Rachel Vincent's Blog, page 7
May 15, 2012
All the news!
Well, since I've been a bad blogger of late, my news has piled up, and there's too much for one post. So let me start by saying that tomorrow I will have some awesome travel/appearance news, so check back here for that. Though it may leak out first on Twitter or FB. Because there are no secrets on the internet.
Now for the rest...
I'm sorry I kept forgetting to announce the winner of the Blood Bound + Shadow Bound giveaway, but the winner has now been notified via email. Her first name is Rebecca, so if that's your name, check your inbox!
The next Soul Screamers Reading Challenge live chat will be next Wednesday! All are welcome. We'll be discussing any and all spoilers in the series up to and through My Soul To Steal and "Reaper." That means you can complain about Sabine. You can discuss how Tod died. You can argue over who saw Kaylee first. (Not that it matters. You can't call dibs on a person!) Feel free to post the graphic below and to mark your calendar! The link to the chat will go live here on my blog 30 minutes prior to the chat.
Again, thanks to Fiktshun for the graphic, for organizing the challenge, and for generally being awesome!
I turned in the WITH ALL MY SOUL synopsis yesterday, and a few hours later, my editor approved it. Since then, she's already sent two drafts of the back cover copy, which makes me really excited, because that means this book is almost a real thing! All that's left to do is write it. And revise it. And edit it. And copy edit it. And line edit it. And proofread it. And promote it. And print it. And ship it. So...you know. Almost there. ;)
On that front, I also started the actual manuscript yesterday and am pleased to report that I wrote the first chapter and a half, which is just over 5,000 words. The deadline for this one is pretty tight, mostly because I needed an extension on Oath Bound, so 5,000 words is actually my daily goal for WITH ALL MY SOUL. That's tough, but it should be doable, considering that I've already written six other books from Kaylee's POV, with this same cast of characters, in this same world.
Does that mean Kaylee is the same confused, scared sixteen year old bean sidhe we met in My Soul To Take? No. Not at all, actually. The past few books have changed her. She's grown a lot. She's been through a lot. Also, she had a birthday. Kaylee turned seventeen (sort of) in Before I Wake , which will be out in just a few short weeks.
Here's what my first day's progress looks like on the progress bar:
5,094 / 100,000
(5.09%)
Yes, I'm expecting this one to top 100,000 words, as did Before I Wake. If I Die was close, at 97,000 words.
Since I'm starting to get these questions again, and in looking back, I realize that I've gained several thousand followers on FB and Twitter since I last discussed this, here's just a bit about my writing method...
Note: This is the method I use, but that doesn't mean it's the only method out there or that it's the best method (there's no such thing) or that something else might not work better for you.
I write a true rough draft. I write pretty quickly, but that means that my work needs several rounds of rewrites.
My method: Write it down. Write it ALL down. Write it down as fast as you can, without making yourself sick or neglecting the other important parts of your life. Then, when it's done, go back and rewrite it. Fix the problems. Polish the prose. Layer in the foreshadowing and fine details. Research any facts you didn't have time to check during the original composition, and adjust accordingly.
I'm able to write 3,000-5,000 words a day, consistently, because I don't go back and edit what I wrote earlier. I don't even always read what I wrote earlier. This works for me, because it keeps me in the story. Any time I have to stop writing for several days during the first draft because of travel or edits on another book, I lose touch with the story I'm writing. I fall out of that world and must then go back and read the whole thing (without editing, mostly) to get back to that place, in order to resume the draft. So I'd rather write it down quickly, flaws and all, than bog myself down with details that can be fixed in the rewrites.
Of course, at least for me, that pace and that process isn't possible unless the entire book has been outlined in advance. But that's another blog entry... ;)
Now for the rest...
I'm sorry I kept forgetting to announce the winner of the Blood Bound + Shadow Bound giveaway, but the winner has now been notified via email. Her first name is Rebecca, so if that's your name, check your inbox!
-----
The next Soul Screamers Reading Challenge live chat will be next Wednesday! All are welcome. We'll be discussing any and all spoilers in the series up to and through My Soul To Steal and "Reaper." That means you can complain about Sabine. You can discuss how Tod died. You can argue over who saw Kaylee first. (Not that it matters. You can't call dibs on a person!) Feel free to post the graphic below and to mark your calendar! The link to the chat will go live here on my blog 30 minutes prior to the chat.
