Jennifer A. Nielsen's Blog, page 35
November 24, 2013
Code Name: Mincemeat Man
In 1943, the world was embroiled in a fierce world war. On one side were the allies, led by the US, Great Britain, Russia, and France. The axis powers were led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. Both sides had their victories, and their losses, and the balance toward who might ultimately claim victory was constantly shifting.
To take control of the war, the allies needed the Italian island of Sicily. Knowing this, Germany heavily fortified the island. Britain knew that if they were going to take the island, they would need more than manpower. They would need to trick Germany.
So they went to an idea suggested a couple of years earlier by a man you may have heard of: Ian Fleming.
This idea got the code name of Mincemeat Man.Before Fleming wrote James Bond spy books, he was himself a spy. His idea was exactly what you might expect from a novelist’s mind: Get a dead body, make him appear to be a British officer, plant fake war plans on him, and then get him into German hands.
And it’s a great idea, until you begin to think of how one might actually do that. Namely:
* Where do you find a dead body? It must be a recent death, can’t be of someone with friends or family to claim him, can’t have an obvious cause of death, and must be of the right age for a British officer. The problem is, thirty to forty year old men don’t spontaneously die.
* What goes in to creating a history for someone who never existed? There is far more to a person than what’s found in a file.
* How do you get a body into the hands of the enemy, all the while making it look to the entire world that you’re doing everything you can to keep it away from the enemy?
* If the enemy figures out it’s a trick, will you have just given away your actual battle plans?This amazing truestory became the foundation for INFINITY RING 6: BEHIND ENEMY LINES. In the book, Dak, Sera, and Riq are sent to 1943 Europe. In their history – the incorrect history – Mincemeat Man failed. Because of that, the war eventually destroyed both sides, leaving a vacuum of power that was filled by the SQ. To fix history, our time travelers must go behind enemy lines.
But that’s only the beginning of their problems:
What did Sera learn about her parents that may forever change how she thinks about them?
What is Riq’s secret, so terrible he almost doesn’t dare admit it to himself?
What did Dak experience in the time warp that may undo all the work they’ve done so far?
And who is following them?
Find out in Book 6 of the Infinity Ring series, BEHIND ENEMY LINES. Available everywhere you buy books on Tuesday, November 26th. Please support your indie bookstores first!
November 19, 2013
The UK Cover of Book 3
News first – If you are on Goodreads and wish to give one last vote for THE RUNAWAY KING, thanks to you it’s made it to the finals. That vote closes on Monday, Nov 25th. The other finalists are completely awesome, and it’s an honor to be among them. You can vote here.
Next, here is the cover for the UK version of THE SHADOW THRONE, which I think is absolutely fantastic! I will put all three covers below so you can compare them.
One final note. If they purchased copies of these books, readers in the Philippines would get these versions. So in their honor, would you consider taking the opportunity to donate to the Red Cross (or another aid organization of your choice) to help with the immense need in that great country.
November 14, 2013
Fans and Votes!
There are so many things to cover in this post. Where to start?
Probably with an apology to an awesome young fan, Rilee, who contacted me months ago about a song she wrote and performed on guitar. I loved it so much, I asked to put it up here on the blog, but then life took over and I forgot.
This is the song. Please click over to watch it here. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Next – I know I’ve asked for a lot of votes lately, but it looks like I’m asking again.
If you’re on Goodreads, THE RUNAWAY KING has made it to the semi-final round for “Best Middle Grade & Children’s Book of 2013.” Woo-hoo. It’s up there with many other amazing books, so it’s an honor to be included. The voting ends on the 16th. If it makes it to the final round, that will open on the 18th.
You can vote here.
Only scroll to the next pictures if you’ve already finished THE FALSE PRINCE.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
No, really.
-
-
-
And here we are!
Finally…this was a drawing given to me by a high school student with exceptional skills in ambigrams. One piece of art. Right side up, it says Sage. Upside down, it says Jaron. Brilliant! My thanks to Emily, the artist.
November 10, 2013
INFINITY RING…so far
Next week I’ll go into more detail about the book I’m releasing soon, but for those who need to get caught up on the series, here’s what you’ve missed…
I happen to have a few extra copies of a couple of books laying around, and I will send them, one per person, to anyone who asks for one in comments. When they’re gone, they’re gone!
Summaries provided by Scholastic.
When best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste stumble upon the secret of time travel — a hand-held device known as the Infinity Ring — they’re swept up in a centuries-long secret war for the fate of mankind. Recruited by the Hystorians, a secret society that dates back to Aristotle, the kids learn that history has gone disastrously off course.
Now it’s up to Dak, Sera, and teenage Hystorian-in-training Riq to travel back in time to fix the Great Breaks . . . and to save Dak’s missing parents while they’re at it. First stop: Spain, 1492, where a sailor named Christopher Columbus is about to be thrown overboard in a deadly mutiny!
