Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some. (Goodreads)
I'm soooo excited to start the new year, that I decided to share my excitement by hosting an international giveaway! I can't wait to see where my lil' book blog goes in 2012... When I started A Book and a Latte, I really didn't expect to LOVE book blogging this much. I've met some fantastic people through this blog, both online and in real life. I have to thank you, my readers, for making this such a wonderful experience!
To welcome the new year, and all the new books that come with it, I'm offering the winner their choice of 1 new release title (up to $15) to be shipped by Amazon or the Book Depository. If the chosen title has not yet released, then I'll pre-order you a copy.
It was great hearing Laini talk about her book, Daughter of Smoke & Bone, which I loved. I found it interesting that she traveled to Prague to research another story about vampires, and ended up using that experience for Daughter of Smoke & Bone. She was originally thinking of setting it in New York or Florence. She also read a few passages which showed her protagonist Karou's personality while also introducing us a little to the magic of the story and the hierarchy of wishes... enough of a tease to make me want to start reading immediately!
Laini Taylor prepping us for the passage she read from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
After the reading, she opened up to questions from the audience. I really enjoyed learning that she's a bit of a perfectionist (like me) and how she learned to work with her brain - knowing her strengths and weaknesses. She shared that while writing, she keeps the manuscript open on one side of the screen, and next to it, another document that she allows herself to write freely. When she described this I was nodding like an idiot because that's how I work! I'm not a writer, but for my job I have to write test and validation reports. I usually have the report open on one side and a document open next to it where I keep notes, ideas, and draft paragraphs/sections. I've never known anyone else to do this (but I've never really asked so maybe it's more common than I think)! I really like learning how authors approach the writing process so I just ate up this information. She also shared that she doesn't usually follow an outline, and that she loves revising but hates first drafts (me too!).
Clementine, Laini Taylor, and me :)
Afterwards, I had 2 copies (yes... two, one for me and one for one of my lovely readers!) of Daughter of Smoke & Bone signed, and also a paperback copy of Lips Touch, which is illustrated by her husband Jim Di Bartolo, who also signed my copy! Since I was one of the last ones in line, I was fortunate to chat with them all for a bit. It was great meeting Laini and her family, they are all so warm and friendly, and her daughter Clementine is just adorable! Oh, and I just love Laini's pink hair - I wish I was that bold!
I feel sooooo lucky to have been able to meet Laini Taylor. I wish I had been able to read Daughter of Smoke & Bone beforehand so I could have asked her more questions about the incredible world she created and her characters. I finished it yesterday and I'm still reeling! I'm drafting my review and I'm just at a loss right now on how to use words to describe my love for the story, the world she built, and the characters. Seriously.
I'm sharing my love for this book by giving one of my readers a signed copy of Daughter of Smoke & Bone! I feel torn about this, and I haven't done this in a while, but I am requiring that entrants are followers. I'm so thankful to each of you, for making my blogging experience so incredible, and I want to gift this book to one of you. This is easily one of my favorite reads of 2011, and is proudly displayed on my favorites bookshelf. I'm so excited to share it!
To enter, click "read more" and fill out the Rafflecopter:
Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.
Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.
As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.
Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death. (Goodreads)
Describe On the Fringe in 140 characters or less (the size of a tweet).
A suspenseful ghost story with a sentimental twist. Or, a sentimental love story with a paranormal twist!
What inspired you to write On the Fringe? Which came first, the idea to write a ghost story or one about childhood friends?
Both thoughts came at the same time. I have had my fair share of crushes over the years, and I feel like they always sneak up on you...one minute you're disgusted because the guy just burped in your ear, and the next moment your heart is skipping because you can't believe he just said your name. When I was in eighth grade, a friend and I rode our bikes across town to a crush's house and doorbell-ditched him, leaving a secret admirer note and a Twinkie. I think we'd both been crushing on him since 3rd grade. There's something to be said for those initial feelings we all have while we're still so young and innocent, and I felt the need to express that in this story; it's what drove me. The ghost idea came, probably because I've always believed in ghosts and guardian angels, but felt like we only hear the scary stories...what about the other ones?
Who is your favorite character in On the Fringe? Was the character easier or more difficult to write?
I love Daniel. The more I wrote him, the more his personality started to shine, and I just couldn't get enough of him. I felt a little bad about not giving him as much narrative time as Claire. Claire was difficult to write because I felt a part of myself in her, and I didn't want her to be me. So I was constantly trying to push her away from me, though I don't know that I succeeded. Nico was fun and crazy and so colorful.
