Beth Revis's Blog, page 62

In Case of Snow...

So of course, the Party Curse has descended upon me! Right now the weatherman is saying we're either going to get dumped with snow before the party....or not. SOooooo, we're not sure if we're going to be snowed out or not, but just in case, IF we are snowed out next Tuesday, we'll have a back-up plan on rescheduling the party on Thursday, January 13th, from 5-7, IF the snow dumps down and cancels everything.



I'll keep you all updated here as well!

Full-Up!

Thanks for the great response to the secret project for bloggers! Anna at Razorbill let me know that they have more than enough volunteers now and are closing down submissions. Thanks to everyone who jumped on this!!! :D

Calling All Bloggers!

OK, so remember how I told you all that Razorbill/Penguing was awesome? Recently, Razorbill told me how much they appreciate YOU guys, and all the bloggers who have been supporting ACROSS THE UNIVERSE.



And they want to do something for YOU by way of thanks.



So: if you're a book blogger who either has already done a review or interview for ACROSS THE UNIVERSE or who was PLANNING on doing a review when the book came out--please contact yrmarketing@us.penguingroup.com for details on a secret project that Razorbill would like to invite you to participate in.



I can't say more than that! It is, after all, a secret!!!

Bookanista Feature: Author's PRISONERS IN THE PALACE

The Bookanistas are a group of writers - in various stages of the publishing process – who have decided to band together and review the special books of our peers.  No negative reviews here! We post every Thursday and cover various topics– upcoming ARCs, books we love, special diamonds in the rough, classics, and even cover reviews.

Here is a list of the Bookanistas: Christina Fonseca, Jamie Harrington, Michelle Hodkin, Kirsten Hubbard, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Myra McEntire, Shannon Messenger, Bethany Wiggins and Suzette Saxton, Beth Revis, Lisa and Laura Roecker,  Sarah Frances Hardy and Katie Anderson, Scott Tracey, Carolina Miller, Gretchen McNeil, Jen Hayley and Shana Silver



PRISONERS IN THE PALACE by Michaela MacColl









I knew I wanted to review this book for Bookanistas when I was only about 30 pages in--because it grabbed my attention that quickly, and wouldn't let go at all. 

I first found this book by an interview on The Elevensies site--I thought it was intriguing that the cover didn't have the title on the front (I found a pic with the whole jacket spread for you to see) (and I was going to link to it here, and can't find it at all, fail). The cover's even better when you see that the newspaper-style of the back is actually very relevant to the story. But what really sold me on the book is that it told the story of the young Queen Victoria...before she was queen.

I'll admit: my image of Queen Vic is of her being old and shriveled and dressed in black. I'd never even considered what she was like while young, which is why this book stood out to me. And let me tell you: I devoured it. I read late into the night, three nights in a row, and finished it with a smile on my face. 

Things I loved about PRISONERS IN THE PALACE:It's told from the POV of Queen Victoria's lady's maid. This is good for several reasons:
We know Queen Victoria makes it out of the situation--but we don't know about her lady's maid. There is definitely an element of danger and tension for the main character that wouldn't be there for just Queen Victoria.
We get an image of below-stairs, which is so cool 
Because the maid is a lowly servant, it makes logical sense that she can do something that Queen Victoria couldn't, such as go into the city on her own, etc.
The history is fascinating:
Did you know that Queen Victoria really was essentially a prisoner in the palace? She was controlled by the man her mother took up with, and had very little freedoms. It's crazy to read about how one of the most powerful monarchs of England spent her childhood under the thumb of minor Irish lord.
We get an "inside" look--in the Author's Note, we're told that the "Kensington System" that Queen Victoria was raised under was considered a remarkable education system by outsides, but we can see how cruel it was to Victoria herself by seeing it from the inside.
Speaking of: the Author's Note was amazing. Some of the most unbelievable parts of the story--Inside Boy, for one, and a few others that would be spoilers if I mentioned them--were based on actual facts that the author details in the note. Furthermore, Victoria's journal entries are from Victoria's actual journal. Wow.


I highly recommend this book for any history fans out there--and anyone just interested in reading an awesome, gripping story!

PS: Sorry this is late--my internet was down late last night and early this morning!

