Posts Tagged "Nova Ren Suma"
Friday Freebies: Scary Stuff
Wondering what scares little old me? You’re in luck, then, as I’m guest posting over at Nova Ren Suma’s blog today as part of her Halloween author series. Check it out, comment on the post, and you’re entered to win a scary scary book — maybe mine!
Top Shelf Tues: HVYAS event with Nova Ren Suma!
Normally, Top Shelf Tuesday is where I catch people up on what I’ve been reading, but if you came to Oblong Books to see me read alongside Nova Ren Suma this past Sunday, then you already know!*
Those of you who follow @Literaticat on twitter are probably already familiar with her young adult reading series (and if you’re not, you should be!), so I shouldn’t have to tell you that it was a real thrill to be included in her line-up. It was particularly special to be reading and presenting alongside Nova. Nova and I first met when we were working as a copyeditor and book editor, respectively, at a children’s publishing imprint, and we quickly bonded over our “secret” writing aspirations. We shared early frustrations, and were around to celebrate big-time triumphs. These days, we’re both riding the highs and lows of finishing up the second manuscripts on our book contracts, which we often do together, with the aid of much caffeine and baked goods. It goes without saying I’m a HUGE fan of her work.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to chat with us about all things young adult. And thanks to Oblong for having us!
(*I Am the Cheese, Robert Cormier)
Reminder: Reading/signing at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck SUNDAY!
If you’ve been dying to hear me read from family, and/or to get out of the city for a lovely summer day trip to the Hudson Valley, now’s your chance to kill two birds with one stone! (Proverbially. I’d prefer no bird-killing.)
I’ll be presenting alongside the gorgeous and talented Nova Ren Suma, whose book, Imaginary Girls, is a must-read for summer.
We’ll be at Oblong Books and Music, at 4pm. Details here.
Hope to see you!
Top Shelf Tuesday
Check it out, folks — family gets a mention in I Heart Daily, alongside two of my FAVE releases of the season, Nova Ren Suma’s IMAGINARY GIRLS, and Tara Altebrando’s DREAMLAND SOCIAL CLUB. What fabu company my book keeps!
What are the I Heart gals saying about my little old book? Here’s a snippet:
This story in episodic verse leads you lightly down a path that will, eventually, scare you out of your mind.
Well, thanks, ladies! I aim to please!
What’s that you say? You just haven’t had enough Nova Ren Suma for the day? I don’t blame you. Why not head over to The Contemps, where you can check out my feature on IMAGINARY GIRLS, and join the conversation about magical realism in contemporary fiction? And why not watch the trailer while you’re at it?
Top Shelf Tuesday
Better late-breaking than never…
Surely you can guess what I’ll be reading and recommending this week, yes?
Imaginary Girls
Not available until June, but you can read an excerpt here.
Well?! What are you waiting for?
Monday Muse: One good turn…
One of my very favorite authors (and all-around great friend), Nova Ren Suma, was kind enough to interview me on her blog for the family release. You can read my many words of wisdom here.
Our mutual admiration society being what it is, I thought it made sense to borrow from Nova for this Monday’s Muse (those of you who’ve read family and perused the acknowledgements may recognize Nova as a constant muse of mine, as it is. So why not share her?).
No doubt you’ve heard the very well-deserved hype for Nova’s forthcoming novel, Imaginary Girls
She recently re-posted an excerpt from a 2008 blog post entitled, “Before the novel was THE Novel.”
A snippet:
…In the old post I called the novel “M”), which I had just begun rewriting from scratch. At this point, I had no idea what would come of the book, and I said this:
M … does not have an official schedule. No deadline. No editor waiting to read it. No outline I am forced to write per the contract, no contract at all. I am writing M for myself only, and nothing may come of it after—I have to know that. That’s the reality of writing novels.
If my previous experience writing novels only for myself is any indicator, I could go off on a bender and spent FIVE YEARS writing a novel that’s too bloated and personal to get published. Or I could spend three years writing and rewriting a novel with a ridiculous concept that I will later use as a doorstop.
No. Not this time.
You know, that could have turned out terribly. I could be sitting here now with my heart broken (again). I’m so grateful that novel turned out to be THE novel, that the moment I was in then was THE moment that changed so much of my life.
The doors that had been closed to me were beginning to open. And I had no idea. You never do, do you? That’s why—if you want to be a published author—you can absolutely never stop trying.
Thank you, Nova – for that post, and for all of your support and encouragement of my writing, and of all writers out there struggling.
Release Week Rally: Friday Freebie – Charles Manson goes green
Oh, what a bittersweet finale to this week of celebrations. Can it be Friday already? Can the entire Kingdom of England truly have set aside a national holiday for moi?
Well, of course not.
But, I did get one of the bestest birthday presents an author can receive: an interview over at the phenomenal Nova Ren Suma’s blog. Check it out and post a comment for a chance to win a copy of family!
In the meantime, from the Annals of the Random, here’s a friendly public service announcement from everyone’s favorite rogue texting fiend, Charles Manson, regarding our fair planet:
Everyone’s God and if we don’t wake up to that there’s going to be no weather because our polar caps are melting because we’re doing bad things to the atmosphere.
If we don’t change that as rapidly as I’m speaking to you now, if we don’t put the green back on the planet and put the trees back that we’ve butchered, if we don’t go to war against the problem…
Of course, he has to reference war, right?
There’s a “helter-skelter” joke in there somewhere, but I fear it would be in bad taste.
So, um, thanks, Charlie. Let that be a lesson to us all.