Suzanne Young's Blog, page 14
January 17, 2011
Almost time! SCBWI NYC
Be sure to check out Alice Pope's fantastic post today on conference critiques. She's interviewed editors and agents and gotten their advice on how to handle the process.
And for those of you attending the conference, I'll see you soon!!
And the winner is...
But the winner of this signed ARC of A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL is.....
Sara McClung !!!!
Congrats, Sara. I'll email you shortly for mailing details.
Again, thanks everyone! I'll have another giveaway soon if I can get my hands on more advanced copies. And there are still a few days to enter the Goodreads giveaway HERE.
Have a great day!
Suz
January 9, 2011
Win A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL!!
Contest open internationally. All you have to do is comment with a way for me to contact you. Tell your friends!! Contest ends at midnight on Wednesday January 12th. The winner will be picked at random because I could never take on the responsibility of choosing between you. I love you all equally.
More about the book?
Here's the description:We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten.
Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
There have been others before who've felt the Need, but they're gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can't. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she'll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.
My favorite line? "There is no such thing as me."
GOOD LUCK!!!
January 5, 2011
Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit: Starring Eileen Cook
Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.
Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.
They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?
Reviews:
"Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she's clueless. She's also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it's chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat." --Kirkus starred review
"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers Weekly
About the Author:
Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.
You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.
I even got a chance to interview, Eileen!
1. Okay, first question. If this were high school, which senior superlative in the yearbook would you score?
Most likely to start snorting when she laughs.
2. What is one thing you wish you would have done when you were younger? For me, it's that I never studied abroad. How about you?
I wish I would have worried less. I worried a lot as a teen. I worried about what other people thought of me. I worried that it bothered me that I cared what other people thought. I worried about friends and guys and school and my parents. Then sometimes I worried about the fact I worried too much. Think of everything that I could have accomplished.
3. Now here's the self-promotion part: Can you please tell us all about your book? We have some book shopping to do!
Hailey is the "it" girl at her exclusive boarding school. She's the top of the popularity heap, has a great best friend and the perfect boyfriend. When a prank goes horribly wrong and she loses it all she has to decide just how much she's willing to risk to get it all back- and if she even wants it back at all.
4. So, say your book just got picked up for a movie (congratulations!) Who's playing your MC?
I'm terrible at this-which is why I will never be a director. I might go with an unknown actress so I could pick someone who exactly matches the image in my head. I would also cast Nathan Fillion (the guy who plays Castle on TV) not because there is a part that is right for him, but because I think he's dreamy.
5. If you could take one literary character to prom, who would it be, and why?
I can think of so many favorite books and characters! I think to be fair I should take my own characters to prom and buy them dinner so I can make up for all the horrible things I did to them during the book. I seemed to go out of my way to make their lives miserable.
6. And finally, since all of the other questions were so serious… What do you hope teens take away from your book?
Most of all I hope they have fun reading the book, if they take a message away I would want it to be that the most important thing is to be yourself and not define yourself by what other people think.
Thanks so much, Eileen!! And everyone, pick up your copy of THE EDUCATION OF HAILEY KENDRICK today!!
December 22, 2010
December 20, 2010
The Novel Graveyard
This is my original, unedited work.
THE COFFEE BREAK-UP
This was the place. After two weeks and fourteen applications, someone had finally called me for an interview. Thank God, because my dad's never-ending pockets had suddenly dried up. Apparently giving up your summer to live with your father didn't entitle you to unlimited cash flow. Please. Lately I couldn't even get him to buy me a latte. This was quickly becoming the worst summer of my life.
Smoothing out the fabric of my sundress, I took a deep breath and pulled open the heavy glass door to the entrance of The Coffee Break. As I stepped inside, a beastly white dog jumped up from next to the counter and barreled towards me. I gasped.
"Bear," the redhead behind the register called. She didn't look particularly worried. In fact, she hardly seemed to notice.
The dog crashed against my legs, knocking me back a few steps. He began lapping at me with his tongue and sticking his muzzle in places it didn't belong. I glanced around, hoping for some assistance. None of customers were looking at me. None of the staff, either. Uh, help?
"Stop," I whispered to the dog, trying to move his face away. I liked dogs just fine. Just not giant white ones that sniffed at my crotch in public places. Gross. He was really going for it, too.
What was a dog doing in a coffee shop anyway? It wasn't like he was here for the house blend. And he definitely wasn't a Seeing Eye dog, not when he ran up and violated people like this.
