Michelle Zink's Blog, page 41
June 22, 2011
Surprise!!!! It's a Giveaway!
Welp, I was going to do a giveaway on Goodreads of Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate in its new paperback format. But it turns out, you can only do book giveaways on Goodreads within six months of a book's release date.
So I'm going to give them away here instead! The idea is to give everyone a chance to start and/or catch up on the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy before the final book, Circle of Fire, comes out on August 3rd. So I'm going to give away FIVE signed sets of both books along with some other goodies.
Oh yeah. And the paperback of Guardian of the Gate has a sneak peek of Circle of Fire.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here explaining why you'd love to win and what you'll do with the books if you do. Maybe you'll give away the first book because you've read it and read the second because you haven't had a chance, or maybe you'll give both of them to friends who haven't read any of the series yet.
It's up to you! But tell me here and you'll automatically be entered to win one of five price packs that will contain the following;
Signed paperback of Prophecy of the Sisters
Signed paperback of Guardian of the Gate
A blue Prophecy wristband
A green Guardian wristband
A purple Circle wristband
A masquerade mask (when you read Circle of Fire, you'll see how this ties in)
A personalized postcard from moi
Contest is open to international contestants (though the copies will be US editions) and will run now through Midnight EST Friday, July 1st, 2011.
After that, you'll want to prepare yourself for my massive annual giveaway – this year to include an iPod Touch based on a poll you all took a few months back. It's going to be epic! And winning this one doesn't bar you from winning that one, so what are you waiting for?!
Enter already!!
June 21, 2011
Song of the Week – Haunted
I've already admitted to loving Taylor Swift's music, but I hadn't heard this one until today when Kay, one of my favorite readers, nominated it for Song of the Week.
I love it! And I stand by my love of Taylor's beautiful voice. Thanks, Kay!
Send your Song of the Week recommendations to prophecypress@aol.com with "Song of the Week" in the Subject line.
Enjoy!
June 17, 2011
Friday Poll – Which Magazines Do YOU Read Most Often?
[image error]I have a confession to make.
I'm a bit of a magazine junkie. And you can take that literally. As in, I usually have so many magazines piled on my coffee table that if you looked at the bottom of the stack, it would date as far back as six months ago.
I've been slowly winnowing my subscriptions, but I could never give them up completely. The truth is, between reading and writing, sometimes I'm just drowning in words. There's something relaxing about giving myself over to something so visual. I especially like home magazines. Everything's so orderly.
If only real life – and real houses – were like that!
What about you? Do you read magazines? Or is it a dying pasttime because of the internet?
Weigh in with the Friday Poll!
View Poll
June 16, 2011
Thursday Night Write – 6/16/2011
[image error]Before I get to this week's TNW, I've been meaning to direct your attention to a few fun Prophecy-related things online.You've probably noticed that I suck at self-promotion. Well, unless you count engaging in the huge time suck that is socializing online with no particular goal in mind.
I'm decent at that.
Otherwise, I just get exhausted thinking about posting links to reviews and interviews and such. I know I SHOULD do it for the sake of my work, but most of the time I'm just content to hope that word-of-mouth does it's job. And you guys are so awesome about spreading the word about Prophecy that so far, I've been okay!
That said, I need to try and be better about acknowledging the bloggers and others who go out of their way to feature my work in some way. With that in mind, a few links;
Thanks to Brittany from Nice Girls Read Books for interviewing me for her blog.
Thanks to Sandy Noles for the time she spent making this very cool Prophecy trailer.
Thanks to Young Adult Central and Nikki from Wicked Awesome Books for the awesome review of Prophecy of the Sisters. Plus, I
And lastly, a big thanks to Innis Children's Book Magazine for the incredibly flattering review of Prophecy of the Sisters.
This week's prompt is in honor of my mom, who is at this very moment making the long drive from New York to Utah.
My mom moved New York with me in 2001 after living in California for twenty years. It was one of our many big adventures. Neither of knew what the future held, but we were both ready for a change and one of the things my mom taught me is that change is something to greet not with fear, but with open arms.
