Corrine Jackson's Blog, page 11
September 13, 2012
Bookanista Review: ADORKABLE
Here is the official blurb from the publisher:
ADORKABLE by Sarra Manning
Jeane Smith is seventeen and has turned her self-styled dorkiness into an art form, a lifestyle choice and a profitable website and consultancy business. She writes a style column for a Japanese teen magazine and came number seven in The Guardian’s 30 People Under 30 Who Are Changing The World. And yet, in spite of the accolades, hundreds of Internet friendships and a cool boyfriend, she feels inexplicably lonely, a situation made infinitely worse when Michael Lee, the most mass-market, popular and predictably all-rounded boy at school tells Jeane of his suspicion that Jeane’s boyfriend is secretly seeing his girlfriend. Michael and Jeane have NOTHING in common – she is cool and individual; he is the golden boy in an Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. So why can’t she stop talking to him?
****
Jeane isn’t just a dork. She’s abrupt, sarcastic, and downright rude to most of her classmates and teachers. Michael, on the other hand, is nice to everyone. Except Jeane. These two do not mix and are pretty content to keep things that way. Then they begin to suspect that their significant others are carrying on right under their noses. That’s when things get interesting.
Jeane and Michael discover pretty quickly that they have a strong physical attraction. I loved the scenes where they kept finding themselves snogging and wondering how it had happened. Bit by bit, these two grow from dislike to genuine affection, and I loved how gradually it happens. From time to time, I was reminded of Pride and Prejudice. Jeane and Michael think they know each other based on reputation, but they really have no clue, and I had fun watching them discover each other.
This book is also full of hip references and a ton of information about social media and the role it plays in teens’ lives. Jeane is a social media expert. At times I felt like I was reading more of a marketing diatribe on social media (I work in marketing), but I still enjoyed it (maybe because it is so relevant to me). Others may find this distracting and may find Jeane’s abrasiveness irritating rather than charming. However, I liked the example she set – a girl unafraid to be different. Does she take it too far? Maybe, and that’s a theme that is explored in the book. Still, I rather liked seeing a girl willing to be who she wanted and go after what she wanted without regard for how society might view her.
On another note, I loved the way friendships were dealt with in this book and the inclusion of Michael’s family in the story. Honestly, this was one of my favorite books of the year. Just good fun and a very sweet romance. I think readers of Anna and the French Kiss would be pleasantly surprised by Adorkable.
Find it on Goodreads.
***
Check out the links below to see what the other Bookanistas are talking about!
Katy Upperman raves about NOBODY BUT US
Jesscia Love speaks up for UNSPOKEN
Tracy Banghart tells the truth about IF I LIE
September 12, 2012
Upcoming September Events
September is a busy month. I hope to see you at any of these events! If you find me, ask for swag. I usually have something on me. 
Sat, Sept 22, 2012, 10 AM – 4 PM – Sonoma County Book Festival
Location: SHARE EXCHANGE, 531 5th Street, Santa Rosa, California 95401
Join me out in Sonoma County for an entire day of panels packed with young adult authors. Other panelists include: fellow YA Rebel Gretchen McNeil, Stacey Jay, Amy Reed, Jason Myers, Avery Williams, Dana Reinhardt, Sophie Littlefield, Cynthia (CJ) Omololu, and Brian Fies. I’m on the 11:30 AM Contemporary panel. Here’s the entire YA schedule:
10-11:15 – Hindsight and Other Sightings, with Stacey Jay (Juliet Immortal), Sophie Littlefield (Hanging by a Thread), and CJ Omololu (Transcendence)
11:30-12:45 – While We’re Young: Contemporary Teen Stories, with Gretchen McNeil (Ten), Dana Reinhardt (The Summer I Learned to Fly), and Corrine Jackson (If I Lie)
1-1:45 – Novel Storytelling: the Art of the Graphic Novel, with Brent Anderson (author of Astro City: Shining Stars), Paige Braddock (author of Jane’s World, Volume 10), Justin “Coro” Kaufman ((author of Transient Man), and Brian Fies (Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow)
2-3:15 – Love in Dire Circumstances, with Amy Reed (Crazy), Jason Myers (Run the Game), and Avery Williams (Alchemy of Forever)
Thurs, Sept 27, 2012, 6:30 PM – Los Angeles Public Library Teen Reads Series
Location: LAPL Central Library downtown, 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Join me for the Los Angeles Public Library Teen Reads Series with other YA authors, including Cylin Busby, Sherry Shahan, Erin Fry, and Carol Tanzman. Details here.
