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THE FADE release

THE FADE releases today! Kirkus Reviews calls it "An impressively scary ghost story that will keep you up all night." and my mother-in-law says, "It will make a great Christmas present."  Get from your local Indie, B&N, or Amazon!

THE FADE releases soon!

THE FADE release is almost here!

The Others meets The Cellar in this scary ghost-story thriller from the author of BAD BLOOD.

We don't want to disappear.
We want to be found.

Something terrible happened in her basement. Haley can feel it.

Four girls went missing several years ago, and the police never solved the case. But Haley knows the missing girls were murdered. How else can she explain the hostile presence in her house?

The ghostly girls need something from her. And unless Haley can figure out what they want . . . she might be next.


Releases December 11th...Pre-order here.

BETTY BITES BACK anthology kickstarter!

Love scary stories with a feminist twist?!

The BETTY BITES BACK: HORROR STORIES FOR YOUNG FEMINISTS anthology Kickstarter is live! Check it out here and support BETTY BITES BACK!

Follow the link to view the rewards, have awesome stuff for writers and readers. And here are the rest of the details:

 

BETTY BITES BACK is a short story anthology featuring 15 feminist horror stories. (While most of our content is YA appropriate, please note we recommend this anthology for 16+.)

After the success of the AMONG THE SHADOWS anthology kickstarter we’ve decided to do it again! This time our anthology is full of feminist horror stories. BETTY BITES BACK has something for everyone and runs the gambit from speculative fiction to ghost stories to revenge fantasy and back again. BETTY BITES BACK is scheduled to release October 2019.

We’re older and wiser, so based on kickstarter feedback we’re doing things a little different this time, with stretch goals:

Initial Goal 2,000

First Stretch Goal $3,000- Free AMONG THE SHADOWS ebook to all supporters

Second Stretch Goal $4,000 – Swag pack for all supporters who pledged $15 or more

Third Stretch Goal $5,000 – All Supporters who pledged for a PB get at least one signature included

Fourth Stretch Goal $6,000 – All supporters who pledged for a PB get at least three signatures included

We’ll share as soon as each goal is met.

We’ll be posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with updates to spotlight each of our authors and with teasers for their stories. Since it’s the first post, we want to kick off with a bang so let’s announce our line up!

Liz Coley
Shannon Green
Elaine Griffin
Lindsey Klingele
Kamerhe Lane
Jenna Lehne
Demitria Lunetta
Emilee Martell
Tracie Martin
Cori McCarthy
Kyrie McCauley
Mindy McGinnis
Kate Karyus Quinn
Melody Simpson
Amanda Sun

Today we’re also starting off with our three editors/contributing authors’ spotlight. Here’s a taste of what’s in store!

VAGINA DENTATA by Mindy McGinnis

A young woman decides to put a sting in her honeypot, surgically altering herself so that she will never be a victim again.

Mindy McGinnis is an Edgar Award-winning author who writes across multiple genres including post apocalyptic, mystery, thriller, historical, fantasy, and contemporary. HEROINE, a story of the opioid epidemic in the heartland and how far one female athlete will go for her team, releases in March of 2019 from Katherine Tegen Books.

THE CHANGE by Kate Karyus Quinn

A short story in verse with magical realism elements about a near future where women have evolved in interesting ways.

Kate Karyus Quinn is an avid reader and menthol chapstick addict. After living in both California and Tennessee, she returned to her hometown of Buffalo, New York, and now lives there with her husband, three children, and one enormous dog. She is the author of young adult novels: ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE, (DON'T YOU) FORGET ABOUT ME, and DOWN WITH THE SHINE all from HarperTeen.

MATCHED by Demitria Lunetta

In the future men are in short supply and women must procreate for the good of society. A young woman finds that duty and love are not mutually exclusive.

Demitria Lunetta is the author of the YA Sci-fi duology, IN THE AFTER and IN THE END (HarperTeen). Her latest book, BAD BLOOD, is a YA paranormal set in Scotland. She is also an editor and contributing author for the YA anthology, AMONG THE SHADOWS: 13 STORIES OF DARKNESS & LIGHT. Her next novel, THE FADE, will release from Delacorte /Random House in December 2018.

 

 

THE FADE preorder plus Giveaway!

 

THE FADE is available for pre-order!

 

We don't want to disappear.We want to be found.

Something terrible happened in her basement. Haley can feel it.

Four girls went missing several years ago, and the police never solved the case. But Haley knows the missing girls were murdered. How else can she explain the hostile presence in her house?

The ghostly girls need something from her. And unless Haley can figure out what they want . . . she might be next.

 

Enter to win a signed ARC!

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BETTY BITES BACK anthology - Call for Authors!

