Well, Inkpot fans, it's officially summer! That means hot days, reading by the pool, and a whole new batch of shameless news from your favorite Inkpot writers!
Speaking of new books coming out, P.J. Hoover's new book TUT: THE STORY OF MY IMMORTAL LIFE (Starscape/Macmillan, September 16, 2014) got an awesome Kirkus review! Here's my favorite line:
"the tension between Tut and creepy Horemheb is a well-placed and -paced plot driver. A pyramid history buffs and fantasy fans will delight in excavating."
And last but very much not least, Laurisa White Reyes has a new book coming out this week! CONTACT, a YA thriller about a girl who uploads people's psyches with a single touch, comes out on June 23rd with Hallowed Ink Press. It will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Indiebound.
I can tell you personally - this book is amazing.
And that's it! Go grab your favorite book and enjoy the summer sunshine. I'll be back soon with more!
Today here at The Enchanted Inkpot, we are thrilled to welcome one of our own, the fabulous Jennifer Nielsen, here to celebrate the release of The Shadow Throne, the third and final book in her The False Prince series.
Welcome, Jen!
PJHoover: This is book three, The Shadow Throne! It’s such an exciting book and trilogy. I’m curious how much
your vision for the trilogy changed as you wrote books two and three. Did you
stick to a carefully laid out plan or did things change along the way.
JenN: Thanks for the
interview, Tricia, and for the kind words. The vision for this series has
stayed pretty consistent throughout the writing process. It was first offered
to Scholastic as a standalone book, but when they indicated they wanted a
trilogy, I was beyond thrilled, since I always knew the entire story I wanted
to tell.
PJHoover: Just a small follow up to
above . . . What sorts of things did you wish you could
have changed in The False Prince and The Runaway King as you wrote The Shadow Throne?
JenN: Not much, actually.
There are always details and tweaks that nag at every author, but I felt like
the characters led this story, and that this is the way things were always
supposed to unfold. I do think that writing is an ongoing learning process. With
each book I understand myself better, and hopefully I will always continue to
grow as a writer.
PJHoover: When it comes to marketing, what do you think makes the
biggest difference in whether a book is successful?
JenN: One of the best
pieces of advice I ever got was to “write the next book.” Because the reality
is, once it goes to final draft, most of what happens to our books afterward is
out of our control. All of the big things – reviews and awards and lists and
buzz – those are bigger than any one person. So we stay visible on social media
and in public appearances and try to spread the word however we can. But none
of that is a guarantee of success, and in fact, I think sometimes those things
can just be a lot of busywork and distraction.
The best thing we can
do for our fans is to deliver the next book. And if we focus on making it the
best it can possibly be, then they will tell others about it and bring new
readers to us.
PJHoover: What is next? WIPs? Future publications? Please tell all!
JenN: So many exciting
things! Next spring I will release the first book in a brand new trilogy called
Praetor War, which takes place in
Ancient Rome with an escaped Roman slave, some stolen magic, and a battle to
control the fall of the Roman Empire. It’ll have many of the same elements that
readers have loved about The Ascendance
Trilogy, but with the added fun of magic folded into the grandeur of that
ancient empire.
Just for fun:
PJHoover: There are tons of books out
there. Tons! What are five awesome reasons why The False Prince series should be the series for kids to read?
JenN: Hmm, only five? Here goes:
1 – See it before it
becomes a movie (er, if it becomes a
movie. Fingers crossed!)
2 – You will love the
hero, Sage, though you’ll never be sure whether to laugh at him, smack him, or
hug him.
3 – To find out why
Sage would ever say these words: “Until the moment I spit on their king, I
probably had looked pretty humble.”
4 – The third book is
finally out! So if you were waiting until you could read all the books at once,
this is your time!
5 – Because you could
win a million dollars! (Disclaimer: No, you won’t.)
PJHoover: If the apocalypse came, would
you still find a way to write? If yes, then how and why?
JenN: Well, not on the actual day of the apocalypse. But the
next day…well, maybe, and with ashes and stone if necessary because for me,
writing isn’t really a choice. I’d start a new trend in futuristic books:
Utopians.
PJHoover: Finish this sentence, and
tell us why. Writing is a lot like….
JenN: …a new love.At first you think about them all the time
and can’t wait to be with them. As you get to know them, you see their flaws
and wonder how it’s going to work. Maybe you even flirt with others, just in case
it fails. But as you go on, you find yourself increasingly committed to this
new love, and determined to fix the flaws and see it through. Also, especially with writing, breaking up
really stinks.
PJHoover: Mummy vs. Bigfoot... Who
would win and why?
JenN: Oh, Bigfoot, easily.
