Monday, September 28, 2009

New Voice: Pam Bachorz on Candor

Pam Bachorz is the first-time author of Candor (Egmont, 2009). From the promotional copy:

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages.

He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain.

Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida; before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens.

But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.


Are you a plotter or a plunger? Do you outline first, write to explore first, or engage some combination of the two? Then where do you go from there? What about this approach appeals to you? What advice do you have for beginning writers struggling with plot?

I am a plotter who tries to be open to the possibilities of plunging as I write.

Before I start writing, I decide on my story's major plot points: two turning points with a midpoint between 'em, and the climax. I also try to see what the two "pinch points" are--things that help to hold up the plot between the "big events."

This may sound a bit clinical or overdone to some, but I find it much easier to be expansive and creative when there's a structure to start with.

Next, I turn to my "story wire:" a long, long horizontal wire hanging in my office (a $10 IKEA curtain hanger) with lots of curtain clips dangling from it. While I plot, I write down very brief (e.g. 10 words or less) scene descriptions on index cards, and hang them on the wire. Then I move them around, taking individual scenes off the wire (and sometimes putting them back on) as needed, until I feel like I have a good sense of how my story will be "shaped." Usually I end up discarding as many scenes as I keep.

This entire planning method borrows heavily from Syd Field's screenwriting techniques (Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop DVD by Syd Field (Final Draft, 2002). I love that guy. I watch his DVD at least once at the start of each project, to stop the ever-escalating panic that I have no idea what I am going to do with my bright, shiny idea.

While I'm working on my plot, I also like to do freewriting about my characters: sometimes in their voice, sometimes as an impartial reporter, sometimes as a weird mother-figure who loves them terribly (can you tell I'm a mama in my "real" life?). I find this really helps to inform what happens in my plot. As we all well know, the best plot is driven by the characters' actions… and how will I know what they'll do unless I get to know them a bit?

That being said, I discover an awful lot about my characters as I write the story—and the plot changes too. Even with all my preparation, I still ask myself at the start of each chapter: "What really should be happening next? Does my story wire leave anything out? Can I skip ahead to something more interesting?"

Often the answer is to stay on the path I already sketched out with my plot cards. But sometimes the story and the characters, take over. I just hold on tight and let them take me for a ride—but not without some kind of map! During those times, I'll usually make sure my next big plot point still makes sense (if it doesn't, I’ll change it), then just figure out the new plot, one or two chapters as a time, as I write.

This approach appeals to me because I like to know what's coming next. Awhile ago, my son was having a problem with transitioning between activities at daycare. The teacher said she had to first inform him a change was coming and then tell him what was coming next.

I couldn't understand why this was a bad or unusual thing. "Of course," I told her. "Who doesn't want to know what's coming?" So I guess my writer self is a two-year-old who just wants structure and a hint at what comes next.

I've tried it the other way: I have a completed National Novel Writing Month middle-grade novel in my drawer that I wrote by plunging. And it’s pretty bad. Of course no NaNoWriMo baby is truly great, but this one wasn't even worth editing. And I hating the wild lost feeling I had the entire time.

Can you tell I'm one of those people who doesn't drive anywhere without my GPS? No control issues here, no siree.

For writers struggling with plot, I'd suggest turning to plot-writing guides by screenwriters. It's always good to experience art outside of the realm you're creating in.

Plus, in my experience, it seems like plot is far less mystical and more of a learned craft for screenwriters. Many of the novel "plotting" books I've read suggest doing things like just "letting it grow organically" and "writing what makes your toes tingle."

Bah. If my toes tingle, it's because I forgot to turn the heat up. I think people struggling with plot should try concrete techniques and exercises, and then see what works for them.

As someone with a full-time day job, how do you manage to also carve out time to write and build a publishing career? What advice do you have for other writers trying to do the same?

It's not easy, but I can't afford to be a full-time writer, not yet. So I work a full-time job, mother a preschooler, and try to find time to ensure that my husband doesn't forget what color my eyes are! I have to schedule my writing time.

At the end of each week, I pull out a little calendar template that I made for myself. It has certain "guaranteed" writing times that I use every week (for example, 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the weekdays). And then there are blanks to fill in other times.