In our first call for authors we received so many great submissions, we were really blown away! That being said, we'd like to have more diversity in our anthology so this call out is for #ownvoices authors, POC authors, and differently abled authors.

 

Betty Bites Back: Horror Stories for Young Feminists

 

You may have heard about our previous short story collection, AMONG THE SHADOWS, and our successful kickstarter campaign.
 
We loved working with our amazing authors; Gretchen McNeil Griffin, Justina Ireland, Phoebe North, Geoffrey Girard, Lydia Kang, Rachel Lewis, Joelle Charbonneau, Kelly Fiore (Kelly Ann Edgeington Stultz), Lenore Appelhans Eisenhour, and Beth G Revis.
 
Well, we're at it again! Mindy McGinnis, Kate Karyus Quinn, and I are putting together another collection of short stories. This time the theme is dark and feminist...and we're sending out a call for submissions. *Please note that subject matter should be 16+, though there is no restriction on the age of the protagonist.*
 
1) Must feature a female (or female-identifying) character.
  
2) All lengths welcome! Stories should be copied into the body of the email. Include a short bio with previous works and submission word count. If you are interested in submitting a novella (more than 15,000 words) please include a short summary as well.
 
3) Submit to BettyBitesBackSub@gmail.com Subject line should include Title and Author Names. Submission Deadline Friday May 11th, 2018.
 
4) We are reserving spots for previously unpublished authors. Instead of a bio, just note that you're previously unpublished.
 
THE FINE PRINT: This is an unpaid collection and will be funded by a kickstarter campaign. Authors retain all the rights to their stories. Five author copies will be provided to each contributor, as well as other promotional materials, such as bookmarks and postcards. As with AMONG THE SHADOWS, BETTY BITES BACK will be priced for maximum exposure. We want to move copies! All profits will be put back into advertising. Please check out our previous short story collection AMONG THE SHADOWS. We would be happy to provide you with a complimentary ebook copy!
 
Questions? Feel free to comment below and Mindy, Kate, or I will answer!

Cancer Update – To Boob or Not to Boob

[In this post I will talk about my boobs, curse, and mention/show photos of gross medical things. You have been warned. J ]

 

After all my surgeries and treatments last year, I decided that I wouldn’t get reconstruction. I had great reasons. In one year I’d had five surgeries, and didn’t want any more. I’m not a super vain person, so I didn’t think I’d care about having boobs. I also didn’t want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on something that is seen as cosmetic. I mean, who needs boobs anyway?

 

But after six months of weighing the pros and cons, I’ve come to the decision. I WANT BOOBS!

What changed my mind? Let’s take it point by point. 

VANITY – There is a cold cap device that you can wear during Chemo that helps you keep your hair. It costs hundreds of dollars to rent. My first thought was, who cares? I just don’t want to die. Why would anyone waste their money? Well, let me tell you, when you’re bald and underweight and basically look like the crypt keeper, it’s not really about being vain. It’s about feeling like yourself.  I had the same reservations about reconstruction. Could I live without boobs? Yeah. Sure. Of course I could. But I decided that it would be a huge step toward feeling like myself again.

[Here's a picture of one of the crappier moments...but I got through it!]

 

[Here is me looking super confused on how to ring a bell after completion of my chemotherapy!]

 

SURGERY – Sigh. So many fucking surgeries. I have a ga-billion doctors and now I can add two plastic surgeons to the mix. For the reconstruction, I will have a major initial surgery in which they remove the skin and fat from my stomach and make a boob out of it. Gross, right? Oh, but it gets better. Since I don’t really have a nice big tummy, they will then have to suck the fat out of other bits of me and seed the fat cells into my new boob. I’ll have to do this at least three times. So why bother? As my awesome surgeon told me, I’m young. I can take it. I might have 50 or so years left. I shouldn't let fear of surgeries make the decision for me.

 

MONEY – Having cancer not only sucks, but it’s super expensive. I had so many people donate money to me the first time around, it made a huge difference. Reconstruction is no different. The estimate for the surgery is between forty to fifty thousand. I’m lucky to have insurance and they’ll pay for most of it, but my out of pocket costs will still be in the thousands…not to mention down time. So once again I am going to beg for money. I started a campaign on GoFundMe and if you can donate anything at all, I will be immensely grateful. You can also brag that you helped buy me boobs.

I wanted a fundraiser gauge that was a boob but I couldn’t find one! Anyone know how I can get one...or a pink ribbon will do, I suppose.

And even if you can't offer financial support (believe me, I get it) feel free to post about your journey. Survivor stories are always welcome!

 

 

THE FADE Cover Reveal

Want to see the cover for my upcoming YA paranormal,

THE FADE?

 

Of course you do!

Head over to YA Books Central to check it out

and enter to win a signed arc!

 

More on THE FADE coming soon!

THE FADE Announcement

Here's the PW announcement for my next YA novel!

