Reading Wishes: Author Appreciation August

Showing posts with label Author Appreciation August. Show all posts

3 Sept 2012

AAA: The Wrap Up

After 31 days, dozens of authors, and perhaps best of all--YOU--later, Author Appreciation August has drawn to a close. We've had a ball, and hope you've felt the same, so in one last hurrah, here's the AAA round-up!

First, we owe an enormous round of thank yous. To the authors, the biggest thank you of all. This even couldn't have happened without your time, generosity and the hard work you put into writing the stories we love. We can't thank you enough, but we hope you know just how damn loved you are.

To the publishers: thank you for making this event possible.

Allen & Unwin, Hachette Australia and Date a Book, Hachette UK, Hardie Grant Egmont, Simon and Schuster Australia, you are amazing, and we love you.

To YOU. Thank you for your time, energy, and showing the authors involved some love. You are rockstars.

And last but not least, a MASSIVE thank you to my gorgeous co-cost, Sarah. It may have been mine idea which started this but August would have been nothing without her. She's the best sidekick a girl could ask for and I love that this event had brought us even closer together. *hugs*

Giveway Winners!
And lastly, congratulations to our AAA Giveaway winners! There are MANY of you. Check the Rafflecopter form below for your name, and if you've won, we'll be in touch shortly.

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Event Schedule

If you've missed any posts, worry not! See below for a list of all the AAA entries.

Appreciation Posts - I appreciate:

31 Aug 2012

AAA: Appreciating Melina Marchetta

9 comments:

For my last AAA post, I’m here to appreciate of my favourite authors, Melina Marchetta. I am a HUGE fan of her contemporary work and since her books mean the world to me, it’s about time I say thanks!

When I think of Melina Marchetta, I smile a huge, dopey smile. The words genius, writing goddess and talented also come to mind. After joining the book blogging world last year and hearing endless and amazing things about Melina’s books, I finally picked up Saving Francesca and since then I haven’t looked back. Soon after, I got my hands on a copy of Looking for Alibrandi and I was blown away. Both Saving Francesca and Looking for Alibrandi are favourites of mine.

A few months back, I finally read On The Jellicoe Road and although I already thought Melina was amazing, this cemented my love for even more. I can’t express just how much I love this book, it’s magnificent. I’ve often been asked what my absolute favourite book is but I’ve never really had a proper answer. I’ve read plenty of absolutely amazing books but nothing that I could call my absolute all-time favourite – until On The Jellicoe Road. Just thinking about On The Jellicoe Road gets me teary. It’s the most creative piece of literature I’ve ever read. I have so many thoughts and feeling about it and I could talk about it for hours on end yet at the same time, whenever I think about it my brain turns to mush. I’ve tried (multiple times) to write a review for it but I struggle with what to say and so far haven't had much luck with writing it.

And just when I thought Melina couldn't get any more awesome, I recently found out that she’s written episodes for Dance Academy, one of my favourite TV shows.

Next month in September, Melina is stopping by Perth for a signing. To have the chance to meet Melina, who is not only the author of some of my favourite books, but my absolute all-time favourite? What a dream come true, I absolutely can’t wait!

Thank you, Melina. You have no idea how grateful I am for you and your amazing books, but hopefully this post gives you an idea just how much you mean to me. It’s writers like you who make me proud to be Australian.

Find Melina on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
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Author Bio: Melina Marchetta was born in Sydney Australia. Her first novel, Looking For Alibrandi was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1993 and her second novel, Saving Francesca won the same award in 2004. Looking For Alibrandi was made into a major film in 2000 and won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Film and best adapted screen play, also written by the author. On the Jellicoe Road was released in 2006 and won the WAYRBA voted by teenagers in Western Australia in 2008. It also won the US Printz Medal in 2009 for excellence in YA literature. This was followed up by Finnikin of the Rock in 2008 which won the Aurealis Award for YA fantasy, The Piper's Son in 2010 which was shortlisted for the Qld Premier's Lit Award, NSW Premier's Lit Award, Prime Minister's Literary Awards, CBC awards and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Her follow up to Finnikin, Froi of the Exiles will be released in Australia in October and the US in March 2012.

28 Aug 2012

AAA: Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF: Top 5 Books Everyone Should Read

12 comments:

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Kody Keplinger so to have her stopping by Author Appreciation August is very exciting. Kody is the author of The DUFF, Shut Out, A Midsummer’s Nightmare and set to release next year in 2013, Goldfish. Instead of a written ‘Top 5’ post, Kody has put her answers in the form of a vlog. Sit back, relax and I hope you all enjoy watching this vlog as much as I did! Please give a warm welcome to the one and only, Kody Keplinger!

