S.K. Falls's Blog, page 3

My Giftastic Pitch Wars Mentor Bio (AKA Pick Me, Pick Meeee!)

 

Helloooo, everyone! I thank you all for coming here to check out my Pitch Wars mentor bio. Since I am a huuuuge FRIENDS nerd, I figured it might be fun to tell you why you should pick me using FRIENDS gifs.

(If you hate FRIENDS, we cannot be friends.)

(Just kidding.)

(Somewhat.)

First of all, I LOVE that you guys are writing with the intention of being published. I seriously think that’s the coolest thing ever. So I won’t ever chop and slash your ego to shreds. Okay?

That being said, do expect frank critique from me. I will be brutally honest because I think every artist deserves the honor of brutal feedback (It helps us grow! And thrive! And makes us want to stab ourselves in the eyes, but it really does that other stuff, too…). However, I will also be sure to nurture and support *your* vision for your book.

 

This is totally gonna be us:

 

(And sometimes, because I’m a little bit of a grammar Nazi, I might say this:)

 



 

But that’s neither here nor there…

Secondly, I’ve self-published and recently accepted a deal with Grand Central’s new adult imprint, so I sorta know a lot of the ins and outs of writing novels that sell (both to readers and to agents/editors). I can help you make sure your novel gets there, too! And at the end of it all, we’ll be like this:

Now I bet you’re wondering what genres I’d like to mentor. I’m solidly in the adult category. Here’s what I’m looking for specifically:

1. Adult women’s fiction–commercial, comedic, or upmarket. I’m a rabid fan of everything from Jodi Picoult to Sophie Kinsella to things like Shine, Shine, Shine by Lydia Netzer. It’s hard to go wrong with me and women’s fiction.

2. Adult sci-fi, as long as it’s got: (a) a strong female (and/or diverse) protagonist and (b) is LOW on the hard technology part of things. I love robots and AI and spaceships as much as the next person, but I’m not so fond of reading long descriptive paragraphs about the inner workings of machines.

3. Adult literary. I love experimental fiction, or fiction that doesn’t fit into any neat boxes. If it has amazing character development and at least a loose plot, I’m there.

4. Adult paranormal/paranormal romance. I specifically ask that you not send fantasy my way, as I’m not sure I’d be the best person to read it. However, I *love* a good paranormal (and paranormal romance). For the sake of the market, I ask that your paranormal not be vampires or werewolves. I love these stories, but sadly, not many agents or editors want them anymore. No erotica, please.

5. Adult thrillers and supernatural horror. I’m not so interested in mysteries or detective stories, but if you have a good thriller–especially one with strong psychological elements–I am SO THERE. With horror, if it’s psychological or supernatural, I need it in mah face! But please, no gore or “gross” horror.




And there you go! If you’ve come this far and think you want to pitch to me, let me say this–

 



 

And if you decide you’d rather pass, I’ll be like this…

 






That’s me in a giftastic nutshell. If you have any comments, leave ‘em below! And please check out the other mentors on this blog hop. Thanks for reading and I hope to have some of your stories in my inbox soooon!

Sandhya

JO by Leah Rhyne–Cover Reveal!

Today we have Leah Rhyne here on the blog, revealing the creeptastic cover for her latest: a sci-fi horror. I haven’t read the book yet, but I have to say, I LOVE the premise so hard. Check it out!

About JO:

Jolene Hall is dead – sort of. She can walk, think and talk, but her heart doesn’t beat and her lungs stopped breathing ages ago. Her body’s a mosaic of jagged wounds and stapled flesh.

Jolene Hall has a choice: turn herself in to the authorities, led by a suspiciously handsome police officer, or team up with her roommate Lucy and her boyfriend Eli to find a way to save herself. To Jo, the choice is clear. She’d like to know who turned her into a monster, and she’d like to live to see another sunrise.

But that choice has drastic repercussions.

On a trip deep into the snowy White Mountains, to a hidden laboratory filled with danger and cadavers, Jo and Lucy find more reanimated girls. Part body, part machine, run by batteries and electricity, these girls are killers, created by a shadowy Order with a penchant for chaos…and murder.

To make matters worse, a photo on a wall of victims reveals Lucy is next in line to be “recruited” into this army of beautiful, walking corpses.

When Jo’s physical condition takes a turn for the irreparable, and the Order kidnaps those she loves most, she must sacrifice herself to save them all.




