Zoraida Córdova's Blog: Zoraida Says, page 11

"Rudolph is a Seahorse Named Atticus."

Or, December means Holiday blog tours. 


That's right. I have three blog tour stops coming up this month.

One is December 17th along with a wonderful group of artists. That post will go up right here. I will be linking the next stop on the Holiday Blog Tour.






ALSO on December 17th, I'll be at Pawing Though Books where I will be giving away some swag.








One December 19th we will be at A Book-Lover's Review.












It's going to be a very good Christmas.

"Rudolph is a Seahorse Named Atticus."

Or, December means Holiday blog tours. 


That's right. I have three blog tour stops coming up this month.

One is December 17th along with a wonderful group of artists. That post will go up right here. I will be linking the next stop on the Holiday Blog Tour.






ALSO on December 17th, I'll be at Pawing Though Books where I will be giving away some swag.








One December 19th we end with a SECRET scene between Tristan and Layla the Christmas before Tristan becomes a merdude in The Vicious Deep. That goes up at A Book-Lover's Review.












It's going to be a very good Christmas.

Paperback Baby & Fan Art

Or, November is a good month.


No seriously, November is CRAY. 

Why? Because we have serious merman action over here. November 12 is the official release date for The Vicious Deep in paperback. I've set up a giveaway via Goodreads, so look down below and enter. There are 3 copies available. I've also seen a pretty cool fan art. So if you have some Tristan & Vicious Deep inspired art, send it my way and I will post it. If I get enough of them, I'd like to have a gallery page.
Chugging coffee like,Zoraida









Tristan as a young merman



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Goodreads Book Giveaway


The Vicious Deep
by Zoraida Córdova

Giveaway ends November 25, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Paperback Baby & Fan Art

Or, November is a good month.


No seriously, November is CRAY. 

Why? Because we have serious merman action over here. November 12 is the official release date for The Vicious Deep in paperback. I've set up a giveaway via Goodreads, so look down below and enter. There are 3 copies available. I've also seen a pretty cool fan art. So if you have some Tristan & Vicious Deep inspired art, send it my way and I will post it. If I get enough of them, I'd like to have a gallery page.
Chugging coffee like,Zoraida









Tristan as a young merman



.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; }
Goodreads Book Giveaway


The Vicious Deep
by Zoraida Córdova

Giveaway ends November 25, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Tristan Gets the Cover Model Treatment.

Or, Roguish: A Magazine for Bad Boys

HEY LOOK AT WHAT THE AWESOME JENNIFER RUSH MADE FOR US.



Fun, right?

As I was telling my friend over dinner last night, Tristan isn't the brooding YA hero. He's charming and often says the first thing that comes out of his mouth. He falls in Like a lot and loves his friends more than anything.

Even when he goes through his fishy changes, he embraces being a merman/merdude/merbro.

When we were doing the cover for The Vicious Deep I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn't be a sad teen boy on a beach. Even if he were shirtless...I mean...no...back on track. Anyway. Tristan is full of life and wonder.

And I hope he can put a smile on your face.

Still haven't met Tristan? YOU CAN -->

The usual suspects Amazon B&N IndieBound

And if you want your copy SIGNED Books of Wonder in NYC has those ready to order.



summer loving like,
Zoraida

Tristan Gets the Cover Model Treatment.

Or, Roguish: A Magazine for Bad Boys

HEY LOOK AT WHAT THE AWESOME JENNIFER RUSH MADE FOR US.



Fun, right?

As I was telling my friend over dinner last night, Tristan isn't the brooding YA hero. He's charming and often says the first thing that comes out of his mouth. He falls in Like a lot and loves his friends more than anything.

Even when he goes through his fishy changes, he embraces being a merman/merdude/merbro.

When we were doing the cover for The Vicious Deep I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn't be a sad teen boy on a beach. Even if he were shirtless...I mean...no...back on track. Anyway. Tristan is full of life and wonder.

