Shelli R. Johannes's Blog, page 10
June 20, 2013
Bookanista Thursday
Here are some Bookanista Recs for this week :)
Shari Arnold marvels at THE MOON AND MORE by Saran Dessen
Tracy Banghart is thrilled by 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Christine Fonseca shivers over SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi
Carrie Harris and Elana Johnson reveal the cover of SALLY SLICK & THE STEEL SYNDICATE by Carrie Harris
Corrine Jackson is nuts for AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber
Jessica Love joins the BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart book blitz – with giveaway
Shannon Messenger raves about JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta
Tracey Neithercott adores THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by OUT OF REACH by Carrie Arcos
Katy Upperman gushes over THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Shari Arnold marvels at THE MOON AND MORE by Saran Dessen
Tracy Banghart is thrilled by 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Christine Fonseca shivers over SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi
Carrie Harris and Elana Johnson reveal the cover of SALLY SLICK & THE STEEL SYNDICATE by Carrie Harris
Corrine Jackson is nuts for AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber
Jessica Love joins the BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart book blitz – with giveaway
Shannon Messenger raves about JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta
Tracey Neithercott adores THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by OUT OF REACH by Carrie Arcos
Katy Upperman gushes over THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
June 18, 2013
Happy Book Bday to My Sister's Reaper!
So excited to help Dorothy release her new book! I've known her along time online and have followed her journey.
My Sister's Reaper releases in print today from Month9Books!
Sixteen-year-old Zadie’s first mistake was telling the boy she liked she could bring her dead sister back to life. Her second mistake was actually doing it.
When Zadie accidentally messes with the Reaper’s Rite that should have claimed her sister Mara, things go horribly wrong. Mara isn’t the same anymore—Zadie isn’t even sure she’s completely human. To top it off, a Reaper is determined to collect Mara's soul. Now Zadie must figure out how to defeat her sister’s Reaper or let Mara die … this time for good.
Here's an excerpt to get you started....
A jumble of sounds suddenly tumbled from my lips—sounds from a language I didn’t recognize. The voice was mine, but the movements of my tongue and teeth were not. My fingers tingled, and the flames from the candles grew warmer. My blood felt electric. Still chanting, I slowly opened my eyes. My three companions stared at me. I stopped, my mouth falling silent.
For a moment, nothing happened. We simply looked at each other, waiting. A chill crept up my neck. In that instant, wind whipped through our circle, making the candles flicker wildly. There was a sound, like plastic scraping wood, and my eyes darted to the Ouija board Naomi had set aside. My body jerked, as if I’d been holding a huge mass of energy inside of me and it had suddenly escaped.
The buzzing and electric feeling were gone. I felt like I was going to throw up. What had I just done?
“It moved,” Naomi said.
“What did?” Danny asked.
“The pointer on the board.”
“No way,” Gavin said. “Where is it pointing?”
We all scrabbled over to look at the board, but the second we reached it, all the candles went out.
To help celebrate, she is doing a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author Bio
Dorothy Dreyer has always believed in magic. She loves reading, writing, movies, takeout, chocolate,
and spending time with her family and friends. Half-American and half-Filipino, Dorothy lives in Germany with her husband and two teens. Dorothy Dreyer is an author of young adult books. Her debut, MY SISTER'S REAPER, comes out June 18, 2013, from Month9Books. The sequel releases May, 2014.
Find her online!
Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/My-Sisters-Reaper-Reapers-Rite/dp/0985029498/
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Reaper-Reapers-Rite-ebook/dp/B00CW079T6
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/My-Sisters-Reaper-Dorothy-Dreyer/9780985029494
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-sisters-reaper-dorothy-dreyer/1109686823?ean=9780985029494
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597733-my-sister-s-reaper
Author Website: http://dorothydreyer.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dorothydreyer
Facebook Fanpage: http://facebook.com/AuthorDorothyDreyer
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
My Sister's Reaper releases in print today from Month9Books!
Sixteen-year-old Zadie’s first mistake was telling the boy she liked she could bring her dead sister back to life. Her second mistake was actually doing it.
When Zadie accidentally messes with the Reaper’s Rite that should have claimed her sister Mara, things go horribly wrong. Mara isn’t the same anymore—Zadie isn’t even sure she’s completely human. To top it off, a Reaper is determined to collect Mara's soul. Now Zadie must figure out how to defeat her sister’s Reaper or let Mara die … this time for good.
Here's an excerpt to get you started....
A jumble of sounds suddenly tumbled from my lips—sounds from a language I didn’t recognize. The voice was mine, but the movements of my tongue and teeth were not. My fingers tingled, and the flames from the candles grew warmer. My blood felt electric. Still chanting, I slowly opened my eyes. My three companions stared at me. I stopped, my mouth falling silent.