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Find Kody on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

A huge thank you to Kody for sharing this wonderful vlog with us! I don’t know about you but I am very eager to get my hands on all those books Kody mentioned. *runs off to the bookstore* If you love Kody too, why not take the time to say 'thanks' via Twitter or Facebook? Here's why I appreciate Kody and her books.

Remember to enter the giveaway for a chance to win to win dozens of amazing books and prizes, including 1 of 3 copies of The DUFF!

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25 Aug 2012

AAA: Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of My Life Next Door: Top 5 Debut Books

17 comments:

For today’s post, I’m excited to share a post from debut author, Huntley Fitzpatrick. She blew us away with My Life Next Door and I’m sure you’re just as anxious as I am to get your hands on What I Thought Was True, which releases in 2013! Since Huntley is a debut author herself, I thought it would be interesting to see which other 2012 debuts she’s read, loved and recommends. Without further ado, please welcome, Huntley Fitzpatrick!

Top 5 Debut Books

Let me start by saying that I’ve never been good at ranking things. I don’t mean this as a slam against lists, because I’ve been grateful for so many of them. But I get confused, from Oscars to Newbury Award winners, how can you compare a comedy with a drama, a Leonardo di Caprio tearfest with a Steve Carrell laugh-out-loud comedy, a contemporary with a dystopian, a transporting musical with a drama that rearranges the world for you?

That said, I’m straying from the topic, which is my five top debuts of 2012. Just saying it wasn’t easy, and I agonized, and in the end decided to go with the first five that popped up when I wanted to recommend books to a teenaged friend today.

1. Pushing the Limits, by Katie McGarry
I am a sucker for the two-POV book. I so admire authors who can do this and make each perspective incredibly clear and true With this book, I was fell completely into the experience of both characters. Katie McGarry completely captures both Echo’s and Noah’s experiences, different yet interconnected in a fundamental way. I adored this book.

2. Gilt, by Katherine Longshore
I am a history junkie, and specifically a history junkie since reading DAUGHTER OF TIME by Josephine Tey (if you haven’t read this classic history/mystery story, go find it). I followed that fascination into Henry VIII and you should too, because this amazing book is an extraordinary combination of history and modern day drama, showing in a beautifully written and heartbreaking way that they more we change the more we stay the same. Struggling all along the way with their conflicted relationship, Kitty Tylney follows her friend Catherine Howard into the heart of Henry’s court, and toward disaster for them both. This book kept me up all night, and pondering the could-have-beens long after that.

3. Something like Normal by Trish Doller
I never know where to start with this one, except to say get it, read it and you will love it. Travis comes back from his tour in Afghanistan to fight a different war at home—the quiet, necessary battle of making peace with your family and learning what it means to grow up. His only true—unexpected—ally is Harper, a girl who has her own reasons to distrust and dislike him. Travis’ voice, genuine, conflicted, ultimately compassionate, was what made this book shine for me. One to read and reread.

4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
This book absolutely astonished me. At first, I hesitated to pick it up. A retelling of Cinderella, set in China in the distant future? And Cinderella is a cyborg? Um….?But I kept hearing such wonderful things that I couldn’t resist reading a page….and got completely hooked. The world Meyer sets up is so intricate and so beautifully imagined that it is, indeed, hard to believe this is her first book. A must-read.

5. Scarlet by AC Gaughen
I’ve always been fascinated by Robin Hood and eagerly sought out as many retellings of his story as possible. Scarlet is one of the best, turning the legend on its head by reimagining one of Robin Hood’s lesser known sidekicks, Will Scarlet, as a strong, spirited girl in disguise. This book hits all the high notes—love, adventure, non-stop action, heartbreak—and a heroine with a winning sense of purpose and social justice. I loved it.
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Find Huntley on: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

A HUGE thank you to Huntley for stopping by and sharing this amazing post with us! I’ve read Pushing the Limits, Gilt and Something Like Normal and loved them all. Cinder and Scarlet look great and since Huntley and I share a similar taste in books, I’m sure I’ll enjoy them both!

Are you a fan of Huntley? Then what are you waiting for? Take the time to appreciate Huntley, by sending her a tweet or message to say thanks and spread the love.

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

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24 Aug 2012

AAA: On Authors: Publishers Spill

11 comments:

We’ve heard from bloggers, authors and now it’s time to see what the publishers have to say. Below is a short interview with four wonderful, Australian publishers who have ever so kindly stopped by to spare some of their time and answer a few questions so we can get some insight into which authors they love and appreciate. Please give a warm welcome to Caroline from Simon & Schuster, Polina from Harlequin Teen, Lara from Allen & Unwin and Theresa from Hachette!

1. I’m thankful for so many authors but a few of my favourites include....

Caroline: Melvin Burgess, D.H Lawrence, Becca Fitzpatrick, Enid Blyton, Suzanne Collins, and John Green.