Sat, Sept 29, 2012, 2:00 PM – Bay Books YA Signing
Location: Bay Books, 2415 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA
YA Reading and Signing with Veronica Rossi (Under the Never Sky), Katherine Longshore (Gilt), and Talia Vance (Silver, Spies and Prejudice). More details here.
September 11, 2012
September 6, 2012
Weekend #wordwar: You’re invited!
Hi All,
With summer over and my book officially launched, it’s time for me to get back to writing. Since I work full time, I write evenings and weekends. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the motivation to work after, you know, work. I’ve found two things that work well for me. The first is the Freedom app, which puts me on internet lockdown during my write time.
The other is a good #wordwar.
What is a #wordwar?
Usually these are impromptu invitations sent out by writers to other writers on Twitter (using the hashtag #wordwar). The writers determine a game length, say 45 minutes or an hour. At a set time, the writers focus and get down to writing. Then, when the game time is up, all the writers check back in on Twitter with how many words they managed to write. Sometimes writers will play several rounds. The goal is simply to encourage each other to focus and work, and you’d be surprised how many words you can crank out when you feel accountable to someone.
Want to #wordwar with me this weekend?
Did I mention these were impromptu games? That’s great, except I thought it might be helpful to make a few dates and times when we can meet up to write. To that end, I’m going to play 1 hour #wordwar games, beginning at the times below. Play one time or all of them depending on your schedule. Let’s get down to the business of writing.
#wordwar length – 1 hour each round – All times are PST
Saturday, 9/8 – Check in 5 minutes prior to the start time. Game begins at start time.
11 AM
12: 30 PM
2 PM
3:30 PM
5 PM
Sunday, 9/9 – Check in 5 minutes prior to the start time. Game begins at start time.
11 AM
12: 30 PM
2 PM
3:30 PM
5 PM
Rules at a glance:
Check in 5 min. before start time by tweeting using the hashtag #wordwar. Not sure how to do that? See here.
Write for one hour
When the hour is up, check back in using #wordwar with the number of words you wrote in the hour.
A half-hour break occurs between each round to offer a chance to stretch.
It will look like this. Check in at 10:55 AM, write from 11 AM – 12 PM, check in at 12 PM, take a break before next round.
Repeat, if you like.
Bookanista Review: SCARLET
Full disclosure: The author is a fellow Class of 2k12 classmate. Here is the official blurb from the publisher:
SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.
It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.
****
SCARLET is a wholly unique update on the classic Robin Hood tale. In this version of the story, Will Scarlet is part of Robin Hood’s band of thieves, but few people know that she is a young woman with a hidden past that is revealed throughout the novel.
The first thing that strikes you as you read the novel is the voice. Scarlet’s language is rough but not uneducated. Her grammar is distinct, but then so are her observations. The author has gifted her with an ability to describe the world she lives in with succinct language that feels fresh and new. For instance, “The air were fair crisp, with the kind of crunch to it like a sweet apple.” The book has just enough of these descriptions to continually remind you that Scarlet is more than she seems. She’s smart, quick to take action, and a hero, though she would deny this.