And I hope he can put a smile on your face.

Still haven't met Tristan? YOU CAN -->

The usual suspects Amazon B&N IndieBound

And if you want your copy SIGNED Books of Wonder in NYC has those ready to order.



summer loving like,
Zoraida

He's Been Sighted! He's Been sighted!

Or, just kidding, that was me having a Seamus Finnigan moment.

But no, seriously. If you're in New York on September 23rd, then you're invited to the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Specifically at 2:00 PM during the Youth Stoop because I will be moderating Alex-Trebek-style the YA Jeopardy panel with Libba Bray, Natalie Standiford, and Daniel Nayeri.


When I found out I was like....

Then I was like...
 
Now I'm like...



Really, this post if about flagging my love for American's douchebag sweetheart.


Here is all the information on the other panels as well. Come one. Bring friends. Leave your rotten tomatoes at home.


BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2012
10am-6pm Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza
209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn NY 11201





Youth Stoop (Borough Hall Plaza/Columbus Park) Start the morning off with laughs, and spend the day listening to your favorite authors for readers ages 10 – 18 (and even in their twenties and thirties). Hear them read and discuss their work, and then have a book signed.
10:00 A.M. Humor Me. Franklin is a fourth grader with a big imagination and an alter ego named Frankie Pickle; fifth graders Lydia and Julie are best friends who observe “the popular girls” at their school to discover the code of popularity; and Robert is a normal fourth grader who gets into crazy situations! These hilarious characters spring from the  minds of authors Amy Ignatow (The Popularity Papers), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle series) and Lisa Yee (Bobby the Brave [Sometimes]), all of whom have an uncanny knack for writing laugh-out-loud funny, illustrated chapter books that elementary school kids love. Moderated by Lisa Graff (Isla Neal/Mothership).
11:00 A.M. Comics Quick Draw! Three cartoonists face off in this fast paced contest.  Drawing (literally) from the audience suggestions, reader favorites Derek Kirk Kim, Mark Siegel andCharise Mericle Harper will battle with pen and pad. And, everybody wins; finished art will be gifted to some of the lucky young people in attendance. Moderated by Calvin Reid, editor ofPublishers Weekly Comics World.
12:00 P.M. A Blues for Middle School. Middle School is no cake walk. There are heartaches, bad days, the quest to find the meaning of life, plus mystery and wonder. Join NYT bestselling authors Wendy Mass (Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life) and R.J. Palacio (Wonder), Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm) and debut author Sheela Chari (Vanished) as they discuss how their funny, daring and courageous characters take on heartache, bad days, vanishing instruments and locked boxes to solve mysteries, discover the wonder, and even make a new friend or two. Moderated by Paul Acampora (Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face).
1:00 P.M.  The Balls’ In Your Court. Guys will want to get reading with humor author favoriteJon Scieszka (Spaceheadz, Stinky Cheese and others), Gordon Korman (39 Clues) and Joseph Bruchac (Wolf Mark) as they discuss the latest Guys Read Volume 3, which combines the great pleasures of sports and reading. Moderated by Lisa Yee (Bobby the Brave).
2:00 P.M. Jeopardy. Join author favorites Libba Bray (The Diviners), Natalie Standiford(Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters) and Daniel Nayeri (Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow) for a fast paced game of Jeopardy involving fun literary trivia about YA novels. Moderated by Zoraida Cordova (The Vicious Deep).
3:00 P.M. Love Will Keep Us Together. Pride, time, and distance—so many things to keep young love at bay. Join NYT best-selling Simone Elkeles, author of Perfect Chemistry; Michael L. Printz honor winner Carolyn Mackler, co-author of The Future of Us; along with critically acclaimed Melissa Walker, author of Unbreak My Heart, as they prove that friendship, family, and the true meaning of connection can bring it all together. Moderated by Christopher Grant(Teenie).
4:00 P.M. It’s a Hard Knock Life. Being a teen can be hard. Whether the issue is bullying, teen pregnancy or even a serial killer dad, this is a time in life that’s as thrilling as it is confusing, full of questions and decisions. Join popular authors Susane Colasanti (Keep Holding On) andBarry Lyga (I Hunt Killers) along with debut author Louise Rozett (Confessions of an Angry Girl) as they discuss tough choices and the teens who make them, and why the teenage years are such a writing inspiration.
5:00 P.M. Ghosts, Goddesses and Wolves. A ghost becomes a goddess. A girl morphs into a wolf. Two friends awaken as something other. Science fiction and fantasy is filled with transformations. Meet the authors of enchanting novels in which teens go through life-changing experiences: critically-acclaimed Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares); New York Times best-selling Andrea Cremer (Nightshade series) and award-winning Malinda Lo (Ash and Adaptation). Moderated by Jessica Shirvington (Entice).