Mummies aren’t scary. One unwrapping, and Bigfoot could crush whatever’s left
inside.
PJHoover: Please share your favorite
inspirational thought with my readers!
JenN: I always believe in
keeping one’s dreams as big as possible. So a favorite quote for me comes from
Oprah Winfrey, who said, “Create the highest, grandest vision for your life,
because you become what you believe.”
PJHoover: Thank you so much for being here!
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT: THE STORY OF MY IMMORTAL LIFE (Tor Children's, September 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
New Year, New Resolutions! And we're not just talking about people. Creatures have their own resolutions, and we here at the Enchanted Inkpot have taken the opportunity to interview some of these creatures and find out what their New Year's Resolutions really are! So sit, back, relax, and prepare to be entertained!
*****
Creature interviews c/o Dawn Metcalf...
"I resolve to only eat people who are very, very bad. Or taste like chicken." - Werewolf
"I resolve to cut down to only 3 pints a day." - vampire (or) "Go vegetarian."
"No more switching babies." - bad fairies
"Lose 1000 lbs." - giant
"Just keep swimming!" - Loch Ness Monster
"Kick the salt water habit." - mermaid
"Find that one, perfect someone that completes me." - Frankenstein's monster
"Stop falling to pieces at every little thing." - zombie
"I will help out more around the house." - the 7 dwarves
"Be nicer to the downstairs neighbors." - ghost
"Give to charity." - dragon
"Call Grandma more often." - Red Riding Hood
"Let my hair down." - Rapunzel
"Not be afraid to introduce myself." - Rumpelstilskin
"Wake up early every day and exercise." - Sleeping Beauty/Aurora/Briar Rose
"I resolve this year to be more perfect than I already am!" - Prince Charming
Creature interviews c/o Anne Nesbet...
"I will stop poking at things with my horn unless I KNOW they are non-staining." --youthful unicorn
Creature interviews c/o Lena Goldfinch...
"To become more visible...and lose weight." -The Invisible Man
Creature interviews c/o Keely Parrack...
To do no evil and fly faster in case mischief accidentally occurs - faerie in training
Creature interview c/o Mike Jung...
I resolve to stop drowning, gutting, and eating anyone who calls me a "hippogriff." - Hippocampus
Creature interviews c/o Ronald Smith...
“I will try not to drag my feet so much.” - Zombie
“I will stop obsessing over my hair so much in the mornings.” - Urban faerie
Creature interview c/o Miriam Forster...
This year I'm going to put a warning sign up so I can practice my voice lessons in peace. --siren
Creature interview c/o Lisa Gail Green...
"This year I'm going to give myself three wishes, starting with a bigger lamp." - Genie
Creature interview c/o Hilari Bell...
I'm going to stop hiding my valuables in weird places and get a bank
account. Maybe invest in bitcoins?
--Leprechaun
Creature interview c/o Ellen Booraem...
I am going to go out for cheerleading. Maybe join the glee club.
–Dementor
Creature interview c/o Jen Nielsen...
“To find a project (for once) that I can’t sink my teeth into!” - Vampire
Creature interview c/o Erin Cashman...
I resolve to look where I'm walking and sitting, so that I stop accidentally squishing people to death -- Troll
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT (Tor Children's, September 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
There's this fun game we play at Comic Con when pitching our books to potential readers. Find out what they like, and explain how our book is exactly like their favorite book. And what better book to compare against than THE HOBBIT?
So below I give you a holiday shopping guide from the Inkies. For all those fans of THE HOBBIT who can't wait for the movie to come out, here are the many ways our books are exactly like this classic.
****
P. J. Hoover
How is SOLSTICE like THE HOBBIT? Let's see...the weather gets bad in THE HOBBIT and the weather gets really bad in SOLSTICE.
Erin Cashman
THE EXCEPTIONALS is like THE HOBBIT because Claire Walker finds herself
trapped in a cavern deep beneath a mountain, like Bilbo Baggins, and
like Bilbo she has to use her wits to escape.
Mike Jung
GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES is like THE HOBBIT
because there's a scene where a couple of characters travel underwater
inside a giant robot head, which isn't exactly like traveling down a
river inside a barrel but I got nothing else and I like the Hobbit game,
I WANNA PLAY THE HOBBIT GAME...
Lisa Green
THE BINDING STONE is like THE HOBBIT because Jered finds a magic ring that causes all sorts of problems.
Hilari Bell
THE KNIGHT & ROGUE books are like THE HOBBIT, because this is what
Fisk thinks when Michael proposes that they go on an adventure: A glorious adventure. In other words, a disaster in the
making.
