Michelle Zink's Blog, page 47
March 23, 2011
March 22, 2011
Song of the Week – Radioactive
This week's song was nominated by Laura. I've heard Kings of Leon, but I don't think I've heard this one, Radioactive, before.
It has a kind of retro, optimistic sound. I love it!
March 21, 2011
Creating Order, Moving to Ireland, and Living Like Nobody's Watching
This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is Sellyvester! I adore the picture she chose for her interview – and I think you'll find her answers just as compelling. If you'd like to be an Anonymous Teen Reader just send an email to prophecypress@aol.com with "Anonymous Teen Reader" in the subject line.
In other news, I SHOULD have a final Circle of Fire cover to show you guys tomorrow or Wednesday. It's SO GORGEOUS! I know you're going to love it.
Interview Code Name (you choose!);
Sellyvester
Current country of residence;
U.S.A.
Male or female?
Female
Age;
Almost 13!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
How many books, on average, do you read a month?
Six, if it's a good month. Otherwise, one or two.
Favorite kind of book and why;
I like fantasy books that include mythology in one way or another. I also like it when the heroine isn't whiny. (no one likes a whiner!)
Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book;
The synopsis, but sometimes I judge books on their covers or titles.
What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book?
When I can't get it out of my head afterwards, and want the sequel (if there is one) in my hands immediately.
How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book?
Depends on the friend, because out of the three of my friends who read, the only series we've all read is the Harry Potter series. I usually take suggestions from them, but they don't really help me decide whether I should buy a book or not.
Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre;
I want more mythology! And not just Greek mythology, because I see a lot of that compared to say, Egyptian mythology, or Celtic mythology. One thing I want to see less of is the whole vampire falling for a mortal girl, who just thinks he's the coolest thing because he's so mysterious. One of my friends loves those books, and it drives me crazy sometimes.
What's your biggest pet peeve in a book?
When the heroine has to have help with every little thing, and whines when things don't go her way.
Paperback or hardcover?
Hardcover–they're so pretty sometimes!
Series or stand-alone?
Series.
ALL ABOUT YOU
If you had a life philosophy or motto, what would it be?
Live life like nobody's watching. (Love it!)
Are your parents divorced?
No, but sometimes it feels like it.
Do you feel that being a teenager is difficult? If so, why?
Not really.
List some of your hobbies.
Reading, drawing, writing, karate, and music
Why do you think teenagers feel the need to label one another?
I think it's because we're trying to create order, but not in the best, or nicest, way possible. (What a wise, wise answer)
Favorite color?
I have three: blue, green, and black
Is there anything in your past that makes you sad or angry? If so, are you willing to share it here?
This is kind of both. Last year, there was a big blow-out between me and my guyfriends for something stupid and immature, and I hate how I handled it. (Everyone makes mistakes, hon. *hugs*)
What is your passion?
Writing.
Do you feel the need to pretend to be someone you're not? If so, why?
Nope. I like who I am, and even if I surprise people with how crazy I am, it doesn't matter to me.
What kinds of things do you think about when you're all alone?
Ideas for my writing, achieving my goal of moving to Ireland, and other really abstract, random things that never make sense later on.
How do you keep your bed? Covered in pillows? Made perfect every morning? A mess of tangled sheets?
It's a messy pile of bright, colorful sheets at the moment.
Do you ever feel the need to be invisible? If so, why?
Yes. Whenever I have to present something to my classmates, or recite something, I want to turn invisible and just not exist.
Do you believe that you will ever find the type of love you read about and see in books and movies?
Not really, but I'd like to!
Do you like school? Why or why not?
Yes! I have really good, entertaining teachers, and I get to spend time with my friends. The only downside is waking up early.
Do you believe that education is important?
Yes, because even though there are some things that I don't think I'll ever need, I'd rather know that than nothing at all.
Are the cliques you read about or see on TV present in your school?
Nope, not that I can see. Everyone kind of blends and mixes.
Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable?
Whenever I'm up in front of people I don't know very well, I feel like that.
Favorite animal?
I'm at a tie with pandas and penguins.
Have you ever been mean to someone? If so, why? How do you feel about it now?
I was mean to my brother a while ago because he wanted me to cook something for him that I couldn't, so he started crying and I felt bad (and still do) about it.
Do you regret any of the choices you've made? If so, are you willing to share them here?
I regret ever letting my friend know that things that people say about me never bother me because she's taken advantage of it lately.
Do they wonder or worry about what other people think about you? Be honest!
Yes, but not as much as I used to. (Good girl.)
March 19, 2011
I Love Tom Bjorn Designs
[image error]This week I love Tom Bjorns GORGEOUS crochet necklace/bracelets.
How incredibly cool is this one?! I'm seriously coveting it right now…
Take a look at the Tom Bjorn Etsy store for more examples!
And here's the roundup for this past week;
This week's Anonymous Teen Reader was the Violet Eyed Reader. She's passionate about gay rights and is an incredibly insightful American teen.