For a moment, nothing happened. We simply looked at each other, waiting. A chill crept up my neck. In that instant, wind whipped through our circle, making the candles flicker wildly. There was a sound, like plastic scraping wood, and my eyes darted to the Ouija board Naomi had set aside. My body jerked, as if I’d been holding a huge mass of energy inside of me and it had suddenly escaped.
The buzzing and electric feeling were gone. I felt like I was going to throw up. What had I just done?
“It moved,” Naomi said.
“What did?” Danny asked.
“The pointer on the board.”
“No way,” Gavin said. “Where is it pointing?”
We all scrabbled over to look at the board, but the second we reached it, all the candles went out.
To help celebrate, she is doing a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author Bio
Dorothy Dreyer has always believed in magic. She loves reading, writing, movies, takeout, chocolate,
and spending time with her family and friends. Half-American and half-Filipino, Dorothy lives in Germany with her husband and two teens. Dorothy Dreyer is an author of young adult books. Her debut, MY SISTER'S REAPER, comes out June 18, 2013, from Month9Books. The sequel releases May, 2014.
Find her online!
Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/My-Sisters-Reaper-Reapers-Rite/dp/0985029498/
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Reaper-Reapers-Rite-ebook/dp/B00CW079T6
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/My-Sisters-Reaper-Dorothy-Dreyer/9780985029494
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-sisters-reaper-dorothy-dreyer/1109686823?ean=9780985029494
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597733-my-sister-s-reaper
Author Website: http://dorothydreyer.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dorothydreyer
Facebook Fanpage: http://facebook.com/AuthorDorothyDreyer
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
June 13, 2013
Bookanista: Cory Doctorow’s LITTLE BROTHER and HOMELAND
With all the stuff going on in the media around Internet snooping with the government, this is a timely review.
Little Brother released in 2008, yet Homeland just released. Not sure why it took 7 years but at least there was a continuation.
Little Brother
Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.
But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.
When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.
Homeland (sequel)
A few years later, California's economy collapses, but Marcus’s hacktivist past lands him a job as webmaster for a crusading politician who promises reform. Soon his former nemesis Masha emerges from the political underground to gift him with a thumbdrive containing a Wikileaks-style cable-dump of hard evidence of corporate and governmental perfidy. It’s incendiary stuff—and if Masha goes missing, Marcus is supposed to release it to the world. Then Marcus sees Masha being kidnapped by the same government agents who detained and tortured Marcus years earlier.
Marcus can leak the archive Masha gave him—but he can’t admit to being the leaker, because that will cost his employer the election. He’s surrounded by friends who remember what he did a few years ago and regard him as a hacker hero. He can’t even attend a demonstration without being dragged onstage and handed a mike. He’s not at all sure that just dumping the archive onto the Internet, before he’s gone through its millions of words, is the right thing to do.
Meanwhile, people are beginning to shadow him, people who look like they’re used to inflicting pain until they get the answers they want.
Fast-moving, passionate, and as current as next week, Homeland is every bit the equal of Little Brother—a paean to activism, to courage, to the drive to make the world a better place.
Here are my top 10 reasons why you should read this series:
1) Gives you a pretty scary picture of the how the US could be run if terrorist threats continue and we move under martial law. Scary!
2) Learn about what people can really do on computers. The author and protagonist is knowledgeable without being too technical. Yet, I learned a lot about hacking and cyberspace in general.
3) It will make you think about what you put online. Very insightful and eye opening.
4) The seriousness of hacking - it's all fun and games until the govt gets wind of it :)
5) Marcus's voice is hilarious. In the midst of being chased I found myself laughing at how he sees the world. Love when a book can make me laugh and want to run all at once.
6) If you love Fahrenheit 451 or George Orwell books, Marcus is the Winston of modern society.
7) I love the vulnerability of the tough tech guy. You feel Marcus' pain and he isn't afraid to cry, which for this book is realistic.
8) Being so timely, this is a very realistic thriller. You feel like it could happen tomorrow.
9) The cover. I totally get the feel of a group of hackers with this cover. I love it for this subject.
10) Surprisingly this book is more about freedom than entrapment.
Bonus - surprisingly a little romance/sex :)
Check out the other Bookanista recs for the day:
Lenore Appelhans wonders at ALL YOU NEVER WANTED by Adele Griffin
Shari Arnold loves SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller
Tracy Banghart embraces IMPOSTOR by Susanne Winnacker
Nikki Katz gets the shivers for 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Stasia Ward Kehoe shares her cover for THE SOUND OF LETTING GO
Jessica Love raves about ROAD TO TATER HILL by Edith M. Hemingway
Katy Upperman celebrates THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Little Brother released in 2008, yet Homeland just released. Not sure why it took 7 years but at least there was a continuation.
Little Brother
Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.
But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.
When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.