Again, thanks to Fiktshun for the graphic, for organizing the challenge, and for generally being awesome!
-----
I turned in the WITH ALL MY SOUL synopsis yesterday, and a few hours later, my editor approved it. Since then, she's already sent two drafts of the back cover copy, which makes me really excited, because that means this book is almost a real thing! All that's left to do is write it. And revise it. And edit it. And copy edit it. And line edit it. And proofread it. And promote it. And print it. And ship it. So...you know. Almost there. ;)
On that front, I also started the actual manuscript yesterday and am pleased to report that I wrote the first chapter and a half, which is just over 5,000 words. The deadline for this one is pretty tight, mostly because I needed an extension on Oath Bound, so 5,000 words is actually my daily goal for WITH ALL MY SOUL. That's tough, but it should be doable, considering that I've already written six other books from Kaylee's POV, with this same cast of characters, in this same world.
Does that mean Kaylee is the same confused, scared sixteen year old bean sidhe we met in My Soul To Take? No. Not at all, actually. The past few books have changed her. She's grown a lot. She's been through a lot. Also, she had a birthday. Kaylee turned seventeen (sort of) in Before I Wake , which will be out in just a few short weeks.
Here's what my first day's progress looks like on the progress bar:
5,094 / 100,000
(5.09%)
Yes, I'm expecting this one to top 100,000 words, as did Before I Wake. If I Die was close, at 97,000 words.
-----
Since I'm starting to get these questions again, and in looking back, I realize that I've gained several thousand followers on FB and Twitter since I last discussed this, here's just a bit about my writing method...
Note: This is the method I use, but that doesn't mean it's the only method out there or that it's the best method (there's no such thing) or that something else might not work better for you.
I write a true rough draft. I write pretty quickly, but that means that my work needs several rounds of rewrites.
My method: Write it down. Write it ALL down. Write it down as fast as you can, without making yourself sick or neglecting the other important parts of your life. Then, when it's done, go back and rewrite it. Fix the problems. Polish the prose. Layer in the foreshadowing and fine details. Research any facts you didn't have time to check during the original composition, and adjust accordingly.
I'm able to write 3,000-5,000 words a day, consistently, because I don't go back and edit what I wrote earlier. I don't even always read what I wrote earlier. This works for me, because it keeps me in the story. Any time I have to stop writing for several days during the first draft because of travel or edits on another book, I lose touch with the story I'm writing. I fall out of that world and must then go back and read the whole thing (without editing, mostly) to get back to that place, in order to resume the draft. So I'd rather write it down quickly, flaws and all, than bog myself down with details that can be fixed in the rewrites.
Of course, at least for me, that pace and that process isn't possible unless the entire book has been outlined in advance. But that's another blog entry... ;)
May 10, 2012
Live Chat!
As promised, this Saturday will be the My Soul To Keep spoiler live chat! And yes, you may discuss Nash and his issues (within the context of this one book)! Feel free to post the graphic below, which has the details. The link to the chatroom will go live here on my blog 30 minutes early and you're welcome to come hang while I get everything ready. Don't panic if you can't post immediately, because I have to give you a "voice" first. But that doesn't take long.
And, if you haven't already seen it, don't forget to enter the Before I Wake contest found here. But please read the entire entry for the details first.
In other news, I'm hard at work writing the synopsis for WITH ALL MY SOUL, the seventh and final Soul Screamers novel, which should be out in the spring of 2013 in the US. There's a LOT going on in this final book, and I'm pretty emotional about bringing everything to a close. But I'm determined to do it right. There will be a happy ending (at least for some characters) and all the loose threads will be tied. You have my word. ;)
And, if you haven't already seen it, don't forget to enter the Before I Wake contest found here. But please read the entire entry for the details first.