Lena Coakley WITCHLANDERS is like THE HOBBIT because Ryder must go under a mountain to find the dark secrets hidden there.
Anne Nesbet A BOX OF GARGOYLES is like THE HOBBIT (and, for that matter, a little
like certain episodes of DR. WHO) because it contains scary stone
statues that look like they might recently have been doing some moving
around....
Ellen Booraem TEXTING THE UNDERWORLD is like THE HOBBIT because the main character is a
fearful homebody who ends up traveling way, way out of his comfort zone. And he
finds his courage there!
Dawn Metcalf
INVISIBLE is like THE HOBBIT because Joy, like Bilbo, must face down a seemingly unstoppable
foe in order to get back to a peaceful life.
William Alexander
My book GOBLIN SECRETS is like THE HOBBIT because goblins.
Miriam Forster
CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS is like THE HOBBIT because it has talking animals. :)
Katie Carroll
ELIXIR BOUND is like THE HOBBIT because it is a there and back again
tale of Katora and her companions going into a dangerous forest on a
mission and having to find their way back home.
Keely Parrack
SNOWPOCALYPSE is like THE HOBBIT because a small ragtag group has to face harsh weather and multiple foes as they battle their way through the mountains.
So there you go! All the many ways our books are exactly like THE HOBBIT! Enjoy reading and enjoy the movie!
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT (Tor Children's, Winter 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
In celebration of the release of THE HOBBIT: THE
DESOLATION OF SMAUG on December 13th, we here at the Inkpot (HOBBIT loving fans
ourselves!) have a quiz to test your knowledge of the book, and
refresh your memory before the big release!
We will choose 5 winners and each winner will receive a signed copy of a book from an Enchanted Inkpot Author! And come back tomorrow, as we discuss how our books are like THE HOBBIT in a very fun post!
And here are thirteen Questions, one for each Dwarf, and because the movie comes out on December 13th:
1. What is Bilbo’s mother’s name?
2. What was the rumor about the Tooks?
3. How many are in the company, and of what races?
4. What does Bilbo decide to call
his sword?
5. What is the color of Bilbo’s Sword when enemies are close?
6. Where does the company first encounter the Elves?
7. What is the riddle that Bilbo stumps Gollum with?
8. What mountain are the Dwarves trying to reclaim?
9. Who discovers the Arkenstone?
10. What special item does
Thorin give to Bilbo from the treasure, that is featured again in LOTR?
11. Who kills Smaug?
12. After Smaug is defeated, what two races might go to war with the Dwarves over the treasure?
13. Who takes the Arkenstone
from Thorin?
The first five people to get all questions right win! (Hint - if you're stumped, the answer to some of the questions may be found in our Hobbit read along posts of last year) You will be asked to pick your first, second and third choice from one
of the following books (in alphabetical order by author) donated by Inkpot members. The book will be
signed by the author and mailed to you. Good Luck - and remember to come back tomorrow!
THE LAST KNIGHT, by Hilari Bell
Need a Hero? You've got one in Sir
Michael Sevenson. Although there hasn't been a knight errant in over two
hundred years, this young noble has decided to revive the trade. He's found
himself a reluctant partner in Fisk, a clever rogue who has been given the
choice of serving as Michael's squire or going to jail for a very long time.
Now Michael and Fisk are on a quest to right wrongs, protect the innocent, and
make the world a happier place. It's not going to be easy. On their
first attempt at rescuing a damsel in distress, they break a lady out of a
tower, only to discover she was there for good reason: awaiting trial for
poisoning her husband. Now the would-be heroes must find Lady Ceciel and return
her to justice or be condemned themselves
Conor O’Neill always
thought spiders—and his little sister, Glennie—were the worst kind of monsters
life had in store. That was before an inexperienced young banshee named Ashling
showed up in his bedroom. The arrival of a banshee, as Conor soon learns, means
only one thing: Someone in his family is going to die. Not only will Ashling
not tell him who it is, it turns out that she’s so fascinated by the world
above that she insists on going to middle school with him. The more Ashling
gets involved in his life, the harder it becomes to keep her identity a secret
from his friends and teachers—and the more Conor worries about his family. If
he wants to keep them safe, he’s going to have to do the scariest thing he’s
ever done: Pay a visit to the underworld.
If only there were an app for that.
THE EXCEPTIONALS, by Erin Cashman
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of The Year, 2013
In a famous family of
exceptionally talented people, fifteen-year-old Claire Walker is ordinary . . .
or so she leads everyone to believe. Yet the minute she steps out of line, her
parents transfer her to Cambial Academy: the prestigious boarding school that
her great-grandfather founded for students with supernatural abilities, or
“specials”. Although Claire can’t see ghosts or move objects with her mind like
the other students, she does have a special she considers too lame to admit:
she can hear the thoughts of animals. Just as she is settling in, one by one the
most talented students – the Exceptionals – go missing. After years of ignoring her special gift,
Claire decides the time has come to embrace her ability . . . before it’s too late.
