Jessica Therrien's Blog, page 28
April 16, 2012
The Buzz: Hunger Games Movie Survey

Also, now that the Hunger Games is making its way through the movie world, what do you think is the next Big Thing in YA? For me it's a toss up between Divergent and Blood Red Road (as I'm sure you all know by now).
What YA Buzz are you excited about lately?<p>Loading...</p>
Published on April 16, 2012 07:39
April 6, 2012
GIVEAWAY-Oppression (Children of the Gods #1)
I know I've been off the map lately. There are two reasons I'm staying quiet. The first...something exciting is happening in book world, and I'm trying really really hard not to spill the beans before it's official. GAH! I've already said too much...don't go crazy and think they're making a movie...it's not that (yet!). Second, I've been editing and writing like a maniac to get Book 2 ready for you guys, which leaves little time for social networking and blogging *sad face* If I had a super power, these days I would want Ms. Stanzic's ability to stop time...then I could do EVERYTHING! Wouldn't that be nice...
Okay, so on with why you are here. THE GIVEAWAY!! I've felt sort of guilty lately for not giving Oppression the proper attention. It came out just over a month ago, and I feel like I've already abandoned it for Book 2...so strange how I feel guilty about things like that...Anyway, good luck with the giveaway!
GIVEAWAY INFO
Notebook, book marks, signed copy of Oppression, poster, the mixed CD William gives Elyse of their songs, copies of my original manuscript pages before the content edits (secret scenes, plot differences, plenty of mistakes and edit notes).To win all of the prizes in the photo above, post a review of Oppression on Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com. Email me a copy of the review at therrien.jessica@gmail.com. Each review will count as one entry (if you post a review on both Amazon and B&N that will count as two entries). All reviews must be posted by April 30, 2012 to qualify for the giveaway.
If you have already posted a review, those count as well! Just email me the review to be entered to win.
If you would like to help me spread the word about this giveaway, post it on your blog and send the link to therrien.jessica@gmail.com. I'll send everyone who posts it on their blog an autographed book mark for being so awesomesauce :)
Thanks blogger friends!!!
Okay, so on with why you are here. THE GIVEAWAY!! I've felt sort of guilty lately for not giving Oppression the proper attention. It came out just over a month ago, and I feel like I've already abandoned it for Book 2...so strange how I feel guilty about things like that...Anyway, good luck with the giveaway!
GIVEAWAY INFO

If you have already posted a review, those count as well! Just email me the review to be entered to win.
If you would like to help me spread the word about this giveaway, post it on your blog and send the link to therrien.jessica@gmail.com. I'll send everyone who posts it on their blog an autographed book mark for being so awesomesauce :)
Thanks blogger friends!!!
Published on April 06, 2012 13:17
April 2, 2012
The Buzz: Breaking Dawn 2 Teaser Trailer
Hey guys, gotta make this a quick one :) I'm in writing world...writing, editing, not blinking, turning into a computer zombie...
Enjoy!
What YA book or movie buzz has you excited these days?
Enjoy!
What YA book or movie buzz has you excited these days?
Published on April 02, 2012 17:31
March 28, 2012
Writing World: Books in Barnes & Noble
Today I wanted to clear up one of the biggest misconceptions in publishing. Not all published novels make it into bookstores. I know this thought may seem strange at first, after all, isn't that the reason you publish a book in the first place?
Think about it though. Can you imagine how big a Barnes & Noble would have to be to house every single book ever written by anyone? Costco sized at least. I don't know why I never thought of this when I set out to publish a book, but it makes sense. Barnes & Noble is selective with which books are chosen to sit on their shelves. Just because your book is in print and available to order through Barnesandnoble.com doesn't mean they'll choose it to be in their stores.
Of course there are some guarantees. If you're published by the big six in New York, you can pretty much bet your book will have a home in Barnes & Noble, but what about the rest of us? If you're published by a mid-sized house, a small press, self-published, etc. there is a lot more competition for that left over space on the shelves.
One of the first things people said after Oppression was published was, "Oh I can't wait to go get it at Barnes & Noble!" I'd have to explain that there was no guarantee it would be there. Of course people would be able to order it to the store if they wanted, but in terms of walking in and seeing it already displayed, that was something I couldn't promise.
After discovering how things worked, I wasn't really expecting to see Oppression in stores, but a month after its release, I walked into a local B&N and there it was, staring back at me. It had fought its way there and squeezed its beautiful book body between two others, amongst the big names in YA. Not just one, but five copies sat proudly on the second level facing out for the world to see.It was a great feeling to know that Oppression made the cut, at least for that store (and four others here in San Diego).Thanks Barnes & Noble, and thanks to everyone who has supported me and spread the word about my book! It's because of you that it has been so successful J
Think about it though. Can you imagine how big a Barnes & Noble would have to be to house every single book ever written by anyone? Costco sized at least. I don't know why I never thought of this when I set out to publish a book, but it makes sense. Barnes & Noble is selective with which books are chosen to sit on their shelves. Just because your book is in print and available to order through Barnesandnoble.com doesn't mean they'll choose it to be in their stores.