The girl snapped her fingers and the dog turned, trotting away like I didn't even exist. It almost hurt my feelings, how quickly he forgot about me. I exhaled, but when I looked down, I saw that he'd put a huge wet spot on the front of my dress. Great. I looked like I'd peed myself. My interview was off to an awesome start.
I glanced at the girl behind the register and she shrugged, resting her elbows on the high bar top of the side counter. Was that an apology for her dog ruining my dress? It didn't really look like one. She seemed obnoxiously unaware of her dog's annoyance factor.
Bear plopped down on the dog bed set against the counter. I curled my lip. Was that even sanitary?
"Watch out!" a deep voice shouted.
Before I had a chance to react, there was a hot, burning sting on my cheek. I yelped and covered my face quickly as I bent down. Did someone just throw something at me? Damn. That hurt.
"Are you okay?" the voice asked. I looked up.
Oh.
"Did it get you?" The gorgeous blond guy in front of me looked concerned. He bit at his lower lip while staring at the side of my face. I swallowed hard.
"Yeah. What was it?" I touched at the spot where I still felt the burn.
"It was a coffee bean. Our machine is a bit…uh, dangerous. It shoots them across the room once in a while. We try to warn customers ahead of time by marking the floor."
What? I looked down and sure enough, I was standing in the middle of a bull's-eye drawn on the concrete in red marker. "Of course," I said, glancing up at him. "It's a very clear 'Don't stand here or you will be assaulted by a coffee bean,' warning. How did I miss that?"
He laughed. I wanted to smile except he was really cute and I wasn't sure if there was a bean-shaped burn on my face. Instead, I just stared back. His nametag read manager. Interesting.
"Sasha Torrance, right?" He outstretched his hand.
"Yeah." I took it, feeling immediate tingles race up my arm. I needed to seriously calm down.
"I thought it was you when I saw your application. How've you been?"
Huh? Did he know me? I was pretty sure I'd remember if I met him before. I didn't tend to forget tall, super-hot guys. Plus, I hadn't been back in Oregon in almost eight years, so he couldn't recognize me. Or shouldn't. God, I hoped I'd changed since I was ten.
I shifted in my sandals as he ran his gaze down the length of my sundress. He didn't seem concerned when I noticed him checking me out. At least I wore the dress that made my boobs look big.
"Do we know each other?" I finally asked.
His smile faded. Oops. I guess we did.
"I'm Taten. Taten Murphy?"
"It sounds familiar." No, actually it didn't. But I really wanted it to.
"From Sacred Heart?" He scrunched his nose as he scratched at his floppy curls. I might have been hurting his ego.
"We went to school together?" I asked. I'd gone to Sacred Heart elementary school for one year in the fourth grade, before I moved to Arizona. This guy was not in my class.
"Yeah." He shook his head, looking embarrassed. "I was two grades ahead and…" He must have noticed my vacant expression. "Wow. You have no idea who I am, do you?"
"I really don't."
"Damn."
Not that I minded meeting him again.
"Taten?" a shrill voice screamed from across the room. "Stop flirting and come here."
We both turned toward the crazy looking old lady with a mass of gray frizz. Her lips were blood red and her outfit was reminiscent of Cruella Deville.
Taten exhaled and met my eyes. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
I watched him walk away, suddenly wondering why I was still here. I wanted a job, not a ticket to the Ringling Brother's Circus. Within the last five minutes I had been molested by a dog, burned by a rogue coffee bean and screamed at by a Disney villainess. Man. I just wanted a reason to get out of my father's house.
"Are you going to jet?"
I jumped. There was a particularly hairy guy standing next to me. He had on a heavily stained Coffee Break shirt. The stains didn't even look like coffee.
"Excuse me?"
He rolled his dark eyes. "Jet? Leave?"
"Uh, I was thinking about it."
"Well, no shit. I could see the panic on your face."
"I wouldn't say panic—"
"Would you say freaked out? 'Cause you're weirdly pale and freaked out looking."
I stared at him, pretty sure toothpaste was smudged in the corner of his mouth.
What planet was I on? I was so confused. "Look, I've got to go." I adjusted my purse on my shoulder and looked toward Taten. He was watching me with what appeared to be an amused expression as Cruella talked animatedly at him. Oregon was freakier than I remembered.
"I'm sorry," the hairy one said. "Was it my pale comment?"
I glanced back at him and shook my head. "No. I just—"
"Don't be offended," he said. "My brother is a fucking albino and it doesn't piss him off."
Okay, seriously. Should I run?