On top of this, Scarlet’s hidden femininity brings a new tension to her band. Tension simmers between her and two of the young men in the group – Robin and John. The attention both confuses and warms Scarlet, but I never felt like she was a silly girl flirting with two boys. Each man gives her something she needs – before she knows she needs it – and sometimes she feels undeserving of their affection. The romance is secondary, though, to their mission to save the people of Nottingham, and things get complicated when evil Guy Gisbourne comes on the scene to catch the thieves. He is part of Scarlet’s hidden past, and the twist here is AWESOME. I won’t ruin it for you, but you won’t be disappointed.
Some readers might wish for more romance and less running through the forest, but overall I think SCARLET offers up a unique story with a great narrator who takes charge of her own destiny. I recommend this book for readers who like a kickass heroine, lots of action, and a side of pent up romance.
***
Check out the links below to see what the other Bookanistas are talking about!
Nikki Katz raves about the THE RAVEN BOYS
Tracy Banghart talks up TIMEPIECE
Shelli Johannes-Wells wows with an ebook giveaway
September 4, 2012
Obsess Much?
So for weeks on end, I’ve been working without a day off. Monday thru Friday is about my marketing career. The evenings and weekends are for writing and all the marketing that goes with the writing. To give you an idea of my last month, here’s a bit of what I had going on:
July – MFA graduation/homework; TOUCHED 2 edits; TOUCHED 1 copy edits; Germany visit to promote TOUCHED 1; writing
August – more TOUCHED 2 edits; TOUCHED 1 first pass pages; IF I LIE launch (includes interviews, promotion, party planning, and a million visits to the post office); writing
And now September is shaping up to be a madhouse month with continuing promotion of IF I LIE, plus ramping up on TOUCHED promotion for its November 27 release. Let’s just say that I’m 1000% grateful for my blessings, but more than a little ragged around the edges.
So on Friday afternoon, I headed home, intent on using my three-day weekend to the max. I work every weekend, so that extra day in a 3-day weekend always feels like nirvana because I get to pack more work into a longer stretch. Anyway, I got home, went to plug in my trusty Macbook Air and realized (amid much cussing that would shame a sailor) that my power cord was missing. My wonderful sister had mistakenly taken it back to LA with her, and since it was a holiday weekend, I would be sans laptop through Tuesday at least. At first, I was really angry. Not at my sister (who had just spent 5 days propping my crazy ass up through a stressful week), but at the situation. I had so much to get caught up on. Emails, an author questionnaire, interviews, blog posts, and my Twitter launch party. And then there was all that writing I planned to do this weekend. Tons of writing (which I can’t do by hand). For fifteen minutes, I sat on my couch, staring at the wall, and freaked the hell out about all the deadlines roaring up on me. I was near tears, and for the first time in ages, I sought comfort in old friends that had never let me down – books.
I grabbed a book out of my towering TBR pile and buried myself in it so I could forget about all the pressures. And you know what? It was the bomb (see how old I am?). Over the weekend I read six books. Yeah, you heard me right. SIX BOOKS. I read into the wee hours and slept late. I wore pajamas and showered only to put new pajamas on. And last night, after the Twitter party (which I had to do via a workaround since I was without my Mac) I watched two movies. Two lame, action-packed movies that probably left me sans a few brain cells. Oh, and I ate junk food and ordered a pizza, too. It was a full-on slacker fest at my place.
Once I gave in to the fact that I could do nothing about my laptop-less state (except drop $75 on a new cord – damn you, Apple!), I had an amazing weekend. It was like reclaiming a bit of myself again that had nothing to do with Workaholic Type-A Control Freak Cory. Yes, I worked for 6 hours on Monday, but I didn’t work through the Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday that came before it. And I realized that I miss Fun Slacker Cory sometimes and maybe this enforced break was a blessing in disguise. From waking time to sleeping time, I’m attached to all my digital devices. No, really. I sleep with my iphone and sometimes my ipad, too. It’s sick. And I feel this enormous anxiety and guilt when I disconnect for more than a couple of hours. BUT that is crap. Everyone needs a day off now and then, and damn it if I didn’t take two and savor the heck out of them. I can’t always do this, but I need to remember to do it more often.
