:00

Okay, first of all major apologies for taking so long to draw this. I've been ridiculously distracted with the move from NZ to Australia but things are slowly falling into place--though between you, me and the wall, there is a LOT of red tape involved in trying to move back to the country of my birth!!!!

Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who entered. You are all very clever and figured out that the answer was indeed Skittles!! And the winner of the Scavenger Hunt is:

Alyssa Durrstein.

Alyssa, if you could email me your postal address then I can send you out the prize (and of course I haven't had to replace the packet of Skittles three times because I keep eating them. I mean that would just be crazy!)

GCC presents Suzanne Young

2011-07-05T09:40:00.003+12:00

Phew! I'm here in sunny Australia and the move went really well. There is sooooooooo much to tell but first I must right a terrible wrong! I was meant to post this tour last week before I lost Internet access but I totally didn't get a chance to do so.

Even worse is that Suzanne is one of the most lovely people ever so I hate that I'm late on this. So, without further ado, let's talk about Suzanne Young and her new book A Need So Beautiful, which I'm pretty sure is setting the net on FIRE since everywhere I look people are raving about how wonderful it is!!!!

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte's best friend thinks that Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks that she is cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what is really wrong. She's 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 spiralling 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 be--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.

See? How amazing does this book sound? I want to read it immediately!!!!!!!

Q How did you come up with the idea for this book?

Someone close to me was very ill and a stranger who I met for an hour gave me some great advice. I never saw her again, but the idea that a brief conversation could change your life stuck with me. And then I thought that maybe she was like an angel, only meant to guide me through a rough time. That's where the idea for a Need So Beautiful began.

Q What's been your favorite author moment so far?

Meeting fans at a signing. It was the first time that it hit me that ACTUAL people read my books.

Q It's Oscar speech time. Who would you like to thank?

My husband, my grandmother and my agent Jim McCarthy.

Q Describe a typical writing day.

Coffee, write, repeat.

Q Tell me one strange, random fact about this book?

The original idea involved golden scales under my main character's skin!

Fairy Bad Day Scavenger Hunt

2011-06-24T10:52:00.004+12:00

Have I really neglected my blog for so long? Wait, please don't answer that! Anyway, tomorrow I promise that I will post some links to some more cool competitions that I've got running about the place but today it's all about the Scavenger Hunt and blog tour that has so kindly been organized by The Teen Book Scene.

On each stop of the tour as well as doing an interview (with some very fun questions!) there is also a letter. So all you need to do is collect all the letters and figure out what word they form (and I promise that it's not something complicated like wheelbarrow or stegosaurus, but if you're really stuck just enter anyway and tell me how fabulous I am because when it comes to me, flattery will get you everywhere!!!!!!)

Once you've figured out the word, or come up with an large amount of lovely things to say about me, just send me an email with the answer to amanda at amandaashby dot com (no spaces) and put Fairy Bad Day comp on the subject line, just so I don't miss your entry. Oh, and btw, this is an International competition so I really don't mind where I have to post it!

As you can see the prize is above! A signed copy of both Fairy Bad Day and Zombie Queen of Newbury High, some Skittles, a fairy cell phone charm and some gorgeous bling jewelry. Now, you might ask why I have included bling jewelry when it has nothing to do with my books and the truth is that as well as being a writer, I'm a magpie and if I see something pretty and shiny, I simply must have it. In fact some people might call me the queen of bling (I've not met these people yet, but I'm sure that they're out there!)

So while I was looking for a prize to send out, I found a lovely shop fully of blinged out necklaces and rings and quite before I knew what was happening, I bought some. And then, because I am a kind and sharing author, I bought a second set and decided to make that part of the prize. Plus, the idea of someone reading my books while wearing a glittering leaf necklace and a ring the size of a golf ball makes me feel very happy indeed!

So, that's the competition. The final letter should go up tomorrow but if you have already figured out what the word is (smart cookie) then you are welcome to send me your entry early!!!!!

So good luck and happy scavenger hunting and I'll draw the winner next Wednesday (the day before I move out of my house and get ready to move to Australia!!!!!)

Thursday, June 9: Erica’s Review (The Book Cellar)
Friday, June 10: Erica’s Interview (The Book Cellar)

Saturday, June 11: Jami’s Review (YA Addict)
Sunday, June 12: Jami’s Guest Post (YA Addict)

Monday, June 13: Kristen’s Review (Bookworming in the 21st Century)
Tuesday, June 14: Kristen’s Interview (Bookworming in the 21st Century)

Wednesday, June 15: Lauren’s Review (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)
Thursday, June 16: Lauren’s Guest Post (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)

Friday, June 17: Faye’s Review (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)
Saturday, June 18: Faye’s Guest Post (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)

Sunday, June 19: Lea’s Review (YA Book Queen)
Monday, June 20: Lea’s Interview (YA Book Queen)

Tuesday, June 21: Kelsey’s Review (The Book Scout)
Wednesday, June 22: Kelsey’s Interview (The Book Scout)

Thursday, June 23: Kari’s Review (A Good Addiction)
Friday, June 24: Kari’s Character Interview (A Good Addiction)

GCC presents Elana Johnson

2011-06-22T13:01:00.003+12:00

First up I'd like to thank everyone for all the Fairy Bad Day support. You guys rock big socks of goodness, and tomorrow I'll be posting a photo of the scavenger hunt prize but in the meantime I'm touring Elana Johnson and her book, Possession.

I've got to say that I'm already hanging out for this book, not just because it sounds amazing (and has a gorgeous, haunting cover) but because it's blurbed by James Dashner and after reading The Maze Runner, I trust him implicitly and so should you!!!!!

So here is the skinny:

Possession

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

What People Are Saying:

"Possession held me completely captivated from beginning to end. And what an end! I fell in love with the characters and had countless moments of 'Wow.'"
--James Dashner, bestselling author of The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials

And now it's time to put Elana through the MOT questions. Btw, MOT stands for Moment Of Truth. Do you like that? It sounds very cool and cutting edge, which of course perfectly reflects my journalist skills. (Okay, maybe not but it still sounds cool!!!)

1 How did you come up with the idea for this book?

I came up for the idea for POSSESSION during the classic “What if?” game authors play with themselves. My thought: “What if we couldn’t make our own choices?” A brainwashing society stemmed from there.

2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?

Actually selling the novel. Sometimes I still can’t quite believe it.

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?

Oh, wow. Just three? Well, number one would be my husband, Adam. He’s put up with a lot for me to write and market POSSESSION. After that? Beth Revis and Lisa & Laura Roecker. They totally count as one person. And Christine Fonseca! And Ali Cross! (See, I need more than 3!)

4 Describe a typical writing day.

Oh, I don’t have writing days. See, I work outside my home, and that takes up a lot of time and energy. When I am at home, I’m cleaning or cooking or taxiing my kids to their activities. I squeeze writing in between all those cracks, and sometimes I do have two dedicated hours at night, from 9 – 11 PM to write. Sometimes.

5 Tell me one strange random fact about this book.

I had to rewrite parts of this book so much that one time, I just took a 30-page chunk and deleted it all. Talk about liberating. Then I wrote new stuff to fill the gap.

My first Fairy Bad Day photo!

2011-06-20T18:14:00.003+12:00

Woot! My wonderful and talented friend, Jessica Brody has sent me the most delicious photo of Fairy Bad Day where it is a top teen pick in B&N. Don't I have some lovely shelf mates, and it's extra cool because just below my book is Go Ask Alice, which I read over 18 years ago and was probably my first foray into YA fiction (as opposed to middle grade books).

Also, don't forget the scavenger hunt that is currently going on. I'll post a photo tomorrow of the prize pack!!!!

Thursday, June 9: Erica’s Review (The Book Cellar)
Friday, June 10: Erica’s Interview (The Book Cellar)

Saturday, June 11: Jami’s Review (YA Addict)
Sunday, June 12: Jami’s Guest Post (YA Addict)

Monday, June 13: Kristen’s Review (Bookworming in the 21st Century)
Tuesday, June 14: Kristen’s Interview (Bookworming in the 21st Century)

Wednesday, June 15: Lauren’s Review (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)
Thursday, June 16: Lauren’s Guest Post (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)

Friday, June 17: Faye’s Review (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)
Saturday, June 18: Faye’s Guest Post (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)

Sunday, June 19: Lea’s Review (YA Book Queen)
Monday, June 20: Lea’s Interview (YA Book Queen)

Tuesday, June 21: Kelsey’s Review (The Book Scout)
Wednesday, June 22: Kelsey’s Interview (The Book Scout)

Thursday, June 23: Kari’s Review (A Good Addiction)
Friday, June 24: Kari’s Character Interview (A Good Addiction)

More Fairy goodness!

2011-06-16T11:41:00.004+12:00

Well, I'm all over the place today so here are some links!

First up, my lovely friend Stacey Jay who gave me such a wonderful quote, is actually running a competition to give away an arc of Fairy so go and show Stacey some love and if you haven't read all her books then do, she rules!!!!!

There is also a copy of Fairy Bad Day up for grabs over at Elizabeth Scott's blog (squeal - I'm such a fan girl of Living Dead Girl)

Some other stops on my GCC tour are:

Stephanie Kuehnert
Lucienne Driver
Lauren Strasnick
Denise Jaden

Also, don't forget to keeping following the Scavenger Hunt!!!!!!

