The fine art of waiting. AND, your second chance for a first chapter and query critique!

I ended my last post in my advice for aspiring writers series by telling you that waiting is the hardest part. But waiting is a huge part of publishing. You write a book. You query it. You wait. You get an agent. Your agent submits your manuscript to editors. You wait. An editor buys your book. You wait for your ed letter. You do your revisions. You wait for your copyedits. You do your copyedits. You wait for your ARCs. Then you wait another six months for your book. That's like eighteen months to two years of waiting just to get one book on the shelves. But then, guess what? You get to wait some more. If your book sold in a multiple book deal, everything but the agent bit applies with each new book. And then, if you write something new, it goes through the same submission process, and you get to wait some more to see if your editor wants your next project.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, per se. The waiting is a necessary evil. There is a reason the process is slow, and that's because it takes time to get it right. Agents want to know they're taking on projects they can be passionate about and that have a good potential for placement with an editor. They work their butts off and only get paid when they sell something, so they're going to take their time and be uber-careful about what they take on. In addition, they're super busy with their existing clients: reading new manuscripts and their numerous revisions; meeting with editors and pitching their latest projects, submitting manuscripts to editors and following up. Likewise, editors have their existing projects, and then stacks of reading for potential new projects. Once your book is in the pipeline, there are revisions, copyedits, pass pages. There's cover art and typography. Then there's the fact that Sales meetings, both in-house and with booksellers, happen months before the book is scheduled to hit shelves. You want time for your book to build buzz before it's released so by the time it's on shelves, someone other than your mother has heard of it.

But, it's hard. To me, it's the hardest part. I'm an instant gratification type person. I don't do well with waiting. I need to know RIGHT NOW OR OMG I'LL DIE if my editor was okay with my sequel, or if my crit partner thinks my plot holds together, or if my agent thinks my shiny new idea has potential. But, in the words of the Rolling Stones, you can't always get what you want. So, while I'm waiting, I'm blathering on to you about all my publishing secrets, book piracy and, yes, waiting.

I'm also reading a lot. And, if you want me to read something YOU wrote, here's your chance! The second of four first chapter and query critiques celebrating my two year agent signing is officially up for grabs. The critique never expires (until I do), and it is fully transferable, so enter for yourself or a friend! All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below. Link this contest on Twitter or Facebook to earn bonus entries. =)

Go ahead! You know you want to! And you might actually WIN and feel like this:

Enter by noon (PDT) on Friday, September 9th. The winner will be chosen by the randomizer and posted here after noon. Good luck!!!

Contest Central!

I feel like Contest Central lately. I love doing contests and sharing books I really love with all of you! I promised an EPIC Twitter contest when I hit 1313 followers there (@LisaDez), because Luc likes that number. I passed 1313 this weekend, so I'm plotting away. The contest will start later today and THERE WILL BE EPIC PRIZES!

I have two other contests going on RIGHT NOW here on the blog!

The first is my October Debut Contest. Enter to win a finished copy of Nightshade by my fab critique partner, Andrea Cremer AND a signed copy of Personal Demons by moi =)

 

The second is my Smart Chicks Contest for a signed copy of Melissa de la Cruz's Keys to the Repository AND a signed copy of Personal Demons, still by moi :p

 

But wait! There's more! Because I'm currently at 649 followers here on the blog. When I get to 666, also a number Luc likes, there will be another contest for EPIC prizes!!! So spread the word!



And also, check out The Bookish Type for an EPIC fall release blog event Fall Into Fantasy, featuring a month of posts and give-aways from Andrea Cremer (Nightshade), Kiersten White (Paranormalcy), Sophie Jordan (Firelight), Brenna Yovanoff (The Replacement) and yours truly. Wow!

August Debut Contest!

So, here it is: your last chance to win a signed Personal Demons ARC. By the end of September's contest, I'll have finished copies, so September's winner will get a signed BOOK! OMGOMGOMG!!! But, I'm not freaking out or anything. Really... O_O

Also, remember that tomorrow is the VERY LAST Personal Demons sneak peek, so don't forget to stop by and check it out. Hot boys fighting. You don't want to miss it!

So, here's my August Debut contest. You all know how this works by now. I run this contest every month to support my fellow YA/MG 2010 debut authors. To that end (that sounds so professional, don't you think :p) I've listed my four debut picks below. The winner will have their choice of one of these fine titles, or a signed Personal Demons ARC.

