O Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay!

Yesterday I finally got to announce some great news! I've known for several months, but we were waiting for Amulet to put out a press release. So here it is, along with the Publishers Marketplace announcement (click on pictures to enlarge):

And this is me (that's my hubbie against the tree; it's part of his cool act, to dress Robin Hoodish and be all brooding and stuff...*swoons*)

Best day ever! :) 

Falling Down the Rabbit Hole...Cyber Style.

My dream vacation one day will be to take a week off from everything and go on a tour of Oxford. This city in England played a huge role, both in Alice Liddell's young life and Charles Dodgson's (aka Lewis Carroll's) education and inspiration. In other words, without Oxford, there would be no Alice's Adventures at all.

The first thing I'd do is take one of the official guided walking tours... preferably When Alice met Harry Tour and Tea.

 

Here's the official descrip from the website:

"Quintessential English charm with a twist. Following your tour enjoy afternoon tea served at the old prison. Indulge in delicious teas, slender finger sandwiches and cakes - Mal style! Turned upside down and back to front, you'd be as mad as a hatter to miss it. You are welcome to dress as an Alice character for the occasion.
 

Alice in Wonderland was inspired by Alice Liddell. She spent her early years in Oxford, and her friendship with Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, led to the writing of the two Alice books. Another favourite, Harry Potter, appeared here when some of his film scenes were shot in Oxford locations. Join this tour to explore their worlds of wonder and wizardry."

Who could beat that? Paying homage to Harry Potter and Wonderland in one fell swoop?

The next leg of my trip would be dedicated to shopping. There's one particular shop I'll have to be sure to stop at, because some of Tenniel's illustrations in the second Wonderland tale were based off of it (and, little known fact as of yet, there's a mention of a magical shop in Unhinged based on that very scene from Through the Looking Glass):

To check out more of the shop's history, here's a link to their website.

Of course, most importantly, I'll have to plan this magical vacation for the first week of July, because there's an Alice Day held by The Story Museum every year around that time.

About Alice's Day (official descrip from website):

"One golden afternoon on 4 July 1862, Charles Dodgson, an Oxford don, took Alice Liddell and her sisters on a boating picnic up the River Thames from Folly Bridge in Oxford. To amuse the children he told them a story about a little girl, sitting bored by a riverbank, who finds herself tumbling down a rabbit hole into a topsy-turvy world called Wonderland. The story so delighted the 10-year-old Alice that she begged him to write it down – the result was Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865 under the pen name Lewis Carroll. It became one of the best-loved children’s books ever written.

To celebrate that first telling, Oxford turns into Wonderland for one magical day every year."

Doesn't that sound like a galumphing good time? *dreamy sigh*

Until then, I'll have to continue to visit the rabbit hole through my imagination and cyberspace. 

 

 

So, what about you? If you got to plan a dream vacation, where would it be, and why?

Writing and Publishing Tips!

The blogging and writing communites have been AMAZING to me during my long journey to the bookshelves, and I've always wanted to give something back.

So, I added a page to my website (located on my sidebar) to help other up-and-coming authors. It has everything from how to write that debut novel to marketing your books. Now, when someone asks me for writing tips or for deets on my own personal journey, I can direct them to this link:

Tips for Aspiring and Newly Published Authors

I hope writers will find something there to inspire and motivate them to take the next step in their career, whatever that may be.

Have a great week, everyone!

Novella sneak peek...

I made it back in one piece after my Las Vegas trip, and now I'm settling in to work again. 

Today my editor sent the flap copy (the plot teaser that goes inside the hard cover's jacket flap) my way for input. Another step closer to Unhinged being on the shelves!

I've also heard a rumor I'll be getting ARCs next week. Here's hoping it's true! I want to kiss and hug them. :)

And I received line edits for the Splintered novella I've written (in Jeb and Morph's POVs). My publisher does edits electronically via track changes for the most part, so it saves both time and trees.

Here's a glimpse into the novella and the process, in case you'd like a peek (click on it for a bigger view):

Hope everyone had a productive week, and I plan to return very soon with pictures of Unhinged ARCs, along with a chance to win one or two.

Happy weekend!

Goats in VEGAS!!!

 

 

HEADS UP! This week I'll be running with the goats in Las Vegas, so I'm going to be pretty quiet on twitter, FB, and GoodReads.

 

WHAT? You didn't know there was a sport similar to running with the bulls that involved goats?

 

That's because there's not. Heh.

 

Truth is, I'm going to be hanging with some awesome writer pals. We call ourselves the #goatposse. I'm busy doing laundry and packing, so for further explanation, please hop over to Jennifer Lopez's posse page here, or you can also read this meme I did as part of the #goatposse hazing, or check out Darke's posse pinterest board.

 

In the way of news, I finished my Splintered novella (in Jeb's and Morpheus's POVs) and turned it in to my editor, so hopefully come October, you'll be able to purchase it as an ebook to tide you over until Unhinged is out in January.

 

Also, I have it on good authority that Unhinged ARCs are on their way. Which means I'll be having a giveaway for one or two VERY SOON for those of you who'd like a chance at an early read! I can't wait!

 

But in the meantime, I'm off to play with my bearded writerly pals. Good thing our gate keeper didn't read the sign:

 



 

And thank goodness what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

 

 

 

 

Everyone have a wonderful week and I'll see you again soon, pending I survive the party! <3

First pass pages!!!

One of my favorite parts of the publishing process is when my lovely editor sends along my first pass pages. I've also heard these called galleys (but I've also heard galley is interchangable with ARCs...it's all so confusing).

Anyway, first pass pages are formatted and printed in book layout, complete with font and chapter headers (except they're unbound). This is the stage right before ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) come out. I've been given a capped amount of time to look it over for typos and formatting issues, etc... and there are editors doing the same from my publisher's end.

This means that ARCs are just about to be printed. I'll let you know when they're here, but in the meantime, here's a sneak peek at the galley pages (all 197.5 pages worth, which will be 395 pages when bound in book form):

Oh, and one more seekrit, I have it on good authority they're going with a different color ink this time. Just as pretty as the purple, though. No worries! <3   

I'll be offering up the signed title page (the one with the book cover picture) in an upcoming giveaway. But for now I'm off to reread Unhinged for the fifty-somethingeth time. Wish me luck! :)

MIA for ALA

Things are going to be quiet here for the next week or so. First, I'm off to ALA in Chicago to shmooze with other authors, my editors, readers, and librarians.

For any Splintered fans / readers who live in the area, I'll be attending two events that are free and open to the public:

 



Saturday, June 29th

If you're in the vicinity, I'd love to meet you!

After I wrap things up in Chicago, I'll be hanging with my family for a week to celebrate the 4th of July, so I'll be back in blogland sometime after that.

Everyone have a fun and safe holiday!