Archive for June, 2007

June 21, 2007 • 25 Comments

My cover has arrived, the day I leave for the UK….. such perfect timing! Hope you love it…. I do. In case you can’t make it out, she’s holding two cherries (the two cherry theme runs through the book, each chapter starts with two cherries beside the number).

June 15, 2007 • 5 Comments

My fabulous agent, Rachel Vater, has joined Folio Literary Management.

It’s a very exciting opportunity and I’m thrilled to be there with her. Congratulations Rachel!

June 13, 2007 • 11 Comments

The lovely Stephanie Hale has agreed to be interviewed. Check out her cover, isn’t it fabulous?

Please will you tell us all about your latest book?

My first young adult novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, from Berkley Jam will be in stores on July 3rd. The entire country will be celebrating with fireworks the very next day! My novel is the humorous tale of a homecoming queen that goes a bit psycho when she thinks her tiara has been disrespected.

How long have you been writing and what made you start?

I have been writing for about 3 1/2 years. I have always loved to read but never even considered trying my hand at writing until my first son was born. I realized that I didn’t want to spend anymore time in cubicles so I started writing. Eventually I got laid off, had another son, and kept writing and getting better. This is the first job I’ve ever loved! I just wish I would have figured out what I love to do a little sooner!

Many people spend a long time finding an agent, can you tell us about your agent hunt?

My first novel was an adult chick lit. I got personal positive rejection letters but nothing came of it. Next came my first young adult novel, which I realize now is probably more middle-grade, and the rejections were even more positive, but they were still rejections. When I started sending out queries for REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, several agents immediately requested fulls. I knew it was going to be different this time. From the beginning I had my sights set on one particular agent, Jenny Bent. I knew how great she was at her job and I wanted her. She immediately requested the full then a few days later told me she liked it but that it needed some work. She told me if I revised it she would be happy to take a look at it. I knew she was right, I liked my book so much that I rushed it. I took a month and did an extensive revision. I sent it back to her and she agreed to represent me! It was very exciting to have such a respected agent think that my work would sell!

Everyone loves a good call story, what was yours?

My sale happened pretty fast, so luckily I hadn’t had time to stress about it. I got home from Target (the best place on earth) one day and had a message from Jenny to call her back. I was so nervous as I dialed. Her assistant told me she was on a cigarette break and would call me back! ARG!!! A few minutes later she called me back and told me the good news. I was home alone with my two little boys and when I told them the little one responded with, “Mommy, I pooped.” It was so exciting!

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I think knowing when to abandon a certain project is important. At some point if you’ve received a hundred rejection letters, and you’ve revised, revised, revised, it might just be time to move on. You are only going to get better on your future novels so keep pressing forward and never give up!

Can you tell us about what you’re working on now and what books are coming out in the future?

I am currently working on a sequel to my first novel. It’s called TWISTED SISTERS, and I believe it will be coming out in January 2008. After that I have a notebook full of ideas!

Biography

Stephanie Hale was born, raised, and still lives in the middle of a cornfield with her wonderful husband and two adorable little boys. She is pretty sure she was reading a book while she was still in the womb. She has been a cashier at a hardware store, a bartender, and has had several horrific jobs as a customer service rep. One day she decided to try writing a book herself. Then she had another thought, what if I could relive high school? After she stopped screaming, she started penning young adult novels. High school is much better the second time around when you can make your characters do and say whatever you want!

Her second YA, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, quickly won first place in a contest, got the positive reinforcement she was craving from agents, including her DREAM agent who happily took her on. Soon her novel, and a sequel, was bought by Berkley Jam and she lived happily ever after! When Stephanie isn’t busy working on her next novel she keeps busy chasing boys (see above).

www.stephaniehale.com

 

Thanks so much Stephanie, it’s been a pleasure interviewing you.

June 12, 2007 • 5 Comments

I’m guest blogger today at Kate Walker’s blog party - she’s celebrating the publication of her fiftieth book! Yes, that’s right fifty books….. omg I am in awe. Not only that, Kate is a fabulous person. An inspiration to all of us! (I won’t say any more because she has a habit of blushing hahahaha).

Other news…..9 more sleeps until I go over to the UK…. and I’m not thinking about all the work I need to do before then….. I don’t want to dampen my excitement.

June 9, 2007 • 3 Comments

I’ve just done an interview with the fabulous Vanessa Barneveld. I’d love you to check it out if you have time.

Less than two weeks to go before I go to UK, so I’m busy buying clothes, tidying up all the business admin, judging contest entries, and trying lose a little more weight.  For anyone who remembers my New Year’s resolution, I didn’t quite make the target…. or should that be I missed it by miles?  I haven’t seen my family (apart from one of my brothers who also lives here in NZ)  for 3 years so I’m really looking forward to seeing them all and catching up on all the goss.

I’m suffering withdrawal symptoms now American Idol is over… but at least Ugly Betty is coming back and we still have Desperate Housewives, Greys, House, Boston Legal, Cold Case and ER.

June 6, 2007 • 7 Comments

Eileen Cook alerted us to these shocking facts:

58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.
42% of college graduates never read another book.
80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

In response to this she has issued the following challenge:

I want those who have blogs to post about the need to read and I want everyone to buy at least ONE book this summer, for yourself or as a gift. It’s a revolution people- grab a book and join me.

I support this whole heartedly.

Tell me some good books you’ve read recently.

I’ll start:   Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast; Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella; An Absolute Scandel by Penny Vincenzi; 32 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell; Glamour by Louise Bagshawe