Thursday, June 9: Erica’s Review (The Book Cellar)
Friday, June 10: Erica’s Interview (The Book Cellar)

Saturday, June 11: Jami’s Review (YA Addict)
Sunday, June 12: Jami’s Guest Post (YA Addict)

Monday, June 13: Kristen’s Review (Bookworming in the 21st Century)
Tuesday, June 14: Kristen’s Interview (Bookworming in the 21st Century)

Wednesday, June 15: Lauren’s Review (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)
Thursday, June 16: Lauren’s Guest Post (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)

Friday, June 17: Faye’s Review (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)
Saturday, June 18: Faye’s Guest Post (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)

Sunday, June 19: Lea’s Review (YA Book Queen)
Monday, June 20: Lea’s Interview (YA Book Queen)

Tuesday, June 21: Kelsey’s Review (The Book Scout)
Wednesday, June 22: Kelsey’s Interview (The Book Scout)

Thursday, June 23: Kari’s Review (A Good Addiction)
Friday, June 24: Kari’s Character Interview (A Good Addiction)

You Had Me at Halo is now out on Kindle

2011-06-14T22:29:00.005+12:00

I'm interrupting my Fairy Bad Day excitement to say that I've finally managed to put my first novel, You Had Me at Halo up on Kindle. It first came out in 2007 with NAL but is now out of print. However, since I still get emails about it, I thought I would bring it out in the digital world.

You Had Me at Halo

When Holly Evans wakes up dead at the tender age of twenty-two, she's pretty sure things can't get any worse (especially since her boyfriend was about to propose to her with a diamond ring the size of her knuckle). But Holly's wrong and it turns out that she's still got some mortal baggage to unload before she can walk through the pearly gates, which is why she's being sent back to earth to get things sorted out.

Problem is that when she lands in the body of computer geek, Vince Murphy, she discovers that instead of having left the building, Vince is still very much alive (and remarkably unimpressed at the idea of sharing with a dead girl). So now Holly has to sort out her unresolved baggage in the next forty-eight hours while stuck in the body of a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. And if she doesn't? Well, let's just say that she's probably not going to live the alternative.

"It's The Lovely Bones meets Bridget Jones in this fluffy take on what happens after death...it's a fun, witty traipse through the afterlife." Publisher's Weekly

"This book has a delightfully quirky concept that develops into a fun and interesting story. Peopled with a fascinating variety of characters, it also has an intriguing mystery and a charmingly different type of interaction between the hero and heroine. Expect a delightful tale with a wonderfully distinctive ending." 4 1/2 stars Romantic Times Bookclub TOP AUGUST PICK (and nominated for a 2007 RT Reviewer's Choice Award)

Fairy Bad Day Scavenger Hunt!!!!!

2011-06-13T20:11:00.007+12:00

So Fairy Bad Day actually came out last week, but I was so busy bouncing up and down like a Tigger that I kind of forgot to blog about it!!!!! I've still not seen a photo of it out in the wild so if anyone takes a snap for me, I'll make sure that the karma gods look down on you favorably!!!!!!!!

I think what made this release extra special was all the lovely reviews I've been receiving from YA bloggers. It never ceases to amaze me how much energy and passion the YA bloggers put into their reviews and their sites (says me who can barely remember to blog from one week to the next!). Anyway, I just wanted to say a special thanks to Heather, Amelia, Jenny and everyone else who has thrilled me with their kind words!

It's going to be another busy week. Not only am I attempting to pack up the house to move back to Australia (in under three weeks. Zonks) but I've got two blog tours going on! One is with the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit so I will keep you posted when they are up and the other is with The Teen Book Scene.

It runs from the 9th of Jun to the 24th and there is a scavenger hunt which will end up back here with a cute prize. There will be a signed book plus lots of cute fairy goodness and some tasty New Zealand chocolate (and Skittles. Of course there has to be Skittles)

Oh, and because Fairy Bad Day officially weighs a ton, most of my competition prizes aren't signed since I send them straight from Book Depository. So who knows, if strange things happen and I become wildly famous then you might be one of the few people with a signed copy!!!!!!

Thursday, June 9: Erica’s Review (The Book Cellar)
Friday, June 10: Erica’s Interview (The Book Cellar)

Saturday, June 11: Jami’s Review (YA Addict)
Sunday, June 12: Jami’s Guest Post (YA Addict)

Monday, June 13: Kristen’s Review (Bookworming in the 21st Century)
Tuesday, June 14: Kristen’s Interview (Bookworming in the 21st Century)

Wednesday, June 15: Lauren’s Review (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)
Thursday, June 16: Lauren’s Guest Post (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf)

Friday, June 17: Faye’s Review (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)
Saturday, June 18: Faye’s Guest Post (Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm)

Sunday, June 19: Lea’s Review (YA Book Queen)
Monday, June 20: Lea’s Interview (YA Book Queen)

Tuesday, June 21: Kelsey’s Review (The Book Scout)
Wednesday, June 22: Kelsey’s Interview (The Book Scout)

Thursday, June 23: Kari’s Review (A Good Addiction)
Friday, June 24: Kari’s Character Interview (A Good Addiction)

The blog tour is also a scavenger hunt. You can collect a letter on each stop to form a word that will need to be entered on Amanda's blog at the end. Happy hunting!

And so the fun begins!

2011-06-08T07:03:00.004+12:00

Squeal - Fairy Bad Day is out tomorrow and I'm taking deep breaths and trying not to act like a crazy person!

Today I'm over at Adventures in Children's Publishing talking about all things books and there is also a giveaway so make sure you head over!!!

Also, I've just received a review that made me all kinds of happy! You can check it out here!

Anyway, over the next couple of weeks I've got loads of online adventures planned so I'll keep everyone posted as it happens! Oh and don't forget that life is always better when you're eating a bag of Skittles!!!

GCC presents Jessica Brody

2011-06-06T19:02:00.005+12:00

Yay, today it's time to tour my lovely friend Jessica Brody. Jessica is a total dynamo of energy who happens to love chocolate and 90s English pop music, which pretty much makes her the perfect person!!!! Oh, and we also both have books coming out this week!!!!!! Jessica's new book is called My Life Undecided and it looks totally adorable! Here is the blurb:

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I’m gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Reviews:
"Brooklyn is a sympathetic protagonist with whom teens will identify. Her journey is fun to read, and decision-challenged readers will learn an important lesson about self-acceptance along the way."
--School Library Journal

"Brody taps into a universal human desire...An amusing coming-of-age story with many funny moments...[Brooklyn's] flustered, off-the-cuff narration should keep readers as invested in her actions as her blog followers are."
--Publisher's Weekly

I. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

This book was definitely one of those “aha!” moments that I hear writers talk about. My husband and I were watching TV, an ad for a reality show came on and I said, “Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a reality show where you could vote on what the characters did. As in, “who they went out with?” or “Whether or not they forgave their backstabbing best friend.” Like American Idol meets The Hills. We both agreed although it would be cool, it wouldn’t be practical from a production standpoint since they shoot those reality shows months before they air. I was not deterred though. I said, “Fine, I’ll write it as a book,” and then marched up the stairs and in ten short minutes, wrote a page-long synopsis for what would become MY LIFE UNDECIDED and sent it to my editor. She wrote back right away saying that she loved it and the book was born!

2. What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?

I think every time the first copy of my latest book comes in the mail. I just received my first copy of MY LIFE UNDECIDED last week and it was truly an amazing moment. You would think by the fourth book, you’d be jaded and go, “Oh, cool” and then just toss the thing aside. But you don’t. Each book is more exciting than the last! I spend about twenty minutes just touching the cover, making sure it’s really real.

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?

My husband definitely comes first. He helps me write every book in that he helps keep me sane. And reminds me when I’m in throes of despair and threatening to quit forever (and yes, this happens with every single book) that it’s just a phase. It will pass. Just like I did with the last book.

And then I’d have to thank my editor. She read this book on her vacation. Now, that’s dedication.

And lastly, I’m going to thank that invisible muse/ghost/writing spirit thingy that lives inside my walls. I’m not kidding myself thinking that I wrote this book by myself. I swear she (he?) comes out when I need her (him?) most, puts me to sleep, takes over the writing and then erases my memory so I don’t remember a thing.

4. Describe a typical writing day

Wake up. Check email. Despair about lack of email. Make coffee. Check email. Despair about continued lack of email. Check twitter. Check Facebook. Check email spam filter in case any important emails somehow landed up there. Despair about lack of important spam email. Open book document. Stare at title page. Stare at table of contents. Open word count calculator excel spreadsheet (yes, I have one). Despair at how many words I must write today to meet my deadline. Check email. Force self to close email program on computer. Check email on phone. Force self to hide phone. Write. Take break to check email. Write some more. Take break to check twitter, and since I’m already stopped, might as well check email. Finish word count. Check email.

Rinse and repeat.

5. Tell me one strange random fact about this book.

Fitting to the theme of the book (decisions and indecisiveness) I couldn’t for the life of me, come up with a title for it. During the entire three months I was writing it, the title page read, “Untitled Blog Book.” So, I took a hint from my main character and polled 50 of my closest friends, asking them to submit book titles to me and vowing to pay $200 to the person who submitted the title that stuck. My friend Mike came up with My Life Undecided and he’s now $200 richer.