I schedule a minimum of ten writing hours per week (sometimes many more when I am in the midst of a project), on top of any "pro" time I spend answering interviews, talking with my agent, working on my website, etc. Then I post my little calendar on the door to my study.

My husband can check anytime and see that he'll be having some quality solo-daddy time on Sunday morning, but I did leave Monday night open, etc.

I try to vary my schedule a little each week to stay on my toes and not get too settled into a routine. I find it's harder to get started if I write at the same time week after week (except for my weekday mornings!).



Cynsational Notes

The New Voices Series is a celebration of debut authors of 2009. First-timers may also be featured in more traditional author interviews over the course of the year.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Spooky News & Giveaways (Signed Copy of Eternal and I HEART My Guardian Angel T-shirt)

Enter to win the Reading is Fundamental/Super Contest sponsored by Lee A Verday at Lee A. Verday's Book/Writing Blog. Winner-take-all prize package includes:

- a signed copy of The Hollow by Jessica Verday (Simon Pulse, September 2009);

- a "R.U.H2?" T-shirt (R-U-H-Squared?)(Stands for aRe yoU Haunted by the Hollow?);

- Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris (Point, 2009);

- The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Grand Central, 2009);

- The Palace of Strange Girls by Sallie Day (Grand Central, 2009);

- Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2009); and

- an "I HEART My Guardian Angel" T-shirt (which ties into Eternal).


New followers of Lee's blog can also enter to win a signed ARC of Darklight by Lesley Livingston (HarperCollins, December 2009). Deadline: midnight PST Oct. 12. See more information.

More News

In the video below, Melissa de la Cruz talks about The Van Alen Legacy (Hyperion, 2009), the latest in her Blue Bloods series. Source: The Compulsive Reader. Read a Cynsations interview with Melissa.



Blogfest 2009: 40 Authors, 14 Questions, 2 Weeks, 1 Blog from Sept. 21 to Oct. 4 from Simon & Schuster. Peek: "Featuring Holly Black, Lisa McMann, L.J. Smith, Scott Westerfeld and more!" See also Lisa Schroeder, Jessica Verday, and the whole list!

Showing vs. Telling from Nathan Bransford--Literary Agent. Peek: "My interpretation is this. With the understanding that 'if it works it works,' and there are always exceptions, in general: universal emotions should not be 'told.' Instead, we should be shown how the character is reacting to their feelings." Note: think about exceptions when you hit your protagonist's epiphany. Read a Cynsations interview with Nathan.

The Wedding of Anastasia Jessica Packwood and Lucius Valeriu Vladescu: a fiction extension of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (Harcourt, 2009) at Beth's website.

Seven Ways to Write a Book Faster by Evan Marshall at The Cuckleburr Times. Peek: "When I’m writing a novel, I don’t allow myself to print out a hard copy until the first draft is completely finished. Printing out--for me, at least--leads to all kinds of distractions that slow writing down." Source: April Henry.

The Turning Point by Jo Whittemore at Jo's Journal. Peek: "...the turning point is not always a happy one, but it does allow us to see how your character has grown. Sometimes, it happens just before the final conflict, and sometimes it happens a wee bit earlier." Read a Cynsations interview with Jo.

How to Get Your Book Reviewed on a Blog by Anastasia Suen at Blog Central. Peek: "Read, read, read blogs, so you don't waste your time and money chasing folks who don't even read what you write!" Read a Cynsations interview with Anastasia.

Perspiration: Professional Critiques from Cynthia Leitich Smith Children's Literature Resources. Listing of paid children's-YA manuscript critiquers/coaches. Note: industry pros may want to point beginners to this page.

List of YA Authors by State from YALSA's wiki. Peek: "This page will collect the names of YA authors and list them by state, for the purpose of helping librarians, library workers and educators to plan author visits and other such programs. If you know of a YA author who resides in your state (or if you are one!), please add the name of the author and his or her web site information below under the appropriate state." Source: Paula Chase Hyman.

