Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

In case the world doesn't end today...have a great holiday season. December 25th is Christmas, but it's also the day that marks 6 months from my book release date. Wooowee!

I'm going to take a short blog break but I'll be back in two weeks with a giveaway announcement. I'll still be on twitter and facebook though, so if you miss me you can find me there!

Back January 7th! Have a happy and safe New Year and see you in 2013!




 

ARC Spotlight – THE ART OF WISHING by Lindsay Ribar

 

 

He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.

Margo McKenna has a plan of attack for everything, from landing the lead in her high school musical to dealing with her increasingly absent parents. But when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the opportunity to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Especially since Oliver--not blue-skinned, not bottle-dwelling, but a genie nonetheless--can see more than what she's willing to show him. With one peek into her mind, he can see the wishes that even Margo herself doesn't know she wants.

But Oliver comes with more than just mind-reading abilities, a flair for magic, and the prettiest eyes Margo's ever seen. Someone from his past is hunting him--someone bent on killing him, along with all the other genies in the world, for the sake of honor. And as Margo soon discovers, it will take more than three wishes to save him. A whole lot more.

Recommended for fans of: YA contemporary with a dash of magic.

Okay, the first thing you need to be prepared for with this book is to imagine over and over what you would wish for if you had a genie readily available to grant three wishes. As the MC, Margo debates, so will you, adding to the reading enjoyment.

This book was a really fast read. Margo is funny and likeable. I also liked how the magical plot is balanced with Margo’s home life and her having trouble adjusting to a new family dynamic. The romance is front and center, but it’s not too gooey like some YA books.

THE ART OF WISHING is now available for pre-order and will be released March 21^st, 2013.

 

ARC Spotlight – ACID by Emma Pass

 

In Jenna’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule with an iron fist. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

But Jenna’s violent prison has taught her a thing or two about survival. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead.

Recommend for fans of: YA dystopian, Sci-fi, Thrillers

This fast-paced dystopian has a very 1984 “big brother” feel, but definitely with an updated kick-ass heroine. The world building is great…just like with any good dystopian you can see how society became the way it did. I also loved the plot progression…everything flowed along really well from one tense situation to another. It also wrapped everything up nice and neat with a hint of trouble that could be a second book.

ACID is now available for pre-order and will be released April 25^th.

Also, head over to the Lucky 13s blog to check out our opening lines from each of our novels…mine is about half-way down the list!

Back Wednesday with another ARC Spotlight.

Win a Nook!

Check out this awesome Class of 2K13 year end giveaway and enter to win a Nook!

 

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How IN THE AFTER is Unique

Want to know how IN THE AFTER is different from other books out there? Of course you do! Head over to The Class of 2K13 site to check out my newest blog entry. While you're at it, enter to win a nook as well!

 

ARC Spotlight – THE CADET OF TILDOR by Alex Lidell

 

Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller.

There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.

This is the best fantasy novel I’ve read in a while. It has all the things you’d expect from a good fantasy: mages, sword fights, royal intrigue, and plenty of plot twists. It also has a kick-ass MC, Renee. What sets it apart for me is that Renee has flaws, which makes her relatable to the reader. In the beginning of the book, she’s stubborn and willful and only sees the world in black and white. This allows for her character to grow through the book, giving her depth. She never loses her willfulness, but begins to see the complexities of her situation and begins to understand that not everything is black and white. I love when an MC not only goes on a journey, but also grows as a character.

 I also found the lack of romance refreshing. That’s not to say the Renee isn’t attracted to good looking men (she is sixteen after all) but the plot doesn’t fall into the all too common YA romance formula. I also like how Renee wants to be treated like her male counterparts, and ultimately is, including being trained, bruised, and battered.

THE CADET OF TILDOR will be out January 10^th from Dial…so mark your calendars! This is a great fantasy read!

Bookmarks!

I've been sick the past week, neglecting the blog, but I just wanted to check in and mention that I have bookmarks now! I teamed up with my awesome Class of 2K13/HarperTeen buddy, Kate Karyus Quinn, so one side is for IN THE AFTER and looks like this:

 

 

 And the other side is for ANTOHER LITTLE PIECE and looks like this:

I'm beyond excited to have bookmarks! What do people think?

I'll be back Friday with another ARC Spotlight!