By James Dashner, NYT Bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER series and the recently released THE EYE OF MINDS.
Online Game: Save the crown jewels to keep the SQ from crushing the French Revolution.
(2 Hardcover books, and one galley available)
Hundreds of ships carrying thousands of warriors are laying siege to medieval Paris. The Parisians are holding their own, but the stalemate can only last so long. And that’s bad news — especially since Dak has been captured, forced to work alongside the Vikings while Sera and Riq defend Paris from within. No matter which side wins, the kids lose!
By Carrie Ryan, NYT Bestselling author of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH trilogy.Dak, Sera, and Riq might be in over their heads when they attempt to stop a Viking invasion!
Online Game: Protect First Lady Dolley Madison from enemy Redcoats.
(3 Hardcover books available)
Dak, Sera, and Riq return to the United States and walk immediately into a deadly trap. The year is 1850, and the nation is divided over the issue of slavery. In these dark days, the Underground Railroad provides a light of hope, helping runaway slaves escape to freedom. But the SQ has taken control of the Underground Railroad from within. Now Dak and Sera are left wondering who to trust . . . while Riq risks everything to save the life of a young boy.
By Lisa McMann, NYT Bestselling author of books for teens and the popular series, THE UNWANTEDS.
Online Game: Learn to be a samurai to defeat ninja assassins in feudal Japan.
BOOK FOUR: CURSE OF THE ANCIENTS 
Sera has a secret. She’s seen the future, and it is terrifying. Unfortunately, she can’t do anything to prevent the Cataclysm while stranded with Dak and Riq thousands of years in the past. Their only hope lies with the ancient Maya, a mysterious people who claim to know a great deal about the future. Is there more to these ancients than meets the eye?
By Matt De La Pena, critically-acclaimed author of several books for teens, including BALL DON’T LIE, MEXICAN WHITEBOY, and the forthcoming THE LIVING.
Online Game: Stop an SQ army from charging through the Great Wall of China!
(2 galley copies available)
Europe is in the grip of the Dark Ages, but there is a light in the dark: Baghdad. The great city has become a center of learning, populated by scholars, merchants, and explorers from all across the known world. But danger lurks in the desert . . . and Dak, Sera, and Riq must act fast to save the world’s greatest library from utter destruction.
By Matthew J. Kirby, award-winning author of THE CLOCKWORK THREE, ICEFALL, and the recently released THE LOST KINGDOM.
Online Game: Can you help get Lewis and Clark back on the trail again?
Beyond the adventure of fixing history, Dak, Sera, and Riq are dealing with other issues. What did Sera see when she disappeared at the end of Book 3? Where are Dak’s parents? Why doesn’t Riq have remnants?
Next week, I’ll tell you about BEHIND ENEMY LINES, and what I consider to be one of the coolest spy stories in history!
November 3, 2013
Let’s Talk About The Infinity Ring
For the next few weeks, I’m going to turn this blog to another series I’m super excited about: THE INFINITY RING.
This story takes place in a reality where history has gone wrong. Each time history goes off course, the world comes closer to a cataclysm (which would be, y’know, bad).
In this world, Dak is a history genius with a love of stinky cheese and interesting facts. If it happened in history – everything from the fall of the Great Wall of China to the Amancio Brothers’ discovery of America in 1492 – then Dak knows it. The problem is that everything Dak knows is wrong.
His best friend, Sera, is brilliant in all things science. And when she figures out the secret to time travel, she and Dak are thrown into a journey through time to make things right.
They are joined by Riq, an expert in languages, and a member of a secret organization called The Hystorians, those who have pledged with their lives to set history on the right course again.
But the world is controlled by the evil SQ, who above all else, seek to grow their power. And history is littered with Time Wardens, SQ minions who are trained to watch for anyone who enters their time looking out of place. If they find them, they are ordered to stop the time travelers…at any cost.
This video sums it up even better. Turn your speakers up and click the link below!
Each book comes with a bonus – an insert for a map to a video game where you can go on your own time adventure. If you want to learn more about the series, you can do that here.
So why am I telling you all this? Because I wrote the sixth book of the series, BEHIND ENEMY LINES, and I can’t wait to release it. In the next post, I’ll sum up the books so far.
October 21, 2013
Thank you!
A few weeks ago, I posted a request on this blog for anyone who might be interested in voting for Yalsa’s 2013 Teens’ Top Ten List. The votes were counted and today, Yalsa announced their winners and, THE FALSE PRINCE took 2nd place, coming in behind the amazing, Printz-award winning CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth E. Wein.
2nd PLACE! You did that – YOU!