Did you know from the beginning that you would write from both Claire and Daniel’s POVs?
Yes. I knew I needed to tell the stories from both sides of the grave to explain and visualize everything. Originally, I'd even included a third POV, but decided that it took away from Daniel and Claire's story.
Are you a fan of thriller/horror books and movies? If so, which are your favorites?
I LOVE thrillers. HATE horrors. As a kid, I was one of those people who couldn't stand the sight of blood, but always peeked anyway. I have this memory of being at a drive-in movie with my family, watching The Jungle Book. Jaws was playing on the screen behind us, and yes, I watched more of Jaws than The Jungle Book. Now, though, I am much more careful. I have one of those minds that visualizes, feels and remembers everything. So I have regrets from many movies or TV shows I've watched where I can still see certain images in my mind. My favorite thrillers: Inception, Mission Impossible, Jurassic Park, The Ghost and the Darkness, I am Legend. I can handle more in books, and have quite a few thrillers/horrors that I absolutely LOVED: The Passage, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Odd Thomas, Jurassic Park, The Hunger Games (which is a little of both, I think).
Ditto for Inception, Jurassic Park, I am Legend (except I could hardly watch the end), and The Hunger Games! The Forest of Hands and Teeth has been on my TBR list for a while - I need to read it! I will be looking up the other books you mentioned.
Do you have a new project in the works? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
Yes. I'm working on another YA paranormal, as well as a few other things. I'm trying to focus on the YA project right now, but it's sometimes difficult to focus! I've found that I have to be really passionate about what I'm writing, that I can't just write a certain thing because that' what I think people will like. I have a couple of fantastic ideas that I'd love to write, but can't find the fire for it...yet. I'm halfway through the first draft of something that has a similar feel to On the Fringe. There's a lot of mystery to the plot, but I don't want to give anything away, so all I can say is that it takes place in Chicago, and has some multilayered mystery going on, and at least a couple of cute boys in it. And a mention of really great food, of course.
Yay for a new YA project! I'll be keeping my eyes/ears open for news :). What hobbies or activities do you enjoy? Writing doesn’t count!
I love to bake. Baked goods are my double-edged sword. Love to try new things, to eat sweet things, but you know how that eventually ends up...not so good. Baking is a family thing...you aren't a King if you don't know how to make a pie. My mom was Supermom while I was growing up. To say we were spoiled is an understatement – hot breakfast every morning, everything made from scratch, homemade treats for after-school snacks. My two sisters and one brother (and his wife) have continued the tradition, passing it down to our own kids. My little sis even has an awesome baking blog where she posts delicious family recipes, etc.: carolinesbakeshop.blogspot.com. But, thanks to the whole ridiculous notion of "calories in-calories out," I do have to balance my baking out with other passions...if not writing or reading, I have to say writing/composing music. Does that count? I've composed music since high school and love the escape it brings, not to mention an outlet for my creativity. I used to want to get my music published; now I'm just happy playing it for myself.
Wow, your sister's blog looks scrumptious! I have book-marked her Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies. I MUST try them. And composing music absolutely counts! That's amazing. I play piano, but failed miserably at trying to teach myself guitar. And... that's where my music ability ends.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I really want to visit Spain some day. My little sis went there and couldn't stop saying how amazing it was in every way — the scenery, the people, the buildings, and of course the food. She also said Thailand was amazing, but I'm too chicken to go there. Wish I was a little more adventurous. I've been to Japan, though, and LOVE that place!!
I've never been to any of those places, but they're all on my list :)
Credit: Heather Brown Photography
About the Author (from her website):
Courtney King Walker grew up in Walnut Creek, California, and with her siblings built rocket ships and rafts out of cardboard, determined to make it to both the moon and Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got.
After being banned from the kitchen after a few too many catastrophes, she discovered a love for writing, music and art. Eventually she decided on graphic design for a career, and earned her BFA from Brigham Young University.
After residing in St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco, Courtney now lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and four children. She has yet to make it to Niagara Falls, but did give up on her quest to go to the moon... at least in a cardboard box.
Many thanks to Courtney for stopping by and answering my questions! I can't wait to hear more about her next YA novel :). Courtney is generously giving away a signed copy of her debut, On the Fringe, to one of my readers! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below (or click "read more" if viewing from main page).