In other news, I'm hard at work writing the synopsis for WITH ALL MY SOUL, the seventh and final Soul Screamers novel, which should be out in the spring of 2013 in the US. There's a LOT going on in this final book, and I'm pretty emotional about bringing everything to a close. But I'm determined to do it right. There will be a happy ending (at least for some characters) and all the loose threads will be tied. You have my word. ;)
May 1, 2012
BEFORE I WAKE blog tour
As all the regulars probably know, I have two full-length releases this summer (and the Soul Screamers Vol 2 release this December) and plans are starting to line up for release madness. I'll be signing shiny new copies of Shadow Bound at BEA the first week of June, so if you're going to be there, come get one!
Also, for a chance to win a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound, don't forget to fill out the entry form found here.
And...it looks like I'll be doing a blog tour for the release of Before I Wake. If you have a blog and you're interested in hosting a stop on the tour, you can click here to see the dates and fill out the form. There are nine spots available. Please note: I am not organizing the blog tour. HQTeen has hired Kismet to keep thinks running smoothly (for which I'm grateful--blog tours require an enormous amount of planning) and Kismet will be selecting the blogs to participate. What that means is that I can't get you a spot on the tour . I won't even know which ones are chosen until they send me a list of the special content they need for each stop. (Yes, I will be writing original special content to be posted on the host blogs during the tour.)
Also note: Those hosting the tour will get an early copy of the book to review (Confirmed!!!). Since there are no ARCs for Before I Wake (because it's the sixth book in the series) and I don't think it'll be on NetGalley, this blog tour (the hosts' review copies and the early copies given away on each stop) will be the only way to get an early copy of the book, other than what I give away on my blog.
To be clear, the only ways you can get an early copy of Before I Wake are:Host a blog tour stop (you'll get a copy to review)Win a copy on one of the blog tour stopsWin a copy in one of my giveawaysSo, if you're interested in hosting, go fill out the form!
Also, for a chance to win a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound, don't forget to fill out the entry form found here.
And...it looks like I'll be doing a blog tour for the release of Before I Wake. If you have a blog and you're interested in hosting a stop on the tour, you can click here to see the dates and fill out the form. There are nine spots available. Please note: I am not organizing the blog tour. HQTeen has hired Kismet to keep thinks running smoothly (for which I'm grateful--blog tours require an enormous amount of planning) and Kismet will be selecting the blogs to participate. What that means is that I can't get you a spot on the tour . I won't even know which ones are chosen until they send me a list of the special content they need for each stop. (Yes, I will be writing original special content to be posted on the host blogs during the tour.)
Also note: Those hosting the tour will get an early copy of the book to review (Confirmed!!!). Since there are no ARCs for Before I Wake (because it's the sixth book in the series) and I don't think it'll be on NetGalley, this blog tour (the hosts' review copies and the early copies given away on each stop) will be the only way to get an early copy of the book, other than what I give away on my blog.
To be clear, the only ways you can get an early copy of Before I Wake are:Host a blog tour stop (you'll get a copy to review)Win a copy on one of the blog tour stopsWin a copy in one of my giveawaysSo, if you're interested in hosting, go fill out the form!
April 30, 2012
Guess what I turned in! (+ giveaway)
Sorry for the recent silence. I've been finishing up Oath Bound. And...today I turned it in! 112,000+ words. Three and a half months of writing (the longest a rough draft has ever taken me). Countless migraines. Much coffee. And rapid-fire critiquing from my CP, Rinda Elliott. (Thanks, Rinda!!) But, the manuscript is off my desk and I am now free to start plotting and writing WITH ALL MY SOUL, the seventh and final Soul Screamers novel.
Yay!
To celebrate, I'm giving away a set of Unbound books. Blood Bound AND Shadow Bound, signed, personalized, US covers. To enter, fill out the form found here. Details are on the form. PLEASE READ THE DETAILS. I don't mind answering questions, but I much prefer that people try to find the answers on their own before asking, and I promise, most of your contest questions will be answered on the form. If not, let me know, and I'll update the form.
Okay, more later, after I've recovered from...well, from Oath Bound. ;)
Yay!
To celebrate, I'm giving away a set of Unbound books. Blood Bound AND Shadow Bound, signed, personalized, US covers. To enter, fill out the form found here. Details are on the form. PLEASE READ THE DETAILS. I don't mind answering questions, but I much prefer that people try to find the answers on their own before asking, and I promise, most of your contest questions will be answered on the form. If not, let me know, and I'll update the form.