The Song of the Week was Busy Bein' Born by Middle Class Rut. It was nominated by my son, Kenneth, and I gotta say; I love the lyrics!
We met fanart judge Jessica Verday, author of The Hollow Trilogy.
The title and summary for my Spring 2012 book was finally announced. WOOT!
This week's edition of Thursday Night Write was an Open Mic. You can still participate through midnight EST tomorrow.
I asked about your thoughts on make-up in the Friday Poll with some pleasantly surprising results.
You still have one more week to enter my joint giveaway with photographer Heather Gardner.
And TWO more weeks to enter the Massive Prophecy Fanart Giveaway for the grand prize, Photoshop CS5 Extended Teacher/Student Edition, and two runner up art prize packs.
Lastly, don't forget to keep voting in the Justine Spark Reel Book Video Awards where the Guardian of he Gate trailer is a finalist!
Have a great weekend, you guys!
March 18, 2011
Friday Poll – Makeup Yes/No?
[image error]Thought I'd keep this Friday Poll nice and simple.
Makeup; How do you feel about it? Inquiring minds want to know!
View Poll
March 17, 2011
Thursday Night Write & Book News!
[image error]Time for another edition of Open Mic! Post your poem, short story, song, or novel excerpt of 300 words or less for comment, and don't forget to comment at least on other entry if you post something of your own. We have to support each other!
In other news, if you missed the big new book announcement earlier today, you can find it here. Even though the deal was announced in Publishers Weekly last fall, this is the first time I've been able to tell you anything about it. SO excited to finally be able to share the details with you guys!
Also, don't forget that you can still vote (one a day in each category) for the Guardian of the Gate trailer in the Justine Spark 2010 Reel Book Video Awards!
Michelle Zink Spring 2012 Release Titled
The title has been released for the 2012 release of Michelle Zink's new YA romantic thriller. A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS will be published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group.
When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendents charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.
March 16, 2011
Dutton Children's Acquires Two New Books by Michelle Zink
[image error]Nancy Conescu at Dutton Children's Books has bought world rights to an untitled YA novel by Prophecy of the Sisters author Michelle Zink. In the book, 16-year-old Helen Cartwright discovers, after her parents are murdered, that she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and to be good, because temptation is hard to resist, even for an angel. Publication is planned for spring 2012. Steven Malk at Writers House did the two-book deal.
Meet the Fanart Judges – Jessica Verday
[image error]This week's featured Fanart judge is Jessica Verday, author of The Hollow Trilogy. Jessica's one of my favorite people in the world, both because she's so honest and genuine and because she's an incredibly talented writer. We toured together last year for the Ghosts and Graves Tour and had SUCH an amazing time. One of the things I love most about Jessica's books is how interesting and well developed her characters are (Abby, the main character in The Hollow, is a perfumer!). Plus, The Hollow Trilogy is set in Sleepy Hollow, NY, which is only about forty-five minutes from where I live and is one of the coolest towns EVER.
I'm super excited to have Jessica as one of our judges for the Massive Prophecy Fanart Contest running through the end of this month. Take a look below at more information on Jessica and her books, and don't forget to check out her website. It's really cool!
Jessica Verday writes the first drafts of her novels by hand, using spiral-bound notebooks and black pens. She likes: things that smell nice, rainy nights, old books, cemeteries, Johnny Cash, zombie movies, L.J. Smith books, abandoned buildings, trains, and snow. She is currently hand-writing the continuation of Abbey and Caspian's story from her home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The Haunted is the second book in The Hollow Trilogy. The third and final book, The Hidden, comes out September 6th. Find out more at www.jessicaverday.com.
[image error]When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead… Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life.
And don't forget to submit your Prophecy related fanart, including photographs, sketches, painting, mixed media, and media projects, to prophecypress@aol.com with "Prophecy Fanart Contest" in the "Subject line. Grand prize is Photoshop CS5 Extended and there are two runner up art prize packs.
March 15, 2011
Song of the Week – Busy Bein Born
This week's Song comes to you from my son, Kenneth. I had SO MANY great recs from Facebok and at the prophecypress@aol.com email address this week that it was REALLY hard to choose. But Kenneth has such great taste in music and I really love this, so I'm going with this one, Busy Bein' Born by Middle Class Rut. Really feeling the lyrics to this song. It's a live version, too, which I always love.
But never fear, I'm storing all your recommendations for next week – and the next and the next!
Also want to remind you guys that there's just two weeks left to submit your Prophecy fanart to the Massive Fanart contest for Photoshop CS5 and two art prize packs. You can submit ANYTHING visual that's inspired by Prophecy – a photograph, a sketch, a drawing, mixed media, a media art composition. Anything! The prize is a big one, so don't miss out on this opportunity to take home Photoshop. And spread the word to your artist fiends who would no doubt love a chance to win.
Also, I should have a Circle of Fire cover to share with you next week! WOOT!