The Wonderfully Wicked Read-a-thon, hosted by Bex @ Kindle Fever and April @ My Shelf Confessions is in full swing! A Book and a Latte is excited to host the PM challenge - "Lets Talk Horror". This challenge is open from 8 PM EST to 12 AM EST today only!
[Challenge is closed]
This challenge is super easy. Ready?
Let's Talk Horror
What is your favorite horror or thriller movie based off of a book?
Simply answer this question in the comments and include your email to enter! That's it! I'd love to discuss the books/movies but please be careful to not include spoilers! I will use the random.org to pick a winner (counting through comments, hmmm... that will be interesting).
Entrants must be participating in the Read-a-thon. Winner will receive a $10 giftcard to Amazon, or a book of choice ($10 or under) from Book Depository. Yay for an international giveaway (as long as Book Depository can ship to you)!
To get things started, here's my answer:
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) starring Jodi Foster and Anthony Hopkins, based on the book by Thomas Harris. Nothing scares me more than a psychological thriller about a serial killer! I read this entire series in college and I STILL occasionally have dreams about Hannibal Lector. Seriously.
As part of the search for a serial murderer nicknamed "Buffalo Bill," FBI trainee Clarice Starling is given an assignment. She must visit a man confined to a high-security facility for the criminally insane and interview him.
That man, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, is a former psychiatrist with unusual tastes and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of The Silence of the Lambs--an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction. (Goodreads)
Alrighty, what's your favorite horror/thriller movie based from a book? I can't wait to see your answers! Remember, contest closes at 12AM EST (midnight) TODAY. Winner will be announced at the end of the Read-a-thon. Don't forget to check out tomorrow's challenges (Sunday, October 23): 8AM – 12PM (noon) | Read in Pictures | Kate & Kristen @ The Book Monsters 4PM – 10PM EST | Zombie Apocalypse | April @ My Shelf Confessions
Prize!
We will have 1 winner that will be chosen randomly from everyone who completes the challenge. The winner will get to choose one paranormal/supernatural/horror book of their choice from Book Depository.
If you don't plan to participate tomorrow, please signup for the Prize Pack (you can only enter once):
This past week I was lucky to be able to attend the Pen Fatale panel discussion at one of my favorite bookstores, the Tattered Cover with Katie from Katie's Book Blog. We had a fantastic time!
Included on the panel were: Jessica Brody (My Life Undecided), Alyson Noel (The Immortals series), Mary E. Pearson (Jenna Fox Chronicles), and Gabrielle Zevin (All These Things I've Done). The panel discussion was moderated by Claire Martin, book reviewer for the Denver Post. I thought she did a fantastic job with asking insightful questions about both the books and the authors. The audience also asked some really great questions and there was some great discussion.
All the authors were so open and friendly! I loved hearing more about the books and the stories behind them - what made them come to be. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have yet read any books from these authors, but after meeting them I wish I could read them ALL. Now!
Here are some pictures from the event:
You can see from the group picture, that I was totally geeking out about meeting these authors! The Pen Fatale Tour was the first author event I've ever been to, and it was so much fun :). With the tour only going to 6 cities, I felt lucky to attend... and wanted to share it with my readers. So... I snagged a second poster and had it signed so I could give it to one of you! It's super easy, just submit your name and email to enter, contest ends October 31st.
About the author:
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.
About Crossroads by Mary Ting
I started writing Crossroads after my grandmother passed away about 3 years ago. When these characters came to life in my mind, along with the character Gamma, inspired by my grandmother, it was a way for me to heal. I decided to start from a dream I had in high school, chapter one. Chapter two is also based on my dream as well. I didn’t think I would have much to write about, but when I made Claudia to be more like me, it was easy. Her first car, her first job, her first experience at camping and her grandmother having a stroke was all part of me. Too bad Michael wasn’t real…lol!!!
Many people like Davin, which I’m really happy about because his character was inspired by my friend who passed away. He was very likable and was a best friend to all his friends. Patty is my friend from church. She is exactly how I described her, social butterfly who knows everything about her friends and fashion. I named Claudia after a student I once had many years ago. I can still picture her face, just like an angel. When I was much younger, I had a crush on a boy name Michael, but his character is based off my husband, protective, romantic, and silly at times. No… he doesn’t have wings…lol!!!