Okay, so the contest: All you have to do to enter is comment on this post by noon (PST) on Friday, August 27th. Nothing fancy, you can just say hi or ask a question. (I love to answer questions, especially about my books!) In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can accumulate extra points as follows:
Old blog follower: +3 points
New blog follower: +2 points
Follow me on Twitter (@LisaDez) +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 point
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your website/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address). And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

The winner will be chosen by the randomizer and posted on the blog after noon on August 27th. The winner will then have their choice of one of the following:
a signed Personal Demons ARC by moi (that's me, in case you don't speak French) =)
Freak Observer Blythe Woolston
Nevermore Kelly Creagh
Wildfire Run Dee Garretson
Paranormalcy Kiersten White

Good luck!! =)

Whew! And more chances to win Personal Demons...

Last week nearly ate me alive. But don't throw me on that cart, cuz "I'm not dead yet!" (Sticking with my Monty Python theme from last week.)

I got my ARCs. (I did all kinds of ARC art. :p) I'm mailing them today and tomorrow, for those of you waiting! =)

And I got my cover.

And my editorial letter from my seriously cool editor on Original Sin. (but you really don't want to see that)

I also had my amazing crit partner, Andrea's, Nightshade #3 (Bloodrose) to critique. I finished it Saturday and, it's fabulous!

I got my marching orders from my designer for content on my new website (coming soon at http://www.lisadwrites.com/).

And I ran some awesome contests. Thanks to the hordes of you who entered my Twitter contest. If you missed it, the task was to look at the cover and tell me, in 140 characters or less, who Frannie should be with and why. Here are some of my favorite entries.

@thmafi: Frannie should pick @DanKrokos because otherwise he'll go after Gabe & Luc before she does. #PersonalDemons (Dan has already laid claim to Luc, actually :p)

@AminaBlack: don't be cruel she doesn't have to choose. She could have both and I know that I'm not the only one thinking it. #PersonalDemons

@angelgirl122193: Frannie should choose neither of them, become a nun, and let me have a love triangle of my own w/ luc and gabe =) #PersonalDemons

@ettrenas: LUC! Because any guy that makes you think twice about choosing hell over heaven is a total winner ;) #PersonalDemons

And my very favoritest entry:
@MireyahWolfe: Frannie should be with Luc, because...let's face it. With those eyes, she'll never lose him when the lights go out. #PersonalDemons

Dudes! I was ROFL!

But, the winner, as chosen by the randomizer was @sophisti_katied! *throws virtual confetti*

It was really fun! I hope to do another Twitter contest closer to release =)

If you didn't win, but you still want an ARC, visit my July Debut Contest and enter! You can also enter to win a finished copy of Personal Demons or five other amazing fall releases in A Good Addiction's Fall Release Six Title Contest. So go enter!! Yay!

So, even though I feel like I've been ravaged by a killer rabbit (you really have to see The Holy Grail) I have my holy hand grenade ready and I'll be back for more tomorrow with my Personal Demons Sneak Peek #5! :D

July Debut Contest

Once again, it’s time for another contest! Yay!

So, without further adieu…

Oh! Wait…just a little adieu, okay?

First, thanks to everyone who stopped by to read the Personal Demons sneak peeks! I love your comments! In case you missed it, the entire first chapter is up in 3 parts. Here are the links: part 1, part 2, part 3.

Second, I’ve added a new category for earning extra points: Follow me on Twitter. Yes, I am a twittering fool. I spend altogether too much time there. But I love being able to chat with seriously cool people like you. So, if you’re on Twitter, come follow me (@LisaDez) and earn two extra entries into this contest. =)

So now, without further adieu, here is the contest.

Below, I’ve listed my four YA debut picks for July. All you have to do to enter to win one of those, or a signed Personal Demons ARC, is comment on this post by noon (PST) on Friday July 30th. Nothing fancy, you can just say hi or ask a question. (I love to answer questions, especially about my books!) In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can accumulate extra points as follows:

Old blog follower: +3 points
New blog follower: +2 points
Follow me on Twitter (@LisaDez) +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 point
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your website/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address). And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

The winner will be chosen by the randomizer and posted on the blog after noon on July 30th. (or possibly Monday, Aug 2nd because I'll be out of the country that Friday) The winner will then have their choice of one of the following:
a signed Personal Demons ARC by me =)
Other by Karen Kincy
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber
Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Good luck!

Oooh! And a chance to win Sapphique!

I know I just posted a contest, but here's another one that my good pal Kody Keplinger (who I'm thinking of keeping for my very own) is running for Sapphique by Catherine Fisher.

