Here are a few more photos from the shoot!

Aria, Perry and Roar

Isn’t this shot beautiful? You can’t see it, but there’s a ravine where the two hillsides meet, and it’s actually fairly steep. At one point during the shoot, I tried to cross this steep ravine–which is also strewn with dead (and very slippery) leaves–while holding four bottles of water. The result was something of an I LOVE LUCY episode, with me almost climbing out of the ravine about ten times, losing a water bottle, watching it roll down to the bottom, and having to restart the whole process over again. I made it, though.

I mentioned yesterday how wonderful these actors were. Also in this photo is Pedro Castro, the Director of Photography, who I’m a little obsessed with right now. Sweet, patient, and a true artist, Pedro climbed up trees, worked in the rain, in the mud, etc. I was amazed watching this guy work. I’m a total fan.

Wyatt, the actor who played Perry, happened to be an archer–and a great one at that. I love this shot, though we didn’t end up using it in the trailer.

Want to see some more? I’ve posted a couple over at the Facebook page and tomorrow, I’ll share my favorite shots right here, so come on back!

Hey guys! Have you seen the UNDER THE NEVER SKY Book Trailer? 

Filming this was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. My friend–the amazing Roman White--was the driving force behind it. When I asked him for some help with a trailer, I expected a thirty-second clip with some photos, maybe a little bit of voice-over. To say the end result blew me away is the understatement of the year.

We shot this in Los Angeles a few weeks ago during two days in a studio, and at a local park. The actors, extras, and crew were generous, talented and so much fun to spend time with. Thank you Madison McMillan (Aria), Wyatt Nash (Perry), Bryan Lillis (Roar), Jonathan Vane (Hess), Liam Ackerman (Cinder), Rocky (Talon), Pedro Castro (DP/The Spaniard), Gray (Make-up/The Mask-Maker), Sammy, Tiffany, Rose, Kermit, Frankie, Betsy, Lia, Talia, Michael, Luca, Roman, Roman, Roman. You were all amazing!

Some of you have reached out to me with questions about why Perry doesn’t have long hair, or why Aria isn’t wearing her army fatigues. (I love that you know the story so well!) The answer is that we had a limited budget, sadly. If you want to see the world and characters depicted to their fullest, cross your fingers for the green light by Warner Bros., who have optioned the film rights. No, really. Cross them. Please.  ; )

I’ll be posting a few behind-the-scenes photos of the shoot over the next week. The first one is of the cast, Roman and yours truly. (I need to make a disclaimer that it was freezing and raining in Los Angeles that day, which is why I’m dressed in layers of “wardrobe.” Because…. Well. I just needed to say that…)  The second was taken during the studio shoot.

Cast, Me, and Director Roman White

Studio day! Our “Perry” was actually a skilled archer. Look at that form!

Win a Spring Into the Future Tote Bag!

Seven Books! Four Chances to Win!

We’re getting excited to hit the road next month! If you’re in the LA, Chicago, New York, Houston, Austin or Miami areas, we’d love to meet you! Check our Facebook page for tour stops!

In celebration, we’re giving away four tote bags packed with books for your spring reading.

Each prize includes signed hard cover books by each of us, Anna Carey, Tahereh Mafi and Veronica Rossi, PLUS Advanced Reader Copies of these hot spring titles: 

MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, by Bethany Griffin

DREAMLESS, by Josephine Angelini

TIGER LILY, by Jodi Lynn Anderson

DESTINED, by Aprilynne Pike

To enter, LIKE the Spring Into the Future Facebook page. We’ll be drawing winners at every 100 followers, beginning at 300! (Contest open to US Residents only. Winners will be randomly selected.)

Ready, Set, Go!

The winner, by random drawing, is Erin W. Congrats, Erin!

If you liked the German trailer, keep your eyes out. I’ve got something in the works that’ll blow you away!

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY:

Learning to get along with different cultures is at the heart of UNDER THE NEVER SKY. If you can correctly translate the German text in the video, then add your translation to the comments below for a chance to receive a signed US edition of UTNS (open internationally)!

Want to enter twice and increase your odds? Add yourself to the Awesome People who follow my blog and I’ll give you an extra entry. Be sure to let me know you’ve done it. And, yes, I check.

A winner will be picked from the correct entries using random.org and I’ll announce the result over the weekend.

Good luck!

Dinner with a Cannibal (surprisingly, a good book)
Wildwood Wisdom
Medieval Lives
Medieval Warfare
The Survival Instinct
Radical Evolution

I honestly would be thrilled if I could read non-fiction for hours out of every day.

Some research is more hands on. A walk in the woods. A sketch of a city. Or archery lessons.

Now that is fun. Yesterday I treated myself to a new bow. You’ll see it here. Isn’t she a beauty?

Thanks to Wayne over at Archery Only. You’re awesome!

Copies of the gorgeous UK version of UTNS arrived! They’re stunning! Thank you, ATOM Books!

Crawling out of the revision cave for a quick update! UNDER THE NEVER SKY is out there and going strong. I’m thrilled by the feedback I’m getting from readers. Thank you! I’ve been touring and writing Book Two, so I haven’t had much time for… much… (I’ve been spending A LOT of time alone and my brain is doing funny things – you’ve been warned) but here are a few things I’d like to share:

Finally, I have something fun in the works for fans of Aria and Perry. I’ll be able to say more soon, but trust me… you won’t want to miss this!

The daily chaos.

UK Cover

LAST WEEK – ABA’s Winter Institute in New Orleans was amazing. I met so many wonderful independent booksellers, spent some time with the awesome Harper crew, and the other Harper authors, Sarah Pennypacker and Katherine Applegate. Also, I had many conversations about the Saints loss in the playoffs. (sad face) Guys… local bookstores are so important. Please support your local businesses!