"Sit down," he said. "I'll make you a coffee on the house." He raised his hand in a gesture of offering. I looked toward the door for an escape.
"Come on," he said with a laugh. "It's lame to go running out of here during a job interview."
He had a point. I nodded and slid onto the stool of a nearby bistro table. It felt good to sit down. I'd been walking all day window-shopping. What else could I do when I was so clearly broke?
In fact, this was the only place to even call me back for an interview. I should at least hear them out. As long as they paid me and let me drink the coffee, it could work out, right? Okay, so maybe the incredibly sexy manager had something to do with my rationalizing, but whatever. I still needed a job.
"I'm River by the way," the hairy guy said as he walked away. He didn't even wait for me to introduce myself.
I glanced around the coffee shop, surprised there were so many customers. The strangest looking group of people I'd ever seen gathered in one place. Some with dreads, some in suits. There was even a lady with a stroller. Only it didn't have a baby in it. It had a bunch of wind chimes made from beer caps.
"The coffee's really strong," River said, coming back to the table. He set a mug in front of me, splashing a little over its side. The cup read "Keep Portland Weird." I was pretty sure that went without saying.
"Thanks," I said. But there was no way in hell I was going to drink it. It stained the side of my mug. What would it do to my stomach? He stared at me.
"You don't want it, do you?"
"Uh…" How should I answer that?
"I've got it from here, River," Taten said, appearing over his shoulder.
When River turned to look at him, Taten smiled a wide, completely adorable grin.
"Your pretty-boy smile doesn't work on me, Tate," River replied, moving toward the counter. "And hurry up with this interview so we can finish our game out back."
Taten slid his hands into the pockets of his black pants and nodded, waiting until River was gone before sitting down across from me. His knee knocked into mine as he shifted into place. I was glad the circular table was small because I could smell him. The light scent of his cologne was really nice.
"What game are you waiting to finish?" I asked.
He laughed. "Pencil fighting."
"What?"
Taten covered his smile with his palm as he stared back at me. He looked slightly embarrassed. "It's stupid," he said, shaking his head and dropping his arm.
"So you fight. With pencils?"
"Yeah. We hold the pencil between our hands and the other person hits it and tries to break it. It's like in Karate, but instead of breaking a board with your hand, you break a pencil with another pencil."
Only he pronounced karate, ka-rah-tay. With a serious face, no less.
"Well, I wouldn't want to keep you from your game," I said.
"Ah, don't worry about it." He leaned close to whisper. "River is totally kicking my ass anyway."
I smiled. Something about him was so approachable, not at all intimidating. I liked him. He was nothing like my last boyfriend. God. Aaron was a tool. A well dressed, well-mannered prick. Looks could certainly be deceiving. Even now, this cute, sweet looking guy could be a closet asshole. You never really knew until a crisis hit. Or an unexpected summer trip to Portland. I shifted in my seat.
"I guess you can tell it's pretty casual around here," Taten began. "Does that bother you?"
"Not really. It's just…different."
"You've never gotten coffee here before?"
"I haven't lived in Oregon for years--"
"That's right. You moved to Arizona. I sort of remember that."
He had a good memory. "Yep. Phoenix."
"Arizona's nice."
Despite the superficial conversation, I was beginning to feel self-conscious. He was just…staring at me. "You like Arizona? What parts have you been to?" I asked, hoping we'd have something in common besides a year of elementary school I couldn't remember.
"I've never been there," he said. He furrowed his brow as if I was the one that didn't make sense.
"Oh."
He chewed on his lip as he looked down at the lacquered table. His knee was touching mine but I couldn't just flinch away. And why would I want to?.
"What made you come back to Oregon?" he asked.
I didn't really want to answer that. "My dad lives here."
"You don't see him a lot?"
Wow. Personal questions alert.
"Not really. Taten, I--"
"Do you have a boyfriend back in Arizona?"
My heart began to beat a little faster. "No." Not anymore.
Taten straightened up, staring at me again. It wasn't that I didn't want him to look. It was just strange. And I wasn't used to strange.
"So why did you apply here, Sasha?" he asked, mostly curious, but maybe a little confused. "Your father is Paul Torrance, isn't he?"
Ugh. "Yeah."
"Couldn't he get you a job down at the college?"
I would have thought it odd that he knew about my father, but when your dad was the dean of the University of Portland, his name held a little weight. Not that I would ever use it to get a job. That was tacky.
"I didn't ask him," I said.