One of the first things people said after Oppression was published was, "Oh I can't wait to go get it at Barnes & Noble!" I'd have to explain that there was no guarantee it would be there. Of course people would be able to order it to the store if they wanted, but in terms of walking in and seeing it already displayed, that was something I couldn't promise.
After discovering how things worked, I wasn't really expecting to see Oppression in stores, but a month after its release, I walked into a local B&N and there it was, staring back at me. It had fought its way there and squeezed its beautiful book body between two others, amongst the big names in YA. Not just one, but five copies sat proudly on the second level facing out for the world to see.It was a great feeling to know that Oppression made the cut, at least for that store (and four others here in San Diego).Thanks Barnes & Noble, and thanks to everyone who has supported me and spread the word about my book! It's because of you that it has been so successful J
Published on March 28, 2012 10:36
March 26, 2012
The Buzz: Author Friends & The Host Teaser Trailer
YAY! I'm so excited to start posting The Buzz again! I've missed my Monday posts. They're always my favorite. Okay, so today I wanted to feature three books written by some of my author friends. Their books have been all over the internet lately, so I'm sure you've already heard of them, but if you haven't, then I'm glad you stopped by!
The first is CassaFire (Sequel to CassaStar) by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Alex just took his book on tour all over the blogosphere. It was a very awesome and successful blog tour that I'm sure you all participated in or read about.
Here's a little more about the book...
CassaStar was only the beginning…
The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron's days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it's a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.
The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren's civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan's technology and strange mental abilities.
To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves, the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron's unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…
Purchase here: Barnes and Noble Nook Amazon Kindle
Find it on Goodreads
Second is Midnight at Moonglow's by K.C. Sherwood. If you haven't heard of this book you should definitely check it out. I know "K" personally, and she is such a sweetie. Her book recently won honorable mention at the LA Book Fest. YAY "K"!!
Life has always been a little lonely for twelve-year-old Casey Parker, an obsessive reader who makes up for her lack of friends with her books. The only attention she gets in school is unwanted, given a bit too enthusiastically by the school bully. But, when Casey 's great uncle Walter moves back to town and takes over a mysterious little bookshop called Moonglow s, things begin to get interesting.He gives her an old iron key and tells her to come back to read at night when the moonlight is shining in, because something truly magical happens. But there are three rules she must follow: the books must remain in the shop at night, she must keep the key with her at all times, and, above all, she must be out by midnight.She discovers that she can physically enter the story of any book she reads. But, if she 's not out by midnight, or if she forgets her key, she will be trapped inside the book forever. Casey spends the summer between grammar school and junior high leaping into different stories and learning about herself in the process. As the first day of junior high approaches, Casey knows she will have to face the bully again; disappearing into her favorite novel forever is beginning to sound like a great idea.Purchase here:
Barnes and Noble
Nook
Amazon
Kindle
Find it on Goodreads
Last but not least is Visions (The Holly Nather Trilogy, #1) by Sara Daniell. The Holly Nather Trilogy Blog Tour is going on right now, so make sure you stop by Sara's blog to take part in all the fun :)
"Every guy I seem to date ends up resembling the reeking material that janitors and plumbers both deal with on a daily basis. You get my metaphor. In summary, it is safe to say that my dating life really, really sucks." -- Holly
It is Holly's first year in college and the most exciting thing in her life is her classes. She doesn't have any luck with dating and doesn't have many friends.
Her life is terribly boring until she receives a text message from a unknown person. Life as Holly knows it will forever change by responding to that one single text. She isn't too thrilled but will soon find herself falling in love with a complete stranger from another world.
Purchase here: Nook Kindle
Find it on Goodreads
Thanks for supporting my fellow authors :) Now here is a special little treat!!
The first is CassaFire (Sequel to CassaStar) by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Alex just took his book on tour all over the blogosphere. It was a very awesome and successful blog tour that I'm sure you all participated in or read about.
Here's a little more about the book...

