Dawn Metcalf's Blog, page 11

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for BOOKS!

I love ice cream. Every book launch I've done has had an "ice cream social" event whereupon I can share my love of ice cream concoctions with friends, family and perfect strangers while celebrating my latest book release.



Behold: A Twixt Sundae, which featured vanilla ice cream with caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream and a Twix bar! Mmmm!

This year, we ran a bit later than previous years so I had time to plan and shmooze with favorite librarians about doing a sort of "flavor pair-up" with ice creams featuring our favorite books (and vice versa)! Imagine taking a book out of the library and getting a coupon towards your favorite flavor? Or getting an ice cream and learning about a new book? I had *way* too much fun chatting away with local bookivores about this idea and while no one took me up on it (yet), I got to enjoy the mental exercise as well as talk with plenty of local ice cream shops along the way so win-win for me!

As this is the sort of silliness my brain thrives on, I thought I'd share the list of flavors I came up with and see if you have any others! Leave suggestions in the comments!



BOOKISH ICE CREAM FLAVORS:

The Hungry Games by Suzanne Collins
Chip Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Models Don't Eat Cookies by Erin Dionne
Indulgent by Veronica Roth
Cone Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Mortal Ingredients by Cassandra Clare
The Coldest Swirl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Salt (Caramel) by Maurice Gee
Finnikin of the Rocky Road by Melina Marchetta
Coneshaker by Cherie Priest
This Flavor Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Deliriyum by Lauren Oliver
and, of course:
Superfudge by Judy Blume

* Honorable imaginings go to Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater and See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles because, well, duh.

Do you know these books? Do you recognize which ones are real titles? Can you think of other hilarious flavors? Now all I need is a spoon...

Fun Film Friday: Soul Pancake

As I go into the mental space of Yom Kippur (known as the "I'm sorry, I suck and I want to be the change" holiday), I'm thinking about apologizing, accepting apologies, heartfelt compliments, changing my life and the world for the better and owning it. This makes me think of some old Soul Pancake videos.

Soul Pancake is all about using videos to help promote positive change, from feeling good to being inspired to getting out there and DOING something. It's like a grassroots Ted ED for folks like you & me, by folks like you & me. So for a smile and a good think, check these out:

Being Happy



3 Questions that Can Change the World by Kid President (with a special salute to #Socktober)



Enjoy!

The YA Scavenger Hunt!

Welcome to my stop on the YA Scavenger Hunt! I am your hostess, Dawn Metcalf, and if you've never been to this corner of the biblioverse, pull up a chair, grab a mug of hot chocolate and cozy up to the fire. We like things to be warm and quiet, full of golden glow and shadow; that's where our imaginations run wild and the things that live in the night sit and chat for a spell. Don't mind the eyes, you'll get used to them--they're not half as scary as you think they are (they're *twice* as scary)! I am the author of the dark, YA fantasies LUMINOUS and the TWIXT series, which you'll hear about more when you visit Nicole Conway, another member of the fabulous...

TEAM ORANGE!



During the Hunt, you will be able to access exclusive content from each of the 120 participating YA authors, each of whom has a secret number. (Hint: Team Orange's will be highlighted in ORANGE!) Add up the numbers and visit the YA Scavenger Hunt Homepage to enter it for a chance to win! One lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team! But you *must* follow to win and this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online from Thursday, Oct 2nd at 12 pm PST through Sunday, Oct 5th at noon PST!

If you need any help on the hunt, click here or, if you get stuck or confused, go back to the YA Scavenger Hunt Homepage. Okay? Okay. Good!

Now on with the show...



I am hosting Laurie Faria Stolarz who authored the fabulously creepy WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE that has at least 7 amazing scenes you'd have to see to believe! But she's not hear to tell you about *those*, she's more interested in your survival. If you dare to poke into the dark corners of the Dark House, you better listen close to her advice!