Sounds amazing, right?? Mark your calendars for September 1st! If you want more, check out the excerpt Leah put up on her website. And, in the meantime, here’s where you can find Ms. Rhyne before JO comes out into the world…

 

Website: http://www.leahrhyne.com

Twitter:https://twitter.com/leah_beth

Email: leah.rhyne@gmail.com

INSTIGATOR by Nicole Ciacchella–Release Day Celebration!

 

The final book in the post-apocalyptic and dystopian young adult/new adult Contributor trilogy!

Disillusioned and angry at the revelation of the Free Thinkers’ secret patron, Dara isn’t sure whether her decision to join them was the right choice. Guilt over Letizia’s loss plagues her, and she feels betrayed by one of the few people in whom she placed her trust.

Adjusting to life outside of the domes hasn’t been easy over the past six months, especially because the Free Thinkers’ progress is so frustratingly slow. Nothing has changed, and she doesn’t know how much longer she can deny her searing need for vengeance, or even whether she should place her faith in the Free Thinkers. The more the truth about both them and the Creators is revealed, the less certain she is that the two are all that different. What if she handed them the incriminating evidence they need to exploit to ensure a future that looks a lot like what the Creators envisioned?

Yet Dara has never been more certain of one thing: the Creators must pay—for what they did to her mother, for what they did to Letizia, and for what they’ve done to humanity.

 

Sounds amazing, right? Read on for an excerpt:

 

“Storm coming?” Javier asked, joining her. He folded his arms over his chest, adopting his usual carefree expression and posture, but she’d come to know he wore it like a mask. Almost everything he did was calculated, and behind his placid exterior was a mind rarely at rest.

“I don’t think so,” she said after studying the sky for a moment longer. Conditions didn’t feel quite right for the vicious dust storms that ripped through the area with surprising frequency but little warning. She had developed a healthy respect for them; they were not to be messed with.

“Another sabotage mission completed,” he remarked. He sounded as if he were satisfied with a day’s work well done, but she heard a note of something in his voice, a note that mirrored the disquiet in her own head.

“Prick, prick, prick,” she said, unable to keep the sarcasm from her tone. “Think the Creators will bleed to death anytime soon?”

He smiled. “Doubtful. Still, I guess we are annoying them and setting back their master plan. They can’t be too happy with us about that.”

“So they have to wait for their toys. Poor dears.” Disdain dripped from her words, but the thought didn’t make her feel any better. Who cared if they inconvenienced the Creators? Inconveniencing them was the least of what she’d had in mind.

“The time isn’t right. You must be patient,” he said, mimicking Mal’s tight voice, making Dara smile despite herself.

“I’m really sick of that word.”

“You’re not alone there.”

“Do you think an actual plan exists?”

“Depends on which day of the week it is,” he said, giving her a crooked smile. He leaned against a rusting beam, seeming unconcerned about it crumbling under his weight. “I know they have plenty of plans, I’m just not sure what those plans are and whether they’re the plans I’d like them to be.”

“Raj keeps telling me we can’t be rash.”

“Inertia. I thought the Creators were the only ones who suffered from it. Looks like I was wrong about that.”

 

Here’s where you can buy Instigator!

Amazon | Add on Goodreads

 

About Nicole Ciacchella

 

Nicole has progressed from scribbling in notebooks to banging on keyboards, but she’s never managed to stop daydreaming at inappropriate moments.

When not answering the demands of her characters, Nicole can often be found curled up with a good book or spending far too many hours acting the hero in whatever video game is her obsession of the moment.

One of Nicole’s other great passions is travel. She loves being married to a native Belgian, both because she likes the idea of being “The American” and because it gives her plenty of excuses to visit Europe—that wondrous land of coffee, chocolate, pastry, and some other stuff—as often as possible.

Michigan born and raised, Nicole lives there with her honorary Michigander/Belgian husband and her two children. A Michigan State University alum, Nicole bleeds green and is a Spartan for life.

LET ME KNOW by Stina Lindenblatt–Cover Reveal!

Today we have the cover reveal for Stina Lindenblatt’s LET ME KNOW. This is the gorgeous sequel to TELL ME WHEN.

Title: Let Me Know

Author: Stina Lindenblatt

Release Date: September 1st 2014

Publisher: Carina Press

Add Let Me Know on Goodreads!