 

ARC Spotlight – ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE by Kate Karyus Quinn

 

 

A reckless wish taken from the darkest desires of the heart…

A bloody razor engraved with the names of the girls who turned to dust…

An endless cycle that feeds of loneliness and craves destruction…

Together, these pieces form a twisted puzzle that Annaliese Rose Gordon has to solve. Trapped in a body that isn’t hers—with no memory of how she got there—she must unlock the secrets of her past in order to escape the horrors of her future.

I loved this book! It is just the right amount of scary. The pacing is excellent, the story unfolds piece by piece, giving you just enough info about Annaliese to keep you burning though pages. The characters are all fantastic, Annaliese’s parents aren’t just caricatures, they’re real and you care for them, as does Annaliese. Although it has the feeling of a classic Stephen King story, it’s also new and edgy, definitely a YA must!

Another Little Piece is available for preorder and will be out June 11^th from Harper Teen.

 

ARC Spotlight - INK by Amanda Sun

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

This book made me want to visit Japan! The main character, Katie, is immersed in Japanese culture, and it feels like you are too. You learn a bit about Japanese culture while reading an exciting story about Japanese gods. Oh, and what an amazing cover!

Ink will be available June 25^th, 2013…the same day as my book! J

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'll be back next Monday.

 

Comparable Titles for IN THE AFTER

Want to find out a few comparable titles for IN THE AFTER? Of course you do, so stop by the 2K13 site and check them out. While you're there, enter my giveaway. You could win not one, but two YA books. Here, I'll make it super easy and post it right below...

 

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Another Giveaway!

I'm sponsoring a giveaway at the Class of 2K13. You can win a copy of my Class of 2K12 mentor, Robin Bridge's book,  The Gathering Storm.

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

So enter below and check in at the 2K13 site tomorrow for my guest post on IN THE AFTER comparable titles.

 

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E-reader Advice

So I’m finally going to get an e-reader!

 

But there are a lot of choices and I’d love some advice.

Which ones do you have? What do you love about them, hate about them? I’m leaning toward the Kindle…but am open to any suggestions.

Also…there’s still time to enter my giveaway so you can win an ARC of In the After. Just click on the giveaway tab!

ARC Spotlight – Gone Fishing by Tamera Wissinger

 

 

Nine-year-old Sam loves fishing with his dad. So when his pesky little sister, Lucy, horns in on their fishing trip, he’s none too pleased: “Where’s my stringer? / Something’s wrong! / The princess doll does not belong!” All ends well in this winsome book of poems—each labeled with its proper poetic form, from quatrain to tercet. Together the poems build a dawn-to-dusk story of a father-son bond, of sibling harmony lost and found—and most of all, of delicious anticipation. Charming line drawings animate the poetry with humor and drama, and the extensive Poet’s Tackle Box at the end makes this the perfect primer to hook aspiring poets of all ages.

Since I mostly read YA, I didn’t know how I would like this MG book, but I absolutely loved it. Gone Fishing explores many different types of poetry in a fun and interesting way. I love how the story unfolds, jumping from one type of poem to another. The illustrations work perfectly reminding me a bit of Roald Dahl’s. This book will definitely get younger children interested in poetry.

There are also extras at the back, telling you what each poem type is and the rules to writing that particular type of poem, which will encourage children to begin writing their own poems. Since they’re at the back of the book though, they don’t mess up the flow of the story.

Gone Fishing releases 3/5/2013 and is currently available for pre-order.

Writing vs. Editing

I just turned my first draft of book 2 in last week and am happy to have a few days off before I dig into editing. I learned A LOT from editing the first book, and where as editing used to be really intimidating, I’m looking forward to starting my book 2 revision.

I know some people absolutely hate editing and some people love it. How do you feel? Is editing harder than writing?

Also, IN THE AFTER is now available for pre-order on Barnes& Noble so check it out! J

 

Why I Love My Cover for IN THE AFTER

 

I think that it perfectly portrays my book, letting you know right away that it’s post-apocalyptic. I love the starkness, the gray pavement with just a touch of color for the weeds. This gives it a creepy feel, but it’s not too dark. Although my book is about flesh-eating creatures, it’s not exactly horror, more of a suspenseful thriller.

I love that the tagline leads right into the cover. They destroyed Before. Now we live…IN THE AFTER. How catching! The lettering works awesomely as a fading road stencil with a graffiti feel.