And, if you've been living under a rock, and haven't heard about Kody's debut, The DUFF (Little Brown, Sept 7, 2010) you must go check it out!

Want Delirium? Yeah, me too!

My agentmate Rebecca Behrens is giving away an ARC of Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I have to admit to having Before I Fall in my TBR stack since its release a few months back, and I'm dying to read it, but I'm dying to read a lot of stuff, and I'm writing a lot of stuff, so...

Anyway, Delirium isn't out until February, and I definitely can't wait that long, so I will win this ARC, just thought you all should know. But if you do enter, tell her I referred you and I get extra points (so I can win faster!!)

June Debut Contest!!

OMG! It’s June 1st! Where is the year going???

Even though life seems to be slipping away at the speed of sound, there’s good news. It’s time for another Debut Give-away!! Yay!!

Okay, so the contest. I wanted to find a way to support my fellow 2010 debut authors and help them get the word out. So, each month you have a chance to win an awesome YA debut just by stopping in and commenting on my contest post. For those of you who might be interested, here's the list of winners and their choices so far:
January: robin_titan who chose The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
February: Lisa and Laura who chose a signed ARC of Personal Demons
March: MannaB, who also chose a signed ARC of Personal Demons
April: Tricia O’Brien, who…well…chose Personal Demons too.
May: Lena, who I'm thrilled to say, chose Personal Demons as well.

Thanks to all the winners for stopping by and entering! :D  If you haven't won yet, keep entering!

For our newbies (welcome newbies :p) this is how our contest works. Below I’ve listed my four YA debut picks for June. All you have to do to enter is comment on this post by noon (PST) on Friday June 25th. Nothing fancy, you can just say hi or ask a question. (I love to answer questions, especially about my books!) In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can accumulate extra points as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Follow me on twitter (@LisaDez) +2
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your website/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address). And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

The winner will be chosen by the randomizer and posted on the blog after noon on June 25th. They will then have their choice of one of the following:
A signed ARC of Personal Demons by moi (that’s me!)
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson

Good luck!

May Debut Contest Winner!!!

Thanks so much to all of you who stopped by and entered my May Debut Contest! You guys totally rock. In case you’re interested, there were 304 points accumulated by 70 entrants. And the winner (as chosen by the randomizer) is:

*Drum roll*

Lena!!

Yay! *honks virtual noisemakers* (cuz the real ones hurt my ears)

Coincidentally, I read and loved Lena’s review of my fabulous critique partner, Andrea Cremer’s, Nightshade last week.

Lena was wavering a little in her picks in the comment section. She may be on the fence about which book to chose. So, the moment of truth… Lena gets her choice of a signed ARC of Personal Demons, or one of the following:

Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler
The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Congrats Lena!! I am emailing you, dear. =)

And, if you didn't win this month, remember, there are seven more chances this year! Check back Tuesday to enter my June Debut Contest. Here's a sneak peek at my June picks.
 
Personal Demons (signed) by moi =)
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
The Deathday Letter Shaun Hutchinson

I WON!

I WON!!! I WON I WON I WON!!! Yay for me!

So, the honest truth, I almost never enter contests. But…Mundie Moms were giving away an ARC of Holly Black’s White Cat, and, although I’ve never met Holly, she has a special place in my heart.

My youngest daughter was just like me when I was her age. She hated to read. So I searched, and searched and searched for something that might capture her interest. And, when I found it, it had Holly Black’s name on it. She and Tony DiTerlizzi have woven some of the cutest stories I’ve ever read into The Spiderwick Chronicles. And they’ll always be special to me because they taught my daughter to read.

And, then, they made the books into a movie, so it was her first experience of reading a book before seeing the movie, which hooked her even more.

So, of course, I’m now a diehard Holly Black fan. When I saw I had a chance to get my hands on a White Cat ARC, I couldn’t pass it up.

And I won!!!

Now, if they could only get BINBONS to deliver it, my fantasy would be complete. (picture courtesy of @meadowC and Sophie at Mundie Moms)

So thanks, Mundie Moms!! You just made my day!

May Debut Contest

Here it is, the first (Monday) of May! You've been waiting patiently and, finally, it's here, my May debut give-away!!!

In case some of you care, here’s a list of my winners and their choices so far:
January: robin_titan who chose The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
February: Lisa and Laura who chose a signed ARC of Personal Demons
March: MannaB, who also chose a signed ARC of Personal Demons
April: Tricia O’Brien, who…well…chose Personal Demons too.

