THE BOOK OF LOST SOULS, the first in the Ivy MacTavish series, provides a unique twist on YA paranormal fiction. While the book looks very dark, it is actually quite humorous and fun. I hope to see more books that aren’t afraid to tickle our funny bones. Synopsis: When teen witch Ivy MacTavish changes a lizard into her date […]
Some lingo I’ve picked up recently is “plotting” vs. “pantsing”. A plotter outlines plot points and character sketches from start to finish before the novel is written, while a pantser, for lack of a better phrase, “flies by the seat of their pants” and constructs the novel as it comes, changing plot ideas, etc. as the writing happens. I’m […]
Today’s YA book feature is Larkstorm, by Dawn Rae Miller. From Goodreads: “In the years following the destructive Long Winter, when half the world’s population perished, the State remains locked in battle against the Sensitives: humans born with extra abilities. As one of the last descendants of the State’s Founders, seventeen-year-old Lark Greene knows her […]
One of the biggest challenges in writing, other than the writing itself, is how to make your content marketable and sellable to others (how else will your book get an audience, after all?). This is something I’ve run into while preparing to query my novel–finding the marketable hooks and plot points that will draw people in, […]
The Fallen Queen, by Jane Kindred, has such a fantastic premise that I had to share. Its great-looking cover also allowed me an opportunity to finally test posting pictures to my blog: Here’s the premise, from Goodreads: “Heaven can go to hell. Until her cousin slaughtered the supernal family, Anazakia’s father ruled the Heavens, governing noble Host and Fallen peasants […]
In getting to know some local writers in my area, a phrase keeps cropping up in my conversations with them. “Glowing rejections.” What exactly are these? Essentially, even if you’re doing everything right–your query is flawless, pages or full manuscripts have been requested, your plot, storyline and characters are all memorable and easy to follow–rejection may still follow […]
Once again lurking on Janice Hardy’s blog, I happened upon this great guest post from up and coming author Marie Lu. Lu’s new book, Legend, looks like a great new dystopian read. It releases today, and is published by Putnam/Penguin. From Goodreads: “What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, […]
A week or so back, Janice Hardy had a guest author, Elle Strauss, who offered advice on how to write a proper query. For those unfamiliar with Elle, she wrote a great book called CLOCKWISE. (A sequel is forthcoming!) Clockwise Here’s the synopsis, courtesy of Goodreads: “A teenage time traveler accidentally takes her secret crush […]
So I’m looking for one last critical eye on my polished novel to ensure it’s at a professional level, or agent-ready, as I’ve been discussing in my last few posts. When I start submitting to agents and publishers, I want to make sure I’m giving them something worth reading. At an online NaNo “Ask the Author” session last week, Gail Carriger, author […]
Maybe because it’s NaNo. Or, maybe it’s because more aspiring writers are emerging. But lately, I’ve been noticing advice for writers is rampant right now, if you know where to look. (Or maybe this has always been true, and I haven’t been looking properly.) I found the first through an email newsletter I received through Writer’s Digest. […]