Polina: Milan Kundera, Ovid, Ursula Le Guin, Julie Kagawa, Jonathan Safran Foer, Nikolay Gogol, Samuel Beckett, and I could go on and on …

Lara: I couldn't possibly answer that as I really do enjoy working with all my authors (corny I know) but at the moment I do feel especially lucky to be working on Leigh Hobbs', Tohby Riddle's, Anna Fienberg's and Danny Katz's new books.

Theresa: R. L. Stein: he tapped into my love of horror stories, gave me nightmares of the greatest kind, and is still my childhood hero.

The second is another children’s author (hey, I’m a children’s book publicist!) - Dr. Seuss: his books are a timeless worldly treasure. He once said: “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” And this quote alone made me want to become his BFF :)

The third would be Carlos Ruiz Zafon: His novel The Shadow of the Wind was so incredible, I wanted to learn Spanish just so I could read his books in the purest form and without translation. The fact that I was also reading it while lying on a beach in Fiji had no effect on my reading experience. Much…

2. Is there a certain author who got you addicted to reading or have you always been a reader?

Caroline: I’ve read since I was little but when I was in my early teens I always used to pick up books in the library from the teen section with green triangles on them which meant that it was 15+ and probably had some rude content in it!! I discovered Melvin Burgess, who is the most amazing English author and he got me totally addicted to reading. His books Junk and Bloodtide are my absolute faves.

Polina: The author that got me addicted to reading was Gabriel Garcia Marquez, his 100 Years of Solitude was given to me when I was around 14 years old. I shunned it at first, but after entering the world in that book, I could never turn back. However, my real addiction to books, started with a book, rather than an author. I read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and its ineffable charm continues to be my knight in shining armour every day I need a beautiful reminder.

Lara: I've always been a reader but if there was one series that kicked off my love of reading when I was at school it would have been the Ann of Green Gables books.

Theresa: My parents always argue about who encouraged my addiction to reading, but from a very young age I was devouring books. There wasn’t one author that got me addicted to reading, but I can still remember my favourite book as a child was a gorgeous illustrated book of fairy tales. I would take that with me everywhere. PS. It was my mum :)

3. Please finish this sentence: Authors are…

Caroline: like temporary counselors, they make me determined to live my life a certain way, until the next one comes along.

Polina: masters of the pen, and conquerors of the sword.

Lara: passionate, talented, creative, funny and usually extraordinary.

Theresa: wonderful word wizards.

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How awesome was that! It’s always so interesting to hear what publishers have to say. A huge thank you to Caroline, Polina and Lara, as without you this interview would be, well, nothing! ;)

There’s only a week left of Author Appreciation August but Sarah and I have still got some great posts up our sleeve, so make sure you stop by every day to see what’s happening at both Reading Wishes and saz101!

23 Aug 2012

AAA: Interview with Kirsty Eagar, author of RAW BLUE

13 comments:

Kirsty Eagar may have only been around for a few years but she has quickly become a beloved author among Australians, along with a rapidly growing international fan base, ever since her debut, Raw Blue, released in 2009. Since then, Saltwater Vampires and Night Beach have released and it doesn’t look like Kirsty’s slowing down anytime soon! It is with great excitement, that I bring you this interview. Please give a warm welcome, to the wonderful, Kirsty Eagar!

What’s it feel like to have such a wide fan base, not just in Australia but also in the US?
It blows me away, because I know how hard it is to get hold of my books! Hopefully that changes a little with Raw Blue coming out in the UK, but still, I really appreciate the effort people have gone to. Also, I know it's due to the blogging community spreading the word, so I have nothing but gratitude in that department.

What’s the hardest part about writing a book?
Ahhhh, definitely the first draft. I'm usually in a world of pain for most of it. The only way I get through it is by having a deadline, or self-imposed daily word limits.

So far out of your books I’ve read Raw Blue and it was such a powerful, beautiful book. What inspires you to write?
Thanks Rebecca! Usually there's just this pressing, insistent urge to discover the story. I'll start with an idea, and a vague feeling for what I think the story will be, but often when it's done it's different to that, and more what it's meant to be. And the thing is, writing it is the only way I can know it. That might make the whole process sound romantic, but actually it's irritating and uncomfortable. Like there's this bloody thing in my subconscious and I just want to get it out.

How do you decide what your next book should be about? Do you keep a journal full of ideas?
How do I decide? With great difficulty, is the short answer. I always seem to have a couple of things that I'm deciding between. Eventually I'll start the one that holds the most appeal, and I'll be really happy with the choice until about 15,000 words in, at which point things will start to get hard, and then I'll wish that I'd chosen something else. Never do other projects seem more interesting to me than when I'm having trouble with the thing I'm working on!

I don't keep a journal any more. Now, I just trust my memory. Besides, it's a good litmus test for the strength of an idea. If you're still thinking about something a year or two after you first came up with it, it means that you're probably interested enough to want to write about it.