Congrats to all the winners and thanks to all you out there who are entering to win my book! This makes me =)  Keep entering! The year is young. I hope to have ARCs for you all very, very soon.

So, here we go. All you veterans out there know how this works, but for our newbies, a reminder of the contest and the rules:

Below, I’ve posted my four debut picks for May. All you have to do to enter to win one is comment on this post before noon pacific time on Friday, May 28th. One winner will be chosen using the randomizer and I’ll post the winner after noon on the 28th. The winner will then be allowed to choose one title off my picks list OR a signed ARC of PERSONAL DEMONS (when I get them)! Yay!

In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can earn extra points each month as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your webpage/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address). And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

My May debut picks are as follows:
Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler
The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

So to enter, all you have to do is comment below before noon on Friday 28th! Good luck!

April Debut Contest!

Being busy is good. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway. I’ve been on an internet vacation—no Twitter, blogging, Facebooking—while I finished up Original Sin (PD#2) revisions. But it’s April 1st, which means the start of a new debut contest.

*honk noise makers*

But first, I want to say hello and welcome to all you fabulous new followers! Thanks for spreading the word! You guys rock!!!

So, a refresher on the rules:

Below, I’ve posted my four debut picks for April. All you have to do to enter to win one is comment on this post before noon pacific time on Friday, April 30th. One winner will be chosen using the randomizer and I’ll post the winner after noon on the 30th. The winner will then be allowed to choose one title off my picks list OR a signed ARC of PERSONAL DEMONS (when I get them)! Yay!

In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can earn extra points each month as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your webpage/blog: +3 points
Add me to your sidebar blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address).

And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

So, without further adieu, here are my April pics:

*drumroll* (okay, just a little more adieu)

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Good luck everyone!!!

March Debut Contest!

4/1/10 note: If you got here through and old link, go here for my April contest.

Wow! February is toast. Gone. Poof. It’s March 1st! Time for a new debut contest! You can’t wait, can ya?

This month there are a TON (literally—I weighed them) of really amazing YA debuts. I had trouble choosing just four, but I’m happy with my choices and I’m so totally going to read them all! (You guys don’t mind a gently used prize, do you?)

So…a reminder of the contest and the rules:

Below, I’ve posted my four debut picks for March. All you have to do to enter to win one is comment on this post before noon pacific time on Friday, March 26th. One winner will be chosen using the randomizer and I’ll post the winner after noon on the 26th. The winner will then be allowed to choose one title off my picks list OR a signed ARC or copy of PERSONAL DEMONS (when I get them)! Yay!

In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can earn extra points each month as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your webpage/blog: +3 points
Add me to your sidebar blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address).

And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

*drumroll*

My March debut picks are as follows:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White
The Line by Teri Hall
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Good luck everyone! Remember to enter early and enter often. (Joking—only one entry per person please.) And spread the word!! The more the merrier!

January YA Debut Winner!!!!!

I’ve never run a blog contest before! This was so much fun! Thanks so much to all of you who stopped by and entered. In case you’re interested, there were 157 points accumulated by 39 entrants. And the winner (as chosen by the randomizer) is:

*Drum roll*

robin_titan!!

Yay! *throws virtual confetti and honks virtual noisemakers*

robin_titan gets her choice of one of the following:

A signed ARC/copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (yours truly)
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Congrats!!

If you haven’t yet entered to win a February debut, there’s still time!

Good luck!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast...

Revisions: check. Line edits: check. Food: Um...I knew I was forgetting something. But who needs to eat, right? Or sleep, for that matter. Course there’s the day job, which I’ve pretty much remembered to go to…most of the time.

That’s my life. Busy but good. The really great news is that line edits are done and will be emailed to my seriously cool editor tomorrow. Then Personal Demons is off to production. Yay! There may actually be a book on the shelves at the end of all of this. Whew…

In other fun news, Personal Demons had a birthday. I realized a few days ago that last Tuesday, (2/2) while I was on an airplane on my way to meet my totally fabulous agent and seriously cool editor, Personal Demons turned one. 2/2/09 was the day I met Luc and Frannie and wrote the first chapter. =) So Happy birthday!!

Other stuff:
Don’t forget that my January debut contest closes at noon on 2/15 (that’s Monday, BTW) and my February debut contest runs through noon on 2/26, so if you haven’t entered for a chance to win an awesome 2010 YA or MG debut, do it now!

You’re still reading? I said NOW! Go enter!! You did already? Okay…good.