Okay, more later, after I've recovered from...well, from Oath Bound. ;)
April 24, 2012
New pretties! (+ giveaway)
Okay. So, here's why the Shadow Bound UK cover doesn't match the original Blood Bound cover: because it matches the NEW Blood Bound cover. What do you think? I have to say, I love them together! The branding is undeniable, both for the series, and for my titles in the UK.
Thank you very much, Mira UK, for the repackaging! SO COOL!
Opinions?
Oh, and I promised another Shadow Bound giveaway. Click here and fill out the form to enter. Rules and details are listed on the form itself.
Thank you very much, Mira UK, for the repackaging! SO COOL!
Opinions?
Oh, and I promised another Shadow Bound giveaway. Click here and fill out the form to enter. Rules and details are listed on the form itself.
SHADOW BOUND UK
[I know, I promised a Shadow Bound giveaway today. But I have a ton of work to do, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow. In the mean time, I give you this...]
Look what I just found! Mira UK has chosen a completely different direction for the Shadow Bound (June 1, in the UK) cover than Mira US has. In fact, they've chosen a completely different direction for Shadow Bound than they chose for Blood Bound. Have a look:
The above front and back cover images are screen shots taken from Amazon UK, because I don't yet have an official high res copy, but I think they'll work for comparison purposes here.
The US back cover above is a photograph of the actual book.
Note that the US and UK books have different back cover synopses. I find that interesting. My editor and I wrote most of the US one (I can't remember at this point whether or not an actual copywriter was involved in the first stage of it), so I stand by it. Yet I find the UK one just as interesting, though I wouldn't actually characterize any of the Unbound characters as magicians. To me, that word brings up images of men in tall black hats and capes, pulling rabbits from places rabbit should never be. But the word may bring entirely different connotations in the UK. I have no idea. And I'm consistently fascinated by the difference in what publishers think will sell to readers in the two countries.
As for the UK colors--I love them! It's a very dramatic red/white contrast, which reminds me both of the book Carrie (one of my first Steven King novels) and of Lilith Saintcrow's reissued Dante Valentine covers. I love how Kori's hair trails into wisps of smoke, which remind me of coalescing shadows from the book itself.
Below is the Blood Bound UK cover with the Shadow Bound cover, for comparison:
So, readers, what do you think? Do you like the UK cover? Do you have any objection to the fact that it doesn't match the UK cover for Blood Bound?
Also, Shadow Bound comes out one month from today!
Look what I just found! Mira UK has chosen a completely different direction for the Shadow Bound (June 1, in the UK) cover than Mira US has. In fact, they've chosen a completely different direction for Shadow Bound than they chose for Blood Bound. Have a look:
The above front and back cover images are screen shots taken from Amazon UK, because I don't yet have an official high res copy, but I think they'll work for comparison purposes here.
The US back cover above is a photograph of the actual book.
Note that the US and UK books have different back cover synopses. I find that interesting. My editor and I wrote most of the US one (I can't remember at this point whether or not an actual copywriter was involved in the first stage of it), so I stand by it. Yet I find the UK one just as interesting, though I wouldn't actually characterize any of the Unbound characters as magicians. To me, that word brings up images of men in tall black hats and capes, pulling rabbits from places rabbit should never be. But the word may bring entirely different connotations in the UK. I have no idea. And I'm consistently fascinated by the difference in what publishers think will sell to readers in the two countries.
As for the UK colors--I love them! It's a very dramatic red/white contrast, which reminds me both of the book Carrie (one of my first Steven King novels) and of Lilith Saintcrow's reissued Dante Valentine covers. I love how Kori's hair trails into wisps of smoke, which remind me of coalescing shadows from the book itself.
Below is the Blood Bound UK cover with the Shadow Bound cover, for comparison:
So, readers, what do you think? Do you like the UK cover? Do you have any objection to the fact that it doesn't match the UK cover for Blood Bound?
Also, Shadow Bound comes out one month from today!
SHADOW BOUND giveaway!
[Giveaway is now closed.]