This weekend, I wore my LAZY SLAG t-shirt with pride.*
*I don’t really own this t-shirt, but I kind of want to now.
August 30, 2012
Thank YOU! And a Link Round-up with Photos
The last week has been the busiest and most wonderful of my life. Thank you to everyone who tweeted, Facebook’d, emailed, sent pigeons, or otherwise sent their book birthday well wishes. I felt so loved this week. My sister and niece even flew up to SF to help me get everything ready for the party and offer general support. Here’s a little of what happened this week.
Saturday morning, Barry Eva interviewed me on his Books and a Chat blog radio show. He is so easy to talk to and I ended up laughing my way through the talk. You can have a listen here.
After the show, my sister and I went on a mission to find my book at Barnes and Noble where we’d heard it had been shelved early. So here I am next to my book for the first time.
And here I am signing stock for the first time.
And here’s a fun conversation my sister and I had before the actual sighting.
Then Sunday, August 26, I was off to the Palo Alto Litquake at the Oshman Family JCC for a YA Panel discussion on writing, along with some of the YA Muses Katherine Longshore (Gilt), Veronica Rossi (Under the Never Sky), and Talia Vance (Silver, Spies and Prejudice). I had a great time hanging with my pals and signing books. Plus we had dinner with the ultra-supportive Nor Cal bloggers.
Litquake Panelists (Veronica Rossi, Me, Katherine Longshore, and Talia Vance)
Photo Courtesy of Ravenous Reader.
Litquake Panelists (Talia Vance, Me, and Katherine Longshore)
Photo courtesy of Ravenous Reader.
The AWESOME Nor Cal bloggers!
On Monday, my mom and oldest brother drove to San Francisco to surprise me and be there for my launch party. Here’s my family chilling at lunch on Tuesday. My mom pretty much ignored us the rest of the day as she read IF I LIE.
Sister, Mom, Brother, and my Niece
And then there was my launch party… It was incredible to walk into the Books Inc at Opera Plaza and immediately see a stand with my books all over it. And then there was this display… Thanks to Maggie at Books Inc. for coordinating the party! And to my sister, brother, niece, mom, and Kari Young who helped transport everything and get it set up (along with the folks at Books Inc.)
IF I LIE display.
Photo courtesy of @tarataterbeans.
Food table and brag bags.
Photo courtesy of @tarataterbeans.
Red velvet cake balls, candy bar, and cheese board.
Photo courtesy of @tarataterbeans
Brag bag.
Photo courtesy of @MichelleLong_15.
Reading from IF I LIE.
Photo courtesy of @tarataterbeans.
This was a great night, and I’m so appreciative. Thanks to everyone who came out to have a good time.
And to recap all the amazing posts that went up this week…
Simon Pulse posted a video of me talking about the inspiration for IF I LIE.
The YA Rebels are doing a lie-themed week to support the launch of IF I LIE. Check out the videos that have been posted so far by Gretchen McNeil, our guest Rebel Christina Farley, and yours truly. Plus leave a comment on any of the videos this week (8/27-9/2) for a chance to win a copy of IF I LIE. And Rebel Sarah Nicolas gave me a birthday shout out.
A Goodreads giveaway has gone live. I’m giving away 5 signed copies of IF I LIE.
CJ Omololu is giving away a signed copy of IF I LIE. Find out how to enter here.
Shannon Messenger is holding a giveaway for IF I LIE and other releases out this week. Find out how to enter here.
I did an interview over at Zone Out Mode.
The Mod Podge Bookshelf me all about the character names in IF I LIE.
TWIYA gave IF I LIE a shoutout on their New Release Tuesday vlog.
Have you been following the IF I LIE blog tour (hosted by Teen Book Scene)? Here are some of the posts in case you missed them.