Taten leaned on the table, bringing himself closer to me. It all seemed really unprofessional, but I didn't care. I wanted him to get even closer. My stomach was in knots.
"Besides," I said, a hitch in my voice. "I thought being a coffee barista sounded cool."
"It is," he deadpanned. "Very cool."
I laughed. "I applied online and then you called."
"I did call, didn't I?" His knee retracted slightly from mine. "You'd think based on that fact alone I'd have something better prepared for this interview."
"The thought crossed my mind."
He grinned. "Well, do you have any experience?"
"Not really." Not at all. I'd never had a job.
"To be honest, I didn't look that closely at your application. Where did you work before?"
This was brutal. Did I really need experience? I would be making coffee for minimum wage. How hard could it be?
He must have noticed my pause. "It's just…we don't get many applications. You were the only one that applied and our barista quit three months ago. We're hard up for anybody. Plus I recognized your name."
I was glad he did. Still. Why was mine the only application? What sort of freaky stuff went on around here? "Why did your barista quit?"
He seemed to pale slightly.
"Taten!" Cruella screeched from across the room again. He shut his eyes before turning and raising his hand at her.
"Who's the crazy woman?" I asked. She was getting on my nerves.
He smiled broadly. "That's my mom. She owns the place."
My stomach dropped. "Oh, God. I'm so sorry. I'm sure she's not crazy. I…"
He waved me off. "Please, don't apologize. She's totally fucking nuts."
My mouth opened in surprise, but I tried to recover quickly. I wanted to have some appearance of calm, even though I felt completely thrown off in this place.
"Did I offend you?" he winced.
"I don't know…"
"I'm not really good with the whole interviewing thing," he said with a shrug. "Do you want the job? I didn't have any other applications."
Wait. I was being offered the job? Did I want it anymore? "Well--"
"Can you just try it out?" he asked, crinkling his nose. "I sort of need some normal folks around here. River is, well, you met him. Perry. And my mom." He widened his eyes. "A nice girl like you might class the place up a bit."
Somebody needed to pinch me because when he was looking at me with those beautiful greenish brown eyes, I--
"Sasha?" Taten asked.
Oops. What was he asking me? "Yeah?"
He chuckled. "Will you take the job or not?"
It would be a long, poor summer without The Coffee Break. And it wasn't like I had anything better to do. I sighed. "I'll take it."
But as soon as I said it, I felt the knots in my stomach tighten. I had a crush on my manager. Why did I know this was a bad idea? And why did I not care?
December 17, 2010
Guest Post: Best YA Romances of 2010
Romance. It's one of the biggest things most YA readers look for. Yes, we want the rest of the story, but we crave that romance. The intense, burning desire. Feelings so strong they can't be ignored. It's one of the best reasons to read and write in this genre- the firsts, whether it's first heartbreak, first love, or first person to put your heart back together. So of the books I've read in 2010, what are some of the most outstanding, memorable, take-your-breath-away romances for me?
10. Connor and Natalie (Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian): He's a jock, but he's pretty darn sweet. She's an overachiever with her chastity belt very firmly in place. Padlocked, even. But Connor pursues her. And pushes a little harder. And might be a good kisser. And there is something refreshingly real about these two, their push and pull and his unflinching affection. Maybe its unconventional, but its there and it's so memorable and fantastic.
9. Derek and Chloe (The Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong): 
Awkward, brash and misunderstood boy meets quiet and unsure girl. Other boy likes girl. Girl still likes awkward boy. Confusing enough? Maybe. But when Derek and Chloe FINALLY give in to their feelings, it's one of those amazing, pump your fist in the air, tell the presses kind of moments. There is such a lurking connection and possessiveness between these two, showing up at the right moments before fading again, almost like that pesky little mouse that you just can't quite catch but is oh so satisfying when you do.
8. Patrick and Delilah (Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler): Charming and funny boy reconnects with childhood best friend, now a broken, guarded girl. Said boy fixes the girl in the simplest, most beautiful ways. Does he get hurt? Yes. Does he take all of her crap? No. But is the fight worth it? Oh yes. This is an absolutely realistic relationship, filled with the bad and the good, making you grin like a schoolgirl on crack good in the end.
7. Oscar and Camille (Everlasting by Angie Frazier):
She's engaged to another man. He's an Irish Sailor. What do they have in common? A lot, including the way they feel for each other. Oscar might want to punch Camille's fiancé in the face, but he is absolutely tender and sweet and a perfect gentleman with her. It is such a charming mix, and the way Camille can be the strong girl she is while still relying on Oscar is handled so beautifully. This is a fantastic romance for both the book's time period, and the modern world.