Hahaha - I love that Jessica was too indecisive to come up with a book title about an indecisive girl! Actually, I've just finished writing a book with an indecisive heroine and let's just say that I didn't have to search too hard to make it feel real!!!

Anyway, not only is Jessica an amazing author but she's pretty great at making book trailers as well! Check it out!

Between the Lines

2011-05-30T19:31:00.003+12:00

Eep! The countdown to the release of Fairy Bad Day is on! Ten days for the US release and 28 days for the Australian/NZ release. I'm over at Between the Lines, the fabulous Australian Penguin Teen site talking about the rise of YA paranormals and why I think it's a good thing!

I'm also getting organized for our upcoming move to Australia. Do I sound cool, calm and collected because trust me I'm not!!!!!!

Another Fairy Competition

2011-05-26T11:42:00.002+12:00

I'm over at Darkside Downunder today and there is a copy of Fairy Bad Day up for grabs, so make sure you race over and leave a comment. Yes, I'm talking to you!

In other unrelated news, I've discovered that the best way to stop your family asking for cookies is to accidentally add baking soda instead of baking powder. Who knew that there could be such a simple solution?

GCC presents Elizabeth Scott

2011-05-25T12:40:00.003+12:00

Gosh, it seems like forever since we've had a GCC tour but what better way to break the drought than with Elizabeth Scott. I'm such a huge fan of Elizabeth's books (especially Love You, Hate You, Miss You) so it's super exciting to have her here.

Her latest book, Between Here and Forever and here is the skinny:

Abby accepted that she can't measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby's life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she'd never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

1 How did you come up with the idea for this book?

The very start of the idea actually happened back in 2007, when I was writing discussion questions for my first novel, Bloom--I was writing a question about what readers felt the future held for all the characters--and accidentally paired up two characters who weren't
supposed to be! At the time, I laughed and changed it, glad I'd caught my mistake--but for some reason the idea of those two characters stayed in my mind and I actually wrote the first scene where they meet and connect on an entirely new level.

But at the time, I had a bunch of other stuff going on, and I wasn't sure if anyone would even want to read a sequel to Bloom that wasn't about Lauren and Evan. So, I kept the idea of those two characters together, floating around, and when I got the idea for Abby and her story--well, let's just say those two characters from Bloom were perfect for an important role in the book. I was thrilled to be able to revisit them as I dove into Abby's world, and everything combined together to create a story that I'm truly proud of.

2 What’s been your favorite author moment so far in your career?

Meeting readers is absolutely my favorite author moment!

3 It’s Oscar speech time! Who are the three people that you would most like to thank for helping you write this book?

Jess, Jen, and Diana.

4 Describe a typical writing day

Get up, wish there was more time in the day, then try to do all my
online stuff in three hours or less and then work until 6 PM.

5 Tell me one strange random fact about this book.

Part of the book came because I typed the wrong name for a discussion
question about my first novel!

Fairy Bad Day competition

2011-05-22T10:07:00.003+12:00

I'm over at Tote Bags 'n' Blogs and there is a copy of Fairy Bad Day up for grabs, so what are you waiting for?????? Off you go and enter. You know you want to (yes, I really am a card-carrying Jedi Mind Trick Master!)

In other, completely unrelated news, I'm still obsessed with Bruno Mars!

This, that and the jolly next thing

2011-05-18T19:37:00.002+12:00

Goodness, the countdown is on! I can't quite believe that Fairy Bad Day is out in three weeks! Even better, I just got my first ever Kirkus review and I came through it unscathed! Anyway, I will share it very soon! Plus let you know all about my upcoming blog tour and the various competitions that I will be running!!!

Right now I'm working on the revisions of my first mid-grade book and I'm starting to get very excited about these books! Even better, there is now a series title for it: SOPHIE'S MIXED-UP MAGIC, which I really adore. I think book one, Wishful Thinking will be out sometime next summer with the other two books not too far behind, so watch this space!!

So that's me. What's everyone else been up to? Deets please!!!!!!

Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song [Official Video]

2011-05-09T09:38:00.001+12:00

I'm not sure what I love more about this - the song or the video! Bruno Mars is so perky and adorable that I want to put him in my pocket and carry him around with me!!!!! Btw, Fairy Bad Day is out in one month!!!!!!

Publishers Weekly review

2011-05-03T14:15:00.002+12:00

I'm so happy with the lovely review that Publishers Weekly gave me and from now on I will always refer to myself as a 'zippy' writer, since it's a term that I now officially adore!!!!!!!

Sophomore Emma Jones has been training at Burtonwood Academy for years, expecting to follow in her late mother's footsteps and become a dragon slayer. Being made a fairy slayer is not in her plans--fairies are harmless and lame ("...the worst she'd ever seen them do was change the food labels at the supermarket"), nearly impossible to kill, and they love taunting her. Worse, she's forced to train with Curtis, the cute guy who took her dragon job. As Emma tries to change the principal's mind about her specialty, an extremely dangerous seven-foot-tall fairy that only she can see shows up. Now Emma needs to figure out where the creature came from, what it wants, how she's going to kill it, and most of all, how it knew her mother. 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. Ages 12–up. (June)

In other news, my two kids now have the plague of some description and seem hellbent on giving it me. Funny that they weren't so generous when it came to Easter chocolate! Apart from that, I've finally started work on a new project and will try and get as much written as possible before my next lot of revisions of arrive, which means I officially name May the month of writing!!!!!!

What's everyone else been up to in my blogging absence!!!!!

Hillsborough 1989

2011-04-15T12:58:00.001+12:00

It's been 22 years since 96 Liverpool fans were killed at Hillsborough while they were watching a team that they loved play football. Please take a moment from your day to think of the families and friends who are still grieving and fighting for justice.

Book news!

2011-04-10T18:47:00.002+12:00

Yay! I'm so happy that I can finally share the details of my latest book deal! It's a YA called Demonosity and out of all the books I've written, this is by far my favorite! It's a lot darker than anything I've done before but there is still lots of humor (and lots and loves of seriously lovely guys in it!!!!!!)

Anyway, here is the Publisher's Marketplace announcement!

Amanda Ashby's DEMONOSITY, in which a sixteen year old girl's life is
turned upside down when she has to protect an ancient alchemist's
relic from two demon knight brothers, one of whom is good and one of
them bad: the problem is she has no idea which is which, to Puffin, in
a nice deal, by Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency (World English).

Please world...

2011-03-14T09:04:00.004+13:00

Stop with the devastation.

This has been a hard few months watching the world get so battered by Mother Nature. First the horrific floods in my home state of Queensland and then the devastating Christchurch earthquake in my adopted country of New Zealand (the second in six months) and now the earthquake and tsunami that has hit Japan. And it's so hard to know what to do. I think we all donate as much money as we can afford and of course send our prayers and best wishes to everyone, but most of all I think we all just turn and see what we've got and count our blessings.

Anyway, there is no real point to this blog post, apart from the fact that I'm constantly thinking of all these people who have had their lives ripped apart and broken and I really hope that there is someway for them to get well and heal.

Btw, one of my favorite YA bloggers, the wonderful Diana at 'Stop, Drop and Read' has just left a message in the comments about what she's doing to help. She's giving away free arcs and will donate shipping costs to the Red Cross in Canada so they can send more help to Japan. Here is the link and I hope you all go and visit her.

Some news and some fun

2011-03-08T15:58:00.005+13:00

As normal, my blogging efforts are pretty bad but I thought I'd swing by and share that Fairy Bad Day has sold Australian rights to Penguin Australia! I'm ridiculously excited about this since right now I don't get to do many physical author-girl things, so this is my chance - watch out world!!!!

In other news, I was so excited to receive a copy of Emily Gee's The Sentinel Mage in the post. I've been a long time fantasy fan and Emily's books are totally amazing - she is one of the most talented authors I know and a jolly nice person into the bargain so if you get the chance then please check her out!

And speaking of all round awesome people, have we all seen Jessica Brody's book trailer for her June release, My Life Undecided, because it's ridiculously amazing. It's like watching a Nickelodeon show (and I say this is the best possible way since between you, me and the wall, I'm very fond of Nick shows, especially iCarly and Josh and Drake!!!!!)

And finally, I'm talking about my favorite pieces of art over at Teen Fiction Cafe so please come and join me!!!!!

Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

2011-03-02T16:10:00.000+13:00

You might think that I would get sick of this song by now, but you would be wrong and since I've almost finished my new proposal I thought I get Mr. Ice to see me home. So let's stop, collaborate and listen...

new website and Fairy arc comp

2011-02-22T16:46:00.003+13:00

This is just to let everyone know that I've jazzed up my website and as well as making it all pretty and shiny, there's an excerpt of Fairy Bad Day up there now. Also, let me know if you've got any problems accessing it - we've tested it out in most browsers, but what fun would the Internet be if everything worked the way it was meant to!!!

