Jennifer A. Nielsen's Blog, page 23
October 4, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #10!
Okay, no clues. Just my wishes of good luck!
This will be the final “Where Am I” post and the contest will close in one week, on Oct 11. If there is more than one point winner, I will randomly draw a name.
But no matter who wins, there will be more giveaways for THE TRAITOR’S GAME over the next couple of months, I promise!
September 30, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #9!
I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted a new photo, but there’s been a lot happening this week, including an awesome meeting with my publisher to discuss the marketing plans for THE TRAITOR’S GAME. They have some amazing ideas and I think you’re going to love being able to tell your friends that you were one of the first to hear about this book. Maybe even to win a galley copy!
Which leads us to the 9th post on where I am. No clues because this image is pretty iconic so if you don’t already know it, you shouldn’t have much trouble tracking it down!
The next (and probably final) post will be sometime next week, and it may be a difficult one. If, when it’s over, there are still more than ten people with full points, I may do a super tough tie-breaker. But I’ll let you know next week.
Until then, here’s picture #9. Do you know where I am?
September 21, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #8!
No clues here because there are other ways to find out where I am!
I thought there’d be three posts this week, but didn’t get a good photo in one, so the next post will be in another week or so. To pass the time, I hope you’ve got a fantastic book to read!
I am about 70% of the way through a first draft on TRAITOR’S GAME 2 and working on copyedits for RESISTANCE, due out in a year. More on that book to come!
September 19, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #7!
This silver tree is outside a rather saintly museum in the city where I was just visiting. Do you know where it is?
I hope so, because I’m getting very excited to give away this galley of THE TRAITOR’S GAME! If you’re just discovering this blog, it’s not to late to start over at #1 and enter.
The next entry will probably come within 1-2 days. No one knows how they’re doing for sure, so keep entering!
THE TRAITOR’S GAME will be released on Feb 27, 2018. Right now, I am writing the first draft of book 2, so I definitely hope you will all love book 1 as much as I do!
September 17, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #6!
Okay, I know this is a hard one, but I’m not giving location details since the city part of this beautiful canyon was on my public signing schedule (Sept 16 at 2 pm). However, if you need a clue to get started, this is a “wedding-themed” waterfall. Good luck!
The next update will come sometime in the next few days and there will be a total of three this week (Crazy, I know!)
There are several players still with the total number of possible points, and remember, at the end of ten stops, I will give away a galley copy of THE TRAITOR’S GAME to the person with the highest total! So this is an important week to play.
If you’re just discovering this blog, it’s not too late to start. Just go back to Stop #1 and get started!
September 13, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #5!
There are still many players with full points possible, so this picture might be a test for them, or allow those who are a few points behind to catch up! I will say this is one of my favorite cities – so much beauty here!
The next update will come over the weekend. And we are now halfway through with the contest to win an ARC of THE TRAITOR’S GAME! Good luck to everyone!
September 12, 2017
DEADZONE Release Day!
It’s here! It’s finally here – DEADZONE releases today!
This is Book 2 of the HORIZON series begun by Scott Westerfeld, which tells the story of a group of young survivors of a plane crash who quickly realize they are somewhere very unlike the earth they thought they knew. You can see the trailer for that HERE.
In DEADZONE, they must cross a blood red sand to get closer to what they believe is a chance for rescue, but slithering beneath the surface are predatory sand grabbers. Above the surface, it’s even worse: launch scorpions, robotic sand mites, and yes, even acid snot rivers! New friendships will form, and others will be pushed to their limits. And just when they think they’re ready for what comes next, they’re wrong.
If you haven’t yet read HORIZON, please give it a try. I loved it and wanted to make a book 2 that became even more dangerous. The original outline called for a character death, but I suggested to the editor doing something worse than death. He said, “What’s worse than death?” And when I described it, he said, “Yes, that’s much worse! We’re doing it!”
Copies of the book may be in your school or public library – if they’re not, ask the librarian for them. If you want to own a copy, you can find it at your school book fair, your favorite bookstore, or at any of these online sources.
Here’s an excerpt from one of my favorite scenes. Javi has discovered an object that has made him invisible to his friends…
The rope was visible to the edge of the field, then vanished just as Javi had. It was a strange sight, as if the rope were floating on its own, moving and bobbing gently with Javi’s invisible movements.
Oliver giggled. “Javi, it looks like you’re dancing!” he said.
Javi seemed to take this as encouragement. The rope moved more dramatically, swaying back and forth and then jiggling. Yoshi couldn’t figure out what Javi might be doing to make it move that way. Suddenly, the pink ponies shirt reappeared out of nowhere and landed on the blood sand. He must’ve taken it off and tossed it. Being moist with sweat, the shirt immediately sank into the depths of the sand. Yoshi figured Javi would be okay with that.
“We can understand ditching the shirt, but if you toss out any other clothing, we’re going to ask you to stay invisible,” Yoshi teased.
Javi’s laughter rang out as the rope shook. It was a little disconcerting.
Javi seemed to get back to business after that. The rope went taut as he apparently moved toward the cylindrical object. There was a long moment of stillness and silence.
And then Javi’s bloodcurdling scream rang out across the desert.
“Pull him back!” Akiko said.
“Go help him!” said Kira.
“Quiet!” Yoshi said. He drew his sword, while Molly and the others pulled hard on the rope. Javi lurched back into view, falling back onto the sand and slipping partway beneath the surface. He wasn’t moving.
September 11, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #4!
Let me answer a few questions from the comments:
There is no significance to how I block out your answer. If it posts, I got your entry.
I wish I could confirm if your guess is correct, but if I do, that wouldn’t be fair to the others who enter.
Some pictures will be harder than others, but remember, it’s the highest point total over all ten pictures, so keep entering!
Now for the picture below, can you figure out where this bookshop might be?
The next picture will post mid-week. While you wait, if you haven’t read the first chapter yet of THE TRAITOR’S GAME, you can do that HERE!
September 8, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #3!
Hmm…where might a banner like this be found?
Enter your guess for city (4 pts) and state (1 pt)! At the end of ten guesses, the person with the most points wins a copy of the first book of my new series, THE TRAITOR’S GAME. If you loved The False Prince, I think you’ll love this one too! The next post will be early next week.
September 5, 2017
Where Am I? Stop #2!
This picture is a little harder, though if you don’t already know these buildings, there are clues to be found. Remember, 1 point for the state + 4 points for the city!
I will post again near the end of this week. Until then, you all did a fantastic job with stop #1, so keep going for a chance to win a galley copy of THE TRAITOR’S GAME!