I am home from TLA and done traveling for a bit (until BEA in NYC the first week of June). TLA was awesome and I got to hang out with several writer friends, which is always one of my favorite parts of going to a conference. And since this was a Librarians' Association conference, I also got to meet TONS of awesome Texas librarians, as well as lots of students there on school field trips. Over all, one of my favorite trips ever. I'll do a post recap with pictures next week, but for now, while I try to finish up the Oath Bound manuscript, how about a quick giveaway?
Look what landed on my front porch this morning!!!
Shadow Bound finished copies!
In the above shot, you should be able to see the fancy clear foil. I really love this cover, and goodness knows, I worked harder on this book than any before it. Until Oath Bound, anyway. ;)
Above are the acknowledgements. I didn't forget my editor. This book is actually dedicated to her.
Above is the cover synopsis.
The book doesn't come out until May 23 (for an official June 1 release), but you can win an early copy! Next week, I'll give away a set including both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound, and that giveaway will be open to anyone, anywhere, who is 18 or older or has a parent's permission to enter. But today, I would like to give away the first copy to a reader who has already read and enjoyed Blood Bound, the first in the Unbound trilogy, because I'm fairly certain those are the people who will most appreciate an early copy of Shadow Bound.
So, IF you've already read and enjoyed Blood Bound, fill out [link deleted--contest is over] to be entered to win an early copy of Shadow Bound. There are no geographical restrictions, but if you're under 18 years of age, you MUST have a parent's permission to enter (and to give me a shipping address if you win) and that parent MUST know that this is not a YA book.
If you don't qualify under all of the above criteria, check back next week for the next giveaway!
I am home from TLA and done traveling for a bit (until BEA in NYC the first week of June). TLA was awesome and I got to hang out with several writer friends, which is always one of my favorite parts of going to a conference. And since this was a Librarians' Association conference, I also got to meet TONS of awesome Texas librarians, as well as lots of students there on school field trips. Over all, one of my favorite trips ever. I'll do a post recap with pictures next week, but for now, while I try to finish up the Oath Bound manuscript, how about a quick giveaway?
Look what landed on my front porch this morning!!!
Shadow Bound finished copies!
In the above shot, you should be able to see the fancy clear foil. I really love this cover, and goodness knows, I worked harder on this book than any before it. Until Oath Bound, anyway. ;)
Above are the acknowledgements. I didn't forget my editor. This book is actually dedicated to her.
Above is the cover synopsis.
The book doesn't come out until May 23 (for an official June 1 release), but you can win an early copy! Next week, I'll give away a set including both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound, and that giveaway will be open to anyone, anywhere, who is 18 or older or has a parent's permission to enter. But today, I would like to give away the first copy to a reader who has already read and enjoyed Blood Bound, the first in the Unbound trilogy, because I'm fairly certain those are the people who will most appreciate an early copy of Shadow Bound.
So, IF you've already read and enjoyed Blood Bound, fill out [link deleted--contest is over] to be entered to win an early copy of Shadow Bound. There are no geographical restrictions, but if you're under 18 years of age, you MUST have a parent's permission to enter (and to give me a shipping address if you win) and that parent MUST know that this is not a YA book.
If you don't qualify under all of the above criteria, check back next week for the next giveaway!
April 17, 2012
Romantic Times 2012
As you probably know, if you keep up with me online, I spent most of last week in Chicago at the 2012 Romantic Times Booklover's Convention. This was my eight consecutive year, and I think every year I have more fun than the last! RT is always crazy. There are HUNDREDS of authors and readers and well over one thousand people came for the mass signing, if the rumors are correct. And, of course, this was the second year of Teen Day at the end of the con. I had to miss most of that this year, but I've heard it was amazing, and I'm already looking forward to next year's event.
Here are a few of the pictures I took, posed for, and shamelessly stole from the internet.
Above is me, with my fellow Deadline Dame Jenna Black. She was literally the first person I saw (whom I knew) at the hotel when I arrived on Tuesday night. I hadn't even checked in yet.
This is the Adult-To-YA panel I spoke on, Wednesday afternoon. Pictured are Kelley Armstrong, Ann Aguirre, Jenna Black, Jeri Smith-Ready, Sophie Jordan, and me.