People always comment about Aussie YA and that there must be something in the water Down Under because the books are so fantastic. What are your Top 3 Favourite Aussie reads that you absolutely love and completely recommend?
Oh, cruel question. There are so many great reads. But today I'll go with The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta (okay, that's three books right there but let's not get caught up in details), The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky, and The Shiny Guys by Doug Macleod.
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Find Kirsty on: Goodreads | Website | Blog

A huge thank you to Kirsty for taking her time to answer my questions! If you’re a fan of Kirsty and her books, take the time to appreciate her, via your blog, facebook or twitter, just as long as you spread the love!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

22 Aug 2012

AAA: Appreciating KODY KEPLINGER

12 comments:

Today I am here to appreciate, the one and only, Kody Keplinger! I absolutely ADORE Kody’s books and seriously, if you haven’t read them yet, you are missing out. Without further ado, here is why I appreciate, Kody Keplinger!

At the end of 2011, I made a book resolution that in 2012, I would finally read a book by Kody Keplinger. Were well and truly over the half year mark, and I am happy to say I’ve completed this goal and then some.

I got Shut Out for my birthday in March, read it soon after and loved it. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. This was the book that first started my love for Kody, and I knew that after reading that one book, whatever she wrote I would love and so far I haven’t been disappointed. Not long after I got my hands on a copy of The DUFF and…wow, just wow. I simply adored it! I had previously pre-ordered A Midsummer’s Nightmare and when it arrived, I started reading it straight after The DUFF. And just like everything Kody writes, I loved it.

I love EVERYTHING about Kody’s books but what I love most is her absolute honesty and the way she doesn’t shy away from subjects such as drinking, sex or anything else teenagers do. She deals with these issues tactfully and realistically.

I absolutely can’t wait for Goldfish to release in 2013. *squeals* I’ve heard it’s very different from her other work, but I’m sure it will be just as amazing!

I love every single one of Kody’s books (I get giddy just by looking at them on my bookshelf). I could continue fangirling all day, but I’ll stop for now. Thank you, Kody, for sharing your talent and amazing stories with the world. I hope you know I appreciate you!

Find Kody on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Author Bio: Kody Keplinger was born and raised in rural western Kentucky. She always enjoyed writing and began working on "novels" when she was eleven. She wrote her first published work, THE DUFF, during her senior year of high school. Since then, Kody has written two other novels, SHUT OUT and A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE. Kody currently lives in NYC and writes full time. She enjoys Thai food, Converse tennis shoes, and way too much television.

21 Aug 2012

AAA: Jessica Spotswood, author of Born Wicked: Authors Who Have Shaped Me Into The Writer I Am Today

9 comments:

Ever since I first heard of Born Wicked, I knew I was in for a treat. When it released earlier this year, as soon as I got my hands on a copy, I devoured it and absolutely. fell. in. love. A trio of sisters, forbidden romance, plus witchy goodness; add Spotswood’s eloquent, rich prose, dazzling descriptions and beautiful characters and you’ve got GOLD. It is with great excitement that I present the wonderful Jessica Spotswood, who has kindly stopped by to share a ‘Top 5’ post – enjoy!

Top 5 Authors Who Have Shaped Me Into The Writer I Am Today

1. Louisa May Alcott

LITTLE WOMEN was my first true book love, back in elementary school. As an aspiring writer and the oldest of three sisters, I loved Jo best. In a high school production, though, I played Beth - and I died splendidly. I reread LITTLE WOMEN recently and it was a little dated - it feels like Jo settles for the Professor, and the moral lessons are pretty unsubtle - but I still love reading (and writing) about that complicated mix of love and jealousy between sisters.

2. L.M. Montgomery
My other elementary school favorites were the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and EMILY OF NEW MOON series. These, I think, hold up way better - except for the third Emily book, which I find kind of disturbingly dark. I love these spirited, smart, stubborn heroines - but what I really admire is L.M. Montgomery's lush sense of setting. Prince Edward Island comes roaringly, startlingly alive in these books; they read as much a love letter to that place as anything. They taught me how important setting is.

3. Margaret Mitchell
GONE WITH THE WIND is the book that made me write books, for its mix of swoony romance and history and deeply flawed but sympathetic characters. I can't tell you how many times I've reread this book; my paperback copy is falling apart and taped back together and it's one of the things I'd save if my house caught fire. Scarlett O'Hara is an incredible heroine - selfish and thoughtless and stubborn, but a survivor - a strong, independent, smart woman in a society that doesn't respect or value that.

4. Richelle Mead
VAMPIRE ACADEMY was one of the first YA novels I read when I started writing again, after grad school. I loved the balance between romance and the incredibly important friendship between Rose and Lissa and the fast-paced plot. And when I started to query, I put Jim McCarthy on my list because he represented Richelle. And now he's my awesome agent too!