Though I was busy with work, being a wife, a mother, and PTA president, I would always find time to write, even if that meant typing while I was cooking or brushing my teeth. Crossroads was written for a fast, fun reading with likable characters. Many have emailed me to let me know how Crossroads has helped them escaped from their everyday stress. Also, how they’ve connected to this book because of chapter one, having a loved one passed away. I took on a journey not knowing how rewarding it would be for me. I’ve meet so many wonderful people from all over the world through facebook, goodreads and blog sites. I’ve made everlasting friendship where friendship knows no boundaries. And I have to thank my grandmother who continues to watch over me from Heaven.
Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.
Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should? (Goodreads)
As part of her stop here, Mary Ting is giving away a copy of Crossroads to one of A Book and a Latte's readers! To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below, then scroll down to enter the tour's grand prize.
Mary Ting is also generously giving away a signed copy of Crossroads, a Swarovski crystal heart necklace, and bracelet. Winner will be announced on September 28, 2011 on her blog! To enter, fill out the form at the link below.
Hi peeps! I just wanted to give a quick update about my life... I recently obtained more work for my business, which is awesome for business... but I'm not sure yet how it will impact A Book and a Latte. I hope it will not be noticeable, but I'm not sure how realistic it will be to keep up my current pace. My work schedule fluctuates and right now I'm back to working full time plus potential overtime to meet a deadline. So, please bear with me as I figure out how to manage my work, blog, and personal time over the next few months. I'm not going anywhere, I just might have to slow down a bit when things get hectic.
To celebrate my business getting more work, the end of summer, and the beginning of fall... I thought this would be the perfect time to have another giveaway! This contest will run through the autumnal equinox (or September equinox), when autumn officially begins on September 23rd. I can not wait for fall, it's my favorite season! OK, so here are the details...
I will be giving away the winner's choice of one of the following new or upcoming releases, in either physical or ebook format:
If the chosen book hasn't been released by September 23rd, I will pre-order the winner a copy. Contest details:
Flat-Out Love is a warm and witty novel of family love and dysfunction, deep heartache and raw vulnerability, with a bit of mystery and one whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees romance.
Something is seriously off in the Watkins home. And Julie Seagle, college freshman, small-town Ohio transplant, and the newest resident of this Boston house, is determined to get to the bottom of it.
When Julie's off-campus housing falls through, her mother's old college roommate, Erin Watkins, invites her to move in. The parents, Erin and Roger, are welcoming, but emotionally distant and academically driven to eccentric extremes. The middle child, Matt, is an MIT tech geek with a sweet side ... and the social skills of a spool of USB cable. The youngest, Celeste, is a frighteningly bright but freakishly fastidious 13-year-old who hauls around a life-sized cardboard cutout of her oldest brother almost everywhere she goes.
And there's that oldest brother, Finn: funny, gorgeous, smart, sensitive, almost emotionally available. Geographically? Definitely unavailable. That's because Finn is traveling the world and surfacing only for random Facebook chats, e-mails, and status updates. Before long, through late-night exchanges of disembodied text, he begins to stir something tender and silly and maybe even a little bit sexy in Julie's suddenly lonesome soul.
To Julie, the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Not until she forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.
Describe Flat-Out Love in five words or less.
Romantic, heartbreaking, quirky, strong, witty.
I loved the Facebook statuses as well as the messages and chats between Julie and Finn. They made the story current, relatable, and entertaining! Did you know from the beginning of your writing process that you wanted to incorporate Facebook/online messaging?
Yes, FB updates and online chats were part of my original idea for the book. I thought that the FB updates would be a good way to show parts of Julie, Matt, and Finn’s personalities. Aside from the fact that they were just fun to include, they really go along with the theme of presenting oneself in one way publically/online and differently in real life. The hitch came along when I actually tried to write them… My own FB updates usually have to do with making fun of celebrities, current events, stuff my kid says, etc. But those wouldn’t work for a book because I needed updates that were not grounded in time, ones that would be funny ten years from now. So I went around FB stealing awesome updates from strangers. Okay, I didn’t do that. My friend Dave was kind enough to let me scroll through two years worth of his updates and pull out ones for Flat-Out Love. (Which I don’t recommend you do all at one time like I did, because you may get really freakin’ dizzy and feel a little ill from all that scrolling.) He is awesomely funny and has plenty of status updates that do not have to do with Lady Gaga or Charlie Sheen. (He’s on Twitter as @whatdoiknow if you want to follow him.)
