Jodé Millman's Blog, page 8
October 28, 2022
MYSTERIOUS BOOKSHOP APPEARANCE
Please join me in conversation with the amazing Suzanne Chazin on Thursday, November 3rd at 6 p.m. at the Mysterious Bookshop, Warren St, New York, NY. We'll talk all things Queen City Crime!
Hope to see you there!The Midnight Call
Hope to see you there!The Midnight Call
October 22, 2022
My Latest Booktrib Review & Interview with Veronica Roth!
Number One bestselling author, Veronica Roth, returns with another haunting dystopian tale in “Poster Girl.” Set in a future society shaken by governmental upheaval, protagonist Sonya Kantor is imprisoned in the Aperture, a facility for political dissenters of the former regime, the Delegation. Her crime is that over a decade ago, she was the face of the Delegation. Depicted as their teenage “poster girl” on propaganda posters, her likeness was plastered everywhere in the land. Sonya’s family was killed in the uprising, and now she lives a sad, lonely existence inside the Aperture, subsisting on performing odd jobs for the other inmates. Yet, Sonya has a face no one can forget, and a past she cannot escape.
In captivity, Sonya experiences soul-crushing deprivation, and she is resigned to living out her dreary life inside the Aperture. Then one day, Alexander, an old friend who represents the new regime, the Triumvirate, presents her with a proposition. He offers her freedom. To earn her liberty, she must work for the Triumvirate and locate a missing child.
Sonya questions the Triumvirate’s true intentions in sending her on this fool’s errand to find a girl named Grace Ward. The Triumvirate hasn’t been able to locate Grace, and Sonya doubts her ability to succeed in the task. However, she cannot resist the challenge, and embarks on a dangerous journey, full of twists and turns. They give her a daily pass to leave the Aperture, and along the way Sonya past and present collide as she uncovers dark political and family secrets.
Under the regime of the Delegation, they had issued each person an ocular implant, the Insight, which fed them information, music, and entertainment. The Insight also monitored the citizens, enforcing a rigid moral code by rewarding and punishing people based upon their activities. In the Triumvirate, everyone, except the prisoners, has had their Insight dismantled, and Sonya’s implant draws even more attention to her as she navigates a post-Delegation society to solve the puzzle of Grace’s disappearance. Along the way, Sonya encounters notorious criminals, resistance fighters, former friends, and henchmen of the old and new regimes who threaten her life. While each presents a stumbling block to attaining her goal, like chess pieces, they move her closer to capturing the King. But whom can she trust?
Once again, Roth embeds the reader in a future society in ruin; this time it is Seattle. Sonya quickly discovers that the Triumvirate’s widespread corruptions surpass those of the Delegation, and they are feeding their citizens lies, which threaten the freedoms they fought to achieve during the war. “Poster Girl” reminded me of the Who’s anthem, “We Get Fooled Again,” where the new boss is the same as the old boss.
In “Poster Girl,” Roth examines the themes of betrayal, familial relationships, the impact of technology on our daily lives, and the government’s control over our existence, especially the right to procreate and personal choice. Sonya was raised in a world of the one child rule, and interestingly, she and Grace are both second, perhaps illegal, children. There is more to Sonya’s own heritage than she has been told by her parents, and was too young to observe. Will her discoveries shattered her long-held beliefs or reinforce them?
In “Poster Girl,” Roth has created Sonya Kantor as a reluctant, yet strong, hero, and readers will root for her as she encounters the obstacles to her freedom. Her awakening is often profound, and one that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. In our present political climate, “Poster Girl” will resonate with readers long after the final page. Bravo, Veronica Roth, for another sharp, mesmerizing tale!
A Quartet of questions for Veronica Roth
Can you tell us what inspired you to create your protagonist, Sonya Kantor?
She came together when I thought about her as a guilty person instead of an innocent. A lot of the heroes I’ve written about before were true hero figures. They might have flaws, but they wanted to achieve something good in the world. Sonya’s motivations are hidden from us, and that was what made her interesting to me. She’s untangling something in her mind.
In “Poster Girl,” you shift from the setting of Chicago to Seattle in a time after a government revolution, which results in our hero, Sonya, sentenced into the Aperture. What draws you to write about cities in ruin?
You can only destroy Chicago so many times! The reason I chose Seattle was because of its geography. It’s right up against a national forest, which was crucial to the plot, and every time I pictured a scene, it was raining. Also, I wrote the novel during the pandemic, so I couldn’t travel to Seattle for research as I normally would, so I had to rely on my memory, and I’d been there a few times.
In your novels, the theme of government control over citizens seems pervasive. Why is this a common thread?