WITCHLANDERS, by Lena Coakley
A high fantasy full of swords, snow monsters, and
singing magic. Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publisher's Weekly Starred Reviews. High in their mountain
covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing
the bones and foretelling the future. It’s all a fake. At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts
the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his
village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is
there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been
defeated? But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the
coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the
secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about
himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—
Are about him.
CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS, by Miriam Foster
Nisha
was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a
child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where
orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors
are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest
companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden
flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine
a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to
die. Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the
secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha
jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own
life.
THE BINDING STONE, by Lisa Gail Green
Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.
Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she's seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.
Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?
THE
EMERALD TABLET, by PJ Hoover
Benjamin is different from other kids—he can read minds and
use telekinesis. But it isn’t until he’s sent to summer school on a hidden,
underwater continent that he learns the truth.
It turns out, Benjamin isn’t
really human at all—and the powers he thought made him special, just make him
normal. But then the mysterious Emerald Tablet chooses him as its champion and
he’s thrust into a mission to save the world.
Let’s be
honest – we don’t have great ideas all the time. In fact, sometimes we don’t
have any ideas. Other work gets in the way, with all those memos and meetings,
or with the digging and polishing, the measuring and pouring. Then there are
the dishes, the school concerts, the potlucks for the community soccer team,
and the back of the fridge in need of cleaning. (Actually, there might be some
great inspiration there for pandemic infections.) Sometimes the many demands of
the real world can get in the way of imagining fresh ones.
Or sometimes, after writing several stories, we begin to think all our ideas are gone. Used up.
Every time we put something on the page, it seems stupid or silly. It
seems to have been said a million times already. We end up staring at the
ceiling, which is as blank as the page on the screen.
What to do?
Here are some answers from a few Inkies, as well as some story starters to help
spark a few ideas.
To start with, when I need inspiration, I read fairy tales
and folklore. Also, I read nonfiction books and articles, anything full of
cultural details and individual stories. I especially like letter collections.
I walk or run to clear my head. I amble around and take photographs.
William Alexander: “I have a very simple refueling trick. If my
typing slows to a trickle, I turn off the computer and start scribbling in my
notebook. If I run out of ink (metaphorically or literally), I switch back to
the keyboard. Chocolate also helps.”
Lisa Gail Green: “The best fuel for me, when I
seem to be writing stale, is reading a good book. It's really the best medicine
and I find myself recharged and ready to go.”
Keely Parrack: “I find
reading a huge help, preferably something really well written that has nothing
to do with whatever I'm working on. I just read The Ocean at the End of the
Lane by Neil Gaiman and Her
Fearful Symmetry (both of which
let me escape into totally different worlds. And today I spent two hours
working really productively on a pb while my kids went to the movies – another
great refueling trick - coffee and limited time!
“Also just get out, go
to a movie, visit an art gallery, walk in a cemetery - all opportunities to let
your mind wonder and be inspired by new experiences. And if you can, travel is
brilliant for helping you see everything with a fresh lens!” Any ideas to add? What are some ways you refuel?
For those of you who could
use a bit of a nudge this week, try some of the story starters below:
I saw it sideways, out of the corner of my
eye. But it couldn’t have been there. Impossible.
In the last two years, here’s what I’ve determined:
lots of people in New York go to church on Sunday; lots sleep in. Mike and I
found the perfect middle ground and meet for pizza. Sure, maybe both of us will
end up in hell, but life will taste good until we get there.
The light was a shade of, blue? Green? It
was gray, or maybe something without a name. I reached toward it.
The present he’d given her wasn’t entirely
what she’d expected. In fact, it wasn’t what she’d expected at all.
Spring didn’t come, nor did summer. Four
feet of snow at the end of July.
She opened up her mouth, and all that rose
out of her was birdsong.
She wasn’t a witch, exactly. At least,
that’s what she told everyone.
It
had no power source: I was certain of that. Yet the metal form began to rise.
Our first announcement has nothing to do with publishing. Kate Milford has a new debut, only it's not a book. She has a new addition to the family, not the bookshelf. She welcomed Griffin Walter Milford to the family on June 13th. Yay! A new (potential) Inkie!!!
We have another launch, of the more tradition book variety. P.J. Hoover's SOLSTICE hit shelves this month, and she has a blow out party to celebrate! Man, I wish I could have been there.