Celeste is such a wonderful, endearing, and quirky character. What or who inspired you for writing her character?
Aw, I’m so happy you liked her. Once I had decided on the idea that she would have Flat Finn ( http://flatoutlove.blogspot.com/p/chapter-tidbits.html ), I knew that she’d need to have a personality that fitted with someone who would have a cardboard cutout of her brother. So, you know… not entirely normal. I wanted her to be extremely odd and quirky, but also endearing. It was important that Julie (and readers!) really like her because Matt and Julie, in particular, spend a lot of time with her and handling issues around her. Their relationship and Julie’s relationship with Finn are both very much entwined with her.
I knew right away that I wanted her to be extremely smart--intellectually gifted—and it seemed fitting that she struggle tremendously socially. I mean, it’s kind of damn hard to have any sort of vaguely normal social life when you’re attached at the hip to a lifesize cutout of your brother, right? Being a preteen is hard enough, but Celeste really made things harder on herself… And I have no idea where the idea for her to speak, “like someone from the Victorian era,” as Julie says, came from. I started writing her like that from the minute that she opened her mouth, but it works so perfectly for her, I think. My favorite Celeste scenes are the ones where she is particularly agitated, and her speech patterns get even more ridiculous. (For those of you who have read the book, the hinge chapter comes to mind.)
Coming from my own dysfunctional family (aren’t all families dysfunctional in some way?), I could relate in some ways to both Julie’s and Matt’s family life. You tackled some difficult issues; do you have a background in psychology?
I do. I studied a ton of psychology in college and have a master’s degree in social work. More than those influences, though, is the fact that my father is a clinical psychologist. I grew up with dinner parties populated by Cambridge, Massachusetts’ crème de la crème of therapists. I knew more about family systems theory by the time I was ten than any kid should. But I loved being in on those discussions. Psychology fascinates me, and I love bringing that interest into my writing. Characters need to have real substance in order for readers to really connect with them. It makes their words and their actions much more layered if we understand them on a more complex level.
I was so excited to read a story with such a loveable nerdy character like Matt! Even though some of his ramblings even made my engineering eyes glaze over, I loved and appreciated that he wasn’t a typical dreamy hot guy you usually find in YA novels. Who or what inspired his character?
I like rooting for the underdog! I’ve always kind of loved the geeky boys… the Seth Cohen’s of the world. The excessively talkative, socially awkward boys with weird senses of humor. They’re endearing. Plus, the seeming emotional unavailability because they’re constantly deflecting real, meaningful conversation makes the moments that they do reveal bits of their feelings even more powerful. And who doesn’t love smart? I think it’s hot.
There is less tension when a lead male is so obviously sexy and emotionally pulled together. It’s too easy. Those guys can definitely be fun to read about, but there is less opportunity for their personality to develop or be revealed during the course of the story. A book with a guy like that is often more about plot, which is fine. But I just wanted another layer to one of the male leads… that mysterious, guarded something that the reader wants to get behind. Matt is clearly incredibly bright academically, but he’s equally stupid when it comes to dealing with people. And yet… there is something so wonderful behind that intellectually-obsessive nature. I like seeing his progress over the course of the Flat-Out Love year.
Flat-Out Love made me fall in love with Boston all over again. Being my favorite US city, I appreciated all the references and how the city was like another character in the story. Did you know from the beginning that Boston would be the setting? Did you spend time in Boston while writing Flat-Out Love or is it based on your memories of living there?
I didn’t specifically go back into Boston (although I’m only about an hour away now) for book purposes, but I know the areas I wrote about like the back of my hand. I worked in Harvard Square (in Cambridge) for a number of years, plus spent tons of free time there. It’s just got such a fabulous, unique energy. There is such a strong intellectual air there because it’s obviously Harvard University territory, and yet it’s an incredibly comfortable, freeing, jubilant place to be. The houses on Brattle Street are spectacular, too, and completely suit the Watkins family. There are lots of nooks and hidden side streets, cobbled areas, busy squares and quieter spots. Plus, there’s the Charles River; always beautiful and able to carry any mood.
Do you have a favorite character in Flat-Out Love? If so, was the character(s) easier or more difficult to write?