 

About the Book:

 

This shouldn’t be happening again…

Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim.

Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus’s past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber’s reputation, Marcus has only one option: end their relationship. He won’t risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart.

Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims’ rights before she’s convicted in the court of public opinion. And she’s really not sure what’s worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently…

 

See how it all began for Amber and Marcus in Tell Me When…

 



 

About Tell Me When:

Amber Scott should be enjoying life as a college freshman. She should be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She should be working hard to make sense of her precalculus math class.

She shouldn’t be waking up her college roommate with screaming nightmares. She shouldn’t be flashing back, reliving the three weeks of hell she barely survived last year. And she definitely shouldn’t be spending time with sexy player Marcus Reid.

But engineering student Marcus is the only one keeping Amber from failing her math course, so she grudgingly lets him into her life. She never expects the king of hookups will share his painful past. Or that she’ll tell him her secrets in return, opening up and trusting him in a way she thought she’d never be able to again.

When their fragile future together is threatened by a stalker Amber thought was locked away for good, Marcus is determined to protect her—and Amber is determined to protect Marcus…even if that means pushing him away.

 

Tell Me When Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

 

Preorder LET ME KNOW now: Nook | Amazon | Kobo | iBooks

Exclusive Excerpt!

 

Amber

When I was younger, and believed in Santa, I would wake up at four every Christmas morning. I would then sneak into Michael’s room, and we would tiptoe downstairs to check out the presents Santa had left while we slept. I never had to wake my brother. He was always waiting for me.

Like the little girl I used to be, I wake to find my alarm clock glowing 4:00 a.m. While I’m no longer the girl with the brother eagerly waiting for her, I’m still the girl who sneaks downstairs to peek at her gifts.

And in this case, Marcus.

We haven’t had a chance to be intimate since he arrived less than forty-eight hours ago, beyond small, chaste kisses or hugs. After almost losing him, I’m happy we can have even those. But they haven’t been enough to stop my nightmares.

The only sound greeting me as I creep downstairs is the soft thud of my bare feet against carpeted steps, and the slight rustle of my pink satin robe. Underneath is one of my gifts to Marcus: matching pink satin panties and bra.

The soles of my feet touch the cold tile floor and I pause. Once I’m positive Mom’s mom senses haven’t kicked in, and she’s realized what I’m up to, I tiptoe toward the guest room and inch the door open. The room is dark, other than the faint glow from the Christmas lights next door.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I spot Marcus sleeping. I stand in the doorway, wondering how I got so lucky. If I hadn’t been failing my math class last term, I might never have given him a chance. A chance to prove he’s more than the sexed-up guy everyone assumes he is. While I might not be thrilled that so many girls on campus are intimately familiar with his body, a warmth floods through me at the thought that he’s mine.

“Are you planning to stand there staring at me,” Marcus murmurs, “or did you have something else in mind?” His tone is teasing and edged with a desire to do things to my body. Things that will leave me beyond satisfied. My breath hitches and I struggle not to melt away.

 

About Stina:

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Author Goodreads

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro (With a Giveaway!)

Today I have here on the blog a very special friend. Angie Sandro helped me when I had a zillion questions about publishing and today, her debut novel is out through Grand Central! HAPPY RELEASE DAY, ANGIE!

And guys, check out this gorgeous, gorgeous cover!

 

Curious to find out more about DARK PARADISE? Read on…

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of “witch women,” she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She’s haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

 

DEADLY SECRETS

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister’s killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their lives.




Sounds amazing, right?? Here’s an excerpt to give you an idea of what you can expect!




Landry’s truck sits in the driveway when I stroll out of the house at a quarter to eight in the morning. I’m in such a glorious mood that I don’t bother trying to sneak off without him catching sight of me. It would’ve been easy, I learn upon climbing on the bumper and sticking my head through the truck’s open window. He has the seat pushed back and his legs stretched out kitty corner across the passenger seat. Snores, loud enough to scare a bear, echo through the cab.

I reach in and poke his shoulder a few times. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Landry’s thick lashes flutter then open to meet mine. “I’m supposed to be woken with a kiss, not a jab.”

I snort. “I don’t kiss slimy critters. You’re playing double duty as a frog, and I throw them in a frying pan with a little butter and garlic.”

“Oh, so now you’re trying to butter me up?”