Agent Spotlight: Joe Monti from Literary Rambles: Being a blog of desultory thoughts on writing and life. Peek: "I'll be focusing on children's and young adult, or teen, literature as well as some adult genre fiction. I'm also interested in working with folks who are writer-artists of graphic works, from graphic novels to picture books. Specifically I love work that breaks new ground, a work that is subversive or enlightening by utilizing a different approach." Source: Children's Book Biz News.

Writing in the Zone by Brian Yansky at Brian's Blog: Writer Talk: Random thoughts on the art and craft of fiction writing. Peek: "...there’s that one very magical part to writing (like with Taekwondo); everything has to work together without the writer consciously forcing it to do so (of course when rewriting the writer will be very conscious about his choices). The writer has to find that unconscious place where he becomes the story." Read a Cynsations interview with Brian.

Interview With Joni Sensel by Janet S. Fox from Through the Wardrobe. Peek: "The great thing about young protagonists is that they're still being formed and shaped by events and their own actions." Read a Cynsations interview with Janet.

2010 Houston-SCBWI Conference will be held on Feb. 20, 2010 at the Merrell Center in Katy. Registration is now open. Faculty includes Cynthia Leitich Smith, award-winning author and Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member; Ruta Rimas, assistant editor at Balzar & Bray/HarperCollins; Patrick Collins, creative director at Henry Holt; Alexandra Cooper, senior editor at Simon & Schuster; Lisa Ann Sandell, senior editor at Scholastic; and Sara Crowe, agent at Harvey Klinger. Note: "All the speakers will be doing critiques. Critique spots are limited." See registration and information. Read a Cynsations interview with Sara.

Children's & YA Writers' Reading List: Links
from Cynthia Leitich Smith Children's-YA Literature Resources. Mega round-up of information on agents, book design and art direction, editors and publishers, education, illustration, promotion, publishing, and writing.

Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey (Book 2 of A Resurrection of Magic)(Atheneum, 2009): a recommendation from Greg Leitich Smith at GregLSBlog. Peek: "...an intense and fascinating story of obsession and evil." Read a Cynsations interview with Kathleen about Skin Hunger (Book 1 of the Resurrection of Magic)(Atheneum, 2007).

Why Was My Manuscript Rejected? 3 Literary Agents, 3 Opinions: Andrea Cascardi of Transatlantic Literary Agency, Anna Olswanger of Liza Dawson Associates, and Ann Tobias of A Literary Agency for Children's Books will be hosting a manuscript workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Shelburne Hotel (303 Lexington Avenue (at 37th Street)) in New York. "The workshop promises to be lively with three, possibly different, opinions about the strength and weaknesses of each manuscript. We will also discuss marketplace considerations, writing tips, and hold a general Q&A session. Register early for the special rate of $195. After Oct. 25, the rate goes up to $225. Group size is strictly limited to allow a full discussion of each participant's manuscript, which the agents will read in advance of the workshop." Note: "Our first workshop, in April 2009, was a sell-out." Read a Cynsations interview with Anna.

Drains In Disguise by Kristi Holl at Writer's First Aid. Peek: "Taking care of the unfinished business that nags at your mind–and keeps you from feeling like you can settle down to write–may be necessary before you can tackle your writing assignment."

More Personally

Last weekend I signed onto Twitter @CynLeitichSmith! Please find me! Note: check out Twitter Chats for Writers by Debbie Ridpath Ohi at InkyGirl.com: Daily Diversions for Writers.

I also added an IndieBound widget to the sidebar of Cynsations at Blogger (haven't figured out how to do that at LiveJournal), and I'll ask my genius webmaster, Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys, to add it to the main site on the next monthly update. Note: I recommend that authors/illustrators check out this easy-to-use feature and consider adding it to their own sites/blogs.

In other news, my JacketFlap and YA YNot? pages also have been updated.

Book Bag: Sink your teeth into these by Lani Stack from The Advocate Weekly Online. A full-article review recommending Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007, 2008) and Eternal (Candlewick, 2009). She writes: "Tantalize offers a substantial plot and a charismatic lead character. The first-person narration captures both the self-questioning angst and brash confidence of a headstrong teenager. Add devilish supporting characters and complex, clever and well-paced plot, and Tantalize is a darkly delicious read for older teens."