Top 10 Items to Survive the Dark House amusement park

If only the Dark House Dreamers had come prepared…

1. Water bottle with built-in purifier
Spending the night in the Dark House amusement park is going to require physical endurance (and therefore proper hydration). From dodging the Nightmare Elf in the underground tunnels to swimming across a sea of flesh-eating eels…make sure you have a full bottle of water with a built-in purifier (in case you find yourself needing to refill).

2. Granola bars (or the like)
Since we’re on the topic of physical endurance, along with proper hydration comes adequate sustenance. You’re going to have to live out your worst ever nightmare, and will therefore need to keep your energy level high. Be sure to bring snacks that are non-perishable, easy to pack, and able to be eaten on the move

3. Rope
A good, strong rope is really key. From creating a ladder of sorts to climb up the gate that surrounds the park, to using it as a makeshift pole to slide down, out the window of Hotel 9, the possibilities are really endless.

4. Crowbar
Imagine busting through the park gate, using the crowbar as a weapon or makeshift hammer, or prying open the doors of an underground crypt. A crowbar is a no brainer.

5. Binoculars
The ability to spot the Nightmare Elf across the length of the park would absolutely give you an edge.

6. Night vision glasses
While the amusement park itself is pretty well lit, what’s going to help you in those underground tunnels?

7. Duct tape
We’ve seen duct tape used to make wallets, backpacks, wedding dresses, camping tents, and more. If only some of the Dark House Dreamers had brought along a roll of this wonder stuff on the night of their worst nightmares-come-true.

8. A lighter
While matches aren’t the most reliable (they can get wet, after all, while you’re trying to swim through a pool full of hungry eels), a lighter is a bit more steadfast. The lighter can be used to make a fire that can provide warmth on those cold amusement park nights. It can also be used to make a fire to signal for help.

9. A knife
This one is pretty self-explanatory. A knife can be used as a weapon, a stake, a makeshift hammer, a screwdriver, or a shovel. It can also be used to cut fabric, food, wood, saplings, bandages, rubber, nylon, etc., etc. It can further be used to make the tinder (from bark) to ignite a fire.

10. Shovel
From digging oneself out of an underground grave, to using a shovel as a weapon to slay the Nightmare Elf, a shovel should be a staple.



About the book:

For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

About the Author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of several popular young adult novels including the Touch series (the latest release of which is Deadly Little Lessons), Project 17, and Bleed, (all published by Disney/Hyperion Books for Children), as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series (Flux Publications). With more than a million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been named on numerous award lists, including the Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers list and the Top Ten Teen Pick list, both through the American Library Association. She is currently working on her new Dark House series, also with Disney/Hyperion Books for Children. The first book in that series, Welcome to the Dark House, was release in July. For more information, please visit her Web site at www.lauriestolarz.com.

Interested? Intrigued? Consider buying a copy here or here.

Are you excited? I'm excited! Bonus material BONUS! Did you find the number? Remember to keep it close (and your enemies closer) as you go onto your next leg of the Hunt! It was great meeting you and I hope you stop by again to visit me and my friends on this side of the Twixt! Next stop on TEAM ORANGE's YA Scavenger Hunt is Helene Dunbar.

Oh, and before you leave, take a s'more & consider entering my own giveaway to set you on your path: I'm giving away one signed copy of INDELIBLE, Book One of the Twixt where we get to first meet Joy and Ink and Inq and Graus Claude, comptroller of the space between worlds. You can read more about it here.

Be well, know thyself and may our paths cross again!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INVISIBLE Launch Day! Contests, Tour Announcements & Heartfelt Thanks!

It's here!
It's finally happened!
No, not that, silly.
INVISIBLE: Book Two of the Twixt is *LIVE*!!!



This now officially exists outside of my head and is available for purchase! Whoa!