The heat of a blush rises. “Saints, boy. You’re fraying my last nerve.” I plant my hands on my hips, toe tapping. “What are you doing here? In case you forgot, I’m mad at you.”

“No you’re not.” He grins and runs his fingers through his thick hair. My breath catches as my brain stutters. I shake my head to dispel the wave of pheromone-induced stupidity that washes over me. My noses twitches. Why does he have to smell so good? Like cinnamon and brown sugar. “Did you forget yester—”

An oily paper bag flies in my direction. I grab it out of the air before it drops to the ground. It’s warm in my hands, and the smell makes my mouth water. “Ooh, cinnamon rolls,” I mumble around the melting mouthful of cinnamon-y goodness. “I love these.”

“I know,” Landry says, throwing open the truck door.

I hop off the bumper with a scowl. The arrogant jerk thinks he has me eating out of his hands; all he has to do is flutter those insanely long eyelashes, smile to show off his pearly whites, and tempt me with fresh, warm buns.

“These are mine?” I clutch the bag to my chest as I eye him in suspicion.

“Yeah, they’re your favorite, right?”

“Mmm hmm.”

Landry props his elbow on the open window and ducks his head. Black hair tangles across his face, hiding his eyes. “I hoped you’d be more accepting of my apology if I bribed you with sweets. Forgive me for being an ass yesterday?”

Lucky guy. He figured out the fastest way to soften my heartstrings—sugar. Wait how does he know they’re my favorite? Stupid question. It’s like him knowing my nickname and my job. He pays way too much attention to me, and I’m kinda scared to ask why. I stare at my sticky fingers, then lick the icing off one by one. Landry’s gaze draws my attention. He’s staring at my mouth. My gut tightens in response, and I slowly lick my lips. Get a grip. Don’t trust him just because he says he’s sorry.

I concentrate on the mouthful of cinnamon roll. Each chew echoes the rapid patter of my heart. God, why does my body react like this when I’m around him? Why? He’s still staring at me. Can’t he tell I’m uncomfortable? Oh, I get it. He’s irritating me on purpose so I can’t totally ignore him.

I pass the empty bag to him. “You’re not going away, are you?”

“Nope.” He smiles.

If you loved that as much as I did, here’s where you can buy the book, which is the first in a trilogy!

B&N: http://bit.ly/1rImn9K

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1jWBWFM

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1lVTNkk

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rImtOy




If you’re feeling lucky, enter this Rafflecopter giveaway to win a complete set of the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series by Garcia and Stohl, and a print copy of Angie Sandro’s DARK PARADISE!




About Angie Sandro:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen. Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father’s family in Louisiana inspired this story. Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador.

Where to find Angie:

http://anjeasandro.blogspot.com/

http://facebook.com/pages/Angie-Sandr...

http://www.twitter.com/AngieSandro

The Masked Songbird by Emmie Mears

Everyone, please welcome the most fantabulous Emmie Mears! I am thrilled to host her here as part of the release week blog tour for her new urban fantasy novel, THE MASKED SONGBIRD, coming July 1st through Harlequin! Before we begin, would you like to see the cover? Yes?

 

 

Gorgeous, right?? Now that the pretty’s out of the way, heeeere’s Emmie! (Psst–I’ll tell you what the novel’s all about at the bottom, after the interview.)

 

1. Where did the idea for TMS come from?

E.M.: It pounced on me while I sat in a theater feeling indignant over Spider-Man getting another reboot while Wonder Woman languished in a mobius-strip of production hell. The first line had already popped into my head fully formed, and I just ran with it. Six weeks later, there was a book.

2. Why is it important to write superheroines? What do you love most about yours?

E.M.: I wanted to write a female superhero because they were so meaningful to me when I was growing up. Buffy, Rogue, Storm, Kitty Pryde, Jean Grey, Catwoman — all of them meant so much to me. If Gwen touches one person the way they touched me, I’ll consider it a success. I love Gwen because she represents something I truly believe: that strength isn’t inborn, it’s built.

3. What’s your writerly routine?

E.M.: Some people have a daily routine, but mine goes by months and cycles around. I’ve always felt like I have a tank of writing energy somewhere in me (or a battery pack, you choose), and I have to spend periods of time replenishing before I write. I often write books very quickly (6-12 weeks), and those bouts of extreme productivity come at the cost of needing some time to recharge, where I usually spend the time reading and absorbing life, working on bloggy things, and giving my brain a break.