I've also just listed an arc competition over at Goodreads for my one and only spare Fairy Bad Day arc so click on the widget to enter and good luck

Not much else to report though hopefully I can announce some news soon. In the meantime I've been busy working on my next YA book. In my head it is epic so I really hope that I can get it all down and do the vision justice (and convince my agent that I'm not crazy!!!!!)

And finally, please join me in sending out some good thoughts to the people of Christchurch who have been hit by another devastating earthquake. My heart goes out to them all.

Happy release day to Stacey Jay

2011-02-04T19:09:00.003+13:00

Yay! Today is the release of Stacey Jay's new book, The Locket!

I first met Stacey when we realized that we had both written zombie books and we've stayed in touch ever since. Stacey was also kind enough to blurb Fairy Bad Day for me and I've had the absolute pleasure of reading her new (and completely amazing, you-are-all-going-to-die-when-you-read-it) book Juliet Immortal. But let's not get ahead of ourselves because today is all about The Locket, so here's the skinny:

On her seventeenth birthday, Katie discovers a locket and decides to wear it for good luck. But when her boyfriend Isaac finds out she cheated on him-with their mutual best friend Mitch, no less-he dumps her, leaving her devastated.

And then a miracle happens. The locket burns on Katie's chest and she feels herself going back two weeks in time, to the night she cheated with Mitch. At first, Kate is delighted to be a better girlfriend to Isaac this time around. But as other aspects of her life become inexplicably altered, she realizes that changing the past may have had a dangerous effect on her present.

Can she make things right before the locket destroys everything-and everyone-she loves?

Seriously, how great does this book sound? I love, love, love do-over stories and because Stacey is such a freaking talented writer, I know that this book is going to be A-mazing. Even better, because Stacey is as king as she is lovely, she's got a fab competition over at her blog. So, what are you still doing here? Off you go and grab a copy for yourself!

Oh and when y

RWAustralia Flooded Communities Book Appeal

2011-02-03T15:44:00.004+13:00

Despite the fact that I've spent the last fifteen years jumping between England and New Zealand, I'm still a Queensland girl and it's been devastating to see my home state being hit by first floods and now a level 5 cyclone. Some people have lost everything they own, not to mention all the libraries that have been flooded, so the Romance Writers of Australia are holding a Book Appeal to assist flooded communities from the Qld floods.

What they need?

FICTION BOOKS! Romance books, children’s books, young adult books, genre books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition.

Please send them to:

RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal

PO Box 1717

Noosaville Post Office

Noosaville BC

Queensland 4566

When to send them?

Now! And any time over the next few months. The books will be boxed and delivered to the appropriate libraries/schools/neighbourhood centres/community centres in batches as soon as the communities are ready to receive them. We’ll be liaising with councils, libraries and schools to ensure this is done appropriately. Feel free to pop a note inside, or if you’re an author, sign it.

For up to date information on the RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal, please visit the Romance Writers of Australia for more information

Thank you

Happy Release Day to Christina Phillips

2011-02-01T14:38:00.003+13:00

I'm so excited because my lovely CP, Christina Phillips is celebrating the release of her second erotica book, Captive. Now, I do need to warn you that it's a hot, hot, hot book only for readers who are 18 years and over, but it's also completely amazing!!!!

A new erotic historical series set in a world of magical heroines and sexy warriors.

When the Romans destroyed her world, Morwyn took a vow of celibacy to spite her goddess. Then she's captured by a mercenary whose animal charms and chiseled body will test her conviction...

Brennus has spent three years undercover in the Roman Legion. So when his men brutalize the fiery Celtic beauty, he saves her-by claiming her as his own.

As they near Roman headquarters, Morwyn resolves to honor her vow of celibacy-but if Brennus were to ravage her, could she be blamed for enjoying his body? With just a hint of seduction, sooner or later the warrior will succumb to his exquisite captive.

So if you like your books hot and full of history (and tortured heroes) then this is most definitely the book for you!!!!!!

Happy Monday and help me decide what book to read next

2011-01-31T18:09:00.004+13:00

Today I'm over at Kylie Griffin's blog talking about all sorts of clever author things (okay, so perhaps it's not very clever, but there's definitely a lot of talking going on), so please come by and say hi. And while you're there, make sure you check out Kylie's blog and website. For those who don't know, Kylie is an AMAZING writer, who after winning just about every writing comp going, including the Golden Heart, finally sold her first series last year. She's also a very energetic blogger and her site is FULL of fab interviews and writing information!!!!

In other news, I've been doing loads of reading lately, which has been wonderful! I finally managed to read Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, which ended just the way I wanted it to--phew!!!!

I've also just finished The Maze Runner by James Dashner, which was insanely good and I've been telling everyone who will listen about it. I also read Matched by Allie Condie, which I enjoyed but it was tempered by the fact that I've only recently read The Giver by Lois Lowry and there were quite a few similarities.

Two other books that I adored is The Laurentine Spy by NZ author, Emily Gee. Seriously, I can't recommend this book enough. Emily is a freaking amazing writer and the story very much put me in the mind of my favorite books of last year -Graceling by Kristin Cashore! And finally, I also read The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt. This is a Carina Press book and it's definitely NOT a YA, but I absolutely adored it - it's a retelling of Sleeping Beauty - and the writing is riveting.

I've still got an overflowing TBR pile so I need help deciding what to read next. Here are the choices:

Night Star by Alyson Noel
The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
The Demon Trappers by Jana Oliver

(there are actually a lot more but these are in my must-read-or-die pile)

Looking forward to hearing your answers!! Oh, and stay tuned because I'm going to be doing my Fairy Bad Day arc competition Very Soon!!!

Whoops...I forgot to blog again

2011-01-25T18:04:00.005+13:00

My blogging habits are becoming a bit of a joke lately and the plan to kick off 2011 with more posts hasn't exactly worked yet, but in case you think that my lack of blogging means that I'm not excited about my upcoming release, Fairy Bad Day in June, then you would be oh so wrong, wrong, wrong!

I'll be unveiling my new website soon and as well as putting up the first chapter, I'll be doing an arc comp with the one spare copy of Fairy Bad Day that I have.

In the meantime, here is what a couple of lovely, adorable YA authors have said about Fairy:

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

GCC presents Laurie Faria Stolarz

2011-01-14T20:04:00.004+13:00

Still on deadline and still apologizing for lack of blogging, but I will be back soon-I promise and in the meantime I have a real treat for you! Yup, I'm touring Laurie Faria Stolarz who is a long time GCC member and a complete superstar! She's the author of many amazing ya books including the Blue is for Nightmares series, which has sold nearly 750,000 copies around the world!

Her latest book is Deadly Little Games and if you head over to her website, she has a very cool competition running for her readers!

High school juniors Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: they both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to see the future through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control. Camelia’s gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn’t yet comprehend. Before either one has a chance to fully grasp their abilities, a new danger surfaces, but this time, Camelia is not the target. Adam, a familiar face from Ben’s past, is drawn into a puzzle he can’t solve. . . and his life is on the line. As the clues pile up, Camelia must decide whether to help him and risk losing Ben or do nothing and suffer the consequences. But in these games,who can be trusted?

What was the inspiration behind this series?

1) I wanted to write a story where the main character has to struggle with the idea of falling in love with someone who could potentially be dangerous. I tinkered with this concept in the first three books of my Blue is for Nightmares Series [(Blue is for Nightmares (Llewellyn 2003), White is for Magic (Llewellyn 2004), and Silver is for Secrets (Llewellyn 2005), as well as in Bleed (Hyperion 2006)]. In Bleed, in particular, there’s a young male character who was convicted for the murder of his girlfriend. His next relationship consists of pen pal letters he exchanges with a young girl while he’s in prison. Without giving too much away, the relationship is briefly pursued once he is released, but I wanted to bring this concept to another level.

Additionally, I wanted to continue experimenting with the supernatural (which I also use in my Blue is for Nightmares Series as well as in Project 17), showing how we all have our own inner senses and intuition, and how with work we can tap into those senses and make them stronger. I started researching different types of supernatural powers and discovered the power of psychometry (the ability to sense things through touch). The concept fascinated me, and so I wanted to bring it out in a character, showing how sometimes even the most extraordinary powers can also be a curse.

Lastly, I wanted to apply these concepts to be part of a series. I love the idea of growing main character over the course of several books.

2.) Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

A plotter, for sure. But, even though I use an outline, I still discover things along the way. In my latest draft, though I had an outline, I ended up discovering something 150 pages in, and in turn needed to throw over 80 pages away. I just like knowing certain things up front, i.e. what my character needs/wants, what keeps him from getting it, what he needs to learn to get there, etc., etc.

3.) I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

Perseverance is key. I love this quote because it’s true: it took me over 100 rejection letters to sell my first book, which has now sold over 200K copies, been translated into 15 different languages, been on numerous award lists, and been optioned for a TV series.

4.) What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I know, I know, but what can I say. It’s mindless and entertaining, and after working all day, that’s what I needJ.

5.) Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I’m a pretty good cook.

GCC presents Eileen Cook

2011-01-07T07:35:00.004+13:00

Welcome to 2011 - in typical Ashby style I thought I'd ring in a few days late! I'm actually right in the middle of a crazy writing deadline (trust me it doesn't go well with sunshine and school holidays!!!). However, I'm dragging myself away from the wip so that I can play with the fabulously funny and wildly talented Eileen Cook and her brand new book The Education of Hailey Kendrick!