Giveaway Reminders

Enter to win a contributor-signed copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Little, Brown, 2009)! My short story, "The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, is included in the collection, and we are happy to sign and personalize the book, if the winner so desires. To enter this giveaway, email me (scroll and click envelope) with your name and snail/street mail address and type "Geektastic" in the subject line (Facebook, JacketFlap, and MySpace readers are welcome to just message me with the name in the header). Deadline: Sept. 30.

Cynsational Events

Jessica Lee Anderson (Border Crossings (Milkweed, 2009)) and P.J. Hoover (The Forgotten Worlds Book 2: The Navel of the World (CBAY, 2009)) will have a joint book release party at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at BookPeople. Read Cynsations interviews with Jessica and P.J.

The Texas Book Festival take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Austin. Featured children's-YA authors include: Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast, Rosemary Clement-Moore, K.A. Holt, and Cynthia Leitich Smith. See the whole list!

SCBWI-Illinois' Fifth Annual Prairie Writer's Day: Brick by Brick: The Architecture of Our Stories will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Speakers include: Stacy Cantor, associate editor at Walker; Nick Eliopulos, associate editor at Random House; T.S. Ferguson, assistant editor at Little, Brown; Yolanda LeRoy, editorial director at Charlesbridge; Cynthia Leitich Smith, award-winning author and Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member; and Michael Stearns, agent and co-founder of Upstart Crow Literary. Read Cynsations interviews with Yolanda and Michael. Note: Michael has recently changed literary agencies.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Author Snapshot: Chris Eboch on the Haunted series

Learn more about Chris Eboch.

Could you tell us about the Haunted series (Aladdin, 2009-)?

The Haunted series asks a question: What would you do if a ghost needed your help? Wait--what if you didn't even believe in ghosts?

13-year-old Jon narrates the Haunted series. He's a skeptic, even though his mom and stepdad produce a ghost hunter TV show. In book 1, The Ghost on the Stairs (Aladdin, 2009), Jon and his younger sister, Tania, go along with the TV show on a shoot. Jon is just looking forward to cable movies and room service. But then Tania shares a secret--she has seen the ghost.

Is she going crazy? Lying to get attention? Mistaken by a trick of the light? She couldn't have really seen a ghost--right? Jon has to decide if he believes Tania, and if so, how he can help her--or if he should.

Writing Haunted from Jon's point of view was a special challenge, because he does not see the ghosts. The reader has to get descriptions of the ghosts through Tania's dialogue. But this choice of narrator also gave Jon the additional problem, does he believe his sister or not? Plus, he finds out what's going on secondhand, which is incredibly frustrating for him. And sometimes he has to protect Tania from dangers he can't even see.

I've never written a book with a male first-person narrator before, but that's how the story came into my head. I checked with a couple of male friends, to make sure I nailed the voice. I also had a male editor initially, and he said we're going for the boy audience. The focus is on fast-paced action, spooky fun and a touch of humor.

But I hope girls will like the series as well, especially since they have Tania as a main character. She's really the one who drives the action, dragging Jon into all kinds of trouble. They have a fun relationship, sometimes teasing and bickering, and sometimes Jon is jealous of Tania's gift, but they're close underneath it all.

I have a brother who's a year and a half older, and like Jon and Tania, we got stuck together on long vacations, so maybe some of the characters' relationship came from that.

My family lived in Saudi Arabia for six years when I was in grade school, and I got interested in world history and culture during our overseas travels. My first novel, The Well of Sacrifice (Clarion, 1999), is a Mayan historical adventure. But with market changes, I found it too hard to sell historical fiction.

The Haunted series is a nice compromise, because the ghosts allow me to explore different historical eras, while keeping the characters and action contemporary, with a popular paranormal twist.

The Ghost on the Stairs is set in a Colorado silver mining town with a ghost from the 1880s. Book 2: The Riverboat Phantom (Aladdin, 2009) features a steamboat pilot still trying to prevent a long-ago disaster. Book 3: The Knight in the Shadows (Aladdin, Oct. 2009) is set in New York City and has a Renaissance French squire trying to protect a sword on display in the Metropolitan Museum.