And in just five short weeks, we have another Inkie book launch: Dawn Metcalf's INDELIBLE! For now, we have this amazing trailer:
In addition to all the wonderful Inkie books out there, we've had another just announced! From Publisher's Marketplace:
Martina Boone¹s Southern gothic trilogy‹with a dash of magic‹following Barrie, a teen sent to live with her dead mother¹s twin on a decaying plantation where she discovers a centuries-old feud and dark secrets that require making peace with the local spirits, who may not be as welcoming as the sunlit boy who steals Barrie's heart, to Annette Pollert at Simon Pulse in a pre-empt by Kent Wolf at Lippincott Massie McQuilkin (World).
No joke, we've got a metric ton of book cover reveals today! Let's start with Leah Cypess's DEATHSWORN!
RIGHT? HOW AWESOME IS THAT?????
And if her awesome new cover isn't enough, her Nightspell prequel e-novella, BURIED ABOVE GROUND will be published on July 2 by HarperImpulse, selling for $1.99 on all platforms.''
Here's the summary from the publisher:
"In the kingdom of Ghostland, every murdered soul comes back as a ghost, and every ghost has only one desire—vengeance. Emilie had everything she’d ever wanted—beautiful dresses, a perfectly decorated room, a party every night, and the eye of a nobleman. But then she’s killed. And now she’ll stop at nothing to find out who did it. No one in the palace of Ghostland is above suspicion—not even the people closest to her. This haunting fantasy novella is filled with supernatural thrills and surprising plot twists.
HarperTeen Impulse is a digital imprint focused on young adult short stories and novellas, with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.
And we have YET ANOTHER cover reveal! It's for THE SHADOW THRONE, the third book in Jennifer Nielsen's acclaimed Ascendance series, on sale March 1, 2014!
Adding to the list of "things that are cool," Nancy Holder also has a new story out in the world, this time in THE LIVING DEAD anthology from Orbit, UK.
Here's how she described her story to me:
Zombie gets crucified during the Oberammergau Passion Play. God is displeased. Black Plague ensues.
Must read. Must read now.
Phew, I think that's it! What a wacky week of wondefulness, yes? Yes.
Hi, P. J. Hoover here, and today I am beyond excited to be able to feature a book that I fell in love with.
POISON by Bridget Zinn (March 12, 2013, Hyperion)
I participated in a launch event for POISON at BookPeople here in Austin, TX, hosted by Bridget's family, and had the wonderful idea that even though I couldn't feature Bridget here on the blog, I could feature someone very close to her, Barrett Dowell, her husband.
At the BookPeople launch event
L to R: Me, Barrett Dowell (Bridget's husband), Nikki Loftin, Cory Putman Oakes, and Mary Zuniga Johnson (Bridget's
cousin)
Members of the Austin writing community signed the book.
A stamp with Bridget's signature was also used. You can have one of the signed copies from the event mailed to you. Contact BookPeople for more information.
Barrett, thank you so much for being her with us today! And now, let's get on with the questions!
*****
PJHoover: The release of POISON has been such an amazing thing! What do you think would have made Bridget the happiest about the whole release?
BarrettD: There is a lot happing with POISON's release that would have thrilled Bridget and made her extremely happy. I think seeing how the international community of book lovers has rallied to support and promote POISON would have put Bridget over the moon. I know she would have been extremely grateful.
I also think the letters from readers about how POISON and Bridget's own story of battling cancer has impacted them would be quite touching for her. One letter mentioned how Bridget's words have "taken away the scary" from their own battle against cancer. It is so amazing how Bridget continues to put happiness in the world through her words.
PJHoover: When we talked, you mentioned there were some things in POISON that were "special" to Bridget. Can you share some of these with us?
BarrettD: The character Fred in POISON was named in honor of Fred Weasley from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. Bridget was a huge fan of warm pockets of life in books. She loved those real moments when a characters connect and you see their real friendships. The Weasley twins brought humor to some of the darker parts of Rowling's novels and that is what Bridget loved in the books. She like many fans felt a loss after reading The Deathly Hallows and when Bridget was writing POISON she thought the name Fred was the perfect homage to a missed character.
Rosie, the katzenheim piglet that joins Kyra on her quest, is a character inspired from Bridget's own childhood. The name Rosie was borrowed from a lifelong friend who grew up just through the woods from Bridget's childhood home in northern Wisconsin. There are also nice moments between Kyra and Rosie in POISON that remind me of Bridget's relationship with our bengal cat, Harpo.
PJHoover: What has been your biggest surprise since the release of POISON?
BarrettD: My biggest surprise since the release has been the amount of help and support I have received from friends and people from around the country who have helped promote POISON to ensure it reaches readers. I am so thankful.