Also, a while back (Seriously, it was a month ago. I'm pathetic.) I was tagged by my awesome crit partner Andrea Cremer. Now that I’ve come up for air, I’m ready to tackle a few question.

1) What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
Last thing I wrote was Original Sin, the sequel to Personal Demons.

The first thing I ever wrote, which I still have, is a YA thriller I wrote for my daughter’s birthday. I wrote that last fall. (2009)

2) Write poetry? Never.

3) Angsty poetry? Um…no.

4) Favorite genre of writing?
YA, definitely. Urban fantasy and contemporary.

5) Most annoying character you've ever created?
There are a few. If I had to pick one, I’d say Frannie’s best friend Taylor from my Personal Demons series.

6) Best plot you've ever created?
Honestly, the plot for the book I wrote for my daughter is pretty kick-ass. I put a lot of research into it and it took me to some pretty amazing places.

Course, the plot for Personal Demons is pretty kick-ass too…

7) Coolest plot twist you've ever created?
Spoiler, sorry. (Hint: It’s in Personal Demons)

8) How often do you get writer's block?
Never.

9) Write fan fiction?
Never.

10) Do you type or write by hand?
Write by hand? How do you do that?

11) Do you save everything you write?
Absolutely.

12) Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
I haven’t really abandoned anything yet. I have some WIPs hovering in the wings, and they may be feeling a bit abandoned at the moment… Maybe I should check if they’re hungry or need a diaper.

13) What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
I’ve written three books (four if you count the Personal Demons sequel) and I love them all. It's like asking me who is my favorite child. They're all so different, but if you’re going to make me play favorites, I’d have to say Personal Demons.

14) What's everyone else's favorite story you've written?
No one but my daughter and my agent has read anything but Personal Demons. My daughter still says she like the one I wrote for her best.

15) Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Um…yeah.

16) What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Anywhere their parents aren’t. They can let loose. All my books have parents—none of this absentee stuff. But I like for my teen characters to be able to interact without adults coming down on them.

17) How many writing projects are you working on right now?
I’m pretty immersed in Original Sin and book 3 at the moment.

18) Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Personal Demons won or placed in six writing completions this summer.

19) What are your five favorite words?
If you asked my editor, she’d say, and, so, something, ugh and m dash. (I know that last one isn't a word, but I still like them too much.)

20) What character have you created that is most like yourself?
Anna, from my first book.

21) Where do you get your ideas for your characters?
Where don’t I get my ideas for characters would be an easier question to answer.

22) Do you ever write based on your dreams?
I don’t think so. My characters have conversations in my head all night long, but I’m usually wide awake and staring at the ceiling, so that doesn’t count.

23) Do you favor happy endings?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Make of that what you will...

24) Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
All I have to say about that is, thank god for spellcheck and editors who know what they’re doing.

25) Does music help you write?
Couldn’t write without it.

26) Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head.
Taylor to Frannie in Personal Demons: “Who made you dominatrix of the lunch table?”

And, tag, Kristin Miller. You're it!

February 2010 debut book give-away! And New York City!!!

Yay!! It's the first of February! You've been waiting patiently and, finally, here it is, my February debut give-away!!!

A reminder of the contest and the rules:

Each month I’ll post my top four debuts of that month. (on or around the first) All you have to do to enter is comment on that post before noon pacific time on the last Friday of the month. One winner will be chosen each month using the randomizer and I’ll post the winner on the last Friday of the month. The winner will then be allowed to choose one title off my picks list OR a signed ARC or copy of PERSONAL DEMONS (when I get them)! Yay!

In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can earn extra points each month as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your webpage/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address).

And remember, there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

My February debut picks are as follows:

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Dirty Little Secrets by Cynthia Jaynes Omololu
A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

So to enter, all you have to do is comment below before noon on Friday 26th! Good luck!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane before the crack of dawn tomorrow. NYC here I come!!! I'm looking so forward to "meeting" my truly fabulous agent and my seriously cool editor!!! I also have to say that I'm extremely proud to be affiliated with the publishing house that stood up to Amazon. I'm gonna stop by John Sargent's office and give him a high-five. Cuz he's just sitting around waiting for his authors to, you know, come hang out with him. =)

Win FREE BOOKS!

Free books! Are there two happier words in the English language? I don’t think so!