At first I was like…
And then I was like…
And always, for reading, and voting, and recommending these books to others, to each of you, I will say…
If you want to see the entire Top Ten (and they are all wonderful), then you can find it here.
October 13, 2013
Reading Week!
Teen Read Week goes from Oct 13 – 19. Are you ready? Whether you’re a teen or not, here are five things you can do this week:
1. Read. Well…duh, right?
2. Recommend a favorite book to your friend. If you’re encouraging others to read a great book, then peer pressure is great!
3. Go to the library, especially if your library is participating in the event.
4. Talk to your English teacher about Teen Read Week. Spread awareness!
5. Go HERE and vote for your favorite book off the list. (If The False Prince happens to be that book, then great, please vote – but there are other amazing ones too). And yes, in response to a question I’ve been asked a few times, you can vote more than once. The winners will be announced on October 22nd. To those who have already voted, thank you!
Also, in a completely unrelated thread, I’ve got a few emails asking what I’m doing right now. Here’s the answer: I’ve been traveling a lot, to Houston, Boise, and Denver in the last couple of weeks alone, and next month I will also be in Los Angeles and Boston (though there may not be any public events). I also recently got back from Rome where I did research for my next series.
The picture to your left is one I took from on top of the Colosseum looking down onto the Roman Forum – the center of all life in Ancient Rome. It may not look like much now, but two thousand years ago, this place was rockin’!
I’m now writing that new series, The Praetor War, with an escaped slave, stolen magic, and a fight to stop the fall of Ancient Rome. I’m about 20,000 words into my first draft.
My next book to release is Infinity Ring 6: Behind Enemy Lines (more about that soon). The third book of the Ascendance Trilogy, The Shadow Throne, will release on February 25, 2014. Pre-order now from your favorite local bookstore.
There’s no movie news. Sorry. Also, there’s nothing yet I can tell you about The Shadow Throne.
And yes, I will have advance copies of The Shadow Throne available in December. There will be a giveaway contest on this blog. If you want a chance for a copy, be sure to check in then!
Thank you all for reading, following the blog, and for contacting me either via comments here, Facebook, email, or with snail mail. I appreciate you very much!
August 15, 2013
Voting News…and Voting News!
All right, based on your casting votes over the summer, I’ve narrowed down the results. These are unofficial, of course. If a movie is made, the studio will cast whomever they want. But it’s fun to play, right?
First, there’s an announcement. THE FALSE PRINCE is a nominee for YALSA’s Teen Top Ten List. There are so many amazing books nominated this year, but the great thing is you can vote for three of your favorites. The voting dates are NOW to September 15. If you want to vote, go HERE. I’d appreciate your vote for THE FALSE PRINCE.
Now that you’re voting anyway, how about leaving a comment below for who you’d want to see cast if you were directing the movie? Or you can vote for Unknown on any of the parts – as in an unknown actor still waiting to be discovered (like you?).
SAGE
Braeden Lemasters Dylan Everett
Logan Lerman Joel Courtney
TOBIAS
Charlie Rowe Thomas Sangster Conner Jessup
RODEN
Liam James Garret Backstrom Conner Jessup
IMOGEN
Hailee Steinfeld Georgie Henley India Eisley
AMARINDA
Odeya Rush Maddie Hasson Georgie Henley
July 25, 2013
The False Prince audio is FREE
For the next week ONLY (7/25-7/31), you can get THE FALSE PRINCE audio recording for free, along with Mark Twain’s THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER. Here’s how to get yours:
Go here: http://www.audiobooksync.com
There is also a sample of the audio that you can listen to from the website above. The reading is performed by Charlie McWade, who does a really amazing job! It also has a bonus scene from Book 1 that you will not find anywhere else!
The audio will download onto your computer via Overdrive Media Software, which is both Mac and PC compatible), or to your smart phone with the Overdrive App. Directions about how to get that software are at the above link, and both the software and the app are free.
If you like this program, please tell your friends so that it continues to grow in popularity. This is an amazing way to discover new books you might have been interested in reading (er, listening to), as well as classics that you’ve probably heard of your whole life!
There are six more great books that will be offered over the rest of summer too, so keep checking back with that site!
Now go get your FREE download of THE FALSE PRINCE!!!
July 20, 2013
Dream Cast Pt 2, The Ladies
Just as with the last post, here are some girls who might just be perfect for the roles of Imogen and Amarinda. This is only for fun, of course, but leave your votes in the comment section! If you want to nominate another face to go up here, let me know!
Odeya Rush (Life of Timothy Green) Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Kate Krauss (Friday Night Lights)
India Eisley (Secret Life of the
Annasophia Robb (Soul Surfer) American Teenager)
Maddie Hasson (Twisted)
Georgie Henley (Chronicles of Narnia) Abigail Breslin (Ender’s Game)
Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) Stella Hudgens (Single, With Parents)