That evening, a bunch of us had dinner at an Italian steak house. Outside was this "holy cow." I'm not sure if you can see it in this image, but the cow is riddled with holes. Pictured are Rosemary Clement-Moore, me, Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, David Macinnis Gill, Jennifer Lynne Barnes, Kim Derting, and Fran...whose last name I am completely drawing a blank on. So sorry, Fran!
At lunch the next day, I sat across from Jen Barnes and Ally Carter, the most adorable BFFs I know. This lunch group was so large that at one point, Ally and Melissa de la Cruz were speaking on the phone from opposite ends of the table and had no idea they were at the same gathering. I've rarely laughed so hard as when they figured that out!
After one of the Friday panels (I think), I snapped this picture of the Stephanies (Kuehnert and Perkins) with their bright, beautiful hair. Alas, I did not get a picture of the Rachels (Caine and Vincent) or the Melissas (Marr and de la Cruz) or the Jennifers (Barnes and Armentrout) together this time. Is it just me, or do YA authors' names seem to come in sets?
For dinner Thursday night, a bunch of YA authors (more than I could fit into even several pictures) went out for Chicago-style pizza, and I tagged along. Here are Kami Garcia and Kim Derting (whose book The Last Echo is out today!).
And this is Amy Plum, me, and Sophie Jordan, on the opposite side of the table. I had SO much fun that night and got to know several authors I'd never met before. I'm constantly surprised and delighted by how universally friendly YA authors are. Not that the adult authors aren't. But the YA authors often seem to go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome, and I really love that.
This is Rachel Caine, before the mass signing on Saturday. And yes, that's her MacBook. And no, you can't read the screen from here. I already checked. Rachel actually worked until the signing started, then worked during short lulls in her line. She says she wrote more than 1,500 words during the signing. Which is why I suddenly feel like a real slacker.
During the signing, this reader (whose name I can't remember! ;( ) brought me an ARC of Shadow Bound to sign! I was so excited I didn't want to let it go! But she let me flip through it and take a picture of her with it, which is almost as good as getting to keep it. ;)
This David Macinnis Gill. Well, all but the top of his head. David is super smart, and very friendly and polite. I'm looking forward to seeing him again at TLA this week. I leave for Houston tomorrow!
I also got to meet Jennifer L. Armentrout for the first time at the mass signing. I'd been looking for her all week, but she didn't get in until Friday, and I was starting to think we'd never meet in person!
Above is Jennifer Lynn Barnes, getting ready to sign copies of Trial by Fire and Every Other Day. Jen is...awesome. Smart. Pretty. Friendly. Talented. I want to be her when I grow up. Of course, she's five years younger than I am. So that's not looking very promising. ;)
And, finally, I found Josephine Angelini signing copies of Starcrossed next to Jennifer Armentrout!
I was hoping to do a giveaway this week, but I'm still on (extended) deadline for OATH BOUND and I leave for TLA in Houston tomorrow, so this week's giveaway (plus BONUS) will have to wait until next week. But I should have pictures from TLA by then too! And maybe some more bonus books to give away. ;)
Here are a few of the pictures I took, posed for, and shamelessly stole from the internet.
Above is me, with my fellow Deadline Dame Jenna Black. She was literally the first person I saw (whom I knew) at the hotel when I arrived on Tuesday night. I hadn't even checked in yet.
This is the Adult-To-YA panel I spoke on, Wednesday afternoon. Pictured are Kelley Armstrong, Ann Aguirre, Jenna Black, Jeri Smith-Ready, Sophie Jordan, and me.
That evening, a bunch of us had dinner at an Italian steak house. Outside was this "holy cow." I'm not sure if you can see it in this image, but the cow is riddled with holes. Pictured are Rosemary Clement-Moore, me, Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, David Macinnis Gill, Jennifer Lynne Barnes, Kim Derting, and Fran...whose last name I am completely drawing a blank on. So sorry, Fran!
At lunch the next day, I sat across from Jen Barnes and Ally Carter, the most adorable BFFs I know. This lunch group was so large that at one point, Ally and Melissa de la Cruz were speaking on the phone from opposite ends of the table and had no idea they were at the same gathering. I've rarely laughed so hard as when they figured that out!