I was inspired by The Story Siren’s 2010 Debut Author Challenge—a very cool idea to challenge people to read at least 12 YA and MG debuts this year. My personal goal is 20. The more I thought about this, the more excited I got, so in honor of my fellow 2010 debut authors, I’ve decided to have a monthly contest in which you—my lucky readers—can enter to win a YA or MG debut of your choice. Sound like fun? I thought so…

So, here’s the deal. Each month I’ll post my top four debuts of that month. (on or around the first) All you have to do to enter is comment on that post before noon pacific time on the last Friday of the month. One winner will be chosen each month using the randomizer and I’ll post the winner on the last Friday of the month. The winner will then be allowed to choose one title off my picks list OR a signed ARC or copy of PERSONAL DEMONS (when I get them)! Yay!

In addition to commenting (for which you get one point) you can earn extra points each month as follows:

Old follower: +3 points
New follower: +2 points
Link to my contest post on your blog or twitter: +1 points
Dedicated post with link to my contest on your webpage/blog: +3 points
Add me to your blogroll: +2 points

Also on your entry, please remember to tell me how to find you (email address).

This is not Verizon, so there will be no rollover points. Points start new every month.

Also, a side note…
If you know of any 2010 YA or MG debut authors who are not members of The Tenners or Class of 2K10, I’d love to know who they are and what their book is about so I can include them on my lists. I know first hand that getting the word out can be a challenge if you’re not part of a group. I, myself, was shunned by The Tenners (my deal came in December, after their arbitrary new member cut-off) and, like Cinderella, I feel a little left out of the ball. :*(
Also, please feel free to suggest titles for upcoming months.

So, what do you think? You up for some free books?

I’m getting a late start for January, so I’ll extend the entry deadline to noon on 2/15 for this month. This post will serve as my January contest post, so to enter, just comment below.

And here are my January picks:

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Look for a new post on the first of each month with my new picks and enter each month!

FREE BOOKS!!!! WEEEEEEE…

Wow!

So, I mentioned that I entered Personal Demons in a few contests this summer, just for fun... Just got score sheets back from the second one and I finalled there too. Both judges were published authors and their feedback was awesome. One judge (multi-published and very cool) gave me a perfect score and called me "intimidatingly good". (Can you see my head swelling? Seriously. I'm gonna need a wheelbarrow if it gets any bigger.)

So, I'm gonna brag on myself some more, because she also said, "It’s hilarious, original, incredibly clever, and truly meaningful." And also something about letting her know when it sold and we'd watch it hit the best seller list. From her mouth to God's ears... She put her name on the score sheet and, though I don't really know her, it turns out we're following each other on Twitter, so I just tweeted my thanks.

Maybe I don't suck? Lots of manuscripts out...waiting for the phone to ring... *stares woefully at phone* Any second now...

I'm lecturing in Seattle this week. I love Seattle! And...what's that...? SUN? No way! The weather is beautiful, but I'm stuck in the Embassy Suites ballroom, as usual. Tomorrow they'll let me out to play. Can't wait!

Sing something for me

I wanted to start my first post of my brand new blog off on a wicked (I can say that—I’m originally from Boston) positive note by sending a HUGE and ENTHUSIASTIC shout out to my crit partner, Andrea Cremer, who just signed a two book deal with Penguin! Woot! Look for her amazing Nightshade in late 2010! She was the first of us to prove my New Year’s Revelation wrong.

My news is also wicked positive. I’ve officially been writing for one year (so sing something for me) and am loving life. The truth is, the books just sort of write themselves. The only effort on my part is taking dictation and trying to keep up with the voices in my head. I went to the SF Writers Conference and the Big Sur Writers Workshop and got really fabulous feedback at both, so that was fun.

On sort of a whim I entered the SF Writers Conference contest with my first manuscript, Dusty Lane, and my submission finalled. (And shocked the hell out of me!) So, for kicks and giggles, I entered my new manuscript, Personal Demons, in a few contests this summer. I just heard from the first of those that I finalled there too. I’m starting to think maybe I don’t suck at this. So it’s pretty much been: writing, writing, writing—submitting, submitting, submitting—waiting, waiting, waiting. But it’s all good. Response has been very positive and I have several manuscripts (both Dusty Lane and Personal Demons) out with major (and majorly awesome) agents. So, while you’re singing for me, cross something too!

So a question for you… (yes you…the only one besides me reading this)

I can pick at a manuscript forever. When do you decide to quit? I’ve read agent blogs that say “when it’s perfect” but in my world, perfect doesn’t exist. I can edit out all the typos, grammatical errors, etc, but that doesn’t stop my characters from coming up with some new, really witty line that I have to add, or some really cool new scene from popping into my head in the middle of the night. When do you stop?