Another awesome surprise was Disney Publishing Worldwide's announcement of its donation of 1,000 brand new, hardcover copies of Poison to FirstBook in dedication of Bridget. This meant so much to me and to Bridget's father, Dick Zinn. We are both grateful to Disney Publishing Worldwide and so proud of Bridget.
PJHoover: Can you share with us some memories from the time POISON was being written?
BarrettD: Writing a book is a huge undertaking and Bridget had lots of support. She had a fantastic writers' group which she met with regularly. Their encouragement and critiques kept her on track and helped her craft POISON along with many other novels Bridget has written, but not yet published.
Bridget's agent, Michael Stearns of Upstart Crow Literary, had tremendous impact on our lives. He came in at the right moment and was the perfect addition to our team. It meant the world to Bridget to have someone she respected in the industry understand and believe in her work. Bridget signed with him about a month before her diagnosis of having fourth stage colon cancer.
PJHoover: If you could let the world know one special thing about Bridget, what would it be?
BarrettD: Bridget taught me to appreciate the moment. I think she said it best in her last tweet, "Sunshine and a brand new book. Perfect."
PJHoover: Thank you so much for being here!
*****
About POISON:
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only
one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means
she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra
decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who
also happens to be her former best friend.
But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.
Now
a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek
with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s
not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and
Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is
determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be
able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?
Kyra
is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no
damsel-in-distress—she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this
romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls
swoon.
Praise for Poison:
"A
frothy confection of a fairy tale featuring poisoners, princesses,
perfumers and pigs, none of whom are exactly what they appear (except
maybe the pigs) …. Good silly fun—a refreshing antidote to a genre
overflowing with grit and gloom."—Kirkus Reviews
Extraordinary." —Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times best-selling author
"Bridget
Zinn's POISON is an absolute charmer of a book, full of adventure and
romance and fun. I give it five stars—with an extra star for the cutest
pig character you will ever meet." —Sarah Prineas, author of The Magic
Thief series and the Winterling trilogy
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the upcoming dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT (Tor Children's, Winter 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
Hi, P. J. Hoover here, and today at the Inkpot, I'm so very happy to feature fellow Tor Teen author, Mindee Arnett. Huge congratulations to Mindee on the release of her debut novel!
PJHoover: You’ve run into an old classmate from high school and you tell them THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR just came out. They ask what it’s about. What do you say?
MindeeA: 16-year-old Dusty Everhart is a literal Nightmare, a magical creature who must feed on dreams to fuel her magic. When she discovers her secret crush, Eli Booker, is dreaming about a murder that shortly comes true, she and Eli must join forces to stop the killer before he strikes again.
PJHoover: I love hearing happy publication stories. Can you tell us the path to publication for THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR?
MindeeA: I’d love to! It was pretty straight forward, actually. I started writing short stories in high school and college, eventually publishing some in semi-pro magazines before turning to novels. I wrote a couple of “practice” novels, and I made the mistake of querying two of them too soon. I received a handful of rejections and moved on to a book that I spent more time with before submitting. It received a couple of full requests from agents but in the end, no one liked it enough to sign me.
While licking my wounds from this painful rejection, I started to write The Nightmare Affair. I took a lot of time with it, revised like crazy, and found some awesome critique partners. I then plucked up my courage and started submitting again. I sent out a grand total of ten queries, and within just a few short weeks I had an offer of representation from rockstar agent supreme, Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary. I signed with her as quickly as I possibly could.
Within a month, and after a couple of quick rounds of editing, the book went out on submission. I had an offer from Tor within 17 days.
So in summary, I spent a LOT of time writing, had a rough couple of years of rejection and heartache, and then I signed and sold so fast I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around it. But yeah, I’d consider it a very happy story.
PJHoover: I love all the fun and mystery and fantasy of NIGHTMARE. Can you tell us what biggest influences were for the story?
MindeeA: The big ones, the ones I turned to in order to help get the feel and tone I wanted for the book were Veronica Mars, The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and Harry Potter, of course.
PJHoover: There are tons of books out there. What are five awesome reasons why THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR should be the one for them to read?
MindeeA: Oh boy, what an unfair question. I object! Kidding. But I seriously am not sure how to answer so I guess I’ll just wing it.
1. No cliffhanger ending guaranteed — hooray!
2. Lots and lots of magic and mayhem — hello? The MC hangs out in dreams. How cool/weird/fun is that?
3. A hot boy who is not abusive or an asshole.
4. The jokes and humor outweigh the angst. For real, there’s almost zero angst. Dusty is way too busy trying to figure out the murder for that.
