July 9, 2010 • Comments

Check out my post on Teen Fiction Cafe about making friends.

Other exciting news, I’ve just signed with the awesome Amy Tipton of Signature Literary Agency, and already my book is out on submission.

Getting really excited because it’s only 5 weeks until we go to the RWAus conference in Sydney. I’ve never been to Sydney before and we’ve scheduled in a little sight-seeing time….. can’t wait to see the Opera House. And also really excited about doing the Deb Dixon workshop on Goal, Motivation and Conflict. And then there’s the matter of our workshop….. we’ve prepared some slides (because the conference organisers needed them for the conference packs) but other than that we haven’t done any more preparation….. nor have we bought the chocolate (which is most important). We’ve found the promise of sweets (candy/lollies) works well when enticing people to attend…..

Hope you all have a great weekend…. I’m hanging out for some sunshine, we’ve had way too much rain and cloud recently.

July 1, 2010 • 1 Comment

I’m excited to be touring Jenny O’Connell and her two books Local Girls and Rich Boys

There are two kinds of people on the island— those who leave at summer’s end… and those who are left behind.

Bestselling author Jenny O’Connell presents a sizzling series for summer. Her first two Island Summer novels, LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS highlight the lives of the summering visitors, the year-round locals living in the beach towns of Martha’s Vineyard, and the fireworks that explode when they combine for three steamy months.
In LOCAL GIRLS, friendships are in danger of ending with the summer. Kendra and Mona are best friends, local girls who spend their summers catering to rich tourists and the rest of the year chafing against small-town life. Then Mona’s mom marries one of the island’s rich summer visitors, and Mona joins the world of the Boston elite, leaving Kendra and Martha’s Vineyard behind. When Mona returns the following summer, everything is different.

Unlike his sister, Mona’s twin brother Henry hasn’t changed. He’s spending his summer the way he always has: with long, quiet hours fishing. Early mornings before work become special for Kendra as she starts sharing them with Henry, hoping he can help her figure Mona out. Then Kendra hatches a plan to prove she’s Mona’s one true friend: uncover the identity of the twins’ birth father, a question that has always obsessed Mona. And so she begins to unravel the seventeen-year-old mystery of the summer boy who charmed Mona’s mother. But it may prove to be a puzzle better left unsolved–as what she is about to discover will change their lives forever…
In RICH BOYS, Winnie jumps at the chance to babysit for a wealthy summer family and earn some extra money—but soon learns that life in the Barclay’s beautiful vacation home isn’t as perfect as it appears. And what was supposed to be a carefree summer quickly becomes more complicated than she ever thought possible.

Learn how you can win an Island Summer t-shirt – just in time for the beach. Go to http://jennyoconnell.blogspot.com and enter to win today! And learn more about LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS at www.jennyoconnell.com.

Bio
Jenny O’Connell received her BA from Smith College and her MBA from the University of Chicago. The author of PLAN B and THE BOOK OF LUKE, she lives outside of Boston with her family.

June 25, 2010 • 8 Comments

It’s me……………… I’m getting so slack at blogging it’s not funny. Anyway, less about my shortcomings and more about what’s been happening.

Before I start I’d just like a little moan…. actually a big one……… THE WEATHER!!! Okay, I know it’s winter, but really we might as well be back in the UK it’s been so freakin’ cold. I swear the other morning it was negative 4 or something. And yes at times it does get very nice during the day and we have blue sky and sun but even so. And as soon as the sun goes in the temperature drops about 10 degrees. Still, only a year to go before we move to Australia and the Sunshine Coast…. omg I’m counting the days.

Okay, back to me………………… I’ve been really busy finishing off my latest manuscript, which is much more edgy and gritty than my other stuff, but I loved writing it so much. As long as there’s no blood. I can’t do or read anything with blood in it…. which means most of the Vampire books have passed me by, with the exception of House of Night series and the first Twilight book.  Anyway, so I’m now working on a new idea, just as edgy and gritty and again I think from a boy point of view.

What else……………. well, it’s only 7 weeks to the Australian conference, which reminds me Amanda and I need to get our workshop prepared. We’re doing one on YA which will be fun, and of course there will be lots of chocolate and candy to go round………. a YA workshop isn’t a YA workshop without it.  I’m trying not think of the 10lbs I want to lose in the interim.

