Archive for May, 2009

Booktalk

31
May
2009

I’ve been thinking a bit lately about how grateful I am for the plethora of interesting, cool and just plain neat stuff you can find on the internet. I was looking back at my reading log from a few years ago (before I discovered book blogs) when I found new books by randomly stumbling across them at the library or bookstore, or by the occasional recommendation of a friend. I did a lot of re-reading back then, because I just wasn’t finding a lot I wanted to read.

Nowdays my to-read list is ginormous (really, I’d be ashamed if I weren’t so happy there are so many great books out there), and much of that is thanks to hearing about books online, from friends and from the various book blogs I follow (yay for Google Reader!).

Anyways, I was thinking about why it was that certain books end up attracting my attention. Is it a cover, a cool premise, a favorite author, an award, a glowing review or a ranting diatribe? Are they books with a huge buzz I just have to read?

Here’s a few books on my to-read list, and how they got there:

THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss – Adult fantasy. I keep hearing raves about this one from friends and strangers, and even though I don’t remember any of the details of the plot off the top of my head, it’s permeated my reader-brain sufficiently to lodge there, waiting to be read.

SILKSINGER by Laini Taylor – I started reading the author’s blogs before I actually picked up her first novel, the delightful BLACKBRINGER. After reading some of Laini’s inspirational, vibrant blog posts and sensible, wise writing advice I knew I had to run out and read anything that she published.

MORIBITO, GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT by Nahoko Uehashi – I first read about this one on the blog of the editor, Cheryl Klein, and was immediately intrigued. Seeing the many positive reader reactions around the internet has confirmed my desire to check this book out.

SCONES AND SENSIBILITY by Lindsey Eland – I stumbled upon this one on Goodreads while looking at other books coming out in 2010, and the title made me click to learn more (I am a big Jane Austen fan). And honestly, my first thought was “somebody wrote a book FOR ME”: a modern girl who loves Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen, who works as a delivery girl for her parents’ bakery, in a seaside town, who starts playing matchmaker. Just knowing those details is enough for me to know I must check this book out when it is available.

THE TEASHOP GIRLS by Laura Schaefer – I read a positive review of this on Kidliterate and it sounds delightful. I love a good “nice” book, and I love tea!

CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins – This is the sequel to THE HUNGER GAMES, which was one of my favorite books read last year. I read the first chapter online, and it hooked me instantly, enough so that I actually marked the pub date on my calender so I could get a copy as soon as possible. Having started to hear the positive reactions to the sequel percolate through the blogosphere, I am quite possibly even more excited for book two. This series got my attention due to buzz, but it kept it due to an utterly engaging story.

What about you folks? What makes you pick up the books you read? Have you picked up a book recently just because of the cover, or because of the buzz, or because of a review?

Debut 2009 Blog Tour: Cindy Pon

30
May
2009

Today I’m happy to welcome Cindy Pon to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Silver Phoenix.

But first, check out the beautiful cover! I try not to judge a book by its cover but this is definitely one of my favorites this year. Such beautiful colors! I love how it conveys the strength and determination of the main character, Ai Ling.

I have to admit that I am posting this entry a day late, and part of the reason for that is that I’m right in the middle of reading my copy of Silver Phoenix. I kept telling myself last night that I’d just read a little bit more, and then go do my posting. The Kingdom of Xia, in which the novel takes place, is a fascinating setting. One of my favorite aspects of the books is seeing just what sort of new creatures, spirits, gods, and challenges (not to mention delicious food!) I’m going to find on the next page. But I’ve finally torn myself away, so here’s Cindy to answer a few questions about her book!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: one of my favorite scene takes place in a bamboo forest and it’s key to the development of my hero and well as heroine. i found that scene esp easy to write. i had written the entire novel and realized i needed this extra scene–so by that time, i knew my characters pretty well.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: i really like the little mermaid. i’m not sure why, but mermaids just fascinated me. and the whole story about the sacrifice and pain she endured for love. and the very tragic ending. it really resonated for me as a child.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: seeing my jacket for the first time was surreal and really moved me. i got tears in my eyes!