I can take the kids all over the country--maybe someday all over the world -- to provide fresh and unique settings as they explore the world of ghosts.

In this video, Chris talks more about the Haunted series.



Check out this book trailer for the Haunted series.



Cynsational Notes

"The Main Elements of Story: Plot, Character, Setting, and Theme" with author Chris Eboch sponsored by Austin SCBWI is scheduled for Oct. 10. Attendees will receive a $10 discount when registering for the local January 2010 conference--Destination Publication. Seating is limited. Note: Austin SCBWI events often sell out, and at last report, there were only five spots available for Chris's workshop!

Spooky News

Children's Books: An Angelic Autumn by Karen Springen from Publishers Weekly. Peek: "Like modern vampires, they can be gorgeous, immortal and otherworldly heartthrobs...' said Justin Chanda, v-p and publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, who calls angels 'safe gothic' and 'romantic.'" Note: My Gothic fantasy universe features arch and guardian angels, vampires, shapeshifters, and ghosts. It includes Tantalize (2007), Eternal (2009), and Blessed (2011)(all Candlewick) and two short stories--"Haunted Love" from Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, edited by P.C. Cast (BenBella, 2008) and "Cat Calls" from Sideshow: Ten Original Dark Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical, edited by Deborah Noyes (Candlewick, 2009).

Course Corrections by Kristi Holl at Writers First Aid. Peek: "What does the moon mission have to do with writing? Well, I was looking at my yearly goals over the weekend, and like the Apollo mission, my trajectory is off course-and has been most of the year." See also Kristi on Hardiness.

4 Stages of Character Development from Darcy Pattison at Fiction Notes. Peek: "Do your characters progress through similar stages? Blurry, confusing, deeper, inconsistent, exactly what I envisioned." Read a Cynsations interview with Darcy.

Getting an Idea for a Novel from Elizabeth Holmes from Crowe's Nest: An Agent and Her List Discuss Books, Publishing and Beyond. Peek: "An idea is a very personal thing. Before it can become a real, whole, completed, beautiful entity—novel, poem, whatever—it has to be nurtured, often for a very long time. And that takes love."

Of Dogs and Writing--Curb Your Enthusiasm by Susan Taylor Brown. Peek: "The children's publishing world is a small one. People move around all the time. Writers become editors and editors become agents and you never know who you will meet that will help you grow." Note: when in doubt, err on the side of graciousness and forgiveness. Everyone has the occasional bad day.

See the video below for the Tu Publishing Kickstarter Fund-raising Project. Peek: "Tu Publishing is a woman-owned small press start-up that believes in the power of books to change lives. Children's books, especially, have the ability to inform, inspire, and entertain in a way that few mediums can. Tu Publishing is dedicated to publishing fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction for children and young adults inspired by many cultures from around the world... To be able to achieve that goal, we need to raise enough money to fund the acquisition, production, marketing, and distribution of our first two books, for which we hope--with your help--to begin acquiring in January 2010. With your help, we can make this happen. Whether or not you can donate, I'd love to see people, especially teen readers/non-readers, share their own video or blog responses to this video..." Learn more at Tu Publishing and Stacy Whitman's Grimoire: Thoughts on writing, editing, and publishing books for children and young adults.




Examining Narrative Arcs by Stephanie Greene from Through the Tollbooth. Peek: "My point is that as I was trying to think about how to talk more clearly about narrative arcs, I decided to ask the class to read several books so we can diagram their arcs and talk about them together. They needed to be short so that everyone could read them in a week."

Giveaway

Enter to win a contributor-signed copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Little, Brown, 2009)! My short story, "The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, is included in the collection, and we are happy to sign and personalize the book, if the winner so desires. To enter this giveaway, email me (scroll and click envelope) with your name and snail/street mail address and type "Geektastic" in the subject line (Facebook, JacketFlap, and MySpace readers are welcome to just message me with the name in the header). Deadline: Sept. 30.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Spooky News & Geektastic Giveaway Reminder

The Texas Book Festival, which will take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Austin, has announced its slate of featured authors for 2009!