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron's days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it's a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.
The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren's civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan's technology and strange mental abilities.
To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves, the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron's unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…
Purchase here: Barnes and Noble Nook Amazon Kindle
Find it on Goodreads
Second is Midnight at Moonglow's by K.C. Sherwood. If you haven't heard of this book you should definitely check it out. I know "K" personally, and she is such a sweetie. Her book recently won honorable mention at the LA Book Fest. YAY "K"!!

Find it on Goodreads
Last but not least is Visions (The Holly Nather Trilogy, #1) by Sara Daniell. The Holly Nather Trilogy Blog Tour is going on right now, so make sure you stop by Sara's blog to take part in all the fun :)

It is Holly's first year in college and the most exciting thing in her life is her classes. She doesn't have any luck with dating and doesn't have many friends.
Her life is terribly boring until she receives a text message from a unknown person. Life as Holly knows it will forever change by responding to that one single text. She isn't too thrilled but will soon find herself falling in love with a complete stranger from another world.
Purchase here: Nook Kindle
Find it on Goodreads
Thanks for supporting my fellow authors :) Now here is a special little treat!!

Published on March 26, 2012 09:32
March 24, 2012
Wait. Is that my book? Found Oppression in B&N!
I normally don't post on Saturdays, but I just HAD to show you guys! I went out to see the Hunger Games movie (so awesome by the way) and stopped by Barnes and Noble to kill some time. I tend to gravitate toward the YA section, obviously... Well, lookie what I stumbled across. I know you're all probably thinking, well hello...what do you think happens when you get your book published? BUT it's more complicated than that. I'll go into more detail on Wednesday (going to post about books & Barnes & Noble). It is the WEIRDEST thing seeing my book on the shelves where I go to peruse the latest and greatest...what a thrill. I'm floating. Someone better pull me down...I'm like Mary Poppins up here :)

Published on March 24, 2012 17:17
March 23, 2012
Live.Laugh.Love...Zany Wedding Photos
The blog tour was fabulous, but I guess it's time to get back to my regular blog schedule. After all that craziness, I need a fun Friday anyway...
For those who don't know, I got married on July 4, 2011. I've since been hording the official wedding pics. I'm not sure why, just busy I guess. There are WAY too many to post, so I'm just going to share the fun ones from the Zany Photo Booth (photography by Jillian Bisinger). Enjoy!!
For those who don't know, I got married on July 4, 2011. I've since been hording the official wedding pics. I'm not sure why, just busy I guess. There are WAY too many to post, so I'm just going to share the fun ones from the Zany Photo Booth (photography by Jillian Bisinger). Enjoy!!






