He's Been Sighted! He's Been sighted!

Or, just kidding, that was me having a Seamus Finnigan moment.

But no, seriously. If you're in New York on September 23rd, then you're invited to the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Specifically at 2:00 PM during the Youth Stoop because I will be moderating Alex-Trebek-style the YA Jeopardy panel with Libba Bray, Natalie Standiford, and Daniel Nayeri.


When I found out I was like....

Then I was like...
 
Now I'm like...



Really, this post if about flagging my love for American's douchebag sweetheart.


Here is all the information on the other panels as well. Come one. Bring friends. Leave your rotten tomatoes at home.


BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2012
10am-6pm Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza
209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn NY 11201





Youth Stoop (Borough Hall Plaza/Columbus Park) Start the morning off with laughs, and spend the day listening to your favorite authors for readers ages 10 – 18 (and even in their twenties and thirties). Hear them read and discuss their work, and then have a book signed.
10:00 A.M. Humor Me. Franklin is a fourth grader with a big imagination and an alter ego named Frankie Pickle; fifth graders Lydia and Julie are best friends who observe “the popular girls” at their school to discover the code of popularity; and Robert is a normal fourth grader who gets into crazy situations! These hilarious characters spring from the  minds of authors Amy Ignatow (The Popularity Papers), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle series) and Lisa Yee (Bobby the Brave [Sometimes]), all of whom have an uncanny knack for writing laugh-out-loud funny, illustrated chapter books that elementary school kids love. Moderated by Lisa Graff (Isla Neal/Mothership).
11:00 A.M. Comics Quick Draw! Three cartoonists face off in this fast paced contest.  Drawing (literally) from the audience suggestions, reader favorites Derek Kirk Kim, Mark Siegel andCharise Mericle Harper will battle with pen and pad. And, everybody wins; finished art will be gifted to some of the lucky young people in attendance. Moderated by Calvin Reid, editor ofPublishers Weekly Comics World.
12:00 P.M. A Blues for Middle School. Middle School is no cake walk. There are heartaches, bad days, the quest to find the meaning of life, plus mystery and wonder. Join NYT bestselling authors Wendy Mass (Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life) and R.J. Palacio (Wonder), Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm) and debut author Sheela Chari (Vanished) as they discuss how their funny, daring and courageous characters take on heartache, bad days, vanishing instruments and locked boxes to solve mysteries, discover the wonder, and even make a new friend or two. Moderated by Paul Acampora (Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face).
1:00 P.M.  The Balls’ In Your Court. Guys will want to get reading with humor author favoriteJon Scieszka (Spaceheadz, Stinky Cheese and others), Gordon Korman (39 Clues) and Joseph Bruchac (Wolf Mark) as they discuss the latest Guys Read Volume 3, which combines the great pleasures of sports and reading. Moderated by Lisa Yee (Bobby the Brave).
2:00 P.M. Jeopardy. Join author favorites Libba Bray (The Diviners), Natalie Standiford(Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters) and Daniel Nayeri (Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow) for a fast paced game of Jeopardy involving fun literary trivia about YA novels. Moderated by Zoraida Cordova (The Vicious Deep).
3:00 P.M. Love Will Keep Us Together. Pride, time, and distance—so many things to keep young love at bay. Join NYT best-selling Simone Elkeles, author of Perfect Chemistry; Michael L. Printz honor winner Carolyn Mackler, co-author of The Future of Us; along with critically acclaimed Melissa Walker, author of Unbreak My Heart, as they prove that friendship, family, and the true meaning of connection can bring it all together. Moderated by Christopher Grant(Teenie).
4:00 P.M. It’s a Hard Knock Life. Being a teen can be hard. Whether the issue is bullying, teen pregnancy or even a serial killer dad, this is a time in life that’s as thrilling as it is confusing, full of questions and decisions. Join popular authors Susane Colasanti (Keep Holding On) andBarry Lyga (I Hunt Killers) along with debut author Louise Rozett (Confessions of an Angry Girl) as they discuss tough choices and the teens who make them, and why the teenage years are such a writing inspiration.
5:00 P.M. Ghosts, Goddesses and Wolves. A ghost becomes a goddess. A girl morphs into a wolf. Two friends awaken as something other. Science fiction and fantasy is filled with transformations. Meet the authors of enchanting novels in which teens go through life-changing experiences: critically-acclaimed Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares); New York Times best-selling Andrea Cremer (Nightshade series) and award-winning Malinda Lo (Ash and Adaptation). Moderated by Jessica Shirvington (Entice).