So how am I celebrating? With ice cream, of course! (A small-batch, gourmet ice cream place we've found in nearby Granby, CT called Grass Roots which has flavors you have to taste to believe!) But beyond that, there's a new blog tour *exclusively* hosted by your favorite characters in the Twixt series, showing you around various corners of their world on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October, right up to Halloween. THE TWIXT GUIDED TOUR is presented by Skye from Skye's Scribblings and features an *amazing* Grand Prize. You have to check it out!



Tues, 10/07: Ange @ Libby Blog
Thurs, 10/09: Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Tues, 10/14: Jen @ The Starry-Eyed Revue
Thurs, 10/16: Kierra @ The Word Mineur
Tues, 10/21: Skye @ Skye’s Scribblings
Thurs, 10/23: Lili @ Lili’s Reflections

There will also be an INVISIBLE Indie Book Tour happening exclusively with independent bookstores across the U.S.! You've never seen a tour like this one. Details coming soon...

Okay! Tours: check. Celebrating: check. Ice cream: check. Contests: check. Shiny prizes: check. And let's not forget about the INVISIBLE Book Trailer! If you pass along its link or embed it in your social media of choice, just mention it in the comments or email me at Dawn (dot) Metcalf (at) gmail.com and qualify to access some super-secret exclusive content as thanks! (This is separate from the super-secret exclusive content from Dark Faerie Tales' Fall Carnival or the super-secret exclusive content revealed in the upcoming YA Scavenger Hunt! Yes, I've been a busy bee.)

Behold:



Link: http://youtu.be/XYJ_kBtEfJs

*WHEW!* There's a lot happening around here. Better bake more cupcakes...

Thank you so much for tuning in to celebrate with me--while writing is something we do for ourselves, I'm blessed to be able to share this continuing story with the world, and none of this would have been possible without readers like you cheering on Joy, Ink, Inq, Graus Claude, Monica, Kurt, the Cabana Boys and me. Thanks so much for being part of the magic of the Twixt!

Fun Film Friday: Mr Hublot

So I've been in a steampunk-y mood ever since I visited the Springfield Museum's Steampunk exhibit: Re-Imagining An Industrial City (more on this later) and it put me in a mind to offer up some Victoriana future-past eye candy. What better than Oscar-winning short film, Mr Hublot?

Pascal Thiuebaux's short pushes all my animation and sentimental steampunk buttons! (Especially how it shows time passing, empathy for others & what it's like to own a pet. [Or share your life with anyone, really!]) Perfect for a Friday and for where I'm at today! Enjoy!


Mr Hublot

Larger/YouTube viewing:

YASH: The Fall YA Scavenger Hunt!

Hello Everyone!

Guess who's part of the YA Scavenger Hunt?

That's right! ME! This year we have 120 authors participating, divided into 6 teams of amazing hosts and exclusive content and prizes. (If you want to learn more about the Hunt in detail, go to yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com.)

TEAM RED INCLUDES:

 

TEAM GOLD INCLUDES:

 

TEAM GREEN INCLUDES:

 

TEAM ORANGE INCLUDES:

 

TEAM INDIE INCLUDES:

 

TEAM BLUE INCLUDES:

 



*WHEW!* What a lineup!

The YA Scavenger Hunt begins at noon pacific time on Thursday, October 2nd and runs through Sunday, October 5th. That means to get through the entire hunt you'll need to go through 1.5 teams per day! There are books to win, insider posts to get a sneak peek at over 100 books and new authors to discover! Are you up for the Hunt?

GO TEAM ORANGE!

Fun Film Friday: The Cup Song

I believe the best things are co-created and that art improves exponentially by collaboration with creative brains. It can achieve one of those rare, inspirational moments when 1+1=3, creating unimaginable synergy and something fantastic--literally fantasy, beyond what could be imagined as real. Watching people get excited and riff off one another's brilliance is something I call "popcorning" and it never fails to make me smile.