And another exciting thing about conference is it’s just before the publication of our CP Christina Phillips debut book, which is awesome. Last year at the NZ conference when we last saw Christina she’d just signed with her agent and her book was out on submission, since then she sold a two book deal and now it’s coming out………….. I’m just wondering now if she had sold by conference, my bad memory is legendary so I’ll wait to be corrected!!

I think that’s about it.

Have a great weekend!

June 16, 2010 • 3 Comments

This is the tour I’ve been hanging out for, my very good friend, the hugely talented, fabulous Wendy Toliver. I was lucky enough to read Lifted before it was published and I know you’re all going to love it. And the cover is amazing, I have serious cover envy!!

So………

Being Bad Never Felt So Good.

Poppy Browne had never stolen anything in her life before moving to Pleasant Acres, Texas and meeting Mary Jane and Whitney. But when Poppy walks out of the mall with her two new friends and her first pair of stolen jeans, she’s hooked.

Before long, Poppy is lifting whenever she gets the urge—it’s never about the merchandise, it’s always about the thrill. But when her secret gets out, the girls in Poppy’s clique turn on one another. As she watches her life collapse around her, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie … and how far she’ll go to protect herself.

Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX6goy2sAwc

And now for my usual questions:
What inspired the plot for your book?
I was watching a show on TV about how shoplifting is a huge problem, especially with teens, and thought it would make an interesting topic for a book. Most people have either shoplifted themselves, have been tempted to try it, or know someone who has, so I think it’s something we can all relate to.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?
My first attempt at writing a book was in the chick lit genre. That manuscript never sold but it did get me some valuable feedback from editors. More than one mentioned that my voice is “young and fun” and that I might be suited to write YA. Sure enough, my first attempt at writing for teens (The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren) was successful and I was hooked!

What is your writing process like?
Since I have three little boys who are always getting into things I have to write whenever I can squeeze out the time. I write on a laptop most of the time (though I sometimes do jot things down on napkins or scraps of paper). I self-edit along the way, which sometimes bogs me down but I can’t seem to go on if something isn’t quite right. I tend to walk around in a daze, thinking about my stories so that when I do get a minute to sit down, I can type it out and make the most of the time.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a paranormal YA at the moment, with a few other projects on the sidelines.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I try to catch up on housework, play, and sleep. For fun, I like to wakeboard in the summer and snowboard in the winter, and I’m always up for a hike or long walk.

Who do you like to read?
I read a variety of authors. Right now, I’m reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett and enjoying it.

What People Are Saying About Lifted
“Smart, deftly written, and extremely well-observed, Wendy Toliver’s Lifted is so realistic and moving I felt like I was transported right inside Poppy’s world, watching as she struggled to navigate her way through a school where appearances are deceiving and no one is quite what they seem. A hard to put down, compelling read!”
Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times Best Selling author of The Immortals series

“Lifted is the story of an imperfect heroine seeking her place not only in school, but in life. Its exploration of the amount of truth behind social and religious stereotypes escalates into a double-dog dare to believe them. A haunting morality tale that will leave you questioning just what it means to be “good.”
Aprilynne Pike, author of the #1 New York Times Best-Selling novel Wings

“Lifted by Wendy Toliver is an amazing, compelling read, filled with all the realness of being in high school, from humor to love to angst. I haven’t met a character so well developed as Poppy since reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. At times heartbreaking, at others uplifting, Lifted is a book that I absolutely loved.”
James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner and the13th Reality series