Published on March 23, 2012 08:07
March 21, 2012
Writing World: WonderCon Recap (Video Blog 2)



















Published on March 21, 2012 17:51
March 19, 2012
Blog Tour Winners...and Bloopers
Hi blogger friends! I realize I owe you a recap of WonderCon with pics, and that is coming soon :) In the meantime, I need to announce the winners of my blog tour prizes.
First, thanks so much to everyone who participated, commented, and/or helped me get the word out about Oppression. It is still the #5 best-selling teen Nook book right behind the Hunger Games trilogy! Woohoo! I really appreciate all of your support.
Now for the winner of a signed copy of Oppression, an Oppression Notebook, and an Oppression poster...
MIMI VALENTINE
YAY! Congrats Mimi :) I'll be sending your prizes soon!!
....but wait, there is one more winner...
The winner of the $.99 promotion for a signed copy of Oppression is Lisa K.
Congrats Lisa :) I'll be sending the book your way shortly! Thanks for purchasing the e-book and entering to win.
Click on the post header to view the rafflecopter widget and bloopers if they are not showing up.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.
BLOG TOUR BLOOPERS
As you may know, my best friends and I recorded a video for the Virtual Launch Party. What you may not know is that it was 4:00am when we recorded it...we were just a little tired...
The final version...dance party!!
First, thanks so much to everyone who participated, commented, and/or helped me get the word out about Oppression. It is still the #5 best-selling teen Nook book right behind the Hunger Games trilogy! Woohoo! I really appreciate all of your support.
Now for the winner of a signed copy of Oppression, an Oppression Notebook, and an Oppression poster...



YAY! Congrats Mimi :) I'll be sending your prizes soon!!
....but wait, there is one more winner...
The winner of the $.99 promotion for a signed copy of Oppression is Lisa K.
Congrats Lisa :) I'll be sending the book your way shortly! Thanks for purchasing the e-book and entering to win.
Click on the post header to view the rafflecopter widget and bloopers if they are not showing up.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.
BLOG TOUR BLOOPERS

As you may know, my best friends and I recorded a video for the Virtual Launch Party. What you may not know is that it was 4:00am when we recorded it...we were just a little tired...
The final version...dance party!!
Published on March 19, 2012 09:44
March 16, 2012
GUARDIAN Blog Tour - Interview with Rachel Morgan
Hi blogger friends!
Today I'm so happy to be taking part in the blog tour for GUARDIAN by Rachel Morgan :) Here's a little more about it!
1. Receive assignment.
2. Save a life.
3. Sleep.
4. Repeat.
Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn't even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.
The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it'll take all Vi's training to get them out alive.
Now for the interview....
1. First of all, where are you from?
I live in South Africa. I spent my university days in Cape Town, but now I'm back in Durban.
2. What is a random fact about you that most people don't know?
Hmm... Let's see. Most of my online friends don't know that while I was doing my degree I was planning to become a genetic counsellor. It was a big switch to writer and teacher!
3. What genre is Guardian?
Young adult paranormal fantasy with a definite romance element (I adore a good love story!).
4. Who is publishing it? Are you self-publishing? If so, why?
I am! So yes, self-publishing. Now is the time to be e-publishing, and I've been keen for a while to try it out. I think it's a publishing model that will work well for a series of novelettes, as a novelette (a piece of writing generally less than 17,500 words) isn't really long enough to be printed. Also, I've always been a do-it-yourself kinda gal (as well as a control freak!), so being able to control so many different aspects of publishing this series is something that really appeals to me.
5. Who designed the cover?
I did! I purchased a royalty-free image, Googled "how to" tutorials for Photoshop, and used some other simple programs (note: Photoshop is not simple!). There's no way I'd ever call myself a designer, but I'm very happy with the way Guardian's cover turned out :-) (If you want more details on how I did the cover, you can check out the guest post I did at In Time... on March 12th)
6. When and why did you begin writing?
Officially (with the intent to actually reach the end of a novel and have it published) I began writing in 2009, after I decided that a Masters in Biochemistry was not for me! It was time to get all those stories out of my head and onto a page!
7. What books have influenced your life most?
When I first learnt how to read I discovered Enid Blyton's Famous Five. I got through as many of her books as were available to me! That gave me a love of adventure stories. In high school I discovered Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, which completely wowed me. I've been in love with fantasy ever since. Soon after that came Harry Potter. Need I say more?! I discovered foreshadowing, intricate storylines, complex characters and a love for series. I also need to include Twilight on this list, because it was after reading that book that I decided, "You know what? If someone else can do it, so can I!" And thus my 'real' writing began.
8. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
If I think of self-published authors I've recently discovered then I'd have to say Susan Kaye Quinn. Her book Open Minds had top-quality writing as well as being an excellent story.
9. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My principal at school. I was going to quit teaching because it left zero time for writing, but she didn't want me to leave so she offered me a part-time position instead that allowed me to have time in the day for writing and writing-related work. It's been great! She calls herself my cheerleader :-)
Thanks Rachel!
Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in
a fantasy land of her own making. These days, in between teaching mathematics to high school children, she writes fiction for young adults.
Buy Links Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords
The Creepy Hollow SeriesWebsite | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer
Author InfoBlog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+
Today I'm so happy to be taking part in the blog tour for GUARDIAN by Rachel Morgan :) Here's a little more about it!

