Sara Raasch's Blog, page 483
April 10, 2014
Twitter / seesarawrite: Want to see me cry? Of course ...
See me cry. Win an ARC of SLA.
WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT??
Hi! I'm curious about whether you think the current New Adult trend has made it into Sci-fi/Fantasy publishing. If so, what form does it take? Where have you seen it? How would you say it differs from YA Sci-fi/Fantasy? Thanks!
Lori M. Lee: Soooort of? lol. I will attempt to answer this as well so you get more than one opinion, but please see below for a special guest answer from the fantabulous Jamie Grey, YA/NA author of Ultraviolet Catastrophe and The Star Thief.
As far as traditional publishing goes, NA hasn’t really taken hold in other genres. A quick glance at the NA book deals in the last year indicate all of them except a few are contemporary, and more than half of those deals contemporary or otherwise are for established authors (rather than debut authors). The good news is that publishers are opening up to New Adult. The bad news is that I think publishers are still wary of taking too big a chance with it. They want what has proven itself in sales, and that has generally been contemporary (or if they’re chancing a different genre, then it’s with an established author, such as Sarah J. Maas, NYT bestselling author of the THRONE OF GLASS series, and whose first NA fantasy MORTAL releases in 2015).
The problem, I think, is that NA has become almost synonymous with college romance and the experiences therein. If you have a 20-year-old protag in an urban fantasy or futuristic setting, most publishing professionals would simply call it Adult. In fact, most publishing professionals would probably still insist that New Adult is a superfluous category. Some of the smaller publishing houses are being more adventurous with New Adult titles, branching out to other genres, but it’s certainly not the majority.
But traditional publishers aside, the realm in which NA of varied genres will and have flourished is self-publishing. Without a doubt, which is both super cool and super exciting. And there are also agents who now actively seek NA in other genres!
Here are some titles (both self and traditionally published) gathered by the fab people on twitter:
+ The Star Thief by Jamie Grey
+ Bloodlust by Nicole Zoltack
+ The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase
+ The Wicked We Have Done by Sarah Harian
+ Ten Days by Olivia Mayfield
+ Harbinger by Elle Beauregard
+ Strength by Carrie Butler
+ The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
There are tons more, but this is a good start, I think :)
I haven’t read enough NA scifi/fantasy to be able to say with any sort of authority (the idea of me being an authority on anything makes me lol) what makes it different from YA scifi/fantasy. So, again, please see Jamie's response below!
Jamie Grey: To build on Lori’s answer, I think there’s kind of the feeling that anything goes when it comes to NA Sci-Fi, because it’s such a new category (and so much fun!). The hard part is that while most contemp NA focuses on college and relationships and romance and that transition to adulthood, there isn’t that framework for Spec Fic NA yet, so it’s harder to define what actually qualifies.
But, it seems like there are at least a few common themes that cross the category, and make it a bit different from YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy. (Granted this is very general and only my opinion). I think one of the big themes in NA is finding your place in the world when you’re no longer a child - taking responsibility for yourself and your actions and what those decisions look like (and how they may affect the rest of your life).
You’re transitioning from one life stage to another, so in a NA fantasy, it could be someone taking on an apprenticeship for the first time and learning to deal with working with others, or in a sci-fi you’re joining the military and trying to figure out what path to take. It’s using what you’ve learned to become the person you want to be.
Like Lori said, in the past, these kinds of books would have just been lumped in under the adult fantasy or sci-fi, but I think with this new category, authors can experiment even more with that discovery period, and how that affects everything else in a character’s life - their future, their relationships, etc. I think in some ways NA can feel a bit more introspective than a similar YA, but also, in some ways more exciting, because there isn’t the constraint of being a teenager and needing/getting parental guidance. There’s more freedom in general.
I think there’s also the opportunity to explore sexuality and relationships a little deeper in NA than in YA - we’ve seen a lot of that in the contemporary romances, and it seems to be carrying over to sci-fi and fantasy. And while it may not be the main focus of spec fic stories, it’s nice to have that deeper dive in those kinds of books, since often the best way to learn about yourself is to interact with others, no matter if you’re living on a space ship, or a castle.
I’m sure other people have very strong ideas and opinions on this, and I’m hardly an expert, but I’m really excited about this new category and it’s future!
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Join us again in a few weeks for more Q+A! :D
April 9, 2014
Writing Process Blog Tour: Anne Blankman Guest Post
Today I have a guest post from the lovely Anne Blankman! On Monday I tagged her in a blog tour series to answer four questions about her writing process. Onward!