I love Eileen and was lucky enough to meet her in passing at the RWA conference a couple of years ago and now all I want to do is be adopted by her because she was so awesome and cool (and she likes Castle so I really think it could work out well!!!)

Anyway, here is the skinny:

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

"Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review (wow, starred reviews aren't exactly easy to come by, which confirms my decision to be adopted by her!!!!)

What was the inspiration behind this book?

The inspiration came in part from coming across a copy of The Scarlett Letter. I’m very interested in how the process of what everyone thinks of us shapes how we view ourselves. If your identity was suddenly taken away- how would you respond?

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

I am a panster by nature and a plotter by design. Before I published I wrote completely by the seat of my pants. Now that there are editors and deadlines and requests for proposals I find I need to spend more time plotting out before I write. I am a long term believer in there are no short cuts. You either spend the time up front before you start writing or you have more to do in the revision stage. However- if someone ever finds a shortcut be sure let me know.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

I’m a total quote junkie too! I can think of zillions of favorites, but my current is “Well behaved women rarely make history.” Eleanor Roosevelt. It reminds me that playing it safe all the time doesn’t get you very far.

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Do we have to pick just one favorite? I love Castle (it’s about a writer so I consider it to be research), Mad Men (I watch for the fashion) and my new favorite is The Walking Dead. There is something oddly comforting about zombies. Unlike the rest of life, years of movie watching has educated me about zombies and I know exactly what to expect. I feel strangely well prepared for any possible zombie apocalypse.

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I love to knit. I’m not especially good- they need to be simple sweaters, but I can also make scarves, mittens and socks. Something about the clickety clack of the needles is strangely relaxing to me. If I’m struggling with a book I’ll often sit down with my knitting and see if I can’t shake something free by switching gears.

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful friends

2010-12-24T08:34:00.000+13:00

25% off Fairy Bad Day

2010-12-03T12:31:00.002+13:00

Yup, that's right, over at Book Depository (which is totally my online book retailer of choice), Fairy Bad Day is 25% off and don't forget that most countries in the world get free delivery!

And now I'm going to disappear back to the writing cave. I'm halfway through my current wip and since it's due in six weeks, I sort of need to write like the wind. Thankfully, this book is flowing really well and is filled to the brim with beautifully damaged guys. Sometimes it sucks being a writer and other times, not so much!!!!

Oh, and I do have some news to share with you all, but not yet (doncha just hate when people do that??). Right and now I must go off and kill a bad creature with a sharp pointy sword!!!!

GCC presents Caridad Ferrer

2010-11-23T19:36:00.004+13:00

So I'm going to take a break from nanoing (which I am doing despite the fact I keep forgetting to go and update my total) to come and play with the lovely Caridad Ferrer, but before we start let me just tell that Caridad doesn't just write about stars, she is a star!!!!

Not only was she the first young adult author to win a Rita for best contemporary single title book after the ya category was canceled that year, but she has also been through quite a journey to get her third book, When the Stars Go Blue - a reworking of Carmen - published and she has done it in a totally awesome and inspiring way!!! And haven't the cover gods been kind to her!!!!!

So here is the skinny:

A dancer driven to succeed.  

A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.  

The summer they share.  

And the moment it all goes wrong.  

Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.

But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad's affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

On the surface, the primary inspiration is Bizet's famed opera, CARMEN, probably the most popular opera in history. Even people who swear they've never heard a note of opera, have in all likelihood, heard something from CARMEN because its music has permeated pop culture to a huge extent. And the story the music supports is absolutely fantastic-- a love triangle with passion, betrayal, forbidden attraction... it's pretty much got it all. Another important component of my version is the setting, which is competitive drum and bugle corps, an activity with which I was heavily involved as an adolescent. It's an intense and passionate pursuit-- the sort of thing you have to really love in order to do it, because of the massive amounts of work involved. I'd been looking for an opportunity to set a book in that world and reimagining Carmen within a contemporary setting just seemed to provide the perfect fodder.

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

I'm a hybrid. While I have a general idea of a story line, I'm a total pantser through the first several chapters, getting to know the characters and their quirks and seeing how the story is going to shape itself. Then, once I have those elements established, I'll stop and write a chapter by chapter outline for the rest of the book that helps me keep track of various threads and subplots. Where that point is, however, differs from book to book. Sometimes it's as early as six chapters in, the last manuscript I finished, I was eighteen chapters in (out of ultimately, thirty) before I knew where the story was going and could finish the outline.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning. -- Maya Angelou

I love this quote by Maya Angelou because for me, it so completely sums up what I love about writing. Anyone can put words to paper and call themselves a writer, but it takes something more, a piece of your soul as it were, that takes words from mere writing to storytelling. I love being a storyteller.
What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Oh boy-- I love so many. Chuck, because he's just my idea of the perfect beta hero, Castle, ditto and I love the witty banter, Criminal Minds, because I'm a sucker for procedurals and this one in particular because it's so centered on the psychological, Doctor Who, because I'm a geek from way back, although I'm still somewhat in mourning for David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, and the BBC's recent adaptation of Sherlock, because that's the ultimate procedural. Finally, I love GLEE, although this second season is dragging a bit for me. But any series that can marry show and pop tunes and has the incomparable Jane Lynch is worth sticking with!

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

Erm... okay. I can listen to a melody once and be able to hum it back. Does that count? Counts for me - especially since I'm a musical dunce despite the fact that my husband has a music degree and has been playing guitar for thirty years!!!!!

Birthday cake

2010-11-14T11:09:00.003+13:00

Well, I did the ultimate mother thing last night and actually made a birthday cake for my son's eighth birthday. Meet Marill - who is not only my favorite Pokemon but is probably also the easiest to decorate as well. I'm pretty sure that it will taste disgusting but hey, it looks good and the kid is happy!!! And now we're out to enjoy some Hawke's Bay sunshine since I've got the day off work!!!

Thank you Stacey Jay

2010-11-12T10:25:00.003+13:00

I'm so excited because I just got another gorgeous blurb for Fairy, this time from my zombie-loving buddy Stacey Jay, who is an amazing writer and all round wonderful person (and if you haven't read her books then you must!) Anyway, this is what she said:

"Fairy Bad Day is fairy awesome supernatural slaying fun." -Stacey Jay

Cute, yes? Anyway, I wasn't joking about reading Stacey's books so off you go and grab yourself some and I will disappear back to the writing cave where Bad Things are about to happen to Good People (and now, I will get one of my people to turn on the spooky music and and fog machine so that I can disappear in a mysterious way!!!)

Fairy Bad Day!!!!!!

2010-11-09T17:49:00.003+13:00

Woot!!! I'm so excited to see the arcs of Fairy Bad day! My photos don't really do them justice but I can assure you that they are gorgeous!!!!!! Like seriously gorgeous!!!!

Here is the back cover copy:

My life seriously couldn’t get any worse.

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.

It’s going to be a fairy bad day.

GCC presents Denise Jaden

2010-10-23T18:33:00.003+13:00

Argh. I think everyone should start calling me the laptop killer since I've managed to destroy yet another one and it was only 14 months old. I'm hoping that clever Mr. Computer Man will be able to fix it but in the meantime it's going to be very patchy (oh and did I mention that I have to do the final pass on Fairy? Somehow I think my husband and I will be battling for his computer!!!!)

Anyway, in happier news, today I'm touring Denise Jaden and her debut book, Losing Faith!

When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.
As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger

Q&A:
What was the inspiration behind this book?

At first, I just knew I wanted to write a sister story. From there, I figured out that one of the sisters had a secret, and the secret would only be discovered after she died. I lost a close friend of mine when I was sixteen, and I've always felt there was a lot to explore with a teen
experiencing such a big and devastating event. It's hard to remember exactly where the story started in my mind, but that's my best guess.

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

I started as a panster, transformed into a plotter (with enormous outlines up to 38,000 words!) and am not trying to find some sort of middle ground. I'd like to have some idea where I'm going, but lots of freedom along the way.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

"Where fear ends, faith begins." I'm a big believer in facing my fears and challenging myself in new ways. This applied to writing, of course, but also to most other areas of my life.

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

I don't watch a lot of T.V., but my husband and I love to watch Soap and Friends DVD's.

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I'm also a professional Polynesian dancer. I've been dancing ever since I can remember, and cannot imagine my life without a grass skirt and coconut bra!

First quote for Fairy Bad Day

2010-10-21T16:14:00.002+13:00

Woot!!!! I'm so thrilled because the amazing Tera Lynn Childs has just given me the most gorgeous quote for Fairy Bad Day. I feel so lucky because not only is Tera a wonderful writer and a ridiculously energetic person but she's also a Rita winner! I know, how cool is that! Anyway, here is what TLC had to say about Fairy Bad Day!!!

~ Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Forgive My Fins

Crossroads tour

2010-10-20T17:02:00.002+13:00

Don't forget that the amazing Crossroads tour has started. Sixteen authors in sixteen days (and yup, I'm one of them!!!!). There are loads of prizes and loads of fun interview so head over to Crossroad Headquarters to find out all the tour stops!!!