5. If you don’t read it, a Nightmare will have no choice but to seek you out while you’re sleeping. And trust me, not all of them are as nice and cuddly as Dusty. Mwhahahaha…
PJHoover: If the apocalypse came, would you still find a way to write? If yes, then how and why?
MindeeA: I think I would certainly try, even if I only had a pen and paper to do it with. Writing has been the way I cope with life. Really, if the apocalypse happens I might spend even more time writing just to stay sane.
PJHoover: When it comes to marketing, what do you think makes the biggest difference in whether a book is successful?
MindeeA: If the book trailer is posted when the moon is in the second house of Jupiter. Seriously, I have no idea whatsoever, although I think the most important thing is the story itself. If you read something you love you tell somebody about it. That’s how I am at least.
PJHoover: Finish this sentence, and tell us why. Writing is a lot like…
MindeeA: Having a baby. There’s a lot of chocolate and food binges involved, sleepless nights, and moments of pure, inexplicable joy.
PJHoover: What is next? WIPs? Future publications? Please tell all!
MindeeA: Aside from the sequel to The Nightmare Affair, which should be out in about a year, the first book in my sci-fi series, AVALON, is due out winter 2014 from Balzer+Bray (HarperCollins). I’m deliriously excited about it. It’s an undeniable space-based sci-fi. There’s a short description of it over on Goodreads.
PJHoover: What has been your favorite experience as an author thus far?
MindeeA: I can’t really point to one single moment, but definitely the most rewarding has been hearing that people liked the book and enjoyed it. That is by far the best. Especially if said person is a total stranger who has absolutely no reason to be inclined to like the book even if it sucks. You know, like your mom or sister or something.
PJHoover: Please share your favorite inspirational thought!
MindeeA: I’m not sure if this an inspirational thought, but it’s definitely the absolute best advice I can give based on my own experience—if what you’re doing hasn’t succeeded so far, then change it up and try again. Seriously, don’t think even for a second that you have it figured out. There’s always something new to learn and ways to improve. The key to taking a book from the drawer to the bookshelf is by not being stagnant. Keep searching for the method/voice/story that works for you.
PJHoover: Thank you so much for being here!
MindeeA: Thanks so much for having me. I had an absolute blast.
Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for
magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard
enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a
whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest
and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it
does. Eli is dreaming of a murder. Then Eli's dream comes true. Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of
them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the
killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.
*****
Bio:
Mindee Arnett is the author of two young adult series. The first book in her contemporary fantasy series, The Nightmare Affair arrives March 5, 2013 from Tor Teen (Macmillan), while her YA sci-fi thriller, Avalon debuts Winter 2014 from Balzer+Bray (HarperCollins). She lives on a horse farm in Ohio with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs, and an inappropriate number of cats. She’s addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic, the macabre, and outer space.
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the upcoming dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT (Tor Children's, Winter 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
I think I totally forgot to post last week. My brain is...old. :)
Portlandians and Horror fans! Our very own Nancy Holder will be one of the Guests of Honor at the 2014 World Horror Convention in Portland, Oregon, May 8-11. Make your travel arrangements now!
We have some fabulous award and reading list news this week, starting with Leah Cypess, whose short story "Nanny's Day" (Asimov's 3/12) was nominated for a Nebula Award. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?
In foreign rights news, P. J. Hoover's The Forgotten Worlds trilogy has sold in Hungary!!! THE EMERALD TABLET, THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD, and THE NECROPOLIS, sold to Fonix by Lex Copyright Office, on behalf of Taryn Fagerness Agency and Laura Rennert of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Oh yeah. I had a cover reveal. HA! TOTALLY FORGOT THAT ONE!!!! Here's the cover for 3:59, my sci fi parallel universe dopperganger horror novel due out September 17th from Balzer + Bray. :)
Hi, P. J. Hoover here, and today at the Inkpot, I'm thrilled to feature one of our very own, MIRIAM FORSTER, celebrating the release of her debut novel. It's an amazing story from one amazing gal!
PJHoover: You’ve run into an old classmate from high school and you tell them CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS just came out. They ask what it’s about. What do you say?
MiriamF: A girl in a caste-based society who has to solve a murder. It’s a poor description, but I’m really bad at summarizing my own books. :)
PJHoover: I love hearing happy publication stories. Can you tell us the path to publication for CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS?
MiriamF: Gosh, it’s a pretty simple story really. Girl writes book. Girl revises book and sends book out to agents. Girl gets rejections. Girl writes another book, revises first book and sends it out again. Girl gets more rejections. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Two years and four books later… Girl completely tears first book apart and rewrites it. On the last very submission before the book gets shelved, she finds an agent who loves it. Revisions ensue. Agent finds an editor who loves it, but wants some revisions before offering. Revisions ensue again. Book gets sold. Girl flails. A LOT. Much editing ensues.