I also love that this cover is non-gender specific. I think that a boy is just as likely to be drawn to this cover as a girl, so it appeals to a wider audience. I’m glad, because I think boys will like IN THE AFTER, (high on action, low on romance) and this cover lets them give it a chance. While girls (I’m just going to say it, who may have a bit more depth J ) will be drawn to the mysteriousness of the cover.

I really do love my cover, but of course I’m biased. Are there any covers that you love? Why?

And don't forget to enter my giveaway for an ARC, just hit the giveaways tab at the top.

 

IN THE AFTER cover

Happy Holloween everyone. In case you missed it yesterday, here's my wonderfully creepy cover for IN THE AFTER!!!!

 

What do people think? I'll be back Friday to tell you why I love it :)

 

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win an ARC!

  

 

 

 

 

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IN THE AFTER Cover Reveal Tuesday

I know I said I wouldn't be back until next week, but I got the go ahead from HarperTeen to reveal my cover!!!

You can see it tomorrow on IceyBooks and I'll post it here Wednesday. I'll be tweeting about it tomorrow too so don't forget to stop by @demitrialunetta!

 

Finishing Up Book 2!

I'm working on finishing up book 2 for my November 1st deadline so I'm going to be out of commision for the next two weeks. I'll be back Monday, November 5th (probably after sleeping for five days straight).

I'll still be around on twitter and commenting on blogs though, so if you spot me, yell at me to get back to work :) 

October = Zombie Love

The Walking Dead was back on Sunday with an awesome new episode…and I also got the 8^th installment in the Walking Dead comic book series.

 

October is a great month for zombies, and I recently watched a few movies that I’d never seen before. Each of these is a unique take on the genre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fido –Timmy is delighted with the family's first zombie, whom he names Fido. Fido becomes Timmy's best friend, and runs afoul of prejudice, circumstance, hardware faults in the Zomcon collars, and neighborhood bullies.

 

 

 

Undead – A quaint Australian fishing village is overcome by meteorites that turn its residents into the ravenous undead, leaving a small group of those unharmed to find a way out.

 

Survival of the Dead – On an island off the coast of North America, local residents simultaneously fight a zombie epidemic while hoping for a cure to return their un-dead relatives back to their human state.

 

 

 

 

 

Has anyone seen any of these? What did you think…or do you have a favorite that you want to recommend?

 

 

Inspiration for IN THE AFTER

Over at the 2K13 site we've all posted our inspirations for our books. Wanna read mine? Visit my blog post here. And while you're over there check out our prize pack...we each put in something that relates to our books. If you like what you see, (and really, who wouldn't?) you can enter our giveaway on facebook.

What about you all? What inspired your current WIP?

 

Class of 2K13 Site Launch Tomorrow

Don't forget to stop by the Class of 2K13 site launch tomorrow for a huge giveaway that includes a $50 B&N gift card and tons of extras. We'll also be posting our book inspirations. Mine will be up there too. I'll also be tweeting from @theclassof2K13 from noon to 4pm, so check in with me on twitter.

Pre-order IN THE AFTER

IN THE AFTER is available for Pre-order on Amazon!

If you shop on Amazon, stop by this page and click Like...and I wouldn't turn down any pre-orders either!  I was the very first person to like it...is it weird that I also pre-ordered it? J

 

Swag 101

In dealing with Classof2K13 there was a lot of debate about what swag items are actually effective marketing devices for books/authors. I would like to have bookmarks to give out for my book…but what else would be good to have?

What swag items do you hold on to and which do you toss?

 

What’s the best swag item you’ve ever gotten?

 

In the Home Stretch(ish)

I’m now on part three of the three part book two. It feels really amazing to have book two almost completed. I know (just like with In the After) they’ll be edits, line edits, copy edits, galley pages, and a million other things I have to do before it’s ready, but right now it feels really good to have a story on paper (or more accurately, on monitor).

Where is everyone at with their WIPs?

I’m still over at @TheClassof2K13 on twitter today, so come check us out.

Back Friday!

 

Class of 2K13!