Also, I'll be back later in the week with a new tour, not to mention the fact that I has news! Hope to share real soon!!!!!!!

GCC presents Linda Gerber

2010-10-14T20:45:00.003+13:00

Hooray! I'm so excited because today it's time to tour the lovely Linda Gerber! Linda and I are Puffin/Speak buddies and as well as being Teen Fiction Cafe friends and it turns out that we both love Castle as well - it's like we're twins!!!!!! Anyway, for those of you who don't know Linda (shame on you), she is the author of the Death by Bikini, Death by Latte and Death by Denim books as well as two S.A.S.S books. In short, she is full of awesome goodness!!!!!!

Her latest book Trance is a dark, paranormal thriller that is sure to appeal to Wake fans! Here is the skinny:

Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what’s to come—a trance. She’s pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she’s never been able to stop the event from actually occurring—not even when the vision was of her mother’s fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn’s life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear: it’s up to her to save Jake from a near-certain death.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

Several years ago, I had a very vivid dream about an airplane crash. Some of the details were so clear and disturbing to me that I wrote them down, just to get them out of my head. Then, a couple of weeks later, I saw an article in the paper about a plane crash on the other side of the country. The real crash was eerily similar to the one I had seen. It really shook me up.

Later, when I was finally ready to talk about it, I shared the dream with one of my sisters. She told me that she had also had dreams before about things that hadn’t yet happened.

It made me think… what if there were sisters who shared precognitive visions?

And what if each one of them only got part of the vision and the other one got the other part, so they had to put the pieces together to see the whole?

Oooh… and what when they had the visions, they went into trances, which made it really hard to hide what was happening from their family and friends?

And what if they wrote clues about the meaning of what they were seeing while they were in the trances?

And what if those clues weren’t given in words, but in numbers? (Actually, my ingenious editor came up with that idea.)

So, long story short, the idea for TRANCE evolved from a long string of what ifs, and my quest to find the answers.

Seriously - I'm dying to read this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

I’m a pantser at heart, but I’ve learned to be more of a plotter because of the mystery elements in my books. My process does vary a little from book to book, but mostly it’s like using the navigation system in my car; when I start out, I know where the story begins and where it’s going to end, so the navi maps it out for me. But if I hit a detour or decide I want to take a different street, the navi will recalculate the route. So, while I outline the plot before writing a book, a little bit of wandering helps to satisfy the pantser in me.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

The universe is made of stories, not of atoms. - Muriel Rukeyser

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

That’s series, plural, right? My favorites include Castle, Glee, The Mentalist, Lie to Me, White Collar, and Drop Dead Diva.

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I have an uncanny ability to ignore outside distractions (including husband, kids, and dog) to read. It’s amazing, really.

Walking

2010-10-12T10:32:00.003+13:00

Oh yes, when it comes to blog titles - I slay don't I!!!!!! Anyway, this is just a quick post to let you know that the kids are back at school, the house has been totally painted inside and out and now I'm at my desk ready to write. Actually, I was also at my desk ready to write yesterday but unfortunately my story wasn't quite fully brewed. Thankfully, after my morning walk today I managed to get all the little niggles sorted out, which means that it's all systems go.

I'm actually really excited about this book. It's a bit different from everything else that I've done and so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens - plus it has no fairies, zombies or djinns in it, which will make a nice change!!!!! Anyway, hope everyone is well. I'll be back later in the week to tour the awesomely fabulous Linda Gerber and her new book, Trance, but until then, happy reading and writing!

GCC presents Lauren Strasnick

2010-10-07T20:55:00.003+13:00

First up, I know, I know – slack blogger girl once again! Anyway, it’s school holidays over here in NZ and so there has been lots of kid stuff (Despicable Me was awesome) and lots of house painting and zero writing, but they’re back to school next week, which means that I can get back into the wip (er, sub-conscious that means that you should have written the book for me, yes?)

Anyway, today I’m touring a new GCC member, Lauren Strasnick and after reading her interview answers, trust me when I tell you that I’m already a fan!!!! Her new book is called Her & Me & You and it sounds amazing and only very slightly creepy (okay a lot creepy but creepy is good!!)

Here is the skinny:

First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.

Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred–and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred–and something about Adina–that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world, no matter the consequences.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

Weirdo twins! I really wanted to write my own version of the creepy twin book.

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

Pantser! I just learned that term. I’m a plotter, but I only discovered that recently. I wrote HER AND ME AND YOU three times over, from scratch, and I think I could have saved myself some serious heartache and hard work, had I had a decent outline to begin with. trust me, from plotters anon, you can write as many outlines as you want but if you're a panster you will systematically ignore each and everyone one of them!

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

There’s a British teen series I’m obsessed with called SKINS. I’m also really really into The Real Housewives franchise on Bravo. You respect me more now, don’t you? ;) “I am Cook” (if you don’t know what that means that you might not understand just how much of a mega Skins fan that I am as well!!!)

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

Thrifting. I can sort through used-clothing like nobody’s business (flea markets, vintage shops, second-hand stores, yard sales). Though, bedbugs are making a comeback! Which means, lately I find myself slightly less interested in digging through piles of used anything. J I’m a major retro girl and right now my current addiction is old linen souvenir table clothes which I use to cover lampshades and cushions (though I have a funny feeling that cushions aren’t called cushions in the US!!!!!

Fairy Bad Day back cover copy

2010-09-30T07:53:00.002+13:00

Yay - here is the back cover copy for Fairy Bad Day! I'll be putting it up on my website later today but thought you might want a sneak peek of it here first!!!!!

My life seriously couldn’t get any worse.

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.

It's going to be a fairy bad day.

Joanne Rendell

2010-09-19T09:19:00.006+12:00

Whoops - sorry for disappearing! I was so excited to finish my third Djinn novel that I kinda sorta forgota blog!!!!! Anyway, since then I've been having an extremely gorgeous time researching my new YA. Which, for the record is a complete first since my books don't really require much research, but this new one is a bit of a stretch for me and I've actually been enjoying trying to get my world building and backstory all sorted out!!!

But I digress, today it's all about my lovely friend Joanne Rendell and the release of her new book, Out of the Shadows! Jo and I first met after we shared an editor at NAL and we instantly bonded over...well everything! I even got to meet her briefly at the RWA conference in San Fransisco where she is as youthfully gorgeous as her photo implies (but despite this I like her anyway!!!!!!)

Even more exciting, it's now the release of her third book, Out of the Shadows, which I've been looking forward to reading for a very long time!!!!

While unraveling the secrets of her DNA, one woman discovers a monster. The monster is the man she loves…

Thirty-four year old, Professor Clara Fitzgerald has been living in the shadows of her fiancé for too long. While her career seems stalled, his scientific research is on the cusp of a major breakthrough. Professor Anthony Greene is an ambitious geneticist, who is being courted by the top universities and powerful pharmaceutical companies. His fight against cancer in the laboratory doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for Clara anymore.

But when Clara stumbles on an old copy of Frankenstein and remembers her mother’s claim that they are related to the nineteenth-century author, Mary Shelley, everything changes.

With her beautiful but troublesome sister in tow and the help of Kay, a retired Shelley scholar, Clara begins a search for the author’s long lost journals and letters. This search reveals surprising facts about the passionate young woman who wrote Frankenstein, who was the child of two radical writers, and who eloped to Europe with a wild-eyed poet named Percy Shelley.

During her search, Clara also unearths shocking secrets about her fiancé. Like Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein, Anthony is on a secret quest to extend life – and this quest has driven him to cross ethical lines.

Told from alternating points of view between Clara and the young Mary Shelley who is preparing to write Frankenstein, Out of the Shadows is a tale of hubris and greed, passion and truth, loss and love. It is a story that spans two centuries and warns us about the age-old dangers of mixing ambition with the power of science.

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee why I've been so excited about the release of this book????!!! Anyway, so you can get to know Joanne a bit more, let's have a wee chat to her!

What was the inspiration behind this book?

I’ve always loved Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s a wonderful gothic novel, but it’s very thoughtful, daring, and extremely prescient too – even now, two hundred years after it was written. In the novel, Shelley dared to ask “what if?” She looked around at the emerging technologies of her time and she considered their darker sides and how they could turn monstrous (and even make monsters!). I still find it amazing that she wrote such a daring and thoughtful, poignant and provocative novel when she was just nineteen. Not only that, she was living in early nineteenth century Europe when young girls weren’t supposed to think about monsters and science, let alone write about them!

Anyway, I knew I wanted to write a book about Mary Shelley and as I began to do research, I fell in love with Shelley more and more. She was fiery and smart, outspoken and thoughtful, a non-conformist and a caring mother. I kept reminding myself, though, that I wasn’t going to write a Shelley biography. Out of the Shadows explores the echoes and links between the past, our current moment, and our possible future. I wanted the book to be both about Mary Shelley, but also about how her amazing imagination and insights still resonate today. I wanted Mary Shelley’s story to sit side by side with the story of a modern woman who, although living in a very different world to Shelley, still faces some of the same challenges, fears, and possibilities.

Are you a plotter or a punster and do you find your process changes from book to book?

A little bit of both! I always have a pretty clear idea of the whole plot when I start. Sometimes I even outline chapters. But as I begin to write I’m often taken in all kinds of different directions. Those pesky characters start doing and saying unexpected things and the next thing you know you’re writing a book you never imagined!

