Corrine Jackson's Blog, page 10

The Class of 2k12’s EPIC End-of-the-Year Giveaway

The Class of 2k12 is comprised of twenty debut authors who pooled their resources to launch their young adult and middle grade books this year. I’m so proud to be a part of this group and lucky to have formed friendships with the other nineteen authors. We have celebrated each other’s successes and cheered each other through the stresses. And now we’re giving a copy of all of our books to one lucky winner. That’s twenty-one books, people. So get excited, enter, and be sure to tell your friends, your teachers, and your libraries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUCHED Book Trailer

Yesterday, the TOUCHED Book Trailer exclusively debuted over at Mundie Moms. I’ve been so excited to share this with everyone. I LOVE how the trailer came together.

I also want to offer a huge thanks to Emma Louise and her label who graciously allowed me to use her song “Jungle” for the trailer. I love her sound, and you should all go check her out!

Emma Louise on Facebook

Emma Louise’s Website

Buy “Jungle” – Amazon | iTunes

Now, here’s the book trailer if you missed it over at Mundie Moms.

And here’s the official music video for Emma Louise’s “Jungle.”

For more info on TOUCHED, visit here.

IF I LIE Teacher’s Guide

Hi Educators,

I’m excited to announce that IF I LIE now has its very own Teacher’s Guide. I hope you find this useful! And a special thanks to my friend, Laurie Wielenga, an amazing teacher who developed the content for the guide.

Click on the image to download the PDF.

Best,

Corrine

Reading Tips for Authors

Public speaking makes me nervous. Over the years, I’ve learned to cope by cracking jokes and making fun of myself. It seems to work, or at least, my methods illicit (awkward?) laughter from those opting (forced?) to listen to me. However, when I realized I would we making appearances where I would be reading my work, my stomach cramped up. I had read at various workshops, or in front of my fellow MFA students at Spalding. I can say with absolute honesty that I sucked. After my first reading in 2008, a professor came up to me and told me that she thought she liked my story, except I read it at warp speed. Ouch. After that, I tried to read slower, make eye contact with the audience, and practice in advance. Sadly, none of these tips worked because the second I got to the podium, my knees would quake, my stomach would know, I’d breathe too fast, and my words would come tumbling out in a forgettable blur.

This made me unhappy, to say the least. So I asked around, and several writers in my program offered up their tips for readings. This summer, I had to do a 20-minute reading at my graduation. I combined all of these tips, and something changed. An entire room of people sat in dead silence while I read. I made eye contact and saw people leaning forward, intent on my story. People approached me after the reading to say how much they enjoyed it. Even better than that instant feedback, I actually enjoyed reading.

Since that day, I’ve done a lot of author appearances. I’ve been surprised at how much easier it’s gotten. I still get nervous, but these methods help me to overcome that. Plus, I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and say that they decided to buy my book after they heard me read from it. Music to an author’s ears!

I thought I would share the tips I’ve borrowed (stolen) from lots of authors, so that maybe you will get something out of my theft.

Reading Tips for Authors:

Ground yourself.

Problem: When you stand in front of a room, your nerves may cause you to rush or stumble as you read or speak.
Tip: My friend Erin suggested I take a moment to inhale deeply and feel my feet on the ground. I actually practice this tip over and over during an appearance.
Reward: Every time I do this, I’m snapped out of my head and back into the moment. I feel calmer and more in control.

Write “slow down” in the margins.

Problem:  However fast you think you’re reading, you’re most likely reading twice as fast.
Tip:  My school suggests writing “slow down” in the margins of your reading material in multiple places.
Reward:  The visual reminder reinforces the behavior. After a while, you won’t need the reminder anymore.

Pencil in a double slash (//) where it makes sense to take a longer pause.

Problem:  How many times have you listened to an author read without seeming to take a breath? Every sentence is given the same weight and importance unless you take a breath to tell the audience, Listen to this. This sentence, this phrase is important.
Tip:  A new friend, Gayle, made this suggestion the day before my graduation, and it has been the most powerful tip anyone has given me. Read through your piece and pencil in a double slash (//) anywhere you want to pause or take a breath.
Reward:  I did this, and my reading ability did a 180. That visual cue reminds me to breath and take my time, while reminding me to respect my words. I’ve also found that it helps with my inflection. I no longer drone on in the same tone, but read with more emotion. You’ll be shocked at how people listen more closely when you put space in between your words.

Practice the tongue twisters.

Problem:  There are sentences that will trip you up if you don’t practice them. I have military language that makes me stumble when I don’t read it in advance to get the rhythm down.
Tip:  I learned this one the hard way by stuttering my way through difficult sentences. There’s no magic tip here. This one is all about identifying those difficult sentences and practicing them.
Reward:  A smoother reading that sounds more authoritative.

Treat your work with respect.

Problem:  Sometimes, our nerves get the better of us. Our goal at a reading consists of “just get through it.” And so we plough through the words like we’re reading the back of a cereal box. Except that we sound more entertaining when we read the box.
Tip:  Novelist and poet Molly Peacock reads her work like she is presenting you with a precious gift. This woman could read a recipe, and I would sit up and take notice. I believe that she respects her writing and craft. It seeps out of her pores. Your writing is not something to “get through.” Before you read, decide to love your work and then decide how you want to share it with the world.
Reward:  When you show respect for your words, others will be inclined to do the same.

Go forth and speak!

Ready, Set, NaNoWriMo!

I’m BACK!