I think it’s important to keep an eye on your government and be engaged civically. You should be aware of what the government is doing and what they are capable of doing. Part of this came from the time my husband and I spent in Romania for his various projects. One idea that factored into the writing of “Poster Girl” was when Ceausescu fell, government documents were released to the public and everything was made available. You could find out who had tattled on you, like your neighbors, friends, and family members. The citizens had to find ways to reconcile this after that happened. Some of my wariness with government comes from talking to people in Romania about how their government turned on them, and being aware that can happen. Being vigilant is how we stop it from happening. Also, I wanted to explore the question of how you would find it in your heart to forgive your neighbor for participating in this harmful system. In “Poster Girl,” I’m exploring how do we can work together after a personal upheaval.
I’m a mystery writer and I have a tendency to see mysteries in most novels. But at the heart of “Poster Girl,” the inciting incident is a mystery — Sonya’s search for a missing girl. Can you discuss your experience with this genre?
I have tremendous admiration for people who write mysteries all the time. In “Poster Girl,” Sonya has to find a missing child, so the structure of the book had to be a mystery. I’d never written one before and I found it tremendously challenging, but really fun. In writing a mystery, you have to know more than the reader knows, so you have to be smarter than yourself. You have to figure out the plot before you can write it. It was great fun and I hope to do it again.
Poster Girl
In captivity, Sonya experiences soul-crushing deprivation, and she is resigned to living out her dreary life inside the Aperture. Then one day, Alexander, an old friend who represents the new regime, the Triumvirate, presents her with a proposition. He offers her freedom. To earn her liberty, she must work for the Triumvirate and locate a missing child.
Sonya questions the Triumvirate’s true intentions in sending her on this fool’s errand to find a girl named Grace Ward. The Triumvirate hasn’t been able to locate Grace, and Sonya doubts her ability to succeed in the task. However, she cannot resist the challenge, and embarks on a dangerous journey, full of twists and turns. They give her a daily pass to leave the Aperture, and along the way Sonya past and present collide as she uncovers dark political and family secrets.
Under the regime of the Delegation, they had issued each person an ocular implant, the Insight, which fed them information, music, and entertainment. The Insight also monitored the citizens, enforcing a rigid moral code by rewarding and punishing people based upon their activities. In the Triumvirate, everyone, except the prisoners, has had their Insight dismantled, and Sonya’s implant draws even more attention to her as she navigates a post-Delegation society to solve the puzzle of Grace’s disappearance. Along the way, Sonya encounters notorious criminals, resistance fighters, former friends, and henchmen of the old and new regimes who threaten her life. While each presents a stumbling block to attaining her goal, like chess pieces, they move her closer to capturing the King. But whom can she trust?
Once again, Roth embeds the reader in a future society in ruin; this time it is Seattle. Sonya quickly discovers that the Triumvirate’s widespread corruptions surpass those of the Delegation, and they are feeding their citizens lies, which threaten the freedoms they fought to achieve during the war. “Poster Girl” reminded me of the Who’s anthem, “We Get Fooled Again,” where the new boss is the same as the old boss.
In “Poster Girl,” Roth examines the themes of betrayal, familial relationships, the impact of technology on our daily lives, and the government’s control over our existence, especially the right to procreate and personal choice. Sonya was raised in a world of the one child rule, and interestingly, she and Grace are both second, perhaps illegal, children. There is more to Sonya’s own heritage than she has been told by her parents, and was too young to observe. Will her discoveries shattered her long-held beliefs or reinforce them?
In “Poster Girl,” Roth has created Sonya Kantor as a reluctant, yet strong, hero, and readers will root for her as she encounters the obstacles to her freedom. Her awakening is often profound, and one that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. In our present political climate, “Poster Girl” will resonate with readers long after the final page. Bravo, Veronica Roth, for another sharp, mesmerizing tale!
A Quartet of questions for Veronica Roth
Can you tell us what inspired you to create your protagonist, Sonya Kantor?
She came together when I thought about her as a guilty person instead of an innocent. A lot of the heroes I’ve written about before were true hero figures. They might have flaws, but they wanted to achieve something good in the world. Sonya’s motivations are hidden from us, and that was what made her interesting to me. She’s untangling something in her mind.
In “Poster Girl,” you shift from the setting of Chicago to Seattle in a time after a government revolution, which results in our hero, Sonya, sentenced into the Aperture. What draws you to write about cities in ruin?
You can only destroy Chicago so many times! The reason I chose Seattle was because of its geography. It’s right up against a national forest, which was crucial to the plot, and every time I pictured a scene, it was raining. Also, I wrote the novel during the pandemic, so I couldn’t travel to Seattle for research as I normally would, so I had to rely on my memory, and I’d been there a few times.
In your novels, the theme of government control over citizens seems pervasive. Why is this a common thread?