That's how I feel about the Cup Song when it's performed by a big group of people. It's especially cool when it's a school, showing that cliques and ages and genders and races and belief systems and looking cool doesn't matter much anymore when everyone's singing along, having fun!

So here it is: Cup Song performed by the staff and students of Collège Saint-Bernard. I dare you not to have a smile on your face when it's over.



Have an awesome weekend!

P.S. I hope you've been following the INVISIBLE Blog Tour! Today's host is Refracted Light Reviews! Go check it out.

It Starts Now

Today, INVISIBLE hits the ground running with events, giveaways, interviews & exclusive content! I have been waiting to share all this as we countdown to launch on Sept. 30th!

INVISIBLE appears on Dark Faerie Tales's Fall Carnival as the Carousel Ride (appropriately enough), including the *original* Chapter One of INVISIBLE that featured Joy working as a waitress in Antoine's Cafe. Even though it got cut in the final draft, you can read it & enter the ARC contest here!



Not only that, the INVISIBLE Book Blog Tour starts today, September 15th, with Fiktshun's interview with Joy Malone and the first chance to win the Twixt series as well as an entry towards the Grand Prize Pack from Harlequin Teen. I will be posting about the various stops here on my blog!

Tour Schedule

Monday, September 15th Fiktshun
Wednesday, September 17th Istyria Book Blog
Friday, September 19th Refracted Light Reviews
Monday, September 22nd Books and Things
Wednesday, September 24th A Book and a Latte
Friday, September 26th Addicted Readers

And if you want some great blogger insights into what to expect in Book Two of the Twixt, check out some of the lucky ones who got their ARCs early and have posted their reviews including Istyria Book Blog, Libby Blog & Skye's Scribblings.

So, yeah, this is me:



Well, not really, but you get the idea.

Fun Film Friday: My Fair Lady

I was raised on theater. Being from Chicagoland, this wasn't unusual, but I have fond memories of going to various theaters--big ones and tiny ones--going as a family, as a special mother-daughter evening or volunteering as teen ushers to get in free. One of my favorite venues was in Lincolnshire where I got to see classic musicals in a theater-in-the-round, where the entire play had to be staged for 360 degrees of audience seating so *everyone* got to see the action and the use of the aisles made us feel part of the show. I remember thinking the best use of the theater-in-the-round was the "racetrack" scene in My Fair Lady, which became one of my all-time favorite musicals. I recently shared this with my daughter and it *still* cracks me up (perhaps because of my stint living in London it now has extra meaning)!

May Eliza, Prof. Higgins and associated aristocrasy bring you a smile this Friday.

Enjoy!

Smokin' Cool & A Day I'll Never Forget: The Fire, Ice & Memory Experience

I know I should blog about what it was like to take part in the Fire, Air & Memory panel with headliner, Sarah J Maas, and fellow Tenner, Alexandra Bracken, but the problem is that blogging requires thought process and I'm afraid I'm still reeling from all the awesome.

Let's roll some film:



These are the proud panelists with their book babies, HEIR OF FIRE, DARKEST MINDS and INVISIBLE. You can imagine the play dates!
(My darling always wins at hide-n-seek!)



A fish-eye lens view of the packed room.
I'm serious: they took out all the chairs for this!



Here we are scribbling away. We didn't just sign books, we got to talk some one-on-one with other bibliophiles and people who love to talk about reading, writing and our favorite character actors.
These conversations were the highlight of my evening!


What I did not know--because I evidently live under a rock--is that Sarah and Alex are not only critique partners but best friends. This meant that seating the two of them together was sort of like hanging out at a slumber party and I could just sit back and listen to the two of them share stories and laughs, insights and theories, big revelations and inspirational heart-to-hearts without doing a thing. Fortunately, we had our star moderator, newly-acquired hilarity-incarnate Garrett to reign us in and lead the way down the question-and-answer rabbit hole back into the light.

All in all, it was a fabulous evening! And *signed books are still available* at the Odyssey Bookshop!