***
One of my favorite people, YA author Sara Raasch, whose emails are so ridiculously funny that that they make me laugh out loud, asked me to join in My Writing Process Blog Tour.
1. What am I working on?
My third book—it’s a YA romantic historical thriller like my first two, but it has new characters and a different setting. I’m not allowed to say much yet, but I’m loving immersing myself in another time period!
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Hmm. I usually try not to compare books since they each bring out their own writer’s individual voice! But I do think my main character in PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG and its sequel is an unusual protagonist. When the story opens, she’s a Nazi and tries to follow the rules laid out for her by old family friend “Uncle Dolf” (aka Adolf Hitler). It’s a perspective I haven’t really seen in YA literature before.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Because I can’t imagine writing anything else.
4. How does your writing process work?
My process is probably quite different from other authors—the majority of my characters in PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG and its sequel were real people, so I did a ton of research before I wrote a single word. I like to read as much as I can on a certain time period, put together my notes, and then start assembling my plot. I never know what historical detail will inspire me. When I started working on PRISONER’s sequel, I stumbled across a real-life unsolved murder that fired up my imagination and took the story in a different direction.
***
Be sure to check out Anne’s book, PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, out April 22!
This time, they seem to mean it.
A few days ago, I posted that The Winner’s Curse was available for $4.99 for the Kindle, and in about a few hours the price mysteriously went right back up. Well, I’ve no clue how these things work. But it seems that the discounted price is back again, and has been up there for about a day. No promises about how long it will last. But if you want it, go here.
April 7, 2014
Call for Questions
Hey, guess what? It’s time to submit your burning fantasy/book/publishing questions!
If you have a question specifically for one of us, that’s cool too! Just make sure to say so in your Ask. Otherwise, any one of us can end up answering your question :)
So to keep us from making sad faces at you, please submit your questions!
You have until Saturday night to submit a question to be answered next Thursday. Any questions submitted after will be answered at the following Q+A!
♥
safaripoet:
An overview of my pre-ordered books as of today...
An overview of my pre-ordered books as of today with the exception of those already released and Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor—which I forgot to include.
What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The Taking by Kimberly Derting
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Fall from India Place by Samantha Young
The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings
Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
The Queen Of The Tearling by Erika Johansen
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Between the Spark and the Burn by April Genevieve Tucholke
Summerfall: A Winterspell Novella by Claire Legrand
The Winter People by Rebekah L. Purdy
Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander
The Invisible by Amelia Kahaney
Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay
SLA is in such fabulous company!
nataliewhipple:
Are you going to Salt Lake Comic Con...
Are you going to Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience this next week? If so, I have a special treat for you! I’ve ordered an exclusive, early print run of RELAX, I’M A NINJA, and I will be selling them at the event!
There are only 40 copies. This is the one chance to get the book early (unless I have extras which will be sold at LDStorymakers), so if you’re excited for the ninjas please find me at the con. I’ll be happy sell you a book. RELAX, I’M A NINJA will cost $15.28 with tax.*
I will also have copies of BLINDSIDED for purchase, which is very difficult to find as a hard copy in the US. I have 31 copies of that, and they will cost $13.62 with tax.
The best times to find me will be my two signings:
April 17th, 6:30-7:30PM
April 18th 2:00-3:00PM
*I can take credit cards, cash, and checks.
Things to do:
BUY THEM ALL AND BUILD MY OWN NINJA FORT.
Writing Process Blog Tour
I got tagged in a Writing Process blog tour by Martina Boone (COMPULSION, Simon Pulse, 2014) to answer four questions about my writing process. Here we go!
What am I working on?
ALL THE THINGS. No, seriously. Edits for Book 2 in the SLA trilogy, drafting Book 3, and preparing for Book 1’s release. I’m lucky I’m sane enough to write this post.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
SNOW. Lots and lots of snow. And maybe some genocide, because that’s always good for fantasy books.
Why do I write what I do?
Because fantasy gives me a sense of control over the universe, where all my little neuroses actually work in my favor. Contemporary tends to hit a little too close-to-home with its subject matter, and I look for an element of escapism in writing (and reading).
How does your writing process work?
I am a tried and true outliner. I outline my outlines. And then outline while I’m outlining. And then refer to my multiple outlines while writing, and editing, and even after editing, just to double check. Neuroses, like I said.
I tag Anne Blankman (PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, Balzer + Bray, April 22, 2014 — her post will be up on my blog this Wednesday!) and JR Johansson (INSOMNIA, Flux, & CUT ME FREE, FSG, 2015)!
April 3, 2014
YA Scavenger Hunt: Lea Nolan
Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team!But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!
Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the BLUE TEAM—but there is also a red team for a chance to win a whole different set of twenty-five signed books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the blue team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
SCAVENGER HUNT POST
Today, I am hosting Lea Nolan for the YA Scavenger Hunt!
Lea Nolan writes the kinds of stories she sought as a teen—smart paranormals with bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She also writes smart, witty contemporary stories filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off-your-feet romance. She lives in Maryland with her heroically supportive husband and three clever children.
Find out more information by checking out the author website!
CONJURE LINKS:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | Goodreads
ALLURE LINKS:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | Goodreads
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Worst. Summer. Ever.
Emma Guthrie races to learn the hoodoo magic needed to break The Beaumont Curse before her marked boyfriend Cooper’s sixteenth birthday. But deep in the South Carolina Lowcountry, dark, mysterious forces encroach, conspiring to separate Emma and Cooper forever. When Cooper starts to change, turning cold and indifferent, Emma discovers that both his heart and body are marked for possession by competing but equally powerful adversaries. Desperate to save him, Emma and her twin brother, Jack, risk their lives to uncover the source of the black magic that has allured Cooper and holds him in its grip. Face with the horror of a soul-eating boohag, Emma and Jack must fight to resist its fiendish power to free Cooper long enough to join their strengths and face it together, before it destroys them all.
And now, exclusive content from Lea herself!
***
My book, Allure, the second installment in The Hoodoo Apprentice series features three teens who use Gullah hoodoo magic to battle an ancient-soul sucking curse and a hideous monster that will stop at nothing to consume its prey.
Hoodoo magic is an African American folk healing and magical art, not to be confused with voodoo, which is a religion. Hoodoo originated among enslaved Africans in the South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry and is largely based on African traditions, but has also been influenced by Native American, European and other practices.
In Allure, Emma Guthrie uses many hoodoo spells to protect her twin brother Jack, and their best friend (and Emma’s boyfriend), Cooper Beaumont. She’s also called upon to break some of the jinxes laid by her enemies. To give you an idea of the kind of hoodoo charms Emma might use, I thought I’d share a few with you today. These come directly from one of my favorite spell books, Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode.
Love Potion Number Nine
The original Love Potion Number nine is an herb tea drank for nine days (not the commercially available dressing oil). To brew your own Love Potion, select any nine non-toxic love herbs, being sure to include Rose Petals, Red Clover, and Catnip. Other love herbs include: apple, caraway, cardamom, cherry, cinnamon, coffee, coriander, dill, ginger, ginseng, lemon grass, licorice, mace, mint, mustard seed, orange, parsley, raspberry, saffron, sage, and vanilla. Steep the herbs in hot water for nine minutes as you pray.
To Confuse Someone’s Mind
Write the person’s name nine times, alternating black and red ink (start and finish with black), wrap and tie Ten Bark in the paper, put it in a Vinegar Bottle, and keep the bottle upside down in a dark place.
To Contact the Dead
Dip Acacia leaves in holy water and sprinkle an alter with the water, or burn Acacia as incense to communicate with or memorialize the dead.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to hoodoo magic. Though these spells seem simple, may people believe in their power and rely on them to offer protection or grant their most fervent desires. For more information about hoodoo magic and more examples of spells, I highly recommend that you check out Catherine Yronwode’s Lucky Mojo Curio Company at www.luckymojo.com Ms. Yronwode has painstakingly recorded the history of hoodoo, collected oral histories of spells, and is a well respected manufacturer of authentic charms.
So what do you think? Would you ever brew your own batch of Love Potion Number Nine? Or would you wait to see if your crush came to you on his own?
~Lea
***
And don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Lea Nolan, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is
Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the blue team and you’ll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!
CONTINUE THE HUNT
To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author, Lucy Connors!
Spring Join the Blizzard WINNER!!
WINTERIANS!
Well, I am thoroughly blown away by the sheer awesomeness of this first Join the Blizzard contest of 2014. If I could, I would send each of you an ARC and a lifetime supply of instant snow because SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS. There were over 6500 entries! Icanteven. *swoons*
The winner of the signed/annotated ARC of SNOW LIKE ASHES plus their piece of the SLA Blizzard, a vial of Instant Snow, and CHOCOLATE is…
Congratulations! I’ll be contacting you shortly!
This is merely the tip of the snowy iceberg of gloriousness that is 2014. There will be ONE MORE chance to win a signed/annotated ARC of SLA during the Summer Join the Blizzard Contest in June, but I’ll be giving away regular signed ARCs periodically from now until SLA’s release.
And the closer SLA’s release gets…the more the blizzard picks up.
Things are starting to get snowy up in here, Winterians.
ARE YOU READY?