Featured children's-YA authors include: Jessica Lee Anderson, Libba Bray, Janie Bynum, Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Keith Graves, Heather Hepler, K.A. Holt, Jacqueline Kelly, Rick Riordan, Benjamin Alire Saenz, Rene Saldana, Jr., Tammi Sauer, Liz Garton Scanlon, Anita Silvey, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Samantha R. Vamos, Rosemary Wells, Kathy Whitehead, Mo Willems, and Sara Zarr. See the whole list!

Read what TBF has to say about my own featured book, Eternal (Candlewick, 2009)! Peek: "Smith's humor is in the details: an angel offers Yahoo maps as a directional aide, Dracula purchases a coffin for a reduced rate online, and Zachary gets a tattoo of a cherub on his chest while intoxicated in Austin." Read the whole recommendation.

More News

Back-to-School "Jewels" Giveaway: enter to win The Amethyst Road by Louise Spiegler (Clarion, 2005) and an ARC of The Navel of the World: The Forgotten Worlds Book 2 by P.J. Hoover (CBAY, 2009) from The Spectacle. Peek: "To enter, leave a comment on this post with your favorite thing about fall. If you can tie it to a book, so much better." Winner posted Sept. 21. Read a Cynsations interview with P.J.

"Deus ex Machina and Foreshadowing: Advice for Writers" by Jo Whittemore from The Spectacle. Peek: "When your reader gets to the point where the main character resolves the conflict, it must be believable. To make it believable, you must have left an impression in the reader's mind that such an event was bound to happen based on the events that preceded it." Read a Cynsations interview with Jo.

Contests: enter to win book giveaways from TeensReadToo. You can enter to win copies of Me, My Elf and I by Heather Swain (Speak, 2009), and more!

A Short Interview with Hope Larson about Editing from Dash Shaw at Comics Comics. Peek: "As for my editors being used to working on all-word books, most of them have been comics fans, and most of them have worked on picture books. It hasn't been a completely new language to them, for which I'm grateful." See also "Editor speaks: 'I yam what I yam" from Calista Brill at First Second Books--Doodles and Dailies. Source: Children's Book Biz News.

"Boost Your Writing Time Budget" by Sheila Wipperman from the Institute of Children's Literature. Peek: "...as a writer, I have found ways to maximize the time that is available to get down and write. Here are some tips you can use to take advantage of even the busiest moments in your life. "

Screening Room

A challenge: World's Longest Domino Rally with Children's Books. A World Record? Probably. from HarperCollins UK. Source: Alvina Ling.



More Personally

I'm happy to report that the Blessed (Candlewick, spring 2011) manuscript arrived on my Candlewick editor's desk this week!

Blessed crosses over the casts of Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) and Eternal (Candlewick, 2009), picking up at the end of Tantalize with Quincie at Sanguini's.

In the meantime, I'm catching up on everything that was put on hold while the manuscript was in its last stages of this draft. That includes sending out interview questions and formatting responses for Cynsations, sending updates for the main site to my web goddess (Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys), critiquing manuscripts for a local pal, catching up on correspondence, etc. Long days, but it's nice to check to-dos off the list.

Amidst all of that, I took a look at my 2009-2010 speaking schedule, and--wow!--it's packed. However, I'm now open to 2010-2011 invitations. See contact information.

Giveaway

Enter to win a contributor-signed copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Little, Brown, 2009)! My short story, "The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, is included in the collection, and we are happy to sign and personalize the book, if the winner so desires. To enter this giveaway, email me (scroll and click envelope) with your name and snail/street mail address and type "Geektastic" in the subject line (Facebook, JacketFlap, and MySpace readers are welcome to just message me with the name in the header). Deadline: Sept. 30.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Spooky News & Geektastic Giveaway

Coming Soon

Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, edited by P.C. Cast (BenBella) is being re-released (with a new cover--shown here--and a new short story by Rachel Vincent) at stores nation-wide on Oct. 6!

This vampire-themed YA anthology will also include short stories by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kristin Cast, Rachel Caine, Tanith Lee, Nancy Holder, Richelle Mead, Rachel Vincent, and Claudia Gray.