Homeland (sequel)
A few years later, California's economy collapses, but Marcus’s hacktivist past lands him a job as webmaster for a crusading politician who promises reform. Soon his former nemesis Masha emerges from the political underground to gift him with a thumbdrive containing a Wikileaks-style cable-dump of hard evidence of corporate and governmental perfidy. It’s incendiary stuff—and if Masha goes missing, Marcus is supposed to release it to the world. Then Marcus sees Masha being kidnapped by the same government agents who detained and tortured Marcus years earlier.
Marcus can leak the archive Masha gave him—but he can’t admit to being the leaker, because that will cost his employer the election. He’s surrounded by friends who remember what he did a few years ago and regard him as a hacker hero. He can’t even attend a demonstration without being dragged onstage and handed a mike. He’s not at all sure that just dumping the archive onto the Internet, before he’s gone through its millions of words, is the right thing to do.
Meanwhile, people are beginning to shadow him, people who look like they’re used to inflicting pain until they get the answers they want.
Fast-moving, passionate, and as current as next week, Homeland is every bit the equal of Little Brother—a paean to activism, to courage, to the drive to make the world a better place.
Here are my top 10 reasons why you should read this series:
1) Gives you a pretty scary picture of the how the US could be run if terrorist threats continue and we move under martial law. Scary!
2) Learn about what people can really do on computers. The author and protagonist is knowledgeable without being too technical. Yet, I learned a lot about hacking and cyberspace in general.
3) It will make you think about what you put online. Very insightful and eye opening.
4) The seriousness of hacking - it's all fun and games until the govt gets wind of it :)
5) Marcus's voice is hilarious. In the midst of being chased I found myself laughing at how he sees the world. Love when a book can make me laugh and want to run all at once.
6) If you love Fahrenheit 451 or George Orwell books, Marcus is the Winston of modern society.
7) I love the vulnerability of the tough tech guy. You feel Marcus' pain and he isn't afraid to cry, which for this book is realistic.
8) Being so timely, this is a very realistic thriller. You feel like it could happen tomorrow.
9) The cover. I totally get the feel of a group of hackers with this cover. I love it for this subject.
10) Surprisingly this book is more about freedom than entrapment.
Bonus - surprisingly a little romance/sex :)
Check out the other Bookanista recs for the day:
Lenore Appelhans wonders at ALL YOU NEVER WANTED by Adele Griffin
Shari Arnold loves SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller
Tracy Banghart embraces IMPOSTOR by Susanne Winnacker
Nikki Katz gets the shivers for 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Stasia Ward Kehoe shares her cover for THE SOUND OF LETTING GO
Jessica Love raves about ROAD TO TATER HILL by Edith M. Hemingway
Katy Upperman celebrates THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
June 11, 2013
Marketing Mania Week over at IndieReCon.org
Come join us over on indierecon.org for our marketing mania!
The week of June 10th on this blog we will be discussing marketing.
Because marketing is one of our greatest challenges as indie authors, IndieReCon brings you a mini-marketing know-how blitz! Featuring articles and workshops from CJ Lyons, Georgia McBride, KP Simmons and Penny Sansevieri this week promises to be all kinds of awesome!
Monday, June 10th
As a pediatric ER doctor, CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart. In addition to being an award-winning New York Times Bestseller, CJ is an internationally known presenter and keynote speaker.
Join her to learn the tools you need to Build Your Brand and come away with fresh ideas for your website and tagline.
Tuesday, June 11th
Elana Johnson, independent author publicist and educator will talk to us about online marketing and how to be your own publicist.
Wednesday, June 12th
KP Simmon from InkSlinger PR--a group whose purpose is to help authors and publishers get the word out--will talk to us about reaching that ever-elusive teen market.
Thursday, June 13th
And finally, Penny Sansevieri from Author Marketing Experts will wrap up the week with wisdom gleaned from over ten years as the leader in book marketing online and off.
Friday, June 14th - Marketing Advice from Bestselling Indie Authors & a Special Giveaway Hear some out-of-box marketing ideas from authors who have tried creative marketing methods.
See you there!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
The week of June 10th on this blog we will be discussing marketing.
Because marketing is one of our greatest challenges as indie authors, IndieReCon brings you a mini-marketing know-how blitz! Featuring articles and workshops from CJ Lyons, Georgia McBride, KP Simmons and Penny Sansevieri this week promises to be all kinds of awesome!
Monday, June 10thAs a pediatric ER doctor, CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart. In addition to being an award-winning New York Times Bestseller, CJ is an internationally known presenter and keynote speaker.
Join her to learn the tools you need to Build Your Brand and come away with fresh ideas for your website and tagline.
Tuesday, June 11th
Elana Johnson, independent author publicist and educator will talk to us about online marketing and how to be your own publicist.
Wednesday, June 12th
KP Simmon from InkSlinger PR--a group whose purpose is to help authors and publishers get the word out--will talk to us about reaching that ever-elusive teen market.
Thursday, June 13th
And finally, Penny Sansevieri from Author Marketing Experts will wrap up the week with wisdom gleaned from over ten years as the leader in book marketing online and off.