5. Kristin Cashore
The GRACELING series is my very most favorite. I love all three books with an intense, evangelical passion. They feature completely amazing world-building, and strong independent heroines who are flawed but sympathetic, and swoony romance, and the writing is just beautiful. I can't even decide which one is my favorite. I think everyone should read all of them. When I went to one of Kristin's book-signings earlier this summer, I was such a dork, like: "Hi? I'm a Penguin author too? I LOVE YOUR BOOKS." I'm hoping to write a fantasy series after the Cahill Witch Chronicles, which has definitely been influenced and inspired by her work.
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Find Jessica on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Thank you Jessica for stopping by to share this wonderful post with us! I didn’t think it was possible, but after reading her response, I appreciate Jess even more. And did you see what she wrote…a fantasy series might be on the cards for Jess after she finishes the Cahill Witch Chronicles - exciting much!

If you’re a fan of Jessica, be sure to take the time and appreciate her! You could write a post, or if you don’t have a blog, a sweet tweet or facebook message does the trick as well!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

20 Aug 2012

AAA: Appreciating JENNY HAN

15 comments:

The author I’m here to appreciate today doesn’t need much of an introduction. She is known as Jenny Han and is the author of the Summer series, along with the co-author of Burn For Burn which releases next month. Read on to find out why I appreciate, Jenny Han!

Back before I met Goodreads and I started blogging, reading used to be trial and error. I had to experiment and do a lot of ~~soul~~ book searching before I found something really special. On a Saturday morning, a few years back, I was browsing Dymocks and came across The Summer I Turned Pretty. The blurb, the title, the simple cover; everything about it drew me in so I bought a copy. Not long after purchasing it, I began reading. I remember that day so clearly. It was a dark, dreary, cloudy, rainy, grey day and I had hauled myself away in my room, getting lost amongst the pages which bared no resemblance to reality at all. In fact, it was the complete opposite - sun, sand, swimming, summer.

There are many reasons why the Summer series is so special to me, but one in particular is that as Belly grew I did, too. After reading The Summer I Turned Pretty, each year, for two years, another book released and each time, I was a little older than the last. I remember pre-ordering, It’s Not Summer Without You in 2010 and We’ll Always Have Summer in 2011, and once they had released, every day for about two weeks I got so excited with the idea that maybe today would be the day it finally arrived. You can imagine my excitement when it finally did show – jumping, squealing and a lot of smiling followed suit.

The Summer I Turned Pretty was not only the first YA story that really struck a chord with me, but it was also the first book that managed to harness my emotions and had me bawling my eyes out.

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am that Burn For Burn releases next month in September! *sqee* And just the other day I found out that Jenny has a new book releasing in 2014, called To All The Boys I’ve Loved. Title love! The second I saw this, I froze whilst my insides danced around. So far there is no blurb available but there is no need, because just the name Jenny Han is enough to sell me.

The Summer series will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve always been a reader, ever since I was little, but The Summer I Turned Pretty cemented my love for reading even more, and for that I’ll always be thankful.

P.S - Team Conrad forever and always ♥

Find Jenny on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
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Author Bio:
Jenny Han (Han like Han Solo, not Han like hand) was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and she went on to graduate school at the New School in New York City, where she received her MFA in Writing for Children. She lives in Brooklyn and works part-time at a school library on the Upper West Side.

18 Aug 2012

AAA: Katherine Longshore, author of Gilt: Guest Post

16 comments:

After reading Gilt earlier this year and loving it, I am pleased to welcome the talented and amazing, Katherine Longshore! She has kindly stopped by Author Appreciation August to share with us ‘A Day In The Life Of A Writer' guest post. Hopefully this will give you a better insight into the author life and how much time they spend writing the books we love to read, which will overall, help readers appreciate authors even more! Ladies and gentlemen *drumroll*, KATHERINE LONGSHORE!

A Day In The Life Of A Writer

I love the mornings when I wake up with a character or an image or a story solution in mind. The mornings that I have to get up and scribble something down – before I even have my first cup of coffee. These are the days that I know that the Boys in the Basement (a phrase coined by Stephen King) have been hard at work while I slept.

But on usual days – average days – I get up, make a cappuccino, and sit down immediately to emails and social networking. I tend to get distracted a lot in the mornings, with my family coming and going, and can’t keep a single train of thought for very long. I can just about handle 140 characters while the dog is barking and breakfast dishes clatter and someone asks me where the clean socks are.

Once the house is quiet, I shut everything down. The dog goes to sleep, the washing machine hums quietly in the garage, the dishes get left in the sink, the Internet turned off. I make myself another cappuccino and engross myself in the 16th century for – on a good day – a three-hour stretch.