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Cupcake Fail, Library Win

22
May
2009

How to fail at bringing cupcakes to your first Library Book Club visit:

1. Plan for two months to make cute mini nut-cakes like the ones in your book to bring to your first meeting with real readers who do not work with you, are not friends with you, and are not related to you.
2. Purchase ingredients for cute mini nut-cakes so you can bake them the night before the meeting.
3. Decide at 7PM the night before the meeting that it’s too dangerous to make nut-cakes, because what if someone has a nut allergy? Entertain dire visions of making readers literally allergic to your book.
4. Bake chocolate cupcakes instead. Realize they will need frosting (unlike nut-cakes). But you’re sure you have powdered sugar in the pantry, right? (right?)
5. Discover you have 1/3 c powdered sugar. Too late to go to the store now.
6. Stop on the way to work the next morning to get help from Betty Crocker. Leave can of frosting in car trunk.
7. On a day the temps go into the high 80s.
8. Learn just how disgusting hot molten canned frosting is.
9. Pick up new can on way to event.
10. Frantically frost cupcakes before book club people arrive (Bonus: this is helpful in distracting you from any nervousness about non-cupcake-related matters).
11. Get crumbs mixed into frosting, but oh well, they still taste good!
12. Sample one to be sure.
13. Spend the next hour talking with other people who love reading and love books and feel your heart swell with good will toward all readers, librarians, writers, and everyone involved in making and sharing all the wonderful books out there right now.
14) Happiness! (And not just from the sugar rush)
15) Go home. Put powdered sugar on the shopping list.

Cupcake failures aside, I had a wonderful time meeting with a small group of kids and adults who are part of a Book Club at the Lithgow Public Library in Augusta. It really makes me happy to meet with people who clearly love to read and love books. We talked about Fortune’s Folly a bit, but we also talked about other books they’ve enjoyed, and how a story makes the journey from rough draft to final printed book. The Book Club members were awesome and so is the staff at Lithgow Library, especially Robbi, who runs the Book Club (and is a potter as well!).

It was also a really nice way to warm up for a more official “talk” I’ll be giving next month (6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 17th for those who are interested!). One of the other amazing librarians, Sarah, had already put up a ton of flyers promoting the talk. I’m planning to discuss both the process of writing Fortune’s Folly, and fairy tale retellings and fantasy in general. If you’re local and are interested in attending let me know! I’d be happy to see some friendly faces!

Libraries are the best. They are even better than cupcakes!

Miscellany

20
May
2009

Those of you who have an interest in Victorian Fantasy and Steampunk might be interested in this recent post by author R. L. LaFevers on The Enchanted Inkpot. I personally am really looking forward to Scott Westerfeld’s forthcoming Leviathan. Here’s the description from Goodreads: In an alternate 1914 Europe, fifteen-year-old Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery, forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts.

And today on the Inkpot I invite people to post about unwritten and imaginary books they most want to read. Please stop by and share your answers!

If you’re interested in hearing about my early prejudice against first person and why I write fantasy, check out this interview with me on Cynsations, which is part of author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s ongoing New Voices series of interviews with debut authors. If you have any interest in YA and kid’s literature, I highly recommend reading Cynsations for news, reviews, and other resources.

In other news, I’m plugging away on my current project, aka The Circus Book. I’ve finally finished revising/rewriting the first 40K so that I can continue on and write the rest of the book. I know some writers can keep going on a draft even when they realize there’s something significant that needs to be fixed in what they’ve already written, but I just cannot make myself work that way. I hate the feeling that I am building a house on a bad foundation. In this case I’ve been struggling with nailing down the voice of the main character. It’s gone from first person past tense to third person and finally settled on first person present tense. It’s also taken me some time to really figure out what the core motivations of my main character are, and to get that feeling that she’s a real person living in my head, so that I instinctively know what she will do when the going gets tough (the answer is ‘hit things’, heh. She’s definitely the most physical character I’ve written so far!).

My hope is that I can now steam through the last 20K or so and have a rough draft before the end of June. To help me stay focused, I’ve told myself that I will get myself these cool rain boots when I finish the rough draft. They’ve got stars and roses on them! And a mermaid! And dice! And daggers! (Though I must say these boots are also tempting). What would I do without bribery?

Debut 2009 Blog Tour: J. E. MacLeod

19
May
2009

Today I’m happy to welcome J. E. MacLeod to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Waiting to Score.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: I really can’t say exactly what it was, but if you’ve read the book and you are really curious, shoot me an email and I’ll tell you. It was a tough scene, but explained a lot about two important secondary characters and why they were the way they were. It moved me and was cathartic at the same time.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: Fairy tales hmm. I was raised in the days when women were still fighting for equal rights. Nowadays I don’t think teen girls have to really question their equality? I hope not. Anyhow, because of that I couldn’t stand fairy tales like Cinderella, where the heroine had to be saved by a man. Sleeping Beauty, too. I liked the show Alias, where Sydney was a bad ass who could look after herself, but still had a soft feminine side and wanted to be in love. Not a fairy tale, but oh well. I always did have trouble with some rules.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: The most exciting part of getting published so far (and keep in mind while I’m answering this my book isn’t on the shelves yet, or even reviewed very widely) has been validation. It’s so difficult to judge your own writing and when someone else in this big subjective world says, hey….I like this story and I want other people to read it too… WOW. Just wow. I know not everyone will like it, but I really hope it speaks to some teens out there.