Eighteen months later, girl holds final book in her hands. Girl cries, but is also happy because SHE NEVER HAS TO EDIT THIS BOOK AGAIN.
The end. :)
PJHoover: I love the world of CITY and how it feels so parallel to cultures in our own world. Can you tell us what your various inspirations for the settings, cultures, and characters were?
MiriamF: Most of the setting, like the teak forest, the weapons, and the food, is based on South Asia and certain things, like the asars, the caste system, and the different kinds of bowing are specifically drawn from India. There are a handful of details that I borrowed from Japan, like folding fans and the nobles using poems to communicate. The part-animal, part human Sune were also inspired by the Japanese legends of the kitsune. The abandonment and disregard for girls is, sadly, a very common phenomenon all over the world.
PJHoover: There are tons of books out there. What are five awesome reasons why CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS should be the one for them to read?
MiriamF:
Talking cats
Political intrigue
Murders
Makeouts
A woman who can turn into a fox
PJHoover: If the apocalypse came, would you still find a way to write? If yes, then how and why?
MiriamF: I think if the apocalypse came, I’d move to oral storytelling. Paper’s too fragile, and while pens are good for stabbing people with in a pinch, I’d rather save the room for something more effective. But telling stories out loud, around a fire, that’s part of what makes us human beings and I don’t see that going away even if the apocalypse happened.
PJHoover: When it comes to marketing, what do you think makes the biggest difference in whether a book is successful?
MiriamF: Everyone wants to create that elusive “word of mouth” that makes books into bestsellers. But no one really knows how to do it. I think the really vital things are: a good cover, good distribution, and a well-edited, readable book. You should also have some sort of updateable website for info.
After that, it comes down to what the author can do comfortably and genuinely. There’s nothing worse than trying to be friends with someone online who’s only there because they think they have to be. Unless it’s trying to be friends with someone who only ever talks about their book. I think it’s important to contribute to the conversation and be able to give something back to the online community. But if you can’t bring yourself to do that, don’t despair. The most important thing you can do to help your book succeed is to write a stellar second book. (And then a third one, and a forth one, etc.)
PJHoover: Finish this sentence, and tell us why. Writing is a lot like…
MiriamF: Cooking stew. You put a little bit of this and a little bit of that, let it simmer and then you pour it into a word document. And sometimes, you have to scrape the bottom of the pot and it’s annoying and painful and leaves you feeling hollowed out and empty. But then people eat it your stew and like it and you’re happy again.
PJHoover: What is next? WIPs? Future publications? Please tell all!
MiriamF: I have the companion book to City of a Thousand Dolls, set in the same world with some of the same characters. (That’s coming in 2014.) And I’m working on a Secret Middle Grade project that may or may not be sellable. We shall see!
PJHoover: What has been your favorite experience as an author thus far?
MiriamF: I got to do a little 20 minute signing at the Pacific Northwest Bookseller’s Association fall tradeshow last year. It was right around the time that ARCs had come out and I got to sign books and talk to booksellers. It was amazing. There are so many kind and brilliant and passionate people in the book world. It makes me happy to be a part of it.
PJHoover: Please share your favorite inspirational thought!
MiriamF: Feel the fear and do it anyway. I’m a naturally anxious person and I worry a lot. It’s important to me that I not let those fears and worries affect what I do. I can’t always choose my emotions, but I can choose my actions.
PJHoover: Thank you so much for being here!
MiriamF: Thank you for having me!
*****
About the book:
The girl with no past, and no future, may be the only one who can save their lives. Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a little girl. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. She makes her way as Matron's errand girl, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city's handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die. Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls' deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but also her life.
*****
About Miriam:
Miriam Forster learned to read at the age of five, wrote her first story at the age of seven and has been playing with words ever since.
In real life Miriam is a recovering barista, a terrible housekeeper and a bit of a hermit. But in her mind she’s a deadly international assassin-ninja AND a fantastic dancer. When Miriam isn’t writing, she plots out fight scenes, obsesses about anthropology, nature shows and British television, and reads far too much. CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS is her debut novel.
*****
P. J. Hoover is the author of the upcoming dystopia/mythology YA book,
SOLSTICE (Tor Teen, June 2013), the upcoming Egyptian mythology MG book,
TUT (Tor Children's, Winter 2014), and the middle-grade SFF series, THE
FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOKS (CBAY, 2008-2010). You can read more about her
and her books on P. J.'s website or blog.