My characters were almost all real people (in fact, in Book 2 and Book 3, they are entirely real people). But because written history of the period gives us little but loosely-strewn facts and anecdotes with agendas, we can’t really know what these people were like. So I spend a great deal of my writing time “getting into character.”

I come from a theater and acting background, and studied under an adherent of “Method Acting”. Method acting is defined by Wikipedia as “any of a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances.” I use these same techniques – many including emotional recall and sense memory – when I write. Method Writing. I put myself in my character’s shoes and try to feel and think and believe like my characters. I invent the possible reasons for their documented actions, and for the impressions they made on others. I’ve been known to stand up and move around the room to get their actions right, to get the feel of a wall at my back or the view through an almost-closed door. This part – this complete invention and immersion – is what I love most about writing.

If I’m interrupted during this time – say, the phone rings – it takes me ages to come back to reality. I don’t remember what day it is – sometimes I even forget the year. Often I forget to eat.

Some days my writing sessions are a little more prosaic. I can spend hours researching events. In fact, before I start a new novel, I spend days – even weeks – reading and taking notes on index cards. If I need details for a certain scene, I turn to Google. For instance, recently I wanted to get the name of a song for my character to sing. By Googling “16th century French songs” I came across a composer who fit the time period. With that name, I discovered a myriad of songs and lyrics and even went onto YouTube to listen to modern recordings of his songs. I found translations (because the songs were in French and Italian) and after about an hour, I knew the exact song my character would sing, and how the person listening to her would react. It all happens in about six lines in the book, but the amount of research that went into it was absolutely worth it.

I write every day. I’m not one of those authors who can spend the morning writing Book 3 and then the afternoon revising Book 2, however. I can only concentrate on one character and storyline at a time. So over the course of a few months, I often have to switch gears – draft Book 3, promote Book 1 (GILT), revise Book 2, draft Book 3, and so on. The actual switching part can take me two or three days while I stumble around trying to get my bearings. But the days that I don’t write at all, I feel like something’s missing.

I’m a working mother, so I also spend much of my day doing laundry, cooking meals, being a taxi driver, paying bills, cleaning bathrooms, etc. etc. etc. I get out into the fresh air every day – I walk the dog, go for a run, fly a kite. I spend quite a bit of time answering interviews and doing guest posts for amazingly talented and dedicated book bloggers. I prepare for speaking engagements and make Power Point presentations for library visits. And at the end of the day, I love to sit down and watch BBC costume dramas and literary adaptations like Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice (and I absolutely adore Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch).

I love what I do so much I can’t bring myself to call it a “job,” even though it’s what I do and I get paid for it. It’s my work, but it’s not work. It’s difficult and it’s emotional and sometimes I despair I’ll ever make a deadline, but I love it. All of it. And I am eternally grateful to readers like you who make it all possible. Thank you.
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Find Miranda on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

A MASSIVE thank you to Katherine for stopping by and for sharing this amazing guest post! If you loved Gilt and are a fan of Katherine, make sure you take the time to appreciate her!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

16 Aug 2012

AAA: Interview with Miranda Kenneally, author of CATCHING JORDAN

13 comments:

For today’s AAA post, I am pleased to present, the amazing Miranda Kenneally! She is the author of Catching Jordan, soon-to-be released, Stealing Parker, and next year in 2013, Things I Can’t Forget. I’m so excited to present you with this awesome interview, which will hopefully give you an insight into Miranda’s writing life and schedule! Without further ado, Miranda Kenneally!

How do you manage to write under a deadline?

I've been lucky so far in that I haven't had very challenging deadlines. I am not sure that I'd be able to write under a tight time frame. My process is to write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite, and I need time to do that and think and mess around. Generally a story reveals itself to me - I don't usually come up with my plots. I just write until something shows up on paper.

You don’t often come across many companion books. What inspired you choose this path instead of a series?

It just sort of happened. Characters from CATCHING JORDAN just showed up in STEALING PARKER. It wasn't my choice. :) Also, I try to end my books in such a way that shows the characters are starting a new part of their lives, and that they are better prepared because of what they've learned during the book. I want to leave readers hoping for the best for my characters. I want them guessing at what happens between characters. However, I do love to show a little bit of what's going on in my characters' lives in my companion novels.

A bit of a spoiler: All of the main characters in CATCHING JORDAN and STEALING PARKER are in my third book coming out in 2013.

What is your favourite part of being an author?

Hearing from fans and getting to talk with them. I also love talking about other authors' books.

Why YA?

Why not? :) I guess I write YA for lots of different reasons. I like giving teenagers hope, because I didn't feel a lot of hope in high school. Also, I seem to relate better to teens than to adults. I haven't really grown up yet!

What’s it like being able to share your passion for writing with the world?

Surreal. Sometimes I can't believe that people want to read my stories. I hope people relate to and learn from my characters!