Read a PDF excerpt, which includes a peek at my own contribution, "Haunted Love."

Some of you may remember that this anthology was released exclusively to Borders/Walden last year, so if you weren't able to get a copy then, your opportunity is just around the corner!

Cynsational Giveaways

Enter to win a contributor-signed copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Little, Brown, 2009)! From the promotional copy:

"Acclaimed authors Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best-selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

"With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers.

"Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on."


My short story, "The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, is included in the collection, and we are happy to sign and personalize the book, if the winner so desires.

To enter this giveaway, email me (scroll and click envelope) with your name and snail/street mail address and type "Geektastic" in the subject line (Facebook, JacketFlap, and MySpace readers are welcome to just message me with the name in the header). Deadline: Sept. 30.

Spooky Winners

The winners of the Eternal audio (Listening Library, 2009) were Erica at Emmet O'Neal Library in Alabama and Jake in New York.

More Giveaways

Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon Giveaway from Miss Attitude at Reading in Color. Deadline: Sept. 5. Read a Cynsations interview with Cindy.

More News

Happy Writer Appreciation Week! Literary agent Nathan Bransford says: "It's sometimes a thankless pursuit with uncertain odds, so this week: let's hear it for the writers out there, published and unpublished." Note: first in a series of posts. Read a Cynsations interview with Nathan.

Details by Brian Yansky at Brian's Blog: Random thoughts on the art and craft of fiction writing. Peek: "It’s not enough just to stuff a scene with generic sights, sounds, smells, etc. They have to be ones that add to what the scene is doing, what the character is experiencing." See also Brian's post, Subtle But Savage. Peek: "You move a little too slow or a little too fast, you arrive a second too soon or a second too late, and you fail. You do it all right and you have the chance for success." Read a Cynsations interview with Brian.

Membership Reminder: Oct 1 last day to join from Lindsey Leavitt at 2010: A Book Odyssey. Peek: "Because we'd like a little huddle time before our debut year begins, the tenners will no long be accepting new members after Oct. 1. That means if you are a debut author and have been holding off on joining, now is the time. After Oct. 1, we will not look at requests."

Round-Table Discussion: Agents with Linda Joy Singleton, Joni Sensel, and Parker Peevyhouse and Round-Table Discussion Continues with P.J. Hoover and Jo Whittemore from The Spectacle. Note: insights on their own agent-acquisition process. Read Cynsations interviews with P.J. and Jo.

What Are You Reading? by Sarah Aronson from Through the Tollbooth. Peek: "My appetite is pretty simple. In every book, the plots are truly dictated by what that character wants. Yes, they are character driven, but they all...." Note: the first post in a week-long discussion. See also Helen Hemphill on The Anatomy of a Page-Turner as she takes a look at The Hunger Games (2008) and Catching Fire (2009), both by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic), and Kelly Bingham on The Ghosts of Kerfol by Deborah Noyes (Candlewick, 2008).

Pacifiers or Catalysts: Your Choice from Kristi Holl at Writers First Aid. Peek: "The next time you feel anxious about your writing and want to fill your time with something to soothe the fear, why not try a positive change agent?" See also Borrowing Habits, Forget About Age, and Running on Parallel Tracks from Kristi.

What makes a successful writer? by Glenda Larke from Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels. Peek: "So when people ask me, 'When should I give up?', I am genuinely puzzled. Why would they want to give up? Don't they enjoy what they do? Isn't writing stories what it's all about?" Source Elizabeth Scott, who also recommends Where Children's Authors Work from Janette Rallison's Blog.

Reminder: Kid's Book Revisions: Online Class and Manuscript Help: taught by Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson. Now taking registrations for a September to November session. Peek: "We are experienced children's book editors, working together to teach an online manuscript revision class three or four times annually. We also provide a variety of editorial services." Note: "late registration through Labor Day is available!" More personally: during my apprenticeship, Harold critiqued the first full novel manuscript I'd ever written and helped put me on the path to publishing success! Read a Cynsations interview with Harold.

