Denise Jaden's Blog, page 68

March Madness Writing Challenge

It's almost March and time for an Almost-Nano Challenge! If you have a writing project you're ready to start, or a work in progress you're ready to finish, come and join the fun. Accountability is our main aim and the more support we have, the easier it will be to sail on through the month of March, bouncing along on each others successes.

And did I mention there will be prizes? Prizes will not be awarded based on how much you write or revise, but simply on how involved you are in the Big Acco...

Teen Author Tuesday Presents Mara Purnhagen

Teen Author Tuesday is a weekly post featuring up and coming authors who write for teens. Today I'm excited to introduce another classmate of mine from the Class of 2k10, Mara Purnhagen.

Mara's debut novel, TAGGED is due out March 1, 2010 from Harlequin Teen. It's contemporary YA for ages 14 and up.



Welcome, Mara! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less?
graffiti, mystery, lattes, sweet sixteen party, gorillas, art

That sounds like quite a combination! Other than your main...

AWESOME Contest for Agented Authors!

Vania is an extremely talented photographer/creator of all things author-promotional (including book trailers). She's giving away a book shoot for one lucky author. Here is where you want to go to enter, and please, PLEASE, mention that Denise Jaden sent you.
I would love you
for eva!

Don't Forget to Feel...

As I mentioned last week, a few friends and I are gearing up for our March Madness Writing Challenge. I've been sorting through my works in progress, deciding what I really want to sink my teeth into for the month of March (I think I've made up my mind, but I'll officially set my goals on Friday).

It's been a while since I've done a post on writing and I was feeling especially inspired to write about something specific this morning.

While going through my older books, I've learned a few things....

Friday Four

1. March is just around the corner, and a couple of writer friends and I are trying to put together a bit of a March Madness for writing. We plan to set Nano-like goals for ourselves, except rather that working on a new book, some of us are planning a very nose-to-the-grindstone revision of a current WIP. We're going to be inviting others to come along for the ride, offer and receive some accountability, and possibly receive some prizes in the process. There will be more details to come, but ...

Teen Author Tuesday Presents Holly Nicole Hoxter

I'm excited to welcome another fellow Tenner, Holly Nicole Hoxter. Her book, THE SNOWBALL EFFECT, releases in stores March 23, 2010 from HarperTeen. It's contemporary YA for readers 12 and up.


I've had the pleasure of reading this one a little early and I highly recommend it! Holly has a wonderful, literary style and takes us deep into the mind of her main character, even in her very broken situation.
Welcome, Holly! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less?
Dead mother, unwanted...

The Inspirational Giveaway!

Thanks to all those who entered my Gap Between Good and Excellent Giveaway. As promised, I'm drawing a name today and giving away an advanced review copy of Laura Ruby's BAD APPLE.


Thank you all for your AWESOME list of inspirational names! I have already started to look some of these authors up (reading BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott right now!)

For those who are interested, here is the list of people that readers of my blog have been inspired by:

Catherine Knutsson Kristen Cashore Katerine...

Looking For an Agent?

I'm really excited to find out my author-friend, Mandy Hubbard, has just officially moved from intern to agent! Here's the official announcement:

Mandy Hubbard has joined the D4EO Literary Agency where she will concentrate on YA and Middle-Grade fiction.

Mandy began her career in publishing on the other side of the desk: as an author. Her debut novel, PRADA AND PREJUDICE, (Razorbill/Penguin-- June 2009) is in its fifth printing.  She has four other books under contract, divided among...

Teen Author Tuesday Presents Josh Berk!

Teen Author Tuesday would not be complete without Berk! Josh Berk is a fellow Tenner and his debut novel, THE DARK DAYS OF HAMBURGER HALPIN, is due out from Knopf/Random House today, February 9th. It is a contemporary YA/Mystery for ages 12 and up.




Welcome, Josh! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less?

Outsiders, friendship, murder, deafness, sarcasm.


Wow! Sounds great. Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your debut novel and why?

I wanted to...

Friday Four

1. If you're a writer who wants to be inspired to write with excellence, check out this last blog post if you're on Blogger, or this one if you're on LJ to enter to win a Laura Ruby book. Or, if you're really eager to win, feel free to enter both places!

2. My dance troupe has a possible upcoming gig in Sri Lanka next month. I don't know anything about Sri Lanka, other than it's very close to India. I have always wanted to see the world, but wow, that's soon! Anyone have any experience/input t...