Friday, June 14th - Marketing Advice from Bestselling Indie Authors & a Special Giveaway Hear some out-of-box marketing ideas from authors who have tried creative marketing methods.
See you there!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
June 7, 2013
Cover Reveal for Choke (#2 in The Breathless Novelette series)
Hi guys! :)
I have a new Breathless novelette, CHOKE, coming out Monday, June 24th that I am very excited about.
The cover was once again done by the infamous Vania over at VLCphoto. For those who don't know, Vania has done ALL of my amazing covers (and I can say that because she did them :)...and I adore her and her work!
CHOKE is the 2nd in a series of sci-fi novelettes. You can learn more about the first novelette in the series, Suffocate, if you missed it!It is a 20,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres. The book will be available on ebook only starting Monday, June 24th for only 99 cents!
The 3rd novelette in the series, EXHALE, is scheduled for Nov 2013.
=====================
When Eria escapes her home in the Biome, she uncovers more about her
features and specifications as a HumaNot. Following her father's
instructions, Eria embarks on a journey into a dangerous and unpredictable world.
Along the way, she encounters a young rebel, Dirk, who explains he's from the Anarchy, an underground human resistance rising up against the BOTs--advanced man-made robots gone wild. Together, Dirk and Eria battle underground serpents, desert dingos, sand storms, and advanced Bots that are always hot on their trail. As they become closer, Dirk reveals his hatred of machines, forcing Eria to hide
the secret of what and who she really is.
When the truth of her identity comes out, Eria is forced to become the very thing she hates the most.
====================
So here it is.....
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
I have a new Breathless novelette, CHOKE, coming out Monday, June 24th that I am very excited about.
The cover was once again done by the infamous Vania over at VLCphoto. For those who don't know, Vania has done ALL of my amazing covers (and I can say that because she did them :)...and I adore her and her work!CHOKE is the 2nd in a series of sci-fi novelettes. You can learn more about the first novelette in the series, Suffocate, if you missed it!It is a 20,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres. The book will be available on ebook only starting Monday, June 24th for only 99 cents!
The 3rd novelette in the series, EXHALE, is scheduled for Nov 2013.
=====================
When Eria escapes her home in the Biome, she uncovers more about her
features and specifications as a HumaNot. Following her father's
instructions, Eria embarks on a journey into a dangerous and unpredictable world.
Along the way, she encounters a young rebel, Dirk, who explains he's from the Anarchy, an underground human resistance rising up against the BOTs--advanced man-made robots gone wild. Together, Dirk and Eria battle underground serpents, desert dingos, sand storms, and advanced Bots that are always hot on their trail. As they become closer, Dirk reveals his hatred of machines, forcing Eria to hide
the secret of what and who she really is.
When the truth of her identity comes out, Eria is forced to become the very thing she hates the most.
====================
So here it is.....
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
June 6, 2013
Bookanista Thursday
Check out what the Bookanistas are recommending this week:
Carolina Valdez Miller celebrates 17 & GONE by Nova Ren Suma [YOU ARE HERE, so, don't click this one]
Carrie Harris awakens you to INSOMNIA by Jenn Johansson…with giveaway
Christine Fonseca praises THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson is wild for WHEN IT HAPPENS by Susane Colasanti
Debra Driza applauds FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
Elana Johson invites you to her ABANDON release par-tay!
Katy Upperman is bewitched by NANTUCKET BLUE by Leila Howland
Lenore Appelhans swoons for STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood…with an annotated snippet
Stasia Ward Kehoe is wild for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky
Tracey Neithercott highlights WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller
Tracy Banghart raves over JUMP WHEN READY by David Pandolfe
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
May 30, 2013
Bookanistas Relaunch Book Fest
The Bookanistas kicked off in July 2010 and included a group of reader-writer-bloggers. Our mission was to share our love of books as authors and as readers. ONly posting positive reviews from the YA and MG genres we loved so much.
Since then, some amazing things happened. Two Bookanistas became NYT best-sellers: Beth Revis (Across the Universe) and Veronica Roth (Divergent). Many others published novels, had babies, moved into new homes, changed jobs, got married... Life. So we faded into the background.
We've decided to kick off a new Bookanistas and relaunch our site with a BIG BOOKANISTA GIVEAWAY of signed copies of Bookanista publications, favorite books, and some fun swag.
Come and join the Bookanistas as we continue praising amazing reads! Join the fun, win some stuff, and help us ensure that READING IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The winner of the "Bookanistas Summer Fun" giveaway will receive signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…
IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson, plus ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS
LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)
MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans + swag
UNCONTROLLABLE and UNTRACEABLE by SR Johannes
And a second winner will get a box filled with Bookanista-beloved reads including:
DITCHED by Robin Mellom
JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta
TAKEN by Erin Bowman
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare
MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama
SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor
WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON (signed by John Green!) by John Green and David Levithan
To celebrate, I thought I'd list of a few beachy reads for you this summer. Since I love thrillers, it's what I do, here is my fav list.
