Friday, December 21, 2007

Spooky News & Links

Skin Hunger: A Resurrection of Magic, Book 1, by Kathleen Duey (Atheneum, 2007): a recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith from GregLSBlog. Here's a sneak peek: "Duey skillfully uses Sadima's story to illuminate Hahp's, creating characters that are expertly drawn and a fantasy world that is textured and real." Read the whole recommendation and a Cynsations interview with Kathleen.

"Spiderwick Chronicles meets up with SexySassySmartTV" at YouTube. Catch a short interview with Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. Now learn about the movie and the next Spiderwick series, also at YouTube. Visit The Spiderwick Chronicles, and read a Cynsations interview with Holly. Source: Melissa (subscribe to her blog at MySpace). Note: plan to see the "The Spiderwick Chronicles" movie on opening weekend! Coming February 2008!

Reminder to vampire fiction fans: don't miss Heather Brewer's fang-tastic new series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod (Dutton, 2007-). Check out this trailer, read an interview with Heather by Little Willow at Slayground, and visit Heather at MySpace!
The Graphic Novels Guy from Buzz, Balls & Hype by M. J. Rose.

Attention writers: if you haven't already, take a look at this writer montage from YouTube! Source: Tanya Lee Stone. Note: just for fun!

More Personally

From Publisher's Lunch, new deals for Dec. 14: "Cynthia Leitich Smith's Tantalize, a graphic novel adaptation of the author's prose romantic suspense novel Tantalize, retelling the story from the werewolf's point of view, to Deb Wayshak at Candlewick, for publication in 2009, by Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown (World English)." Note: I first learned to read by myself with the comic format (and have continued to enjoy it since), and the early drafts of Tantalize were written from Kieren's POV, so writing this book feels like coming full-circle as a reader and with this story. I'm thrilled!

In addition, Listening Library will be releasing an audio edition of Tantalize in 2008! Note: The book will be read by Kim Mai Guest, whose audio credits include Wait for Me by An Na, How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, and Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles.

Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith by Sarah Aronson at Through the Tollbooth. This interview highlights my own writing process; however, it's also very much about the author's life more globally. I answer questions about blogging, creating a Web presence, the five keys to success now, our greatest obstacle, and promotion. Here's a sneak peek: "I have found that it helps to celebrate every victory no matter how small. You finished your draft? Celebrate! You received a personal rejection letter? Celebrate! Your workshop leader says your story arc is stronger? An agent asks for the whole manuscript? You've sold your first book? Your fiftieth? Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!" Thanks to Jo Knowles, Debbi Michiko Florence, and Elizabeth O. Dulemba (congratulations, Elizabeth!) for related posts! Read a Cynsations interview with Sarah Aronson of Through the Tollbooth.

Reminder: I'll be chatting at Faerie Drink Forums from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8. See complete list of authors and schedule.

The December giveaway at the Tantalize Fans Unite! group at MySpace is two gift certificates for Italian dinners and two copies of The Far Sweet Thing by Libba Bray (Delacorte, Dec. 16 2007). Read a Cynsations interview with Libba. Visit me at MySpace!

Congratulations to the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at The University of Kansas in Lawrence on its 60th anniversary! I'm a 1991 graduate in news/editorial and public relations. Note: I'm also a 1994 graduate of The University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm in 2007! Happy Holidays!