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Debut 2009 Blog Tour: Cheryl Renee Herbsman

13
May
2009

Today I’m happy to welcome Cheryl Renee Herbsman to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Breathing.

I had the chance to read an ARC of this book a few weeks ago. Here’s what I said on goodreads:

I have to admit I roll my eyes a little at the depictions in a lot of books and movies of two teens finding each other and acting as if they are soul-mates destined to be together forever. But there’s another part of me that desperately wants to believe that it’s possible. And BREATHING makes me believe. From the initial wild crush to the deepening connection, to the doubts and jealousies and abiding love, this book captured my heart and pulled me in to Savannah and Jackson’s world.

And then there’s the voice: I loved reading this book just to hear Savannah’s sweet, wry Southern voice telling me her story with honesty and good humor.

Lastly, I loved the fact that the romance isn’t all that’s going on here. Savannah and Jackson both have dreams of their own, and the value and importance of those dreams is not ignored by the narrative.

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to believe that love can be true at any age, even if it is tested.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: Savannah was the easiest character I’ve ever written. I’m not sure why, but her voice just came into my head and told me exactly what to write.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: I love the Baba Yaga tales and wrote a fantasy/fairy tale based on it that hasn’t been published.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: So many: getting an agent, getting offers, accepting an offer, working with my editor, seeing the cover, seeing the ARC, getting to know other debut authors, getting to know readers… and on it goes!

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Contest Winners

11
May
2009

Hi folks!

I’ve randomly selected the four winning bloggers/teachers/librarians/booksellers who will receive ARCs of Fortune’s Folly: Steph Su, Catherine, Shelly, and tehashley. I have sent emails to the winners but if you don’t receive them please contact me (deva at devafagan dot com).

Thank you to all who entered! I wish I had enough copies for everyone!

Debut 2009 Blog Tour: Aprilynne Pike

11
May
2009

Today I’m happy to welcome Aprilynne Pike to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Wings.

I had the chance to read an ARC of this book a few weeks ago, and found it to be a quick, engaging read that is sure to please readers looking for faery romance and adventure. The prose was pleasant and readable, and I will be interested to see how the story develops in the rest of the series. I must also add that I’m currently rooting for David even though I usually like the intriguing dark horse romantic contender. I guess I just like science geeks more!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: I have this scene in my book that I like to call The River scene. It was so interesting to write. Lots of writers have times when their “Muse” strikes, or their brilliance manifests, or whatever you want to call it. I don’t have very many of those. But when I got ready to write The River scene, I totally had one! I wrote this scene straight through and by the time I was done I was totally sweating and almost shaking from the effort. It was totally awesome!! And even through edits, it was one of the least touched scenes, and is also one of the scenes readers comment on most often. I just love that scene!!

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: I love the story of Sleeping Beauty, sadly, because I adored the Disney movie. I always wanted to be Aurora. I thought she was so beautiful!

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: It changes about every three months, but most recently, the most exciting part had been seeing my floor displays with nine lovely copies of my book in it. Yay!!

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Bribery and Bookstores

04
May
2009

It does not surprise me (given my obsession with good grades and test scores as a kid) that I have a great and terrible capacity to stress out over any sort of numerical indication of my book’s “success”: Amazon rankings, stars, number of reviews, etc.

At this point, however, none of that serves any purpose except to drive me crazy and distract me from my new book. So I am trying to be good and avoid these behaviors. And to do so, I am not above bribery. So a few weeks ago I told myself if I could make it to a certain day without googling myself, etc, I would get a treat. This proved sufficiently motivational that I held to my vow — and was considerably more mellow and productive! I am trying to keep it up for a longer span now. So far so good! I am busy working on my circus book and the demons of self-doubt are only clamoring at their normal volume.

Anyways, my bribe/treat arrived on Friday in the mail, and thus I got to wear them this weekend. Check them out!

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Debut 2009 Blog Tour: C. Lee McKenzie

02
May
2009

Today I’m happy to welcome C. Lee McKenzie to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Sliding on the Edge.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: My Chapters 35 and 36 were bears to write at first–well, actually I kept re-writing them in my head until I could force myself to sit at the desk and put the words down. I didn’t want what happened in them to happen, yet I knew I needed it to. Hmmm. That sounds cryptic, but if you read the book, you’ll understand.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: I don’t like the myth of Sisyphus. I guess the reason is because I sometimes feel like I’m rollin’ that old rock up the mountain every day, just to have it roll back down. This feeling comes about the time I’m not getting the story right. When the story IS right I’m kind of a Polyanna; then I love the fairy tale, Cinderella, where everything turns out good.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: I loved talking to the editor for the first time and hearing her tell me she loved my book. Next to that, I got really excited holding the Advanced Reading Copy. “This is really a book!” I think I said that out loud.

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