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

“Get out of your own way!” I don’t know if this is a famous expression, but I heard someone use it a while ago and I loved it. So often we get tied into knots by our inhibitions or worries about what other people think we end up standing in our own way and hindering all the amazing and creative things we could potentially do. When I’m writing, and I’m having a bad day, I start to worry “Is this good enough?” “Will my editor like it?” “Is it an idea that will sell?” But then I have to remind myself to “shut up and scoot over” and when I do that, the writing starts flowing again! Oooh - I love this and there is a very tiny chance that it might apply to me!!!!

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Okay, not wanting to sound like a Birkenstock-wearing, wool-spinning hippie (not that there is anything wrong with Birkenstock-wearing, wool-spinning hippies, of course - I’m just not one!) but I don’t watch TV. Occasionally, we stream the news but that’s about it. The last TV show I watched was on DVD and it was series 2 of the “last generation” Star Trek. How I love Captain Kirk and the gang! We do watch a lot of movies, however. Recently I picked up a great book called The Best Old Movies for Families (link http://www.amazon.com/Best-Old-Movies-Families-Watching/dp/1400096863). It’s a fabulous guide and together with my seven year old Benny we have been watching a ton of classic movies – e.g. all of Charlie Chaplin’s greats, Frank Capra’s classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, and Mr Deeds goes to Town, plus all the must-sees like Gone with the Wind and The Philadelphia Story. I used to be so screen-illiterate and so getting to know these amazing old movies has been really fun and illuminating.No television? I'm feeling a bit ill at the thought of it! However, since you're into the movies I'm going to forgive you! Actually, I only recently watched Casablanca and finally found out what all the fuss was about! Talk about a master class in dialogue!!!

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer.

I’m a very talented movie editor! Well, okay, I might be more of a very amateur and highly untrained movie editor. Nonetheless, I’m having a ball making movies with my son and then editing them with my very cheap and bottom-of-the-range movie-making software. If I could start my career all over again, I would head to Hollywood! Here’s our biggest production so far.

Embed code for the movie:

And if you want to waste more of your life, you can check out more movies at Benny’s blog: http://theworldaccordingtobenny.blogspot.com/

GCC presents Lucienne Diver

2010-09-10T18:27:00.004+12:00

Yay!!!! Not only have I finished my wip but today I get to tour the full-of-awesome Lucienne Diver and her book, Revamped!!!! Not only is Lucienne an agent by day and a writer by night, but she's also a giver and we all like that, so if you head over to her virtual launch party on September 15th at Bitten by Books you could go in to win an iPod Nano with a special fashion skin. Gina would approve!

In Vamped, Gina and her minions defeated a vampire vixen, a psycho-psychic and the vampire council of Mozulla, Ohio. Gina was all ready to expose vampires to the world in all their fanged fabulosity…until the Feds arrived to sweep everything under the rug and make them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

In ReVamped, Gina and her boyfriend Bobby are sent undercover to infiltrate a New York high school where some seriously weird stuff is going down. Worse than that, Gina’s new super-secret identity is as goth-girl Geneva Belfry. No color palette to speak of. More chains than a bike rack. And don’t even get her started on the shoes. At least she won’t be too worried about blood spatter when kicking the butt of her newest nemesis, who’s decided that the high school makes a perfect playground.

How cool do Lucienne's books sound - especially if you're like me and enjoy the lighter side of dark (because seriously people, sometimes we gotta chill from all the angst!!!!!). Anyway, as normal I've put Lucienne through my regular hard-hitting questions. Sit back and enjoy!!!!!!

What was the inspiration behind this book?

My character, Gina, who I love with a fiery passion similar to heartburn, insisted that her story continue from Vamped into ReVamped. Now she’s insisted on two more books, Fangtastic and Fangtabulous, both forthcoming. Luckily, she’s drawn her readers and my publisher into her sphere of influence and they’ve agreed to keep her in the limelight. She’s even insisted on her own blog: http://ginasgems.livejournal.com. You know that feeling where you don’t so much write the book as channel the characters? I’m so there. Sigh. Yes, I know this feeling far too well. I have a two thousand year old dead djinn called Malik in my new series and some of the things that he comes out with would make a grown woman weep. Oh, and when I try and put a muzzle on it he just laughs at me and demands that I give him more Cheetos!!!!!

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

Generally, I’m a pantser. I find this doesn’t so much change from book to book as series to series. Usually, voice occurs to me first. Characters just start having a dialogue in my head and I have to find out their stories. Every once in awhile it’s the concept that comes to me first, and I need to plot out the characters, who I come to know by the needs of the story rather than the other way around. It’s very interesting. With a diva like Gina, a fashionista gone from chic to eek when she becomes one of the undead, it’s definitely the character that drives the plot rather than vice versa. I find she so often throws a monkey-wrench into my works that it doesn’t pay to plot more than a few chapters ahead, though I always have a general sense of where I’m going.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

I don’t know who first said, “Get it down, then get it right,” but he or she was a genius. I used to go endlessly over what I’d written, rewriting and rewriting, insisting on perfection before I could move forward. The problem is that there’s truly no such thing as perfection. If you go looking for flaws, you’ll find them every single time you read something over. It kills the forward momentum of the writing to continually rehash what’s already been done. This is not to say that manuscripts don’t require revision, tweaks, polish and the whole nine yards, but sometimes the “Get it down, then get it right” philosophy is all that gets me to the words “The End.”

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

That’s a tough one. My husband jokes that I like “dead people” shows—anything from the humorous, like Castle, Psych and Monk (man, do I miss Monk), to the serious, like Criminal Minds, Forensic Files, Extreme Forensics. Favorite EVAR, though, is, hands down, Buffy the Vampires Slayer…or maybe Firefly. We are now officially BFF - Team Buffy/Angel/Firefly all the way!

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I love this question—might be the use of the word fabulous! Hmm, secret talent…the ability to get lost in my own kitchen? My puzzle proclivity? My not-so-secret talents (my husband calls them addictions) are scrapbooking and jewelry making, though ever since my series has come out, I don’t have the time for them that I used to!

Watch this space

2010-09-10T10:01:00.003+12:00

Nope, not dead. Just writing. Been a crazy week but the book is two scenes away from being finished and about 10k over the word count. Whoopsy! Anyway, I will be back later today with a new GCC blog tour and a catch up!

I've also added a link to Judith Grave's Crossroads tour that's coming up in October. Lots of cool authors are going to be there so make sure you mark your diaries! Right and now, because I'm all about the djinn magic (at least for two more scenes) I'm snapping my fingers and disappearing in a puff of smoke. Gone!

GCC presents Kristina Springer

2010-09-04T07:32:00.003+12:00

Today I'm so excited to tour Kristina Springer's new book, My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this title and the premise of this book and I've soooo just added it to my large reading pile!

Anyway, here is the skinny:

Seventh grade was supposed to be fun, but Tori is having major drama with her BFF, Sienna. Sienna changed a lot over the summer—on the first day of school she’s tan, confident, and full of stories about her new dreamy boyfriend. Tori knows that she’s totally making this guy up. So Tori invents her own fake boyfriend, who is better than Sienna’s in every way. Things are going great—unless you count the whole lying-to-your-best-friend thing—until everyone insists Tori and Sienna bring their boyfriends to the back-to-school dance.

See, I told you that it sounded awesome!!! Anyway, as usual, I've put Kristina through her paces and here's what she had to say!!!!

What was the inspiration behind this book?

I may have had a 7th grade fake boyfriend… J

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

Both! It depends on the book. With The Espressologist, I went to my local Starbucks a couple of times a week and wrote whatever I felt like at the time. With My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours, I outlined the entire book chapter by chapter first.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

“Don’t Quit!”

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Big Brother and any Real Housewives of Wherever (they’re all great!)! Yeah, I’m a reality TV junkie. The Hills was my fave but sadly it’s gone now. L

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I make fabulous coffee drinks!

Come and play

2010-09-03T12:40:00.002+12:00

My fabulous CP, Christina Phillips has her blog party going and despite the fact she writes erotica, I'm giving away a copy of Zombie, because that's the way I roll!!! I'm also talking about Buffy/Angel and forbidden love so come and join me!

I'm also posting a GCC tour tonight with Kristina Springer, so watch this space, not to mention the fact that I seem to be writing the book that will not end! Have hit my contracted word count and no sign of the resolution anywhere in sight. Interesting!!!!!!!

So close...

2010-08-31T22:06:00.003+12:00

To the end of this book!!!!! It's been just over a year since I sold this trilogy on proposal and now the final book is almost done. I'd like to say that I'm sad, but actually I'm quite excited to tie everything up and let my characters have a wee rest, since let's face it, I haven't exactly been kind to them. But hey, I'm just doing my job!!!!!

I'm blogging over Routines for Writers this week and it's actually with my library hat on this time, so if you've got a chance, I'd love for you to check it out. I've also just finished reading Alyson Noel's Shadowland, which I loved - I think it's the best book so far in her Immortals series, though I've jumped straight into Dark Flame so I might stand corrected very soon!