6. Will and Jacinda (Firelight by Sophie Jordan): He sets her on fire. Almost literally. A simple touch does something to both of these characters that only Sophie Jordan can describe, and man does she do it well. You want intense and engaging budding romance? Read this one. Add in the dragons and paranormal aspect, and it's an all over hit but man… This romance. And the way it's written. Uh huh. Get the book.
5. Seth and Rosetta (Freefall by Mindi Scott):
Seth is a mess, trying to get through school and figure things out. Then he meets Rosetta, who makes him want to be a better person. What can make a romance more notable than that? It isn't to just impress her, but because he wants it. Whether he gets her or not, he likes the person he thinks he could be. And then he gets there, and woo! It is just the best mix of real and sweet and maybe a little painful. Don't let the cover flap of this one fool you, it's a romance, and a darn near perfect one at that.
4. Adam and Mia (If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman): This is one of those couples that love each other so much, but maybe it's not enough. They have their good moments, but they have their bad moments too. Still, there is such a connection and intensity, such a deep burning love between the two, seen in both books no matter their outcomes, that the relationship just can't be ignored.
3. Wesley and Bianca (The DUFF by Kody Keplinger):
Manwhore and I-don't-take-your-crap chick. What better couple than this? Wesley can smooth talk his way… right to Bianca's back as she walks away. Yet things change, and when they do… wow. They are passionate and intense, not to mention one of the single best lines ever uttered in YA comes from this book.
2. Aiden and Tessa (The Naughty List by Suzanne Young): Peppy cheerleader and basketball star. Cliché? Maybe. But interesting and lovable? Completely. These two have such an interesting chemistry that flies off the pages. It's hot without going overboard, and Aiden is about as swoonworthy and amazing as they come. He can paint my toenails any time he wants.
1. Alex and Brittany (Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles):
Hot and sexy. That's the best way to describe this one. It's a passionate romance filled with fiery emotions and some seriously tough crap thrown in, and comes out so tremendously. Even for the people who aren't big on romance, this one is still so incredibly worth the read. A dramatic romance if there ever was one, I could reread this one any time and fall for it all over again.
-Kari
December 10, 2010
SCBWI Annual Winter Conference 2011- Jim McCarthy
In a Team Blog pre-conference exclusive, I'm chatting with fabulous agent (who also happens to be my agent) Jim McCarthy. Jim is vice president at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management and he will be speaking at the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in NYC being held January 28th-30th. Check out the lineup HERE.
Jim, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. To start, I was wondering if you could tell us what your talk at the conference will focus on?
--This one's easy! I'm doing the same break-out session three times, and it's What Makes Your Work Publishable: Today's Market in Children's Books. I was asked to present on what our agency accepts, what my taste is, what makes something stand out as something I want to represent, how I perceive the marketplace now, and where I see it going. The lovely folks at SCBWI made it very easy on me—they told me I don't need to prepare a speech because it's really about what I do all day and what I think is coming. That's going to leave tons and tons of room open for questions on this very broad topic (and means I won't bore myself by giving the same presentation three times in a row!).
Are you currently looking for submissions?
--Always. ALWAYS. I have a really healthy client list right now that I'm thrilled with, but I will never close down to submissions because the idea of missing something brilliant because I wasn't looking makes me physically uncomfortable.
What do you think authors can learn from hearing an agent speak during a conference as opposed to looking them up online?
--Well, you just get a sense of who that person is. Publishing is a business built on personal relationships, and the agent-client one is (in my totally unbiased opinion) the most important. I think it's a great chance to scope someone out and see if they're the sort of person you'd have any interest in working with long term. You get to see them as they are, not as they present themselves in writing. It's kind of like online dating! But most importantly, you get a chance to ask questions and get clarity on some of the murkier issues in publishing which I think can be invaluable.
There's always so much talk about what to wear to the conference—layer up, comfortable shoes, etc…. Any suggestions?
--Is there really? I never knew! I go to five or six a year and rarely think about what I wear (this is also true when I'm not at conferences). But…it's New York in winter, so do wear layers. You can probably get away with spending the entire conference in the hotel traveling from event to event, but it would be a shame not to get out into the city at least for a little while, even if it is bitter cold.
Thank you again, Jim! And we all look forward to seeing you next month!!
December 7, 2010
Ice Cream and Cake...
December 5, 2010
Happy Birthday...
xoxo
Suz