 

 

I was lucky enough to join this group of  twenty YA and MG writers with books debuting in 2013. Our site launch is on October 10^th and there will be an awesome giveaway, so I wanted to let everyone know so they can mark their calendars and visit our site:  www.classof2K13.com

Until then, check out our books on goodreads,  follow us on our brand new facebook fan page, and on twitter @TheClassOf2K13 for updates and giveaway news. I’ll be tweeting for the group tomorrow and Wednesday, so stop by and say hi.

 

ARC Spotlight – Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

 

 

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.

I loved this book! It’s edgy with a kick-ass main character…who has some serious issues. The story is well-paced, unfolding with just enough information to keep you reading, because you just have to know what happens. It’s also interesting how conflicted the main character is, unsure if the voices in her head are echoing the horrible things she wants to do, or making her do those things.

Vengeance Bound is out April 2, 2013 and is available for preorder.

 

 

 

Synopses Synapses

My brain is a bit fried, but I finished the second draft of my synopsis! It’s now running ten pages, but my agent is going to give it a look over and let me know if there’s anything that needs changing. After that, it’s off to Harper for approval.

I wonder if established authors still have to write synopses, or if J.K Rowling wants to write a book she says, “I have an idea…” and the publisher shouts, “Yes! Do it. Now!” and throws money at her. One day that will be me…J

So it’s back to book 2 for me, new chapters and editing. Back Friday with another ARC Spotlight.

 

Book 1.5

Right now I’m working on a synopsis for a novella that might come between In the After and Book 2. Its purpose is to fill in back story for a few of the characters and it’s really fun to bring these background scenes front and center.

The trouble I’m having is getting all the information into a 3-5 page synopsis. Right now, it’s running 7 pages, and I’m not sure which info to cut out…of course I think it’s all dreadfully important and pertinent. J My agent has it now and is going to help me refine it a bit, before we send it off to Harper for approval.

How about you guys? Do you have trouble with synopsis, or are you a summarizing ninja?

I'm going to try and sort out my summary this weekend, so I'll be back Monday!

 

 

Nyssa's Book Nook - The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson

(Nyssa's Book Nook is a once a month guest contribution written by Demitria's awesome sister Nyssa Lunetta.)

Hey guys,

So my sister was feeling under the weather today and I volunteered to write a post about books that I really enjoy. She loved the idea so much, she asked if I wanted to do a once a month guest post. So here goes my first ever Nyssa's Book Book recommendation.

I am not a writer like her but I am an avid YA novel reader and would love to tell you about the books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. The first book I want to share with you is The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. The series is an 8 part series. These books keep you in full suspense as a gang of genetically altered children fight for freedom, a place to call home, and for their lives. Below is a synopsis of the the first book. Maximum Ride-The Angel Experiment.

The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective. Take right now, for instance.

Run! Come on, run! You know you can do it.
I gulped deep lungfuls of air. My brain was on hyperdrive; I was racing for my life. My one goal was to escape. Nothing else mattered.
My arms being scratched to ribbons by a briar I'd run through? No biggie.
My bare feet hitting every sharp rock, rough root, pointed stick? Not a problem.
My lungs aching for air? I could deal.
As long as I could put as much distance as possible between me and the Erasers.
Yeah, Erasers. Mutants: half-men, half-wolves, usually armed, always bloodthirsty. Right now they were after me.
See? That snaps everything into perspective.
Run. You're faster than they are. You can outrun anyone.
I'd never been this far from the School before. I was totally lost. Still, my arms pumped by my sides, my feet crashed through the underbrush, my eyes scanned ahead anxiously through the half-light. I could outrun them. I could find a clearing with enough space for me to—
Oh, no. Oh, no. The unearthly baying of bloodhounds on the scent wailed through the trees, and I felt sick. I could outrun men—all of us could, even Angel, and she's only six. But none of us could outrun a big dog.
Dogs, dogs, go away, let me live another day.

These books are fast-paced and exciting. The ideal is really original. You feel like you're a part of Max and the gang's world. You also care about the character. Check it out and I hope you find these books as enjoyable as I did. 

- Nyssa

I Love My Book

Okay, I know I’m biased, but in going through my galley pages I’m really pleased with how In the After turned out. I loved it before Harper but now it has more depth, more suspense and more grip.

That being said, I’m a little sad that this is the last time this book will be all mine. Of course I am beyond excited for my cover reveal, ARCs and release next summer, but then In the After will be everyone’s. Everyone brings something new to a novel, reading it with fresh eyes and their own experiences.