Why YA?

Or, my polite response to the snide comment "you write YA because you still think you're in HS, right?"


So here is confession time.

YES, dear reader. I WRITE YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE BECAUSE I STILL WISH I WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

After all, aren't the bestest years of out lives the ones riddled with angst and depression and misunderstanding and lostness and confusion and heartbreak and disappointment and realization.

I decided I wanted to relive my high school years throughout my professional writing career. I wanted all of the injustices I went through re-written like a Natasha Bedingfield song. Or wait...it's unwritten, right?

Never mind me. I have a terrible memory when it comes to songs titles and musicians. But one thing I have an excellent memory of are my favorite parts of high school. I will tick them off in no particular order.

1) UFO pants. Back in 2002, UFO pants were all the rage. Everyone wore them. Except for me because they were to expensive so I got the "look a like" kind from Mandee.

* All of my favorite characters wear UFO pants because I never got to. 

2) Wendy's. My high school was in the middle of Nowhere, Queens Village. There were only fast food chains around so all of my friends would hang out at Wendy's sharing fries. The staff would hate us because we would take all of the creamers, mix them with sugar and then drink them like shots.

* All of my characters are addicted to cream & sugar because that's what the cool kids do.


3) Strawberry Punk. The kind of punk that is so un-punk it sounds better as pop. And better yet acoustic.

* All of my characters spend hours lying on their beds replaying songs that, just, like, I mean, like, TOTALLY sing the lyrics to your life. Track #5 is especially dedicated to that one buy who chose your friend over you, you know the one. 


4) Buffy and Angel.

Actually, that hasn't changed. Nine years later, I still watch these guys all the time. It's given me a superhero complex, like *all of my characters. 

and finally my favorite!

5) BAD POETRY.

The kind that is about darkness and FEEEELINGS like you've never felt them before. Putting on my headphones (not earbuds, but HEADphones) and hitting PLAY on my portable CD player, jamming to that Slipknot grind.



There you have it Dear Reader. After all, why would I write about young people changing their lives and the lives of those around them when I could be writing real literature about my college roommate getting drunk or sitting and smoking in front of Hunter College. Real, hard-hitting literature.

*Lies

I'm glad I can finally come clean with all of you.

In fact, The Vicious Deep and its sequels are actually a retelling of my past life as a teenage merman.

Stay young everyone. And for Poseidon's sake, pretty pretty please,

WRITE ON.

An Editing Montage

Or, you look like a girl that wear Abercrombie & Fitch



off to do anti-gravity yoga like,Z