I’m so torn between choosing Matt or Celeste. I mean, of course I grew so attached to all of the characters, but those two really got to me. They’re similar in the sense that they are both masking struggles, and so their outward personalities become somewhat exaggerated parts of themselves. And those parts are entertaining (hopefully!) and add a layer of both humor and complexity to their dialogue and their actions.
I could write dialogue for both of these characters at the drop of a hat. It’s a little creepy, actually. But I could put either of them in any situation and could tell you exactly how each one would behave and what they’d say. They’re just… well, they’re part of me. Matt in particular would keep me awake at night… I’d tweak his language and mood, tap into that softer side that he hides…
It felt like a real loss when I finished writing the book. I was in tears. It had been a wonderful but draining experience to write the book, and I was absolutely exhausted when I hit those last chapters. But I couldn’t stop. As much as I wanted to write those last scenes, I didn’t want to say goodbye to any of the characters. All of them had been with me in this fabricated, intense little world and losing them was sort of crushing. Of course, at that point I’d forgotten that I was headed for about 60 rereads while I proofed and edited, so I got more than enough time with them again.
I am a bit shocked that Flat-Out Love hasn’t been picked up from a major publisher. What is the most challenging part of being self-published?
Yeah, well not getting picked up is mostly a good thing. Some damage to the ego, but that’s okay. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear, “You’re good enough!” Although not getting a NY publisher has nothing to do with being good enough. It has to do with business. But it doesn’t feel particularly good to pile up rejection letters. If you want to hear me rant about the publishing industry, Google “Jessica Park” and “@#%#$@.” A number of links should come up.
This might sound silly, but formatting issue are just the pits. I’m a writer, not a computer or font genius. (Matt from the book is, however he was totally useless.) I can’t tell you how long it took me to solve some hideous margin errors I was having when I did test uploads to kindle. There were large chunks of the book that were all indented, and I nearly tore out all of my hair trying to deal with these. I blame Microsoft Word for these issues, BTW. Eventually I solved my problem, but I do have a few FB updates that are not justified the way others are. But I learned to pick my battles… I have to do yet a separate formatting for Smashwords, and they can be a total nightmare to get right. A publisher would take care of all of this for me, but self-publishing means that I do everything myself. So I take the good with the bad.
I also have to proofread like crazy. Much more so than I would with a manuscript that I knew a publisher would be in charge of. I do have a few great copy editors that I use, but there are always things that I miss. Someone just caught a FB update where I had written “Julie Watkins” instead of “Julie Seagle.” Nice Freudian slip… And a friend pointed out to me that Waiting for Godot is a play and not a book. Which I know, but I screwed up. The good thing is that I can upload updated versions anytime that I want to. But this is all stuff that is a ton of work.
Truthfully, though, I really enjoy most aspects of self-publishing.
Jessica Park is the author of the young adult novels RELATIVELY FAMOUS and FLAT-OUT LOVE, five Gourmet Girl mysteries (written as Jessica Conant-Park) and the e-shorts FACEBOOKING RICK SPRINGFIELD and WHAT THE KID SAYS (Parts 1 & 2). She grew up in the Boston area and then went to Macalester College in frigid St. Paul, Minnesota. During her freshman year, there was a blizzard on Halloween, and she decided that she was not cut out for such torture. So she moved back to the east coast where, she'd forgotten, it still snows. Oops. She now lives in New Hampshire with her husband, son, bananas dog named Fritzy, and two selfish cats. When not writing, she is probably on Facebook , pining over 80s rock stars, or engaging in "Glee" activities. Or some combination of the three. Probably with a coffee in hand.
Thank you so much to Jessica for indulging me and taking the time to answer my questions! If you read my review, you know that Flat-Out Love is one of my favorite books of 2011. To share the love, I'm giving away an ebook copy of Flat-Out Love!
I'm participating in BlogFest 2011 hosted by Cinnamon @ A Journey of Books!
For this event, I'm offering your choice of my 6 favorite debuts of 2011! This giveaway is international, as I'll be giving the winner the book of their choice in either print or ebook format (if available) from either Amazon or Book Depository. If Book Depository is able to ship to your country (please confirm here), you are welcome to enter!
Below are my favorite 2011 debuts I've read so far (in no particular order). Which book do you want the most?
Giveaway details:
To enter, fill out the form below (CLOSED)
Must be 13 years old or older
Must be a GFC follower
Contest is international if Book Depository can ship to you!
Winner will be chosen using random.org, and has 48 hours to respond once notified.
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