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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The White Rabbit is Out of the Bag!



 
I've been keeping a sekrit for several months because I was under strict instructions not to tell. BUT, the rabbit squirmed its way out of the bag on Monday when Publisher's Weekly posted their Fall Preview Sneak Peak (click on image below to enlarge):


What does this mean? First, of course, there is a SPLINTERED sequel in the making, and it's called UNHINGED. It's scheduled to be released January 2014.
 
Second, it means a giveaway, because anyone who follows my blog knows how much I love to give things away! 
 
Since I'm not allowed to offer a blurb for the book yet, and I have to leave you in the dark about it's premise, I'm going to have prizes that play a role in the story somehow, so that later when you read UNHINGED, you'll say to yourself: "Oh, so that's where this comes in."
 
One last thing: The contest will begin this Friday (March 1), will be INTL, and will run for a whole month! Stop back Friday for details and for a peek at the six SPLINTERED/UNHINGED related prizes I'll be offering.
 
Thanks for being so patient while my blog has been in hiatus! Hopefully soon I can clear some of the cobwebs away. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you Friday!

Monday, February 18, 2013

A Belated Valentine's Gift For YOU!

There's a new blog in town, folks!


The Valentines are a group of 14 YA authors debuting in 2014 who want to share their love of books and candy with YOU!

I have several good friends over there so I'm super-stoked to get the word out!

Let me introduce you to your Valentines:

Anne Blankman / Jaye Robin Brown / Bethany Crandell / Lindsay Cummings / Bethany Hagen / Kristi Helvig / Kristen Lippert-Martin / Lynne Matson / Jen McConnel / Sara Raasch / A. Lynden Rolland / Philip Siegel / Paula Stokes + one "Secret Valentine"

To kick off their author interview series--the SWEET SIX--they invited me to hang out tomorrow, February 19th, on their blog. And in homage to their fun-loving nature (because as you know all good valentines are generous and spontaneous), we're having a giveaway!

Here's what will be up for grabs:


Splintered Audio Book 10-CD set (a $20.97 value for FREE)
 
Swag Pack (1 signed Splintered bookmark,
1 sighned bookplate, and 1 Alice in Wonderland gift tag)
 
BTW, having listened to my own copy of the audio book, I assure you it is AMAZING. The narrator, Rebecca Gibel, is phenomenal at portraying emotions along with the different character voices, especially Jeb and Morpheus, my two leading men (her cockney accent makes me swoon).

I got chill bumps listening to it! Of course, that could be because this book is my baby, but still... it's FABULOUS! :)

Okay, enough gushing. I hope you'll stop over at The Valentine's and get to know these amazing authors and maybe win a prize or two. They have lots of fantastic things planned for you over the next year.

Thanks for dropping by, and have a great week!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Cobwebs are nature's lace doilies...


Lately it's been quiet here on my blog, and it will remain that way for the most part through March.

I'm up to my neck writing toward my February deadline (I was signed for two YA novels with Amulet so I'm working on another contemporary fantasy, though I’m not at liberty to give any more info than that yet ... but soon, I hope!). Between the writing and Splintered signings/promo, I don't have much time for blogging right now.

But, even when something is left alone and neglected for a bit, beauty and enlightenment can still be found if you look hard enough. I've written 170 posts over the last couple of years, with subjects ranging from writing, to soul searching, to pure silliness.

There's a list of the most popular posts (according to # of views) on the bottom of my sidebar, and here's a list of some of my personal faves:

1. Angels Among Us
2. Attack of the Bloodesucking Pygmy Goats
3. Wherein a Shoe Has a Soul
4. Meme of Maniacal Madness
5. What the ER Taught Me About Writing
6. I Want to Be a Spark Plug

If you're looking for something in particular, you can search my blog by subject with the search box I've added on the sidebar, or skim through the labels listed underneath the popular posts.

I've also updated the "website" pages of my blog to include a calendar for tour/signing dates and locations:

Events and Appearances

And I now have a swag request page for bloggers and readers who'd like personalized swag for giveaways or for themselves:

 Show Me the Swag

Busy is good, and hopefully I've filled this spot with enough posts and information to keep it from growing too many dust bunnies until I can return with fresh new posts. (◕‿-) There is beauty in silence ... and wisdom in introspection, so I'll leave you to your thoughts and get back to my writing.

Have a wonderful early 2013, and I'll see you very soon!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

WINNERS POSTED!!

 
Banner by Ashley at BookNook
 
YAY!!! SPLINTERED is now officially out in the world!
 
 
Thanks to everyone who helped ring in the New Year by taking part in my virtual tour and the Red Carpet event...
 
Winners are now posted on my website's contests and giveaways page.
 
Happy New Year, and may your 2013 bring much success and happiness your way! <3
 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

SPLINTERED'S INTERNATIONAL RED CARPET EVENT!!!

 

Ello! My name is Jasper, and I'll be your guide on the fashion leg of the prelaunch event. Please don’t be frightened or confused by me and my bug-eyed friends. We might look like ordinary dragonflies, but we’re in fact an enchanted swarm who’ve been appointed to lead you through the crowds.

This way, up the stairs towards the red carpet. Do be careful where you tread. There are many Wonderland creatures in attendance, some smaller than a breadbox.