I think it’s important to keep an eye on your government and be engaged civically. You should be aware of what the government is doing and what they are capable of doing. Part of this came from the time my husband and I spent in Romania for his various projects. One idea that factored into the writing of “Poster Girl” was when Ceausescu fell, government documents were released to the public and everything was made available. You could find out who had tattled on you, like your neighbors, friends, and family members. The citizens had to find ways to reconcile this after that happened. Some of my wariness with government comes from talking to people in Romania about how their government turned on them, and being aware that can happen. Being vigilant is how we stop it from happening. Also, I wanted to explore the question of how you would find it in your heart to forgive your neighbor for participating in this harmful system. In “Poster Girl,” I’m exploring how do we can work together after a personal upheaval.
I’m a mystery writer and I have a tendency to see mysteries in most novels. But at the heart of “Poster Girl,” the inciting incident is a mystery — Sonya’s search for a missing girl. Can you discuss your experience with this genre?
I have tremendous admiration for people who write mysteries all the time. In “Poster Girl,” Sonya has to find a missing child, so the structure of the book had to be a mystery. I’d never written one before and I found it tremendously challenging, but really fun. In writing a mystery, you have to know more than the reader knows, so you have to be smarter than yourself. You have to figure out the plot before you can write it. It was great fun and I hope to do it again.
Poster Girl
October 17, 2022
Join me for a FB Live Event
Please join me on October 20th at 7 pm for a FB live event, with my special guest, Kevin Halim of the amazing Kellys Bakery in Poughkeepsie NY. We'll celebrate International Chef's Day and talk "JUST DESSERTS" and celebrate the release of THE MIDNIGHT CALL. Hope to see you on October 20th at 7pm for a special FB Live event...Chat, Fun & Prizes!The Midnight CallThe Midnight Call
October 11, 2022
Today Is Release Day!
I'm excited to announce that Level Best Books had released the second edition of THE MIDNIGHT CALL and its available wherever books are sold.
Please stay tuned for the announcement about a special Facebook Live event on October 20th!
Thanks again to the wonderful readers who support writers like me!
Happy Reading!The Midnight CallThe Midnight Call
Please stay tuned for the announcement about a special Facebook Live event on October 20th!
Thanks again to the wonderful readers who support writers like me!
Happy Reading!The Midnight CallThe Midnight Call
October 4, 2022
ONE WEEK UNTIL THE RELEASE OF THE MIDNIGHT CALL
Only one week until the re-release of my award-winning legal thriller, THE MIDNIGHT CALL. It's available on Amazon for presale or visit LibraryThing.com to win a copy as an Early Reader.
If you enjoyed HOOKER AVENUE, you'll love the "prequel"!
Thanks for your support and visit my website for further details about my book tour. www.jodemillman.com
If you enjoyed HOOKER AVENUE, you'll love the "prequel"!
Thanks for your support and visit my website for further details about my book tour. www.jodemillman.com
September 9, 2022
Attention Writers!
The Albany Book Festival is presenting my
WRITERS LAW SCHOOL on Monday, September 12th at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Learn about Copyrights, Trademarks, and Publishing Law in a fun and entertaining way! Here's the link to register and I hope to see all writers there.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-writ...
WRITERS LAW SCHOOL on Monday, September 12th at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Learn about Copyrights, Trademarks, and Publishing Law in a fun and entertaining way! Here's the link to register and I hope to see all writers there.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-writ...
September 8, 2022
HOOKER AVENUE - AMERICAN FICTION FINALIST
I'm excited to announce that HOOKER AVENUE was awarded as a Finalist in the 2022 American Fiction Awards! Now in their sixth year, “The 2022 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. Our success begins with the enthusiastic participation of authors and publishers and continues with our distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”
September 6, 2022
My Fall Newsletter is available! Where did the Summer go?
Hey there, Goodreads friends. My latest newsletter- Where did the Summer go! is available. Here's the link and read on :
https://mailchi.mp/9cdd6e44ce9b/where...
https://mailchi.mp/9cdd6e44ce9b/where...
August 10, 2022
Hey UPSTATE NEW YORKERS!
Hooker AvenueHooker Avenue
Join me at my alma mater, Syracuse University College of Law, on September 24th from 9-10 a.m. I'll be appear ing at the SU College of Law "Meet the Authors Event." to discuss my latest thriller, HOOKER AVENUE. Register at https://linkd.in/gPz4upfD
Hope to see you at SU!
Join me at my alma mater, Syracuse University College of Law, on September 24th from 9-10 a.m. I'll be appear ing at the SU College of Law "Meet the Authors Event." to discuss my latest thriller, HOOKER AVENUE. Register at https://linkd.in/gPz4upfDHope to see you at SU!
June 9, 2022
Oblong Books Virtual Book Launch
Join me in conversation with Bestselling Author Alison Gaylin as we virtually celebrate the “official” launch of my new thriller, HOOKER AVENUE on June 14th at 7 pm at Oblong Books. Order signed copies at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck, NY.
Register for the event at: https://www.oblongbooks.com/event/vir...
Hope you can join us!
Register for the event at: https://www.oblongbooks.com/event/vir...
Hope you can join us!