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Find Miranda on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

I hope you enjoyed the interview, and remember, if you’re a fan of Miranda and her books, don’t forget to say ‘thanks’ – it’s always nice to be appreciated!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

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14 Aug 2012

AAA: Appreciating JENNIFER ECHOLS

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Today I am here to appreciate one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Echols. She is the Queen of Contemporary and an amazing writer. Without further ado, here are all the reasons why I appreciate her :) Also, if you haven't read any of Jennifer's books yet, I highly recommend you fix that super soon!

I first became a fan of Jennifer last year after finally ordering myself a copy of Endless Summer. I remember when it arrived – it was a huge, thick book; larger than I had expected, but once I got half way through and finished The Boy Next Door, I realised I had brought the pack which also included the sequel, which was lucky for me because as soon as I finished The Boy Next Door, I needed more, stat!

Her romantic comedies are fun, flirty and sweet and whilst I love them, her real and sexy romantic dramas are my favourite.

Jennifer‘s books never disappoints; it’s always right on the money with her. I’ve only read a few books by Jennifer but I hope that by the end of the year I’ll have caught up and read all the books she’s released so far.

Next year in 2013, she is releasing her first ever Adult book – seriously, is there anything the lady can’t do?! I think I’ll be celebrating by purchasing a copy for my mum to read. Heck, I might even read it myself!

Jennifer, if you’re reading, thank you so much for writing the books I love to read. Also, has anyone mentioned you’re a writing machine? Because you totally are! ♥

Find Jennifer on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Author Bio: Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.

AAA: Vlog Interview with Leila Sales, author of MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS

6 comments:

Today on the blog I am pleased to welcome, Leila Sales. She is the author of Mostly Good Girl, Past Perfect and next year in 2013, My Suicide Playlist will release. Instead of a typical, written interview, Leila has put her awesome answers in vlog form, which we hope you all enjoy! Without further ado, the amazing, Leila Sales!

**Update In the video Leila says that her next book is coming out in early 2014 and that she can't say it's title yet-- which was true when she recorded the vlog-- but now things have changed a little. Her next book is actually coming out in fall 2013 (four months earlier than anticipated!) and it's called MY SUICIDE PLAYLIST. You can read all about the deal announcement here.
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Find Leila on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

A HUGE thank you to Leila for for putting the vlog together and answering my questions! If you’re a fan of Leila and her books, make sure you take the time to appreciate her. Send her a tweet, a Facebook message, write up a blog post, or do something to spread the love!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of prizes to be won!

11 Aug 2012

AAA: Interview with Elizabeth Eulberg, author of THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB

17 comments:

For today’s AAA author post, I am pleased to present: Elizabeth Eulberg! So far, she has published three YA novels and is best known for her debut novel, The Lonely Hearts Club. In 2011, Prom and Prejudice released and in April 2012, Take A Bow was published. And look out 2013 because Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality is coming your way! It is with great excitement that I bring you this awesome interview. Please give a warm welcome to, Elizabeth Eulberg!

What's it like when you hear someone loved one of your books?
It's THE BEST! Writing can be such a solitary existence. You work really hard on something by yourself and then hold your breath when it's released out in the world. Knowing that people enjoy what you write is so gratifying. I don't think an author can ever get tired of being told that you enjoy their books!

In early 2011, you made the transition to writing full-time. What made you decide to do this?
I never, and I mean NEVER, thought I'd be in a position to write full-time. I was so fortunate that everything lined into place. At first I thought I would only be able to do it for a year, but so far so good (fingers crossed!). I do realize every day how lucky I am to be able to do what I love. I never take it for granted.

How much time do you spend writing a day?
It depends entirely on the day. This summer I'm working on a first draft. So in the morning, I'll go to the gym, run errands, answer e-mails, all while making notes of what I'm going to write in the afternoon. Sometimes it's three hours of straight writing, sometimes it's seven. It all depends on what I've got figured out. Then after I'm done writing, I briefly write down what I need to get done the next day. Then the thinking begins. Even though I spend only a few hours actually writing, I spend most of my waking hours planning and thinking.

We can't even begin to imagine how busy and crazy authors are. What's your writing schedule and deadlines like? How do you manage to fit everything in?
I think I've got my scheduled figured out at this point (knock on wood!). Generally I write a first draft in the summer. Then I spend the fall revising it on my own and asking friends for feedback. I turn it into my editor before Christmas. Then I spend the first three or four months of the year working with my editor on revisions, line edits and copyedits. This is usually the time that I'm promoting the previous book so that's the trickiest time. Talking about and traveling for the last book while polishing the new book. Then you repeat! My deadlines for revisions vary. I'm pretty fast, as long as I know what I'm doing!!

What's your best author moment so far?
I'm lucky I've had so many! A few weeks ago I did an event on Long Island. I walked into the library and these two girls come running up to me, told me they loved my books and gave me a hug. You really can't beat that!
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Find Elizabeth on: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

A big thank you to Elizabeth for her time! If you’re a fan of Elizabeth and her books, be sure to take the time to say ‘thanks’.