*~*~*~*



Other Bookanista Features Today: Michelle Hodkin gushes about The Near Witch
Elana Johnson schools us on The Education of Hailey Kendrick
LiLa Roecker celebrates XVI's book birthday
Christine Fonseca raves about Wither
Shannon Messenger travels Across the Universe with a special giveaway
Shelli Johannes-Wells gets Lost in the River of Green
Scott Tracey falls in love with Across the Universe
Beth Revis is captivated by Prisoners in the Palace
Carolina Valdez Miller is mesmerized by The Healing Spell
Megan Miranda takes a peek through The Marbury Lens
Shana Silver is digging Delirium
Jamie Harrington tells the truth about The Liar Society
Jen Hayley dies for a Touch Mortal
Bethany Wiggins dotes on Paranormalcy

First Entries Up!

Squee!!! I was so stoked to see some of the first entries going up on the Facebook Page! Hillary posted a picture with her dog that made me smile--I have such a soft spot for dogs--and Liz has got the ball started on the most creative picture contest!!!



Now, I know that a lot of you can't enter until the official release date on 1/11/11 (next Tuesday)--but I also know that there have been some early releases of the book, and I wanted to give people time to plan their pictures early, which is why I decided to start the contest early. But don't worry--the contest doesn't end until January 25th--so that should give you plenty of time to get a picture up if you'd like to enter!!



I am SO freaking excited about this contest!!! I reallllllllly can't wait to see what you guys come up with!!!!!

Launch Contest: Now With More Epic

It's almost time! Ohmygoodness, I can barely believe it...it's almost time for ACROSS THE UNIVERSE to be out!!!



And of course, you guys know me: I celebrate by giving things away! And because I have the very best publisher in the whole wide world (Razorbill! Woot! Woot!), they are once again joining in with the celebration and offering FIFTY awesome prizes in addition to the three big prizes I'm offering!!!



Entering to win the prizes is super easy. All you have to do is take a picture of yourself with your copy of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. That's it. Just snap a picture and send it in, and you're entered!



How easy is it? Here's how easy:





Please don't notice that I am (a) in my PJs, (b) with no makeup

and (c) that I've not brushed my hair yet. Or my teeth. I'm a slob.

But also: I guess this proves that the contest is so easy to enter, you can do it in your pajamas.


That little pic of me up there? Totally qualifies for an entry into the contest. If, er, I wasn't already disqualified since I'm the one running the contest. But you know what I mean.



I know the book isn't technically out until January 11th, but I wanted to let you all know (1) that you should rush out and buy your copy on January 11th so you can enter and (2) you can start planning your awesome picture now :D :D :D



First, here's what Razorbill is providing for you--custom made, totally sweet, amazingly cool WATER BOTTLES! And trust me--when you read ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, you are going to know how very very appropriate this prize is!





WANT. WANT. WANT.


To win ONE OF FIFTY water bottles (dude! Those odds are awesome! Thank you Razorbill for providing them!) All you have to do is upload your picture to the Facebook Page! You were going to do that anyway, right? Now when you do it, you can win a prize!



But that's not all! (<<--said in a TV game show announcer voice)



There are also THREE awesome prize packs that you can win!



The grand prize is:



PRIZES INCLUDE:-Signed hardcover copy of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Audiobook version of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Pin buttons and book mark and a star sucker (yum!)-A MULTI-TOUCH IPOD NANO!

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Yup! You saw that right! A multi-touch iPod nano! These little things are so cool--they are small, but they still have the multi-touch screen (like an iPad). I really wanted to include one of these in the prize pack because in my book, the characters use something called "floppies" which is a computer, but the size and thickness of a piece of paper, and the multi-touch controls in the floppies were something I developed in the book after playing with my own iPod. 

To win the grand prize pack: all you have to do is submit a picture of yourself with the book in some way. If you enter for the Facebook water bottle prize, that totally counts and you're already entered for the grand prize! How easy is that?! If you for some reason don't want to enter the Facebook prize, you can also enter for the grand prize by either posting your picture on your own website, tweeting the picture, or emailing it to me at ATUContest@gmail.com.

But that's not all!!!