Dead Silence By Kimberly Derting
The fourth book in the Body Finder series
Sometimes the Dead Can't Be Silenced.
Violet thought she had made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers . . . until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team she works for have no intention of letting her go.
Violet will do whatever it takes to keep her loved ones safe—even if it means lying to her boyfriend, Jay. But when an echo calls to her, she stumbles upon a murder scene unlike anything she's ever witnessed. The murders are frenzied and twisted, and the killer left a disturbing calling card for all to see—a brimstone cross sketched in blood on the wall. And Violet finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a vicious madman with an army of devoted followers.
Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.
The Program by Suzanne Young
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.
3:59 (coming early Sept but I couldn't resist!) by Gretchen McNeil
From Possess and Ten author Gretchen McNeil comes a deliciously eerie science-fiction horror story in the tradition of Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy and the movie Sliding Doors.
Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. And just when she thinks it can't get worse, she wakes to an image of herself in the bedroom mirror. Except it's not her at all—the girl in the mirror is blonder and prettier. And her name is Jo.
The two girls are doppelgängers whose universes overlap every twelve hours at 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to pass through the portal and switch places for a day.
But Jo's world is far from perfect, and the stuff of nightmares lurks around every corner. And when Josie finds herself trapped there, her life becomes more dangerous—and more deadly—than she ever imagined.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Since then, some amazing things happened. Two Bookanistas became NYT best-sellers: Beth Revis (Across the Universe) and Veronica Roth (Divergent). Many others published novels, had babies, moved into new homes, changed jobs, got married... Life. So we faded into the background.
We've decided to kick off a new Bookanistas and relaunch our site with a BIG BOOKANISTA GIVEAWAY of signed copies of Bookanista publications, favorite books, and some fun swag.
Come and join the Bookanistas as we continue praising amazing reads! Join the fun, win some stuff, and help us ensure that READING IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The winner of the "Bookanistas Summer Fun" giveaway will receive signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…
IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson, plus ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS
LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)
MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans + swag
UNCONTROLLABLE and UNTRACEABLE by SR Johannes
And a second winner will get a box filled with Bookanista-beloved reads including:
DITCHED by Robin Mellom
JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta
TAKEN by Erin Bowman
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare
MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama
SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor
WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON (signed by John Green!) by John Green and David Levithan
To celebrate, I thought I'd list of a few beachy reads for you this summer. Since I love thrillers, it's what I do, here is my fav list.
Dead Silence By Kimberly Derting
The fourth book in the Body Finder series
Sometimes the Dead Can't Be Silenced.
Violet thought she had made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers . . . until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team she works for have no intention of letting her go.
Violet will do whatever it takes to keep her loved ones safe—even if it means lying to her boyfriend, Jay. But when an echo calls to her, she stumbles upon a murder scene unlike anything she's ever witnessed. The murders are frenzied and twisted, and the killer left a disturbing calling card for all to see—a brimstone cross sketched in blood on the wall. And Violet finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a vicious madman with an army of devoted followers.
Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.
The Program by Suzanne Young
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.
3:59 (coming early Sept but I couldn't resist!) by Gretchen McNeil
From Possess and Ten author Gretchen McNeil comes a deliciously eerie science-fiction horror story in the tradition of Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy and the movie Sliding Doors.
Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. And just when she thinks it can't get worse, she wakes to an image of herself in the bedroom mirror. Except it's not her at all—the girl in the mirror is blonder and prettier. And her name is Jo.
The two girls are doppelgängers whose universes overlap every twelve hours at 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to pass through the portal and switch places for a day.
But Jo's world is far from perfect, and the stuff of nightmares lurks around every corner. And when Josie finds herself trapped there, her life becomes more dangerous—and more deadly—than she ever imagined.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
May 22, 2013
Bookanista Buzz
Check out what the other Bookanistas are recommending this week:
Stasia Ward Kehoe is mesmerized by GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers
Christine Fonseca adores DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson revels in ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sara Dessen
Katy Upperman is charmed by QUINTANA OF CHARYN by Melina Marchetta
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by TARNISH by Katherine Longshore
Lenore Appelhans loves THE ORIGINALS by Cat Patrick http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Stasia Ward Kehoe is mesmerized by GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers
Christine Fonseca adores DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson revels in ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sara Dessen
Katy Upperman is charmed by QUINTANA OF CHARYN by Melina Marchetta
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by TARNISH by Katherine Longshore
Lenore Appelhans loves THE ORIGINALS by Cat Patrick http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
May 21, 2013
A fresh start with a new agent!
I have a new agent!
Lara Perkins of Andrea Brown Literary Agency!
This is my dream agency and has been on my radar for years!! Many of my critique partners are with ABLA so I've heard such wonderful things.
I am so happy to be at another crossroads in my publishing career.