I hope everyone will love my book as much as I do, but I know that some people will not. I’m prepared for this, but at the same time, nervous. It’s like I’m sending my child off to kindergarten and wondering how she’ll do. J

I think this is the most introspective post I’ve ever written. Whew! How do others feel about their work, in whatever stage of the process?

Back Monday!

ARC Spotlight – Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

 

Thirteen year old Angie disappears during a camping trip, only to return three years later with no recollection of where she’s been. She’s a stranger in her own body, which has aged three years, while in her mind only a day has passed.

I love Angie’s strength and determination. She’s been put through so much, and even creates alternate personalities to deal with her trauma, but ultimately she faces her suffering head on. I loved the way the mystery of what happened to Angie unraveled through revelations of her alters and how Dissociative Identity Disorder is explored. 

Although the sexual abuse that Angie experiences is disturbing, this book is ultimately about healing. Angie has to deal with so much, but regains her power in a courageous way. I also liked Coley’s portrayal of Angie’s parents. They’re overjoyed to have her back, but also confused and frightened for her emotional well-being.

Pretty Girl-13 will be available March 19^th 2013 from Katherine Tegan Books.
 

Half Italian + Half Greek = All Crazy

(This was originally posted in Nov. 2010, but since a lot of people have been asking me about my name lately, I thought I'd repost.)

So my name is a little odd, I'll admit.

Demitria is actually a fairly common Greek name, although I've seen it spelled Demetria more often than not. People sometimes drop the a and call me Demitri, which I'm pretty sure is Russian...and also masculine.

Lunetta is Italian and means little moon. I think this is also a first name, and sometime people think my name is Lunetta Demitria, instead of the other way around. Childhood was a little rough when everyone else is named Sara or Lisa or Anne.

So what does being half Greek and half Italian get you? Well, I'm extrememly passionate, but I can't cook. I've been to Italy and hope to make it to Greece soon. And (Sorry to all you Greeks out there) I much prefer Italian food. There's something about roasting a whole goat that puts me off.

Back Wednesday!

Bats on the Brain

If you’re my facebook friend or are a fan of my author page, then you know I occasionally post batman-related photos and news. I’ve always been obsessed with the Dark Knight, and I actually made my entire bridal party go see The Dark Knight Rises as part of my wedding rehearsal. Here are a few photos I’ve recently shared that I think are fun.

 

 

Anyone else out there love Batman? Well, back off he’s mine! Just kidding. Any other superhero love?

 

See you Monday!

I Got My Galley Pages!

 

For those of you who don’t know, galley pages are an unbound version of a book. It’s what authors and editors use for proofreading before printing ARCs.

I get to go through In the After one last time before it goes off for printing. It’s really exciting that it’s so close to being a “real” book. Is it weird that I hugged my galley pages when they arrived? Wonder how I’m going to react to my ARCs. J

Also, for all you goodreads folks, In the After is on a few goodreads lists. If you’re into listopia at all, follow this link and vote for my book.

Please, if you have a book on goodreads let me know so I can check it out.

Back Friday!

IN THE AFTER Release date

In the After has a release date…

 

June 25, 2013

 

Woohoo! I’m so excited to actually have a birthday for my book. J

Also, thanks to everyone who responded to my last post. Opinions seem to be unanimous… stick to the author twitter account and don’t add a book twitter account.

Happy long weekend, everyone! Back Wednesday!

To Tweet or Not to Tweet (Part 2)

I need some twitter advice.
 
I was thinking about starting another twitter account for my book, In the After. I think you have to set up an entirely different account though, and log in and out each time you want to tweet. What do people think? Does anyone have more than one twitter account? Has it been effective? Does it drive you crazy?

Books I Love – Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien

 

Is anyone out there?

Ann Burden is sixteen years old and completely alone. The world as she once knew it is gone, ravaged by a nuclear war that has taken everyone from her. For the past year, she has lived in a remote valley with no evidence of any other survivors.

But the smoke from a distant campfire shatters Ann's solitude. Someone else is still alive and making his way toward the valley. Who is this man? What does he want? Can he be trusted? Both excited and terrified, Ann soon realizes there may be worse things than being the last person on Earth.