2. Save a life.
3. Sleep.
4. Repeat.
Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn't even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.
The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it'll take all Vi's training to get them out alive.
Now for the interview....

I live in South Africa. I spent my university days in Cape Town, but now I'm back in Durban.
2. What is a random fact about you that most people don't know?
Hmm... Let's see. Most of my online friends don't know that while I was doing my degree I was planning to become a genetic counsellor. It was a big switch to writer and teacher!
3. What genre is Guardian?
Young adult paranormal fantasy with a definite romance element (I adore a good love story!).
4. Who is publishing it? Are you self-publishing? If so, why?
I am! So yes, self-publishing. Now is the time to be e-publishing, and I've been keen for a while to try it out. I think it's a publishing model that will work well for a series of novelettes, as a novelette (a piece of writing generally less than 17,500 words) isn't really long enough to be printed. Also, I've always been a do-it-yourself kinda gal (as well as a control freak!), so being able to control so many different aspects of publishing this series is something that really appeals to me.
5. Who designed the cover?
I did! I purchased a royalty-free image, Googled "how to" tutorials for Photoshop, and used some other simple programs (note: Photoshop is not simple!). There's no way I'd ever call myself a designer, but I'm very happy with the way Guardian's cover turned out :-) (If you want more details on how I did the cover, you can check out the guest post I did at In Time... on March 12th)
6. When and why did you begin writing?
Officially (with the intent to actually reach the end of a novel and have it published) I began writing in 2009, after I decided that a Masters in Biochemistry was not for me! It was time to get all those stories out of my head and onto a page!
7. What books have influenced your life most?
When I first learnt how to read I discovered Enid Blyton's Famous Five. I got through as many of her books as were available to me! That gave me a love of adventure stories. In high school I discovered Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, which completely wowed me. I've been in love with fantasy ever since. Soon after that came Harry Potter. Need I say more?! I discovered foreshadowing, intricate storylines, complex characters and a love for series. I also need to include Twilight on this list, because it was after reading that book that I decided, "You know what? If someone else can do it, so can I!" And thus my 'real' writing began.
8. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
If I think of self-published authors I've recently discovered then I'd have to say Susan Kaye Quinn. Her book Open Minds had top-quality writing as well as being an excellent story.
9. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My principal at school. I was going to quit teaching because it left zero time for writing, but she didn't want me to leave so she offered me a part-time position instead that allowed me to have time in the day for writing and writing-related work. It's been great! She calls herself my cheerleader :-)
Thanks Rachel!

a fantasy land of her own making. These days, in between teaching mathematics to high school children, she writes fiction for young adults.
Buy Links Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords
The Creepy Hollow SeriesWebsite | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer
Author InfoBlog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+
Published on March 16, 2012 22:13