Monday, August 20: Nicole at Word For Teens – (Author Interview w/ Music Lyric Answers)
Tuesday, August 21: Heidi Z at YA Bibliophile - (Review)
Wednesday, August 22: Jenny Z at Supernatural Snark – (Character Interview: George)
Thursday, August 23: Amber S at Me, My Shelf and I – (Review)
Friday, August 24: Hannah at Paperback Treasures - (Teenage Garage Sale)
Monday, August 27: Heidi Z at YA Bibliophile - (Video Interview)
Tuesday, August 28: Kari at A Good Addiction – (Character Interview: Quinn)
Wednesday, August 29: Jenny Z at Supernatural Snark - (Review)
Thursday, August 30: Tara G at Hobbitsies - (Character Interview: Jamie)
Still to come:
Friday, August 31: Amber S at Me, My Shelf and I – (Author This or That)
Thanks to Kari for organizing this! For more details.
August 28, 2012
Happy Book Birthday, IF I LIE!
Dear Readers,
I can say that now, right? Because my book is out there in the world on shelves, and people are buying it. Based on the comments sent my way on Twitter and Facebook, you, my dear Readers, are reading IF I LIE. Your tweets and wall posts mean the world to me. I’ve cried more than once in the last week.
More than anything, I find myself grateful. So very, very grateful for everything that I have and the path that my life has taken this last year. So today I take a moment to enjoy what I’ve accomplished. And I also pause to remember what inspired me to write this book.
IF I LIE was in part inspired by people I know. I have an uncle and an honorary uncle who fought in Vietnam. One of those uncles returned home a changed man, and I grew up understanding that there is a deep cost to war, a very human cost. When I was doing my research, I found myself most touched and haunted by the stories the soldiers had to tell about their time at war. I interviewed Marines and found myself humbled when they were so grateful that someone was interested in what they had to say. Through Youtube and the Veterans History Project, I watched hours of interviews and footage of these men and women sharing their experiences about wartime and what it was like to return home. Many of these soldiers, approximately 400,000*, are suffering from PTSD as they merge their old lives with the traumatic things they’ve lived through. I have deep admiration for them.
One non-profit organization, the Wounded Warrior Project, has a mission “to honor and empower wounded warriors.” They have created programs to give back and take care of our “military service members who incurred service-connected wounds, injuries, or illnesses on or after September 11, 2001.” You can learn more about them and how to help here. This organization has also created a way for you to give thanks to a Wounded Warrior. Using their free Facebook app, you can send a thank you card to a Wounded Warrior to be distributed at one of their events. It takes just minutes to do.
So today, as I celebrate a milestone, I want to remember why I wrote this book. And I hope you will join me in sending a note of gratitude for the service and sacrifice these men and women have done for us. Please know that I am in no way affiliated with this group, but I appreciate their work.
Now, if you live in the Bay area, please join me this evening for my launch party. Details are here. There will be cake pops, a candy bar, sweet tea, swag bags, prizes and more.
Thank you, Friends, for hanging in there with me!
Corrine
*Source: Wounded Warrior Project, numbers compiled as of July 1, 2012
August 27, 2012
Teen Book Scene: IF I LIE Blog Tour – Stop #6
Celebrate the release of IF I LIE with me!
IF I LIE is out tomorrow. Commence freak out. I’m doing a launch party tomorrow night. And then a Twitter launch party on Monday, Sept 3, Labor Day from 5-6pm PST using the hashtag #ifilie.
I’m putting together a little video to advertise the launch party and to celebrate this major milestone in my life. If you want to be a part of the video, simply email me a picture or video of you holding a paper that says one of these things to corrine@corrinejackson.com:
9/3/12
5PM PST
Twitter Launch Party
#ifilie
Celebration notes are also welcome!
I’ll need the pictures by Wednesday, August 29 at 6pm PST.
*****
Details
Monday, September 3, 5-6PM PST (LABOR DAY):
#IFILIE Twitter book birthday party. Join me on Twitter (@Cory_Jackson) as I reveal behind-the-scenes IF I LIE trivia, the IF I LIE playlist, and character inspiration photos. There will be prizes! Use the hashtag #ifilie to join in the fun.
Best,
Cory