	Children's: Young Adult		Demitria Lunetta's THE FADE, about a 16-year-old girl who must discover who murdered the girls haunting her house before she's next, to Wendy Loggia at Delacorte, for publication in December 2018, by Maura Kye-Casella at Don Congdon Associates (World English).
More on THE FADE soon!!!

Year End Giveaway!

Looking over my shelves I've found several books that I'd meant to giveaway before I got sick, several more books that I'd promised to pass on after I'd read them, and a bunch that I love so much I want to share them with others.

 

So here it is...my END OF THE YEAR (MOSTLY) YA RANDOM BIG ASS GIVEAWAY! Here they all are!

 

 

       

 

     

 

     

 

ALSO, you get to choose one of my books!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cancer Update: One Year Later and Still Kicking!

One year ago I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. You can find my original post here. If you get riled by f-bombs...probably don't read it. Actually, just stop reading this post too. I might throw a few in later. I like to keep my options open.

So, It’s been a while since I posted one of these cancer updates because, well, if there’s anything else to focus on besides cancer, I chose to focus on that! J

What has happened cancer-wise in this past year? Well, let’s see… diagnosis, surgery, chemo, being bald, a nasty infection, hospitalization, more surgery, radiation (which caused, what I like to call “localized zombie skin”), and even more surgery. Not that any sane person would think otherwise, but having cancer fucking sucks.

Last week I had my year check-in MRI, and everything came back clear!

 
Now, what does this mean for me? Well, I still have a lifetime of check-ups, medication, and that nagging worry at the back of my mind that my cancer is back. Also I can’t say, “I have cancer!” when I don’t want to do something, or to guilt my husband into doing dishes. But…upside…

 

I NO LONGER HAVE CANCER!!!!

I know I often babble on about the awesome YA community, but everyone has been so supportive, it’s hard not to. My family, my friends, even acquaintances of acquaintances were all amazing.

 So that’s what’s up with me…and fingers crossed this is the last cancer update from me. Ever.

BAD BLOOD Giveaway!

         

 

 

            a Rafflecopter giveaway

BAD BLOOD Release Day!!!

I'm so excited that BAD BLOOD is out in the world today!

 

Scotland is in my blood...

All sixteen-year-old Heather MacNair wants is to feel normal, to shed the intense paranoia she’s worn all year like a scratchy sweater. After her compulsion to self-harm came to light, Heather was kept under her doctor’s watchful eye. Her family thinks she’s better—and there’s nothing she wants more than for that to be true. She still can’t believe she’s allowed to spend her summer vacation as she always does: at her aunt’s home in Scotland, where she has lots of happy memories. Far away from all her problems save one: she can’t stop carving the Celtic knot that haunts her dreams into her skin.

Good friends and boys with Scottish accents can cure almost anything . . . except nightmares. Heather can’t stop dreaming about two sisters from centuries ago, twins Prudence and Primrose, who somehow seem tied to her own life. Their presence lurks just beneath the surface of her consciousness, sending ripples through what should be a peaceful summer. The twins might hold the key to putting Heather’s soul at rest . . . or they could slice her future deeper than any knife.

 “Dark and complex and wickedly romantic.”—GRETCHEN MCNEIL, author of Ten and I’m Not Your Manic Pixie Dream Girl

“A story that will both warm your heart, and chill you to the bone."—KENDARE BLAKE, author of Three Dark Crowns

 

“An eerie blend of mystery and magic amid the Scottish highlands.”—MINDY MCGINNIS, author of A Madness So Discreet and The Female of the Species

 

“A haunting and mysterious page turner.”—KATE KARYUS QUINN, author of Another Little Piece

“A thoroughly enjoyable contemporary Gothic.”—Kirkus

 

“A perfect choice for fans of chilling supernatural reads.”—Booklist

 

BAD BLOOD Signed ARC Giveaway!!!

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Cancer Update – Genetic Testing

As part of my cancer treatment plan I underwent genetic testing for 80 known cancer genes. At first it seemed a bit pointless to me, I mean, I already have fracking cancer, who cares if I have the gene?

 

Well, it came back that I do have one cancer gene. It’s the BRCA1 gene, and it’s a doozy. It increases the chances that you’ll get breast cancer to 70%. Also if you get breast cancer, you have a 40% chance of getting it again. It also increases your chances of ovarian cancer from 1% to 40%.

 

So way back whenever, when I skimmed the article about Angelina Jolie getting genetic testing done, then deciding to get a double mastectomy and having her ovaries removed, I thought, crazy person. Who would do that? Now my judgy-ass-self totally understands. Being aggressive and preemptive is totally understandable when it come to not having to deal with cancer.