VOYA
Poor Poppy Browne! Her mother, an attractive but uptight college professor, has moved her from hip Colorado to bucolic Pleasant Acres, Texas, saying that she is doing it for Poppy’s benefit. Even worse, she has to make a go of it in a conservative Baptist school. Calvary High, though, proves to be a much more interesting place than Poppy had imagined. Initially, it is all a bit straight-laced and humdrum, but when she makes friends with popular Mary Jane and Whitney, her life becomes more intriguing. The two girls, top students and role models, prove to be accomplished shoplifters. When they introduce Poppy to their pastime, she is instantly hooked—and it is not the merchandise—it is the thrill of the chase, the charge of getting away with something. Then, one of her friends informs on her, and as her world comes crashing down, Poppy has to figure out what her values really are. The writing and characterization are both decent, with enough contemporary slang and topical references for teens to relate. Plot driven, yes, indeed; but in the category of light read, this rates well on the girl interest scale. A strictly additional purchase, this is excellent beach reading for those seeking mean girl-fare with a soupcon of romance. Reviewer: Ann Welton

Booklist
Especially well drawn is Poppy’s crush, a quirky, sincere minister’s son, who—as Poppy’s world spins out of control—comforts her with unconditional support: “We all make mistakes. It says so in the Bible, so it’s gotta be true.” Will appeal to all teens interested in wayward behavior. Reviewer: Karen Cruze

Contest
Wendy is running a contest on her website, www.wendytoliver.com, the entire month of June. Simply click on the “contact” button and send her a message including the word “contest,” your name, and your U.S. mailing address. (If you’re under the age of 14, please get permission from your parents/guardians first.) She will be giving away gift cards to Border’s, signed copies of Lifted, as well as other fun prizes. One entry per person, please.

Bio
Born in Texas, raised in Colorado, and now living in Utah, Wendy Toliver has successfully eliminated “y’all” from her vocabulary. However, she still managed to marry a pickup man. They have three young sons and an assortment of furry, scaly, and slimy pets. She is the author of three novels for teens: The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, Miss Match, and Lifted.

Online
Web-site: www.wendytoliver.com
Blogs: www.teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com, www.booksboysbuzz.com, www.pulserocom.com
Other: www.facebook.com/wendy.toliver, www.twitter.com/wendytoliver, www.myspace.com/roxytoliver, http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Wendy-Toliver/44777487

June 8, 2010 • 1 Comment

I’m posting at Teen Fiction Cafe on fashion and style!!!

I know I’ve been slack at blogging recently… promise to get better soon….

May 25, 2010 • 5 Comments

I’m very excited to touring ENDLESS SUMMER by Jennifer Echols.

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends–including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she’s always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen–not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

And now for the usual questions:

What inspired the plot for your book?
I grew up on a beautiful lake in Alabama, and I invented a romantic plot that should have happened to me when I lived there. I’m a sucker for books about love triangles, the boy next door, and finally getting together with the crush you pined after forever—so I threw every bit of that into the pot and made it into the book I wanted to read.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?
I love the romantic comedy genre above anything else.

What is your writing process like?
It’s a total mess. It takes me forever to figure out what I’m writing about next, and then I start the book…on page 150! I don’t write in order. I have tried to streamline my process, but I’ve found that I need the chaos. It drives me crazy but it seems to work for me, and I do produce a book I love in the end.

What are you working on now?
My next romantic drama, Forget You, is coming out on July 20. Right now I’m writing still another romantic drama that will be published in July 2011.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I work as a copyeditor. In my free time I hang out with my son, run about four miles a day, and read!

Who do you like to read?
I like to sample one book by everybody just so I’ll know what’s going on—but my all-time favorite writers are Jane Austen, adult romantic comedy writer Jennifer Crusie, and my fabulous critique partner, Victoria Dahl.

Bio:

Jennifer Echols grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama–a setting that has inspired many of her books. Always interested in creative writing, she finished her first (and still unpublished) novel soon after graduating with a degree in English from Auburn University at age 20. She worked as an editor for newspapers, a writer for business publications, and a writing instructor for three major universities, completed a master’s degree in English, and finished the coursework for a PhD in genre studies before selling a book. Since then, she has written many young adult novels for Simon & Schuster, including Major Crush, which won the National Reader’s Choice Award, and Going Too Far, which is a finalist in the 2010 RITA, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best. Her next novel, Forget You, will be released on July 20. Currently she works as a copyeditor and lives in Birmingham with her husband and son. Please visit her online at www.jennifer-echols.com.

Endless Summer is Published by Simon Pulse, a division of Simon & Schuster. ISBN-10: 1442406593; ISBN-13: 978-1442406599.