As many of you know, I have had many ups and downs in publishing over the last several years.
Got a great agent. Didn't sell my first book - boo! hiss! (though it got sooo close!)
Wrote another book. Didn't sell that either. boo! hiss! (again close, but no cigar. As my dad says, 2nd place is just the first loser :)
In the spring of 2011, my agent and I parted ways. I was back to square one.
Even though I knew the separation was the right decision, it sucked big time. I liked my agent. She worked hard and did everything right. I'd worked so hard too. At the time, I thought my career was over and didn't write for 6 months.
In the fall of 2011, I finally decided to self publish my books - it was not a strategic decision, it was simply a way for me to move on in my writing. Get my mojo back. I lost some friends over this decision, yet gained many new ones who supported me along the way (esp the Indelibles!). I had nothing to lose.
I had no idea my books would sell well. If at all. I just tried to put out the best book I could and invested in the product.
2012 became a very interesting year. It was hard, yet I had a blast. Full of tears, frustration, cheers, and some big wins.
Untraceable did great in sales, but on the other side, my beloved middle grade, On the Bright Side, sadly didn't do as well. Even with a great Publisher's Weekly Review! "Johannes kicks off the Starling series with this fresh novel about an angel's peripatetic path to earning her wings...A humorous addition to the angel story genre. "- Publisher's Weekly
Recently, I took OTBS off the market to shelf it for later- a hard personal decision but a smart business decision. And in the end as much as we don't want it to be - publishing is a business. (IE: Middle grade ebooks just don't sell well. For now.)
Since self publishing, in 18 months, I have sold approx. over 30,000 copies of my series. I've won several national awards and gained a great Kirkus Review. I've learned a lot about the business and made some wonderful indie friends. I've gained confidence and learned to swallow my pride along the way.
But this has been a very hard road. Self publishing is tough! It's a lot of work, some guessing, and about overcoming many hurdles. I have loved the challenge and plan to continue in some fashion b/c I enjoy it. But sometimes I just want to write again. Leave the business aside for a little.
Not to mention, I missed having an agent. Since then, I have still wanted that one person on my side. The one who believed in me and my writing. My career as a writer not just my books. Self publishing can be lonely and invalidating.
Yet, as I said awhile ago in a post, I want to experience both sides of publishing. This was before Hugh Howey's crazy deal and during Amanda Hocking's traditional success. No matter what some people believe, I personally think traditional publishing offers authors some things that are hard to find in self publishing. And vice versa. So I feel both sides have pros and cons. Both sides are hard. Both sides are sometimes a total crap shoot. Luck and timing is 20% of the battle.
Last year, while the Untraceable series was selling, I started writing a brand new secret series that only a few critique partners knew about. The project I've been really excited about.
Last Nov, I attended the Atlanta Writers Club conference in Atlanta as well as another conference to work the manuscript. If agents are ever in Atlanta or at a conference I'm attending, if I can, I always try to pitch or have something critiqued. The knowledge I gain in those critiques and pitches is invaluable.
Lara Perkins happened to be in Atlanta along with other great agents. I almost didn't go but some spaces opened up at the last minute. I signed up for a pitch and critique with two different agents.
To be honest, I wasn't even thinking about getting an agent at the time or a few reasons.
1) I'd given up on that dream.
2) I was planning to self publishing my new book.
3) Lara wasn't even taking on her own clients at the time. She was working as Laura Rennert's asst as well as the digital manager for ABLA. The other agent, Anita Mum, was the foreign rights agent at Kristin Nelson's agencies. So this conference was just about gaining some feedback.
4) It was ABLA and Kristin nelson agency - those are too good to be true.
But I did know those 2 agencies were on the forefront of publishing and digital publishing so I figured of all the agents, they would understand where I was coming from. And many agents don't take too positively to self publishing.
At the conference, I ended up winning Best Pitch from Lara and Best Manuscript from Anita in the AWC awards (which I almost didn't even attend!!) They both offered to see the book when it was done. I really hit it off with both of them so I figured "why not" and continued writing.
In late Jan, as I was working to finish the book, an agent I met at another conference requested a partial of my new series. Out of courtesy, I asked Lara, Anita and a couple others I had met if they wanted to read the partial too. They all did.
What I didn't know is that Lara had been recently promoted to an agent and was actively building her client list.
Within days, I had a couple offers for exclusive revisions (on a partial!). But as you may remember, I went through 3 noncontractual revisions with my tween book during the Acquisitions process (only to not sell the book) so at first, I was not too keen on this. But i decide to listen to them anyway.
I went ahead and set up a meeting with the agents and listened to their visions/ideas. I have found you just never know what will work for you in this industry unless you meet people and listen. Still unsure of traditional pubbing.
After talking with Lara, I realized not only did we click but we had the same vision of the book. Our meeting went well over the scheduled time and by the time I got off, I wanted her to rep me so bad. My husband kept telling me not to get my hopes up - after all they had been dashed so many times and I was doing fine on my own.