 

I also think it’s nice to have something to point at and blame. Before I was wondering what I did wrong? Why did I get breast cancer so young? I mean, I did drink a lot of diet soda in my twenties. Or maybe it was all that hormone filled dairy products I ate. And there was that one time I stood in front of the microwave for a really long time. But no. It’s this one crappy crappy gene.

 

Other then, you know, the cancer, I’m doing really well. Working on my next book and reading a ton. I’ll post more soon! And thanks again everyone for all your support.

Books I Love - My Faves of 2016!

I read 100 books in 2016 and here are a few of my favorites. Most are from 2016 but a few are ones I discovered this year. Well, here they are in no particular order!

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

And these two I got for Christmas and am super excited to read!

 

 

 

 

What are your faves of 2016?

 

 

 

Cancer Update – Chemo Edition

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who donated to my youcaring fund. When Mindy and Kate suggested starting one to help with treatment costs I was a bit doubtful that it would be successful. Boy, was I wrong. I am not a crier, but when I saw how many people donated/offered words of support, well, let’s just say there were water works.

 

Since my last post I’ve started chemo and let me tell you, it’s not like in the movies/TV. First of all, they don’t line you up in one big depressing cancer room. Where I’m at there are nice little private cubicles with TVs and big comfy chairs that heat up and have a massage function. No joke.

 

I was shocked at how nice it all was. They also don’t inject the medicine into the veins in your arms. I had a chemo port installed, which is a device placed under the skin in the chest with a tube that flows directly into a major artery. So while I may not end up with a bionic boob, I am on my way to becoming a cyborg. After they hook you up (they call it accessing your port) they pump you full of chemicals (one of mine is candy apple red) and that’s that!

 

Honestly, for the first few days after my first treatment I felt normal. Then the next few days I felt super gross…like I was hung over from the worst bender ever. Then I felt normal again.

 

Today is my second session. I’m not sure when I’ll post another cancer update, but I’ll definitely still be posting book stuff, and of course my 2016 favorites list in January.

 

I hope everyone has a great holiday, and thank you again for all your support and encouragement!!!

My Cancer Diagnosis – How My Left Breast is Trying to Kill Me

[Warning: In this post I talk about my boob. A lot. I also curse and talk about medical things, so if you’re squeamish, probably skip this.]

 

About six weeks ago, after experiencing a sharp random pain in my left breast, I found a lump. My first thoughts: HOLY SHIT, I HAVE CANCER. After an hour of online research I calmed down. I’m young and cancer doesn’t usually hurt. It doesn’t make your breast swell to twice the normal size. It doesn’t come on suddenly. Self diagnosis, I convinced myself I had a cyst. They’re common in my family.

 

I went to my doctor who also agreed it was probably a cyst but ordered a mammogram and ultrasound just to be sure. I was still convinced it was a cyst. Up until the moment when the big boss radiologist came into the room and she told me that I had three solid masses in my breast and one in my armpit. My thoughts at that moment? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

 

Back to HOLY SHIT, I HAVE CANCER. Because although I’m not a pessimist, I am a realist. They don’t order a biopsy for no reason. A single mass in my breast may be benign, but three? And one already in my lymh node? Yeah, that has got to be fucking cancer. I called my sister to warn her. She cried. I told her not to cry. She cried some more. My husband and I talked about what to do if it was cancer and decided not to fuck around. To do whatever it took to get better.

 

The next day I had to go back for a biopsy. I needed four total and for each one they covered the spot in iodine, gave me a numbing shot, and shoved a super long needle with nifty vacuum suction action to take samples. Then they put a titanium marker in the spot to show where the sample was taken. (Yeah, was hoping it would make my boob bionic, but sadly, no.)

 

Rinse, repeat. The whole thing took four hours. Then they did another mammogram to make sure the markers were in place. If you don’t know about mammograms, they are not gentle. They took my already punctured, aching breast and placed it in a big machine where it was squished between two glass plates. Then they needed the side view. My poor boob was not happy.

 

Fast forward to Saturday, ten days ago. My doctor calls. I know it must be awesome news because, what doctor doesn’t love to call patients on a Saturday? Well, the cells were malignant and at 35 years of age, HOLY SHIT, I HAVE CANVER.

 

I’m starting chemo next week. I don’t know how I’ll react, so though I’ll probably be around on social media, I might not always respond right away if at all. I’m going to conserve my energy to work on my latest contracted novel.

 

 

So how am I feeling? Angry but hopeful. I have a great cancer team and am otherwise healthy. I have a good chance of coming out of this less one boob, but very much alive. Please share your stories of cancer survival for yourself/friends/and family. I would love to hear them!

 

 

 

BAD BLOOD Signed ARC Giveaway and book bundle!

For October I'm giving away a signed ARC of BAD BLOOD!

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Also included are two arcs from Delacorte authors. And GOING GEEK is signed!