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

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10 Aug 2012

Attention Authors: A Giveaway Just For You!

2 comments:

Welcome to Author Appreciation August. We hope your having fun, because this event is all about YOU. We want to give a little something back to show we love and appreciate you, so we’ve planned something special, just for you: a giveaway for all authors.

The only requirement for entering the giveaway is that you have a published novel--whether you’re an Indie, with a lark publisher, or anything in between, this our way of saying ‘thanks’!

What’s up for grabs:
Careful Or You'll End Up In My Novel, acrylic necklace
Say It Well, Sylvia Plath print
Keep Calm and Write It Down, notebook

** And just to clarify, there will be three winners who will each win one of the below prizes.

Now that you've seen the amesome goodies you could win, it's time to enter the giveaway! Have fun and may the odds be ever in your favor.

9 Aug 2012

AAA: Jennifer E. Smith, author of Statistical Probability: Top 5 Books That Changed My World

3 comments:

For today's AAA post we welcome Jennifer E. Smith, who is the author of four YA novels. She is best known for The Statistical Probability of Love at First, which released earlier this year and has received high praise from authors including Susane Colasanti, Elizabeth Scott, Sarah Mlynowski, Margaret Stohl, along with readers from around the globe. And for all you fans out there, get excited because Jennifer is releasing another novel called, This Is What Happy Looks Like (hopefully!) next year! Read on to find out which five books changed Jennifer's world. Please give a warm welcome to: Jennifer E. Smith!

Top Five Books That Changed My World

When I first started making this list, I didn’t intend for the whole thing to be children’s books. In addition to writing YA, I’m also an editor of books for adults, and there are countless “grown up” novels that have had a profound effect on me over the years: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, just to name a very few. And that’s not even getting into the classics like The Great Gatsby, Our Mutual Friend, and The Grapes of Wrath, some of my all-time favorites.

But when you talk about books that change your world, it’s hard not to think about children’s books. Obviously a big part of this is that reading as a kid is a very different experience than reading as an adult. You’re discovering all of these amazing works for the first time. But it can’t all be chalked up to that, since some of these are books that I read for the first time as an adult. There’s just something about them, I guess. In my book, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, there’s a line that says: “The stories had become a part of her by then; they stuck to her bones like a good meal, bloomed inside of her like a garden.” And that’s how I feel about each of these:

1. Harry Potter
I could list every single book in the series individually here, because each one of them holds such an important place in my library, but taken as a whole, they obviously packed a huge punch for me. I don’t know that we’ll ever experience anything like it again. This series was such a gift.

2. Matilda
I think any voracious reader can relate to this one. It speaks to the book nerd in all of us, celebrating a love of reading in the most wonderfully oddball and zany way.

3. Charlotte’s Web
I’m a huge fan of E.B. White. One of my all time favorite quotes of his says, “All I hope to say in my writing – all I ever hope to say – is that I love the world.” And that’s exactly what he did with Charlotte’s Web. The very last line of the book is my favorite: “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.” I love that. It still makes me a little teary-eyed.

4. Where the Red Fern Grows
Speaking of teary-eyed, this book makes me weep every single time I read it. Whenever I tell people it’s one of my favorites, I think they find it a little bit odd, since it’s so sad. But it’s much more than that too. As a kid, it taught me so much about loyalty and friendship and hard work and love. And it made me wish desperately for a hound dog of my own. It took awhile, but I’m now the proud owner of a very sweet and slightly crazy beagle. And though he went through a pretty bad book-eating phase, he had the good sense not to touch my old seventh grade copy of this novel, which is still on my shelf today.

5. The Book Thief
It took me an embarrassingly long time to come to this book, though of course I’d heard all the wonderful praise. I only just read it a few months ago, but I can’t stop talking about it, and even more than that, I can’t stop thinking about it. As someone who walks the line between the world of children’s books and adult ones, it’s always so wonderful when you find a novel that appeals to both audiences. And for good reason: this book taps into something sorrowful and beautiful and pure. It’s a gorgeous window into an awful piece of history, and it twists at your heart in such a visceral way. There’s a scene toward the end with Liesl and Rudy, which I won’t ruin for anyone, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone back to read it since finishing the book. This one is the newest addition to the books that have changed my world, but I have a feeling it will stay with me for a very long time.
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Find Jennifer on: Goodreads | Website | Twitter

Thanks so much Jennifer for stopping by and sharing this wonderful 'Top 5' post with us! If you’re fan of Jennifer’s books don’t forget to take the time to appreciate her and say ‘thanks’.

Giveaway!

Don't forget to go enter the AAA giveaway! It's open internationally, and there are DOZENS of books to be given away!

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