After one of the Friday panels (I think), I snapped this picture of the Stephanies (Kuehnert and Perkins) with their bright, beautiful hair. Alas, I did not get a picture of the Rachels (Caine and Vincent) or the Melissas (Marr and de la Cruz) or the Jennifers (Barnes and Armentrout) together this time. Is it just me, or do YA authors' names seem to come in sets?
For dinner Thursday night, a bunch of YA authors (more than I could fit into even several pictures) went out for Chicago-style pizza, and I tagged along. Here are Kami Garcia and Kim Derting (whose book The Last Echo is out today!).
And this is Amy Plum, me, and Sophie Jordan, on the opposite side of the table. I had SO much fun that night and got to know several authors I'd never met before. I'm constantly surprised and delighted by how universally friendly YA authors are. Not that the adult authors aren't. But the YA authors often seem to go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome, and I really love that.
This is Rachel Caine, before the mass signing on Saturday. And yes, that's her MacBook. And no, you can't read the screen from here. I already checked. Rachel actually worked until the signing started, then worked during short lulls in her line. She says she wrote more than 1,500 words during the signing. Which is why I suddenly feel like a real slacker.
During the signing, this reader (whose name I can't remember! ;( ) brought me an ARC of Shadow Bound to sign! I was so excited I didn't want to let it go! But she let me flip through it and take a picture of her with it, which is almost as good as getting to keep it. ;)
This David Macinnis Gill. Well, all but the top of his head. David is super smart, and very friendly and polite. I'm looking forward to seeing him again at TLA this week. I leave for Houston tomorrow!
I also got to meet Jennifer L. Armentrout for the first time at the mass signing. I'd been looking for her all week, but she didn't get in until Friday, and I was starting to think we'd never meet in person!
Above is Jennifer Lynn Barnes, getting ready to sign copies of Trial by Fire and Every Other Day. Jen is...awesome. Smart. Pretty. Friendly. Talented. I want to be her when I grow up. Of course, she's five years younger than I am. So that's not looking very promising. ;)
And, finally, I found Josephine Angelini signing copies of Starcrossed next to Jennifer Armentrout!
I was hoping to do a giveaway this week, but I'm still on (extended) deadline for OATH BOUND and I leave for TLA in Houston tomorrow, so this week's giveaway (plus BONUS) will have to wait until next week. But I should have pictures from TLA by then too! And maybe some more bonus books to give away. ;)
April 6, 2012
Winner!
I had to come out of my deadline cave yesterday to do some shopping for RT2012 next week, but today I have to make up for lost time OATH BOUND isn't going to rewrite itself.
Before I announce this week's International Edition Giveaway winner, I would like to give a huge, public THANK YOU to my CP, Rinda Elliott, for making time to critique OATH BOUND this week. She is everything I look for in a good CP: willing to tell me when I suck and capable of explaining exactly why. All writers need someone who is willing to tell them when they're not living up to their potential. Seriously. I'm more likely to hear praise from readers after I've heard criticism from my CP and my editor. That's just how it works.
And...this week's winner is:
Lucille Palma, whose comments began, "I won books before, buy not signed ones."
Lucille, you've now won a signed book! Please email me (rachelkvincentATgmailDOTcom) with your choice of prize from the list of books found here, and we’ll put your prizes in the mail. Thanks so much to everyone who entered, and don’t forget to check back next week for the new giveaway.
Also, I'll be blogging later today at The Deadline Dames...
Before I announce this week's International Edition Giveaway winner, I would like to give a huge, public THANK YOU to my CP, Rinda Elliott, for making time to critique OATH BOUND this week. She is everything I look for in a good CP: willing to tell me when I suck and capable of explaining exactly why. All writers need someone who is willing to tell them when they're not living up to their potential. Seriously. I'm more likely to hear praise from readers after I've heard criticism from my CP and my editor. That's just how it works.
And...this week's winner is:
Lucille Palma, whose comments began, "I won books before, buy not signed ones."