Mad Hatter himself is making a go of manning the camera. Sadly, he’s one of the vertically challenged, which resulted in this cropped image of Alyssa, the punk rock sweetheart of SPLINTERED’s twisted fairy tale, going up the stairs some twenty minutes ago.


We assure you, in spite of how many times she heard the phrase “off with your head” whilst in Wonderland, she managed to make it to the event with hers intact.

As for the fellows of SPLINTERED, Hatter snapped a brilliant shot of Jebediah’s boots:


…and what we’re assuming is one of Morpheus’s wings silhouetted across the evening sun:


But to keep things visually accurate, one of our human assistants Googled the boys’ outfits and found online facsimiles for you:

Jebediah

Morpheus

Although they have different tastes in fashion, these handsome gents share similar taste in ladies, as each has set his sights on the fair Alyssa.

Now, let’s stop here next to the buffet table. The in-studio announcer is about to do her introductions of the boys. Then you'll be off to the interviews where you can decide which "suitor" is best "suited" for the skater-girl who rolled her way into Wonderland’s heart.

And don’t mind us if we disappear for a bit . . . we’re off to eat the appetizers, before they have a chance to eat you!

****

Welcome, welcome, friends and fiends, to a red-carpet event like no other! I’m A.M. Supinger—in-studio announcer—and it’s my pleasure to be the first to tempt you down a rabbit hole even Lewis Carroll couldn’t dream up. (Beware the Hors d'oeuvres—they bite back!)

A.G. Howard’s SPLINTERED is a dark and mysterious Wonderland adventure, but it’s her juicy heartthrobs stealing the spotlight tonight!

First up is Jeb, Alyssa’s long-time friend and crush—an artist with a soldier’s heart. He jumps into this adventure without hesitation and puts himself in harm’s way time and again to protect Alyssa from Wonderland’s worst creatures. But he doesn’t come without baggage, including the tortured past he left up in the human world, and the buffer of brotherly affection he’s always used to keep Alyssa at arm’s length.
 
Then there’s Morpheus, a Wonderland staple Carroll depicted as a hookah-smoking caterpillar. Nothing could be further from the truth, which Alyssa discovered as a child. But their youthful friendship evolves into something wild and magnetic in the untamed chaos of Wonderland. Only Jeb is immune to Morpheus’s charm, and he instills doubt in Alyssa as to whether or not Morpheus is friend or foe.
 
Before these two drool-worthy hunks run off into the crowd in search of Alyssa, Bethany Crandell and Jessica Nelson—our on-site red carpet reporters—are going to help us determine whose team jersey we’ll wear in 2013 with a blog-hopping interview. Personally, I can’t wait to see which hottie comes out on top, and which is served leftover soup…

Ladies, you have the floor!

For Jeb’s interview and the INTERNATIONAL OUTLANDISH GIVEAWAYS, head over to Bethany Crandell’s place.

For Morpheus’s interview and the INTERNATIONAL OUTLANDISH GIVEAWAYS, hop over to Jessica Nelson’s blog.

ALSO, a hearty round of cyber-applause for the following contributors who made this virtual prelaunch party possible...

****

Red Carpet Attributions:

Thanks to A.M. Supinger, Bethany Crandell, and Jessica Nelson for being extraordinary and entertaining MCs!

Thank you to Kalen O’Donnell for the spectacular Red Carpet Event banner and artwork!

And last but never-ever least, special thanks and gratitude to the following book-reviewers/bloggers/authors who fashioned the amazing list of questions for our guys:


 

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Sixth Day of Splintered Blog Tour: Wonderland fashion

If you're here for the sixth stop of the Splintered blog tour, it is now posted at its original listing: ReadingTeen (apologies for the confusion!).  Hop over for a glimpse at Wonderland parties and fashion, and enter the raffle copter for a chance to win one of 12 Splintered hardbacks, courtesy of Abrams!

And so you won't feel like your trip here today was a waste of time, here are two FREE interactive Splintered activities for you, if you like that sort of thing:

  • Check out the pinterest Splintered Book board to get ideas for your own Wonderland/Splintered themed party.

  • Hop over to the Splintered casting poll to learn more about the characters and choose which actors are perfect for the roles.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the tour!

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Twelve Days of Splintered...

 
Sponsored by Amulet and coordinated by Gabrielle Carolina at The Modge Podge Bookshelf.
 
I can't believe there's less than two weeks until my debut YA novel, Splintered, hits the shelves. WOW. It's gone by so fast!
 
Celebrate with us by visiting the official virtual book tour. You'll find sneak peeks of Splintered's Wonderland settings, fashions, food, and parties, all tied to a Christmas theme.

There are Splintered and Wonderland freebies galore to be won along the way, so don't miss a single stop!

1. Mr. Dodo's House @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Ivory Queen's Castle @ Reading Angel
3. The Red Queen's Castle @ Krazy Book Lady
4. Christmas Tea Party @ Katie's Book Blog
5. Gifts in Wonderland @ Icey Books
6. Wonderland Fashion @ ReadingTeen
7. The Ocean of Tears & The Zombie Flower Forrest @ The Mod Podge Bookshelf
8. Wonderland's Historic Library @ Book Hounds YA
9. Wonderland's Secrets @ Mundie Moms
10. The Spritelings @ Pages From My Thoughts
11. Butterfly Threads @ Jennifer Daiker
10. Visiting Hour at the Asylum @ Crossroad Reviews