You guys know I love how creative you are, right? I mean, you guys are pretty awesome, and have come up with some awesome stuff. And, well, I'd love it if I could associate ACROSS THE UNIVERSE with some of your awesome.

So I'm doing another prize pack. 



PRIZES INCLUDE:-Signed hardcover copy of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Audiobook version of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Pin buttons and book mark and a star sucker (yum!)-Something very cool and very secret that is hidden inside of that little brown box. Only the winner will get to see inside and claim the prize that's there.



To win the best picture prize pack: all you have to do is have the coolest picture of yourself. This is going to be totally arbitrary, and totally up to me--whatever picture I pick as being the most awesome gets this prize. You can do anything--you can pose in a cute way, you take the book somewhere cool and pose with it in the awesome location, you can do something neat and have the book with you while you do it--it is 100% up to you, and which ever of you take the most awesomest cool picture, gets the prize! I am seriously excited to see what you can do with this!!!



But that's not all!!!!!!!!!!!



I also really want the whole wide world to know about ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and I want to reward the people who have helped me spread the word about the book. So...at the bottom of the entry form, there's a space to fill out who told you about the contest. I am going to take the top ten people who refer the most people to the contest, and I'm going to draw a name from those ten and give the winner this:





PRIZES INCLUDE:-Signed hardcover copy of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Audiobook version of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-Pin buttons and book mark and a star sucker (yum!)

To win the referral prize pack: all you have to do is advertise this contest and remind people to add your name (and website or twitter or facebook or whatever) to the bottom of the form. I'll add them all up and reward one of the top ten referring peeps!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

There are also: rules! 

OFFICIAL ENTRY RULES:All entries must fill out the form below to be considered for the prize (it's how we know who entered and how to contact winners).
To win a water bottle, you must upload your picture to the Facebook Page (emailing, tweeting, or blogging doesn't count for that prize).
If you upload a picture to the Facebook Page, that entry counts for the other prize packs, too--you only need to take and upload a picture once; you don't have to upload anywhere else.
If you don't upload your picture on Facebook, either email a copy to ATUContest@gmail.com or include the hyperlink in the entry form.
The prize packs with Beth are international; the water bottles are US only.
The picture must be taken with a final copy of the book--ARCs don't count. You can display either dust jacket you want (the kissing cover or the blue print cover) as long as it's a picture with the actual physical book.
Taking a picture in a bookstore doesn't count--ACROSS THE UNIVERSE wants to go home (or on an adventure) with you!
eBooks count! Just make sure to show the book on the screen of your eReader in the picture.
The winner of the best picture is up to me. No whining. 
Deadline for pictures: January 25th. (As in: pictures need to be received by January 25th; winners will be announced later that day.)
One entry per person--but one person could win multiple prizes (i.e. you could win a water bottle from the Facebook contest and still win a prize from me, or you could be randomly selected for one prize and still win the best picture or the referral prize).


BUT THAT'S NOT ALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, wait. Yes, it is. That's all. 

Except for the entry form!!

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PS: Thank you, Kiersten White, for letting me use your super-cool contest idea!



Here, have another picture of the awesome custom water bottles:





Questions? Post in the comments section here and I'll answer! 

A Bright, Shiny New Year: Elevensie Debs!

I can't believe it's well and truly 2011. I don't think I've ever anticipated--and dreaded--a year so much before this! I'm sure I will one day look back upon 2011 as just another year and all these wound-up-tight-as-a-top emotions will seem silly, but right now, I'm still all wound up and borderline crazy.



But at least I'm not alone!



As many of you know, I'm a part of an awesome debut group of writers called The Elevensies. If you're into reading new debut work, you have GOT to check out this site--there's a bucketload of awesome there. Don't believe me? Check out this cover-compilation of all the debuts coming out this year!

New Years Traditions

Yesterday, I ate New Years dinner with my family.



That's a tradition we always keep: on January 1 of every year, we eat a meal together. And we always eat the same things:



Ham, for luck (it's supposed to be ham hocks, but my mother's a Yankee and won't cook them)
Collard greens, for "folding money" (dollar bills)
Black-eyed peas, for lots of coins 
Christmas cookies, because they're almost stale and the diet's not begun, so eat 'em up now
My mom mentioned that when she lived up North, she ate different things on New Year's, like sauerkraut (blech!). And my husband mentioned that even though he has lived in the South all his life, like me, he's never done the traditional ham-greens-black-eyed-peas before he married me.