My internet-free October was restful and awesome. I read 20+ books, and outlined three novels. The time off did wonders, and now I’m ready to get back into the swing of things.

I think I’m absolutely insane to attempt this, but hey, I’m going to be writing anyway. A time or two, I’ve dipped my toe in the NaNoWriMo waters, only to do an about face and run screaming for the shore. Now, I’m on deadline, so I figure it’s time to run toward the water. At the very least, I’ll have a whole slew of friends to swim with. So let’s do this thing. My username is coryleslie. Feel free to friend me! What will you be working on?

YAmazing Race with MGnificent Prizes

You’ve arrived at my stop on the YAmazing Race with MGnificent prizes, a blog hop featuring over 50 debut authors, and prize packs that include ARCs, gift certificates, swag, and more! If you haven’t yet been to the Apocalypsies website, please click here to start from the beginning and read the complete rules. The race officially begins at noon EST on Monday, October 22. Let’s do this thing!

TOUCHED
(Available Nov. 27, 2012)

TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson

Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll becoming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.

This is Book One in the Touched trilogy.

READ AN EXCERPT 

Publisher: Kensington/KTeen

Debuts: November 27, 2012

ISBN-10: 0758273339

ISBN-13: 978-0758273338

Buy the Book:

Amazon | Indiebound| Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million| German Amazon

Take a snapshot in your mind of all of that, including the cover.

You’ll need to store it all up in your brain for the quiz ahead! And remember, you are eligible for a prize pack when you complete a leg of the race.

Just when you think things can’t get better…Another GIVEAWAY!

Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below for a chance to win an ARC of TOUCHED. (US and Canada only)

And now on to the next stop of the race at my fellow YA Rebel’s site – Daniel Marks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October “Internet-Free” Month

IF I LIE has been out in the world for a month and a half, and I’m so appreciative of all the kind comments and support you’ve sent my way. And now with a month and a half to go before TOUCHED launches into the world, I’m excited to see my ARCs making their way into the world.

Having two books launch so closely together has been both amazing and overwhelming. This last year, I also finished writing the sequel to TOUCHED and graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing. And then there are all the changes at my day job that I never talk about. The point I’m making is that I’ve been constantly moving since my books sold. And lately, I’ve been feeling the fatigue.

One of the main reasons? I have allowed myself to become constantly tethered to some type of electronic device. I swear I’m part robot. I used to love going on Twitter and “playing” with my friends or vlogging, but lately the fun has been lost on me. Now, the internet is a distraction from the thing I should be doing and loving the most – the writing.

So, in an effort to replenish my creative reserves, I am declaring the remainder of October an internet-free month. Other than checking email daily to stay on top of professional obligations, I am going into hibernation mode. I am going to read and write and then write some more. And I hope to return to the Interwebz a new, less stressed-out person come November.

Thanks again for all of your support!

Corrine

 

Meet and Greet in Stuttgart, Germany – Thank You!

Hi All,

TOUCHED was released in German in February of this year. (Book 2 is out this January!) This last summer, I had the opportunity to spend some time with German fans and bloggers at a special Meet and Greet that my German publisher put together. I had a great time, and here is a little thank you for those fans. Enjoy!

IF I LIE at the National Book Festival

If you’ve read IF I LIE, then you know that the Veterans History Project plays a big role in the story and in the relationship between Quinn and George. The Veterans History Project is an amazing project with a mission to record and preserve the stories of our soldiers. Their mission statement:

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

When I was researching the wartime experiences of soldiers for IF I LIE, the Veterans History Project proved invaluable and life changing. I spent hours watching video interviews and reading documents. I learned what war and military life is like from the men and women who have experienced it firsthand. The stories left their mark on me, an indelible impression that squeezed my heart. I thought about my uncle, a Vietnam veteran who was changed by that war, and I wished that I could have recorded his story for the project. I had a bittersweet yearning for others to know about the project, and maybe be inspired to interview a veteran in their life. It’s a mark of respect to honor a soldier by listening to their story, and so George became an advocate and staunch supporter of the Veterans History Project.

And now, I feel blessed to be an author featured at the AFC’s Veterans History Project table at the National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC. This weekend, they are offering you a chance to win IF I LIE, plus they will have IF I LIE swag to give out to visitors. Simply visit their table, and mention the passphrases below for a chance to win!

Bonus 1: If you mention the phrase “collect, preserve, share” to one of the staff, you will receive a special gift.

Bonus 2: The first 3 people to say “I love George, and will interview a veteran” to the staff will receive a signed copy of the new novel “If I Lie”.

If you visit the table, please take the time to learn about the project. They are doing invaluable work, and maybe…if you feel so inclined…think about interviewing a soldier in your life. You can also learn more about the project here and download a guide on how to create an entry for the project.

TOUCHED ARC Giveaway

TOUCHED ARCs arrived yesterday, and I’m super excited! This is the first book I wrote, though it’s the second to be released (it’s a long story). Here’s a little tease.

TOUCHED

Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll becoming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.

This is Book One in the Sense Thieves trilogy.

For more info, visit the TOUCHED book page.

How it Works
It’s so, so easy. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Each person can enter +5 times (depending on how many times you tweet about the contest). That’s a lot of entries in the pot with your name on them. Here are possible ways to enter:

Tweet about the contest once per day – +1 per tweet
Like my page on Facebook – +1
Sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar – +1
Follow me on my shiny, new Tumblr page – +1
Add the IF I LIE countdown clock to your site via the Get Widget button on the below clock – +1

Valid US only.

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