This is an oldie but a goodie. I love the premise (my own book touches on what it’s like to be alone in a world that has fallen apart) and how scary this world is without zombies, aliens, or vampires. Ann is compelling, strong yet lonely. I also like that it’s minimalistic; there are basically three characters in the entire book, and one of those is a dog. I would recommend this to anyone who likes post-apocalyptic fiction.

Has anyone else read this one? I know it's not for everyone...one person's review on amazon was that they didn't like it because the main character wasn't named Zachariah J

300 Followers!

My blog reached 300 followers last night and I just wanted to say thank you. I imagine you all look like this:

 

Just kidding!

I really do appreciate all of you. You guys are awesome…eat a cookie, you deserve it. J
 

It's also kind of cool that this is my 100th Blog Post.

Thanks again and I'll be back Monday!

I’m a Lucky 13!

 

 

I joined a group called the Lucky 13s, a group of YA and MG authors with books debuting in 2013. So far, there are 120 members, so check out their blog, there’s something for everyone. You can also find them on twitter @TheLucky13s.

It’s been really fun to connect with other authors who are also newbies. It’s nice to hear what they’re going through and thinking, “I went through that,” or “I guess I know what’s in store for me next.”

Okay, I’ll stop gushing about the Lucky 13s. Do you guys have any favorite blogs that are written by a group of authors?

Seconds Anyone?

In writing the second book in my In the After series I’m really trying to make it live up to the first one. I want it to be just as fast-paced and engrossing (that’s just my humble opinion of the first book J ) but to be a completely unique story as well.

So I tried to think of books that were second in a series that were as good as or even better than the first books. Here are three I could think of.

I know, I know... Fire is a prequel, but it’s still a second book.

What about you? What second books do you love?

My Favorite Books to Re-read

I’m currently re-reading Lauren DeStefano’s Wither before I read Fever. I like to re-read the first books in a series before I continue on, to refresh my memory but also to get that enjoyment that comes with the knowledge that the story continuation is only pages away.

There are some book series that I re-read at least once a year, even though no new books have been produced. These are my favorite and include Garth Nix’s The Abhorsen Trilogy and Jonathan Stroud’s The Bartimaeus Series. I’ll probably be adding the Hunger Games to this list as well.

 

What are your favorite books to re-read?

Post-apocalyptic Make-over

 

I’ve changed the look of my blog quite a bit. I liked my old look but it didn’t really scream: Post-apocalyptic debut author. I’ve taken away the nice, soothing light blue and added some cracked concrete. I wanted to represent my genre a bit better with a harsher, starker look.  What do people think?

What does your blog theme say about you? Does it represent yourself or your writing in any way?

Also, check out Melanie Crowder’s cover reveal of Parched.

Back Friday!

IN THE AFTER – In the Flap

This is the short synopsis that will be inside the flap for In the After…what do you guys think?

attack. not isolated. fate of americans unknown.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to survive—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler she finds in an abandoned supermarket. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

I’m completely biased, but I love it! I would totally want to read this book…even if I hadn’t written it. J

Have you guys read any compelling book flaps lately that made you absolutely have to read a book?

I Like You…Will You Like Me?

 My facebook fan page is up and running. You can still friend me, of course, but any likes would be greatly appreciated.

It’s strange to ask people to like you on facebook…I feel like I need to write up a personal ad inspired spiel…

Female writer seeks facebook fondness. Enjoys young adult fiction, post-apocalyptic scenarios, and long walks on the beach. Would love for you to like me.

If you also have a fan page, leave a comment and I’ll like you back. I mean, what’s not to like? J

Also, there’s a first look at the cover of THE KEY & THE FLAME by Claire Caterer & an ARC giveaway at IceyBooks! http://bit.ly/MGPp3K

Back Monday with the longer teaser for In the After!

In the After in Three Lines

  

They hear the most silent of footsteps.

They are faster than anything you’ve ever seen.

And They won’t stop chasing you until you are dead.

When I read this I got chills.

I know, I wrote the book and all, but these three lines (that are going to be on the back cover of In the After) capture the tone perfectly. Creepy and intriguing.J

  

This is just a taste, so check in next Monday for the inside flap summary.

Books I Love – Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I thought this book was fantastic…and not just because of all the Chicago references. J The plot was good, but what really was incredible was Roth’s world building. I can’t wait to read Insurgent.

I’m working on my outline for book 2 now and am actually getting married in two weeks, so I won’t be back until August. See you all then!