4. The absolute best thing about the publishing process so far has been:

E.M.: The validation. For over ten years, I worked away at a lot of things that didn’t go anywhere. I knew when I wrote THE MASKED SONGBIRD that it was different than anything I’d ever written before, and it definitely proved to be. It’s been a tremendously validating experience to connect with my agent and editor and have the weight of Harlequin behind me.




And now, read on to find out more about THE MASKED SONGBIRD…

Mildly hapless Edinburgh accountant Gwenllian Maule is surviving. She’s got a boyfriend, a rescued pet bird and a flatmate to share rent. Gwen’s biggest challenges: stretching her last twenty quid until payday and not antagonizing her terrifying boss.

 

Then Gwen mistakenly drinks a mysterious beverage that gives her heightened senses, accelerated healing powers and astonishing strength. All of which come in handy the night she rescues her activist neighbour from a beat-down by political thugs.

 

Now Gwen must figure out what else the serum has done to her body, who else is interested and how her boss is involved. Finally—and most mysteriously—she must uncover how this whole debacle is connected to the looming referendum on Scottish independence.

 

Gwen’s hunt for answers will test her superpowers and endanger her family, her friends—even her country.

~*~




Doesn’t that sound great? THE MASKED SONGBIRD will be out July 1st! Have you added it on Goodreads yet?




About Emmie:

 

Emmie Mears was born in Austin, Texas, where the Lone Star state promptly spat her out at the tender age of three months. After a childhood spent mostly in Alaska, Oregon, and Montana, she became a proper vagabond and spent most of her time at university devising ways to leave the country.

 

Except for an ill-fated space opera she attempted at age nine, most of Emmie’s childhood was spent reading books instead of writing them. Growing up she yearned to see girls in books doing awesome things, and struggled to find stories in her beloved fantasy genre that showed female heroes saving people and hunting things. Mid-way through high school, she decided the best way to see those stories was to write them herself. She now scribbles her way through the fantasy genre, most loving to pen stories about flawed characters and gritty situations lightened with the occasional quirky humor.

 

Emmie now lives in her eighth US state, still yearning for a return to Scotland. She inhabits a cozy domicile outside DC with two felines who think they’re lions and tigers.

 

You can preorder THE MASKED SONGBIRD here! Released in a box set, you get four great paranormal and urban fantasy books for less than $4!

Follow Emmie on Twitter @EmmieMears and join her on Facebook!

Big Dystopian Sale from Shelbi Wescott!

My friend (and fellow Infinite Inkling) Shelbi Wescott is having an amazing summer sale on her dystopian series! If you want some fun summer reading, check it out. Just click the graphic to go to her Amazon page.

 

Meanwhile, I’m off on a family vacation to DC, but I promise I’m still working hard on Fevered Souls while I juggle kids and vacations and summer camps. Thanks for being patient with me!

Sandhya

Fevered Souls Is On Sale!

 

If you haven’t entered the Fevered Souls universe yet, the season 1 omnibus is FREE today on Amazon. AND Season 2 and season 3 are only $0.99 until midnight (PST) on June 1st. I think you’ll love Eden and its mysteries just as much as I do!

Happy Friday!

Sandhya

Count the Cast: Character Reveal Cards for MAKE IT COUNT by Megan Erickson!

MAKE IT COUNT

Bowler University Series #1

New Adult Romance

Publisher: William Morrow Impulse/HarperCollins

Release Date: June 3














BLURB:

Kat Caruso wishes her brain had a return policy, or at least a complaint hot-line. The defective organ is constantly distracted, terrible at statistics, and absolutely flooded with inappropriate thoughts about her boyfriend’s gorgeous best friend, Alec…who just so happens to be her brand new college math tutor. Who knew nerd was so hot?

Kat usually goes through tutors like she does boyfriends–both always seem to bail when they realize how hopeless she is. It’s safer for her heart to keep everyone at arm’s reach. But Alec is always stepping just a little too close.

Alec Stone should not be fantasizing about Kat. She’s adorable, unbelievably witty, and completely off limits. He’d never stab his best friend in the back…

But when secrets are revealed, the lines of loyalty are blurred. To make it count, Alec must learn messy human emotions can’t be solved like a trigonometry function. And Kat has to trust Alec may be the first guy to want her for who she is, and not in spite of it.