Lara and I set up a couple phone meetings in Feb and brainstormed the synopsis and book. She gave me her editorial notes and talked me through what worked and what didn't. We really hit it off.
A few months later (after several email exchanges and a couple calls), I sent Lara the full manuscript and she asked for a 2 week exclusive read. I was hoping she would take me on but told myself she prob. wouldn't (b/c I have not had the best luck with agents.).
I decided that it was either Lara or self publishing. This was my crossroads and this time, there was no downside for me. It was a matter of which path I was moving ahead on. I wasn't interested in querying the world and taking whoever would take me. I didn't want anyone else after working with her on the project. Of course, I didn't tell HER that :)
There were so many other small serendipitous things that connected us like : she had been to place where my book was set, she knew the history behind my character's name (which no one does), and she's a thriller geek like me (knows them all!), and she is really interested in the news on computers/hacking (my book is a hacker series).
Before the 2 weeks was up, an email popped in my inbox. She said she loved the manuscript, was 1/2 way in, and wanted to talk. I - of course - was still skeptical, afraid she was going to reject me over the phone. Which has happened to me in the past - believe it or not!
Last Monday, we spoke on the phone for 1.5 hours and she offered representation. I immediately said yes. What I love is that Lara was very supportive of my self publishing record and she knows all about digital publishing.
So I am now with my dream agency. Almost 2 years to the exact date I parted with my first agent.
Moral of the story?
Keep your chin up and know things can always change at the drop of a hat.
Keep writing and keep trying.
And, even when things seem over, maybe it's just a new beginning.
Good luck! :)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Lara Perkins of Andrea Brown Literary Agency!
This is my dream agency and has been on my radar for years!! Many of my critique partners are with ABLA so I've heard such wonderful things.
I am so happy to be at another crossroads in my publishing career.
As many of you know, I have had many ups and downs in publishing over the last several years.
Got a great agent. Didn't sell my first book - boo! hiss! (though it got sooo close!)
Wrote another book. Didn't sell that either. boo! hiss! (again close, but no cigar. As my dad says, 2nd place is just the first loser :)
In the spring of 2011, my agent and I parted ways. I was back to square one.
Even though I knew the separation was the right decision, it sucked big time. I liked my agent. She worked hard and did everything right. I'd worked so hard too. At the time, I thought my career was over and didn't write for 6 months.
In the fall of 2011, I finally decided to self publish my books - it was not a strategic decision, it was simply a way for me to move on in my writing. Get my mojo back. I lost some friends over this decision, yet gained many new ones who supported me along the way (esp the Indelibles!). I had nothing to lose.
I had no idea my books would sell well. If at all. I just tried to put out the best book I could and invested in the product.
2012 became a very interesting year. It was hard, yet I had a blast. Full of tears, frustration, cheers, and some big wins.
Untraceable did great in sales, but on the other side, my beloved middle grade, On the Bright Side, sadly didn't do as well. Even with a great Publisher's Weekly Review! "Johannes kicks off the Starling series with this fresh novel about an angel's peripatetic path to earning her wings...A humorous addition to the angel story genre. "- Publisher's Weekly
Recently, I took OTBS off the market to shelf it for later- a hard personal decision but a smart business decision. And in the end as much as we don't want it to be - publishing is a business. (IE: Middle grade ebooks just don't sell well. For now.)
Since self publishing, in 18 months, I have sold approx. over 30,000 copies of my series. I've won several national awards and gained a great Kirkus Review. I've learned a lot about the business and made some wonderful indie friends. I've gained confidence and learned to swallow my pride along the way.
But this has been a very hard road. Self publishing is tough! It's a lot of work, some guessing, and about overcoming many hurdles. I have loved the challenge and plan to continue in some fashion b/c I enjoy it. But sometimes I just want to write again. Leave the business aside for a little.
Not to mention, I missed having an agent. Since then, I have still wanted that one person on my side. The one who believed in me and my writing. My career as a writer not just my books. Self publishing can be lonely and invalidating.
Yet, as I said awhile ago in a post, I want to experience both sides of publishing. This was before Hugh Howey's crazy deal and during Amanda Hocking's traditional success. No matter what some people believe, I personally think traditional publishing offers authors some things that are hard to find in self publishing. And vice versa. So I feel both sides have pros and cons. Both sides are hard. Both sides are sometimes a total crap shoot. Luck and timing is 20% of the battle.
Last year, while the Untraceable series was selling, I started writing a brand new secret series that only a few critique partners knew about. The project I've been really excited about.
Last Nov, I attended the Atlanta Writers Club conference in Atlanta as well as another conference to work the manuscript. If agents are ever in Atlanta or at a conference I'm attending, if I can, I always try to pitch or have something critiqued. The knowledge I gain in those critiques and pitches is invaluable.