Which all got me to thinking: what sorts of traditions do you have for New Years? I can't imagine starting the year without eating that traditional meal with my family--I suspect the entire year would implode with suck if I even attempted it. So: what do YOU do? 

(And if you don't have any traditions, check out these--I kinda wish I could add soba noodles to my menu...)

Lastly: Victoria Schwab posted this short speech by Neil Gaimon on wishes for the new year:

This is What 2011 Feels Like

Via The Daily What

Ten Things in 2010

Ten Things I Realized in 2010



A book deal doesn't really make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
Everything's easier if you don't whine and just buckle down and do it.
Don't be afraid to admit that you're wrong, even if what you're wrong about is 80% of your book and you have to then rewrite it.
Give back whenever you can. Tithe, donate to charity, help others merely because others helped you. It's the right thing to do, and doing the right thing makes you happy. Or at least, it works that way for me.
Be grateful for every experience. There is great joy in the mere act of writing a beautiful sentence, but also great joy in stepping away from your desk and going outside to play with the dog.
The darkest times are often followed by the brightest. And you appreciate the joy more for it.
Don't compare yourself to others. That way leads to the darkside.
Let it be. There will be bad reviews, there will be negativity, there will be people who forget that you're a person. Let it be. Walk away. You can't change everyone; you can only be yourself.
Story first. Don't worry about the "lesson" or the moral or the theme or what you had planned or where you thought the book would go or whether or not your genre sells. Tell a good story first.
Just trust.




Ten Things I Wish I Knew Before 2010



Marketing is very important. I am deeply, deeply aware of how awesome my publisher is and how much whatever success I have in the new year relies upon what the Razorbill marketing team has done. I am also deeply aware of some very awesome books that didn't have the marketing and publishing support, and how unfair that is.
Marketing isn't that important. When I joined the Elevensies, my first thought was that they would be a tool to help me market my book, but I quickly realized that the camaraderie and friendships I found there were much more important.
Writers are people. Shocking, I know. But I'll be the first to admit that some of my literary heroes seemed almost mythical to me--but then when I talked to them, I realized they were people like me. Likewise, I've started to get some treatment from others that makes it clear that they see me in an ivory tower (not reality), not on a couch in the living room by my stinky dog (reality).
Keep working. I'll admit--I could have been more productive. Transitioning from having a day job to not made me get a bit lazy with writing and everything else. I can't help but wonder if I'd been stricter with myself, I might have finished Book 2 sooner and might have re-worked it differently.
Invest in better carry-on luggage.
Invest in a better coffee maker. I now own a Keurig, and life is better.
It's okay to keep one aspect of online life private. This links back to the "marketing isn't that important" thing--I used to think I had to keep Facebook public, but privatizing it was a HUGE relief. It would also have made my life easier if I'd done it this way to start with.
Play with the dog more.
Be more selective when you say "no" and when you say "yes."
BUY A ROOMBA.






Ten Things I'm Grateful for in 2010A husband who is always supportive, whether he's telling me that my book is good the way it is...or isn't.
A father who reads my blog. Hi Poppa!
A mother who yells at me for cussing on my blog, even though it was only one word.
Friends who are genuinely happy for me--Laura, Jennifer, Bessie, my writing buds...
An agent (Merrilee!) and her assistant (Jennifer!) who I know have my back.
An editor (Ben!) and his assistant (Gillian!) who I know help me make my book be what it was always trying to be.
The behind-the-scenes guys. I never knew how much work went into making a book before, but there's book designers and copy editors and marketing and sales reps and so so so many awesome people who help make a story into a book.
Indie book sellers, particularly my own indie, Fireside Books and Gifts. They're awesome.
Bloggers. You guys are the best! The blogosphere is filled with awesome, supportive, friendly, cool people.
Readers. All my life I wanted people to read my stories. And now...some do. That's...amazing.




Ten Things I'd Do Differently in 2010