Screening Room

Congratulations to Jessica Verday on the release of The Hollow (Simon Pulse, 2009)! Read The Story Behind The Story and a PDF of chapter one.



Check out the book trailer for Devouring: Solstice by Simon Holt (Little, Brown, 2009).



Reminder

Vote now for Teens Top Ten!: "Teens will vote online from Aug. 24 through Sept. 18 at www.ala.org/teenstopten for their favorite books. The winners of the 2009 Teens' Top Ten will be announced in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24. Tell your book group, youth organizations you work with, and any other groups you know that work with teens to come to www.ala.org/teenstopten between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18 and vote." Note: I'm honored to report that Eternal (Candlewick, 2009) has been included among the 25 nominees!

More Personally

Of late, I've been on deadline with Blessed (Candlewick, 2011), which I'll be sending to my editor on Tuesday! Yay!

When I'm self-editing, I tend to migrate around the house. Even a slight shift in environment helps me to focus. Here are a few shots of my reading/editing space on the sleeping porch.


Here's Mercury, the alpha gray tabby, sleeping on a blanket that Grandma Melba gave me years ago and is one of my all-time favorite things.

Mercury is later joined by Bashi, the smaller of the gray tabbies, who's half resting on the manuscript, and Blizzard Bentley, the friendly snow beast.

The fourth and most high-strung writer kitty, Galileo "Leo," always needs his own space, but doesn't stray far.

Here's a closer look at Leo!

I have no idea how people write without cats. Or read either, for that matter!

See Kit Lit: Children's Literature for Human Kittens and Official Writer Feline Biographies. Note: these are the most popular pages on the main site for elementary classroom visitors.

Thanks to author-teacher Debbie Gonzales for featuring my books in her photo at Simple Saturdays: Private Pen Pals. Read a Cynsations interview with Debbie, and learn more about her latest venture, The Student Author Book Publishing Program. Note: here, Debbie (white shirt) is featured with fellow Austin writer Erin Edwards.

Thanks to pal Liz Garton Scanlon at Liz In Ink for cheering Eternal (Candlewick, 2009). Liz says: "I love the cover, I love the alternating viewpoints, and I love being totally shocked at the end of a good book!" Note: Liz's latest picture book is All The World, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster, 2009)--don't miss it! Here, Liz is pictured with Austin SCBWI RA Tim Crow.

Just FYI, Cynsations will not post on Labor Day, but will return on Tuesday!

Even More Personally

Cheers to my very cute husband and sometimes co-author, Greg Leitich Smith, on our 15th wedding anniversary, which is today! We met at The University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor and married in Kansas City two and a half years later. Here, Greg is working on his work-in-progress at the Cedar Park (Texas) Public Library.

Cynsational Events

SCBWI-Illinois' Fifth Annual Prairie Writer's Day: Brick by Brick: The Architecture of Our Stories will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Speakers include: Stacy Cantor, associate editor at Walker; Nick Eliopulos, associate editor at Random House; T.S. Ferguson, assistant editor at Little, Brown; Yolanda LeRoy, editorial director at Charlesbridge; Cynthia Leitich Smith, award-winning author and Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member; and Michael Stearns, agent and co-founder of Upstart Crow Literary. Read Cynsations interviews with Yolanda and Michael. Note: Mark has recently changed literary agencies.

Texas Events

"The Main Elements of Story: Plot, Character, Setting, and Theme" with author Chris Eboch sponsored by Austin SCBWI is scheduled for Oct. 10. Attendees will receive a $10 discount when registering for the local January 2010 conference. Seating is limited. Registration opens July 6. Note: Austin SCBWI events often sell out. From the author site: Chris has a new series, Haunted, debuting August 2009 [from Simon & Schuster/Aladdin] with two books: The Ghost on the Stairs and The Riverboat Phantom. Note: last I heard, there were only 10 more spots available!

Jessica Lee Anderson (Border Crossings (Milkweed, 2009)) and P.J. Hoover (The Forgotten Worlds Book 2: The Navel of the World (CBAY, 2009)) will have a joint book release party at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at BookPeople. Read previous Cynsations interviews with Jessica and P.J.