Lucille, you've now won a signed book! Please email me (rachelkvincentATgmailDOTcom) with your choice of prize from the list of books found here, and we’ll put your prizes in the mail. Thanks so much to everyone who entered, and don’t forget to check back next week for the new giveaway.
Also, I'll be blogging later today at The Deadline Dames...
April 3, 2012
Come see me! (+ contest)
I'm coming out of deep, deep, deep rewrite mode on OATH BOUND with a couple of new appearances announcements.
First, I will appear virtually tomorrow night, in the My Soul To Save spoiler chat. Those of you who wanted to talk about Avari, this is your chat. No beyond-MSTSave spoilers will be allowed. All are welcome. Ask me anything about the first two books and the first novella in the series. Here are the details:
A live link to the chatroom will appear here tomorrow, at 4:30 pm (central).
And, I will appear in person at BEA in NYC on June 5, where I will sign copies of Soul Screamers Volume 1 at 11 am, with several other HQTeen authors. (I'm not sure whether or not they've announced that yet and don't want to steal anyone else's thunder). I will then sign BRAND NEW SHINY copies of Shadow Bound (during release week!!!) at 1 pm, during the Mira signing, with several other Mira authors.
Yes, this means I will actually be leaving my house, and yes, that's noteworthy. I'm hoping the sun doesn't blind me upon first sight. If you're going to be at BEA, I hope to see you there. If not, I hope to "see" you tomorrow during the live chat. Or at RT next week, or TLA the following week. ;)
Now for this week’s International Edition giveaway. To enter, leave me a comment in the corresponding Wordpress post answering the following question: Have you ever won a signed book in an online contest? If so, who was the author/what was the book?
The list of available prize books is here, but please don’t leave your entry in that post. That is a static page, which will be updated as books are chosen or donated to libraries.
The rules:
One entry per personThis contest is open to both domestic and international entriesThis contest is void where prohibitedIf you’re under 18 yrs of age, you must have a parent’s permission to enter and to provide your shipping information if you winPlease allow 2-4 weeks for shipping (longer, if you live outside the US)You must come back to this blog on Friday to see if you’ve won and claim your prizePrizes not claimed within two weeks will be awarded to a redrawn winnerPlease DO NOT leave your email address in your entry. I don’t need it (if you win, you email me to claim your prize) and I’m sure you don’t need the spam that inevitably comes with posting your email address online.
First, I will appear virtually tomorrow night, in the My Soul To Save spoiler chat. Those of you who wanted to talk about Avari, this is your chat. No beyond-MSTSave spoilers will be allowed. All are welcome. Ask me anything about the first two books and the first novella in the series. Here are the details:
A live link to the chatroom will appear here tomorrow, at 4:30 pm (central).
And, I will appear in person at BEA in NYC on June 5, where I will sign copies of Soul Screamers Volume 1 at 11 am, with several other HQTeen authors. (I'm not sure whether or not they've announced that yet and don't want to steal anyone else's thunder). I will then sign BRAND NEW SHINY copies of Shadow Bound (during release week!!!) at 1 pm, during the Mira signing, with several other Mira authors.
Yes, this means I will actually be leaving my house, and yes, that's noteworthy. I'm hoping the sun doesn't blind me upon first sight. If you're going to be at BEA, I hope to see you there. If not, I hope to "see" you tomorrow during the live chat. Or at RT next week, or TLA the following week. ;)
Now for this week’s International Edition giveaway. To enter, leave me a comment in the corresponding Wordpress post answering the following question: Have you ever won a signed book in an online contest? If so, who was the author/what was the book?
The list of available prize books is here, but please don’t leave your entry in that post. That is a static page, which will be updated as books are chosen or donated to libraries.
The rules:
One entry per personThis contest is open to both domestic and international entriesThis contest is void where prohibitedIf you’re under 18 yrs of age, you must have a parent’s permission to enter and to provide your shipping information if you winPlease allow 2-4 weeks for shipping (longer, if you live outside the US)You must come back to this blog on Friday to see if you’ve won and claim your prizePrizes not claimed within two weeks will be awarded to a redrawn winnerPlease DO NOT leave your email address in your entry. I don’t need it (if you win, you email me to claim your prize) and I’m sure you don’t need the spam that inevitably comes with posting your email address online.