Not much else to report. We're in the middle of painting our house so in between everything else, I've been trying to paint everything that doesn't move (and sometimes a stray child or two who wanders into my path because Slap Dash is my middle name!)

Anyway, I'll be back in a day or two with a new GCC tour and hopefully the happy news that the book is in the bag. I also think that we're not far from seeing the arcs for Fairy Bad Day, which is very exciting. I'm dying to share my cover as well, so watch this space...

Fame at last!

2010-08-29T20:59:00.002+12:00

For those who don't know, my absolute favorite blog in the whole entire world is Pink is the New Blog. My day honestly wouldn't be complete without it. Anyway, since Trent loves all things pink, I sent him a link to Everton's away shirt, which is ridiculously pink. Well, I'm very excited that he mentioned it in the PITNB readers section he runs every Sunday!!!!!!

So, I'm curious, does anyone else get geeked at stuff like this, or is it just me?????

Christina Phillips is having a party!

2010-08-27T14:08:00.004+12:00

Woot - as some of you know, my wonderful cp, Christina Phillips is gearing up for the release of her debut novel, Forbidden and to celebrate she's having a massive blog party. Now this is the part where I give you a warning - it's for over eighteens only!!!!

Sorry guys, but she writes hot, hot, hot books that are definitely not YA (but they are amazing!!!!!!!)

Anyway, in addition to the party, Christina's giving away a signed copy of Forbidden to one lucky person who helps spread the love. All you have to do is mention the party (you can copy and paste this blurb), being held from 1st to 6th September at http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com. You can Tweet about it, blog, Facebook, MySpace or anything! And then drop her an email at ChristinapPh @ gmail dot com (no spaces) to let her know. Please put Forbidden Launch Party (or something similar) in the subject line. The winner will be drawn for that on Monday 6th September.

Not dead just busy

2010-08-25T12:08:00.002+12:00

Whoops - sorry for the lack of bloggage lately! I've been away at Sydney for a conference and hard at work trying to wrap up this third book. I've also had a heap of guest blogs and articles to write and most of them are in the bag now, phew!!!!! I'm actually over at teen fiction cafe today talking about Skins and I'm trying to avoid Twitter so that I don't hear any Mockingjay spoilers (though most tweets are being awesomely vague - bless them!!!!!)

What's everyone else been up to?????

I Could Be Happy - Altered Images

2010-08-04T09:30:00.000+12:00

Heard this song last night and had an immediate flashback to the eighties. Enjoy!

Fun!

2010-07-30T08:02:00.002+12:00

Can you tell I've been having fun with the new blogger templates! Expect it to change daily!!!! Apart from that I still feel a bit bleurgh. I'm okay until I do anything dumb like, you know, stand up. Still, since writing doesn't require too much standing, it's not too bad!

The plague has struck

2010-07-28T11:04:00.002+12:00

Blah - I've been sick all week with some of plague (okay, so perhaps it's just a cold, but I can assure you that it is a superior cold and I'm suffering in a very dignified silence about it!). However, sickness waits for no man, or author so I've been working hard on my Fairy Bad Day copy edits which are now all done and sent off. I've also been getting stuck into Djinn and finally some progress has been made. Hopefully the book will be finished in two weeks as planned!!!

Not much else to report. I'm blogging over at Teen Fiction Cafe and I have a zillion and one things to get ticked off my list today. Okay, I don't really have a list because that smacks of organization, but if I did have a list, it would be very long!

I'm also reading Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich, which I'm loving and my husband is hating because it makes me laugh out loud when he's trying to get to sleep!!!

My editor has also told me that they're working on my new cover which fills me with extreme excitement! Anyway, as soon as I have something I will let you all see it! And now, back to work for me (or coughing and spluttering as is the case!!)

School holidays

2010-07-13T09:17:00.003+12:00

Yup, the words that every writer dreads! Gone are the nice long children-free hours and instead the house is now full of kids who seem to eat All Day Long!!! Still, we're having fun. We went and saw How to Train Your Dragon again and I loved it just as much the second time around. Also watched Percy Jackson. Was it just me or did Percy have a Zac Efron thing going on? Anyway, I really enjoyed it!

I'm still slugging my way through my wip. I'm about a third through, which is a good sign since for me, the beginning is always the hardest and I will re-write it constantly until I'm happy with the set up. And then I'll re-write it some more because that's what crazy people on deadlines do!

I actually went and re-read Fairy Bad Day yesterday as well. I was pretty nervous about it since it's had quite a lot of major surgery from the original draft and sometimes it's hard to know if the flow is still there. Thankfully, it read a lot better than I had hoped for (mainly because my editor is a genius!!!!!) so now I'm getting excited about its release!!!! There has been cover talk though I haven't seen anything yet, but hopefully that's not too far away.

In other news, as most people probably know, the last month has been full of the World Cup. I was pretty devastated that England put in such a poor showing and it took me about a week to recover, but it was nice to see that Liverpool was represented on both sides of the final! Well done Spain (and well done Octopus!!!!!)

Anyway, that's me, what's everyone else been up to?

GCC presents Jenny O'Connell

2010-07-02T19:20:00.003+12:00

It's been a super busy week, with me trying to do as much writing as possible before my kids start their winter holiday, not to mention sneaking out to watch Eclipse with Sara Hantz and her too-cool-for-school daughter. Anyway, despite the fact that I didn't love the books (well, book, since I only read the first one) I've really been enjoying the movies. Especially the werewolves - both in their unclothed state and when they actually turn wolf!!!!

Anyway, today, I'm touring Jenny O'Connell and the first two books in her Island Summer series(which both have covers that I totally heart!!!!). Now for those of you who don't know, Jenny O'Connell writes women's fiction, ya books, non-fiction AND works and has a family. Quite frankly that just makes my head-spin, but she seems to pull it off in major style!!!!!

Jenny also has a cool competition running over at her blog and you have until the 7th of July to enter it!

LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS highlight the lives of the summering visitors, the year-round locals living in the beach towns of Martha’s Vineyard, and the fireworks that explode when they combine for three steamy months. And don't forget to check out Jenny's blog for her competitions and behind the scenes peek at the books!!!

In LOCAL GIRLS, friendships are in danger of ending with the summer. Kendra and Mona are best friends, local girls who spend their summers catering to rich tourists and the rest of the year chafing against small-town life. Then Mona's mom marries one of the island's rich summer visitors, and Mona joins the world of the Boston elite, leaving Kendra and Martha's Vineyard behind. When Mona returns the following summer, everything is different.

Unlike his sister, Mona's twin brother Henry hasn't changed. He's spending his summer the way he always has: with long, quiet hours fishing. Early mornings before work become special for Kendra as she starts sharing them with Henry, hoping he can help her figure Mona out. Then Kendra hatches a plan to prove she's Mona's one true friend: uncover the identity of the twins' birth father, a question that has always obsessed Mona. And so she begins to unravel the seventeen-year-old mystery of the summer boy who charmed Mona's mother. But it may prove to be a puzzle better left unsolved--as what she is about to discover will change their lives forever...

In RICH BOYS, Winnie jumps at the chance to babysit for a wealthy summer family and earn some extra money—but soon learns that life in the Barclay’s beautiful vacation home isn’t as perfect as it appears. And what was supposed to be a carefree summer quickly becomes more complicated than she ever thought possible.

And now that I've got your interest, here is an interview with Jenny!

Tell me a bit about your book.

LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS are the first two books in my Island Summer series. They take place on Martha’s Vineyard during the summer. Each book is told in first person from the point of view of a single character who was introduced vaguely in the book before, so it’s like a spotlight on one person with the island as the stage. Each book offers a glimpse into the lives of girls dealing with the confusion life throws at them while living in a place that feels like a ferry ride and a world away until summer transforms it during the summer.

What was the inspiration for writing it?

The books take place on Martha’s Vineyard , so first and foremost summer was the greatest inspiration. And the island, which I’ve gone to every summer for ten years – I love the place. I’ve always felt like summer is a time when anything can happen, it’s all about possibility. LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS have very different plots, but they’re both about the opportunities and changes summer brings.

I'm a sucker for a sale story, so I'd love to hear how you sold your first book.

In November I had a dream that I thought would make a cool book. I started writing it. But I also had a demanding job, so I figured I wouldn’t write the whole thing if it wouldn’t sell. In December I contacted a few agents and they asked for partials. An agent offered representation in January. But I didn’t have a completed book. I lied and bought myself some time to finish it. She loved it and sold it in February. In the course of three months I went from not having a book to having a book deal. It was on the shelves in August. So in less than I year I went from never having written a book to having one in bookstores. And then the reality hit me that I’d have to write another one, and panic set in.

Since you've been a published writer, what's been the coolest thing that's happened to you? (though be warned if it somehow involves meeting David Boreanaz, there will be jealousy issues to deal with).

I’ve been on the Today Show in Australia , CNN, spent the day at Judy Blume’s house on Martha’s Vineyard , and been on morning TV shows with Kevin Bacon and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. But those were all one-time things. The two coolest things that continue to happen are hanging out with the amazing women writers I’ve met and the emails I get from readers who loved one of my books.

What authors inspire you and why?

Norma Klein was my favorite writer when I was a teenager and I continue to go back and read her books when I need to remember how awesome a teen book can be.