Add to Goodreads




Preorder Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

Google Play

Avon Romance

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’3” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators, and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.







WHERE TO FIND MEGAN ONLINE:

Author website

Facebook

Twitter

Let’s Diversify Our Shelves!

Today we’re revealing part three of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, a project that’s near and dear to my heart! Part three is called “Diversify Your Shelves,” and it’s all about taking a personal approach to promoting diversity in literature.

What, exactly, does that mean? Is this maybe something we’ll do for a week and then go back to buying books by old white guys?

Well, no. “Diversify Your Shelves” is a continual celebration of fabulous diverse literature, by fabulous diverse authors. Checking out what books we have on our shelves, and seeing how we might diversify them, is just a jumping off point.

There’s also going to be a “Diversify Your Shelves” chat on Saturday, May 3rd at 2PM EST to discuss our favorite diverse books and authors! Use the #WeNeedDiverseBooks hashtag to join in!

But wait! Why is this so important?

Well, there are lots of people blogging about this more eloquently than I, like here, here, here, and here, but some of my biggest reasons are:

Because, at every conference I or my writer friends attend, there are kids asking why they can’t find books with characters who look like them, either on the cover or in the pages.

Because the same thing happens at book signings, except there the kids are saying they’ve always wanted to get into writing, but don’t think they’ll be successful because they’re people of color.

Because queer kids are still killing themselves over being different (or being told that they’re different) and the greater representation they have in books, the less alone they’ll feel.

Because awesome genres like YA wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t moved away from the old, white dude model of literature and started reading stories written by ladies. Diversify Your Shelves is a continuation of that principle—hearing all stories from all voices.

Because it’s 2014, but we still keep seeing all-white panels at book festivals, or even all-white male panels (in genres vastly dominated by women!) and that’s kind of insane to me. Diversity shouldn’t be the exception. It should be the norm.

And because, at the end of the day, when I look at my shelves, I think:

I can be better.

I can do more.

And I’d love for you to join me.

So, without further ado . . .

LET’S DIVERSIFY OUR SHELVES!

Here’s how it works:

1.This weekend, May 3rd and 4th, we’re all going to head out to our local bookstores* to pick up books by fabulous diverse authors. (Need recommendations? Check out the May 3rd #WeNeedDiverseBooks chat!)

2. Then, once you’ve returned home, snap a photo of your new diverse book(s)** and post it as a comment on author Chelsea Pitcher’s blog or right here in this post! And if you want to get really creative, you can take Before and After photos of your bookshelves: Before, when they weren’t too diversified, and After, when you’ve added in books by fabulous PoC authors, queer authors, and authors with disabilities! Woot!

This Monday, May 5th, one lucky winner is going to win FIVE BOOKS OF THEIR CHOOSING out of the choices in the Rafflecopter link below!!! And every Monday throughout the spring, a new winner will be chosen to receive two fabulous diverse books! Woot!

But wait, it doesn’t stop there. Remember when I said “Diversify Your Shelves” was a continual celebration? That means any time you buy a book from a diverse author, or featuring a diverse character, snap a picture of that book and post it to Twitter with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks hashtag! We’ll retweet you, and help spread the word about what diverse books people are buying! And by participating in the “Diversify Your Shelves” movement, you’ll be showing publishers the kinds of books you want them to buy, showing conference organizers which authors you want to see on panels, and helping tweens and teens find representation in books! Which, really, is the awesomest prize of all!

REMEMBER: THE WINNER OF THE PRIZE PACK WILL BE CHOSEN MAY 5TH!

*Obviously, not everyone has the money to “Diversify Their Shelves” at this particular moment. That’s okay! Because stopping by the library and having them order a book by a diverse author, or even sending them an email about your interest in diverse books, can make a big difference in the “Diversify Your Shelves” movement! You can even snap a photo of a certain section in your local library, and then snap another one after they’ve ordered more diverse books for you! That way, you’ll not only be diversifying your own shelf, but you’ll be diversifying the shelves for your entire neighborhood! Go, you!

**Don’t worry, e-book lovers! You can totally enter the contest too. Just snap a photo of your reading device with the book’s cover showing (or a screenshot of the purchase), and you’re good to go!

CHECK OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY FORM HERE!

{Questions? Email me!}