It's something I carry with me every day.
I'm not the most demonstrative person in the world (except for with kids, which comes easily to me for some strange reason), but I have found so much comfort in having my mom nearby. We don't see each other as often as we should (my fault, because I get too busy living in my head), but there's just something about knowing your mom is THERE that makes every day a little easier.
I guess it's because, for most of us (and definitely in my case), Mom is the only one whom we are absolutely sure would drop everything at a moment's notice if we need her.
But everyone needs a change sometimes. No one knows that more than me, the ultimate change junkie. And my mom has decided that it's time to head home to Utah where she can be near her siblings and aging parents. I totally understand it, but damn… I will miss her terribly.
So this week's prompt is dedicated to new beginnings. And to my mom, whom I love more than she'll ever know.
You know the rules; give yourself no more than 30 minutes to write anything that comes to mind when you see this picture. Then, post no more than 500 words of it for comment. make sure to comment at least one other post if you leave one of your own. Writers of all ages and experience are welcome to play.
June 14, 2011
Song of the Week – Perfect by Burn Season
I'm especially excited about this week's song, nominated by Anne, because I haven't heard of the band before. And that's the whole point of Song of the Week – to discover new music!
I have to say; I'm totally enamored with this one. It's simple and beautiful with gorgeous lyrics.
Plus, this guy's voice is tres sexy.
Thanks, Anne!
And don't forget to send your Song of the Week recommendations to prophecypress@aol.com with "Song of the Week" in the Subject line.
June 10, 2011
Friday Poll – Favorite Summer Swimming Spot
[image error]I don't know about where you guys live, but this last week in New York was HOT. Two of the days were well above 90 degrees.
Which is way above my comfort zone.
I'm more of a cold weather person, so I guess you could say Maine – or the Arctic – is more my speed.
But when you can't avoid a really hot day, nothing beats a swim in some cool, clean water. So this week's Friday Poll is all about swimming. Namely, YOUR favorite summer swimming spot.
Weigh in with the Friday Poll!
View Poll
June 7, 2011
Song of the Week – Arms
I'm totally in love with this week's song, Arms, by Christina Perri. It's beautiful and emotional and a little melancholy. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do.
Thanks to Cat for suggesting it!
June 6, 2011
Secrets, Helping Others, and Necessary Evils
[image error]This week's Anonymous Prophecy Reader is LadyBug. And this interview makes me so happy that I've opened up the Anonymous Reader feature to people outside their teens, because Ladybug has some incredible wisdom and experience to share. I know you're going to love this interview as much as I do. I think it's one of my favorites!
If you'd like to be an Anonymous Prophecy Reader, send an email to prohecypress@aol.com with "Anonymous Prophecy Reader" in the Subject line.
And if you missed the Circle of Fire teaser trailer, you can see it here.
Hope you enjoy!
JUST THE FACTS
Interview Code Name (you choose!); LadyBug
Current country of residence; United States
Male or female? Female
Age; 27
ABOUT THE BOOKS
How many books, on average, do you read a month? Around 20, give or take a few…
Favorite kind of book and why; Adventure, Fantasy, and Memoirs…Memoirs are my very favorite.
Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; The cover, if it grabs my eye or strikes some sort of emotion from within.
What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? I know I have read a truly amazing book when I have become emotionally attached to the characters, when the story continues to play over and over in my mind's eye.
How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? I will take a friend's recommendation into consideration but its not a guarantee that I'll read the book.
Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; I'd love to see more books written about young adults dealing with mental health issues in an open and honest way. I would love to see less ewwey-gooey romantic vampire stories.
What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? When everything goes wrong, like a Ben Stiller movie. I cant handle it!
Paperback or hardcover? Either…or the kindle.
Series or stand-alone? BOTH…though I'm partial to series.
ALL ABOUT YOU
If you had a life philosophy or motto, what would it be? And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. [ It's a quote from Julian of Norwich as well as being my motto] (Love!)
Are your parents divorced? Nope…those hippies are goin' strong.