Lara Perkins happened to be in Atlanta along with other great agents. I almost didn't go but some spaces opened up at the last minute. I signed up for a pitch and critique with two different agents.
To be honest, I wasn't even thinking about getting an agent at the time or a few reasons.
1) I'd given up on that dream.
2) I was planning to self publishing my new book.
3) Lara wasn't even taking on her own clients at the time. She was working as Laura Rennert's asst as well as the digital manager for ABLA. The other agent, Anita Mum, was the foreign rights agent at Kristin Nelson's agencies. So this conference was just about gaining some feedback.
4) It was ABLA and Kristin nelson agency - those are too good to be true.
But I did know those 2 agencies were on the forefront of publishing and digital publishing so I figured of all the agents, they would understand where I was coming from. And many agents don't take too positively to self publishing.
At the conference, I ended up winning Best Pitch from Lara and Best Manuscript from Anita in the AWC awards (which I almost didn't even attend!!) They both offered to see the book when it was done. I really hit it off with both of them so I figured "why not" and continued writing.
In late Jan, as I was working to finish the book, an agent I met at another conference requested a partial of my new series. Out of courtesy, I asked Lara, Anita and a couple others I had met if they wanted to read the partial too. They all did.
What I didn't know is that Lara had been recently promoted to an agent and was actively building her client list.
Within days, I had a couple offers for exclusive revisions (on a partial!). But as you may remember, I went through 3 noncontractual revisions with my tween book during the Acquisitions process (only to not sell the book) so at first, I was not too keen on this. But i decide to listen to them anyway.
I went ahead and set up a meeting with the agents and listened to their visions/ideas. I have found you just never know what will work for you in this industry unless you meet people and listen. Still unsure of traditional pubbing.
After talking with Lara, I realized not only did we click but we had the same vision of the book. Our meeting went well over the scheduled time and by the time I got off, I wanted her to rep me so bad. My husband kept telling me not to get my hopes up - after all they had been dashed so many times and I was doing fine on my own.
Lara and I set up a couple phone meetings in Feb and brainstormed the synopsis and book. She gave me her editorial notes and talked me through what worked and what didn't. We really hit it off.
A few months later (after several email exchanges and a couple calls), I sent Lara the full manuscript and she asked for a 2 week exclusive read. I was hoping she would take me on but told myself she prob. wouldn't (b/c I have not had the best luck with agents.).
I decided that it was either Lara or self publishing. This was my crossroads and this time, there was no downside for me. It was a matter of which path I was moving ahead on. I wasn't interested in querying the world and taking whoever would take me. I didn't want anyone else after working with her on the project. Of course, I didn't tell HER that :)
There were so many other small serendipitous things that connected us like : she had been to place where my book was set, she knew the history behind my character's name (which no one does), and she's a thriller geek like me (knows them all!), and she is really interested in the news on computers/hacking (my book is a hacker series).
Before the 2 weeks was up, an email popped in my inbox. She said she loved the manuscript, was 1/2 way in, and wanted to talk. I - of course - was still skeptical, afraid she was going to reject me over the phone. Which has happened to me in the past - believe it or not!
Last Monday, we spoke on the phone for 1.5 hours and she offered representation. I immediately said yes. What I love is that Lara was very supportive of my self publishing record and she knows all about digital publishing.
So I am now with my dream agency. Almost 2 years to the exact date I parted with my first agent.
Moral of the story?
Keep your chin up and know things can always change at the drop of a hat.
Keep writing and keep trying.
And, even when things seem over, maybe it's just a new beginning.
Good luck! :)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
May 20, 2013
Bookanistas - better late than never
I forgot to post these last Thursday!
Lenore Appelhans is blown away by REBOOT by Amy Tintera
Carrie Harris adores BEYOND DINOCALYPSE by Chuck Wendig -- with giveaway!
Tracy Banghart & Debra Driza join THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca book blitz!
Corrine Jackson is stunned by BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Nikki Katz wonders at THE GRAVE WINNER by Lindsey Loucks
Gretchen McNeil talks TRUTH OR DARE by Jacqueline Green
Elana Johson admires INSOMNIA by Jenn Johannson
Tracey Neithercott celebrates THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS by Jacqueline Moriarty
Katy Upperman fawns over FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta
Rebecca Behrens is wowed by THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Lenore Appelhans is blown away by REBOOT by Amy Tintera
Carrie Harris adores BEYOND DINOCALYPSE by Chuck Wendig -- with giveaway!
Tracy Banghart & Debra Driza join THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca book blitz!
Corrine Jackson is stunned by BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Nikki Katz wonders at THE GRAVE WINNER by Lindsey Loucks
Gretchen McNeil talks TRUTH OR DARE by Jacqueline Green
Elana Johson admires INSOMNIA by Jenn Johannson
Tracey Neithercott celebrates THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS by Jacqueline Moriarty
Katy Upperman fawns over FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta
Rebecca Behrens is wowed by THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