Do you feel that being a teenager is difficult? If so, why? I do, I think being a teenage is really hard. Lots of reasons, I suppose…mostly because that's when life's reality begins to set in.
List some of your hobbies. Reading, being outdoors, listening to live music, going to festivals.
Why do you think teenagers feel the need to label one another? It's a way of compartmentalizing in order to function…a necessary evil I suppose.
Favorite color? Green
Is there anything in your past that makes you sad or angry? If so, are you willing to share it here? There is, and I will…All through high school and college, I was so busy trying to protect myself and my "secrets" that I never really tried to make friends. It saddens me now that I don't have friends from High School or that I never made those lasting relationships in college. It took me until my mid-twenties to learn that friends can be chosen family. (Thanks so much for sharing this, hon. *hugs*)
What is your passion? Helping others…
Do you feel the need to pretend to be someone you're not? If so, why? All the time…mostly because I tend to be much too serious…
What kinds of things do you think about when you're all alone? Ideas for the book I'm writing…or I play the day's events over in my mind.
How do you keep your bed? Covered in pillows? Made perfect every morning? A mess of tangled sheets? Totally messy…why make the bed if I'm just going to get back in it that night…tons of pillows and tangled blankets.
Do you ever feel the need to be invisible? If so, why? Yes, I'm a total introvert with an extrovert's life…sometimes I just love to sit back and let the chaos evolve around me while I become an invisible observer.
Do you believe that you will ever find the type of love in books and movies? I have found that kind of love…I've been married to a wonderful prince charming for 2 and half years. (Aw!)
Do you like school? Why or why not? I love it!! And not just because I'm a teacher. I love to learn…I want to know everything!
Do you believe that education is important? Yes, one of the most important things in life…and not just a formal education…life experience and knowing a knowing a trade are invaluable skills!
Are the cliques you read about or see on TV present in your school? For the most part yes…even as an adult…My co-workers and I tend to fall into "clique" type groups.
Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable? Sure, who doesn't?
Favorite animal? I love cats and dogs…I'm a pet person.
Have you ever been mean to someone? If so, why? How did it make you feel afterward? I have…very mean. In college I was cruel to a girl who lived on my hall because I felt threatened by her…sadly acting the way I did gave me a sense of empowerment. But after it was all said and done…The situation could have been handled differently.
Do you regret any of the choices you've made? If so, are you willing to share them here? I do…I wish that I had had the wisdom to stick to my guns about who I was without being swayed by societal norms. (Wonderful! Love this so much.)
Do you wonder or worry about what other people think about you? Be honest! Of course I do!
June 5, 2011
Teaser, Anyone?
I'm super pleased to post the teaser trailer for Circle of Fire. I'm especially proud of the collaboration. The trailer features stunning custom photography by Heather Zahn Gardner (she cast the models, sourced the clothing, and took the photos) and a beautiful original score by my son, Kenneth Zink. On top of all that, it was edited and produced by my youngest daughter, Caroline, who is only twelve and is an aspiring filmmaker. It was an amazingly fun and inspiring collaboration, and I couldn't be happier with the results.
A full-length trailer will be released August 2nd, the day before Circle of Fire goes on sale.
Until then, enjoy!
June 4, 2011
I Love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trailer
Okay, I know some of the purists out there aren't too happy about the US remake of Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And listen, I LOVED the Swedish movies.
Loved them!
But. But! I adore the books to a degree that I'm ridiculously happy about the opportunity to see another version of the movie. Plus, I'm a serious David Lynch fan (to say nothing of Daniel Craig – nom, nom, nom!).
So I've been pretty psyched about the US release. I have to admit, though, that this trailer makes me even more excited. I'm loving the edgy score and the super-fast cuts between clips.
This is definitely my Can't Wait movie of 2011.
And in OTHER trailer news, tomorrow the Circle of Fire teaser trailer will be released RIGHT HERE. Kenneth has composed another amazing theme and Caroline, my budding filmmaker, put everything together almost-single-handedly. I'm super excited to share it, so don't forget to check back!
P.S. Sorry for the link to IMDB, but I couldn't find this on Youtube without a bunch of other stuff attached to it.
