I’ll be there with Scott Westerfield, Tahereh Mafi, Leigh Bardugo, Kami Garcia, Melina Marchetta, James Dashner, Victoria Schwab, Myra McEntire, Nathan Bransford, and I need to stop because the awesomeness is killing me. I love these people, People.
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I’ll be there with Scott Westerfield, Tahereh Mafi, Leigh Bardugo, Kami Garcia, Melina Marchetta, James Dashner, Victoria Schwab, Myra McEntire, Nathan Bransford, and I need to stop because the awesomeness is killing me. I love these people, People.
I hope you love it as much as I do–and I’d love to hear your comments below. THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT will be on-sale January 8, 2013, so mark those calendars — or pre-order now on Amazon or B&N!
Scroll down for more news.
Some of you might notice that Perry got a hair cut. Truth is, it’s near impossible to find someone with the hair I picture for Per, which can best be described as post-apocalyptic surf-shag? I think he looks pretty good with shorter hair, too.
I really love the colors in this cover and how it compliments the first book… Thank you, HarperCollins design team! You’ve outdone yourselves! Thank you thank you thank you!
Moving on…
Roar and Liv Short Story: I’m almost finished with my first draft of the Roar and Liv short story and I’m really, really starting to wish it were a full-length book. There’s something about Roar that’s so fun and interesting to me–not to mention that his love for Perry and Liv is pretty darn disarming. I have absolutely loved being in his point of view and I can’t wait to share this short piece with you. Stay tuned for more details!
Vacay: Finally, I’ll be on vacation for the first part of July, so I might be quiet on the interwebz for a little while. Then again, maybe I won’t be : )
Happy Summer! And thank you for the support. You guys make this writing thing so incredibly rewarding for me!
A few months ago, my editor asked me to put together a little video of my office and work space. She thought it might be interesting for people to see “behind the scenes.” You can see it here, if you’re so inclined.
I’m probably guilty of making behind-the-scenes look a little more glamorous on the video than is actually the case. Right now, for example, I’m still in the running clothes I wore when I jogged this morning. It’s hot here in Northern California and my scent has acquired a “delicate bouquet” throughout the day that might even turn Perry’s nose. I digress.
My point wasn’t to tell you that I’m seldom very pulled together when I write. The point was to respond to the inquiries I’ve received regarding my assistants, Ivan and Lola. Many of you (yes, many) have asked for an update. Here it is:
Here’s the old girl, feeling miserable and smelling bad. Doesn’t she look forlorn? |
LOLA
Lola has fallen on hard times recently. Approximately two weeks ago, in the middle of the night, she was absolutely doused by a skunk. The smell was such that nausea ensued for the entire the family. Tomato juice was attempted. Store bought solutions, too. As were internet recommended treatments with warnings like: “Don’t put a cap on the solution after you’ve mixed it or it’ll explode.” Nothing worked. She went to the groomer, but it was too late. Skunk juice, we were told, is oil-based and if you don’t get it early, then you’ll be living with it for a good long while.
Doesn’t Ivan look, um, forlorn, too? |
As unpleasant as the eau de skunk is for us humans, it has to be miserable for the old girl, (did you know dogs’ sense of smell is 40x stronger than ours?) so I’ve given her a few weeks off the hard editing. She’s recuperating daily. Thank you in advance for your well-wishes.
IVAN
Ivan, on the other hand, spends a few hours sitting on the top porch step overseeing the neighborhood like Mufasa. Then he terrorizes birds, lizards, cats, dogs and the occasional kid for a few hours and heads inside to spend the rest of his days like this.
Such a hard life. |
I have not given Ivan the summer off, but he doesn’t listen. He has been warned and placed on probation. I sincerely hope he shapes up, but between you and me, his assistant position might open up soon.
There you have it. My assistants. Now back to writing.
Book Two, titled THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, is in the can, peeps. It’s just gone through copy edits which means it’s, like, finished-ish. Which is so exciting! I can’t wait to share the story with you. And the cover. It’s amazing! Stay tuned for details on that front, coming up soon.
Comic Con San Diego!
I’ll be signing books on Sunday, July 15th with a slew of amazing authors including but not limited to:
Scott Westerfield, Tahereh Mafi, Leigh Bardugo, Kami Garcia, Melina Marchetta, James Dashner, Victoria Schwab, Myra McEntire, Nathan Bransford, Did I Miss Anyone? And Can You Believe This List???
Switching gears, the YA Muses are talking about Writing Highs and Lows on the blog this week. Good stuff over here.
Finally, I just want to say a blanket THANK YOU to my readers and fans. I’m really flipping lucky. You guys being a big reason why.
Stay awesome.
This isn’t me in the red dress, but I’ve decided one day I will go to a gallery in formal wear because that is just the epitome of decadent coolness |
Me with the one of the YA stars of the show, Donna Cooner |
Me and Tamara at the Apocalypsies event Spending time with Tamara makes me happy, as you can see. Her upcoming novel, Time Between Us, deals with time travel. Maybe that’s why? |
Apocalypsie Power! Tamara Ireland Stone, me, Donna Cooner and Tiffany Schmidt (None of us knows Robert B. Parker, nor have we fooled him.) (Once or twice.) |
Ring of Fire |
Yesterday, there was a solar eclipse which was very, very cool. During the eclipse it got darker, but the light was also golden, and the temperature dropped about 15 degrees in a hurry. The shadow of the eclipse was everywhere you looked—these perfect little half-moons on the street, on houses. It was amazing. My sister-in-law took this photo from her home in New Mexico.
In a pure bit of random, I discovered on tour that there are now televisions inside mirrors. So those of you who can’t stand to miss out on your favorite show while brushing your teeth, your problems are solved. I’m both disturbed and impressed by this turn of events. I also wonder: what is it called? Mirrovision? Reflectatube?
Lastly, Neil Gaiman is amazing and this is just one of the many reasons why.
If anyone knows where I can get my own personal Neil Gaiman, please leave a message in the comments.
Lastly-lastly, only eleven more days until Snow White and the Hemsworth! Can’t wait!!
Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions, with my answers below:
Will UNDER THE NEVER SKY become a movie?
I wish I could say a resounding yes!, but the answer is actually maybe. The film rights to the trilogy have been optioned by Warner Bros. studios, which basically means they are developing the story. I have to tell you that this still blows. my. mind. (Who do you think should play Aria and Perry? Leave a note in the comments below! It’s always so interesting for me to see how readers view the characters.)
When will Book Two be released?
Early next year. I don’t have a specific date yet, but I’ll announce it here as soon as I do.
How do I get a signed and/or personalized copy of the book?
Contact Rakestraw Books at (925) 837-7337 with your information (payment, personalization, address) and they will ship it to you.
What are your favorite books?
Anything by Kristin Cashore. Anything my Laini Taylor. Anything by MT Anderson. I also love the His Dark Materials trilogy. I devour George RR Martin’s books. I reread Persuasion by Jane Austen every year. I’m obsessed with The Count of Monte Cristo. I was supremely moved by Dave Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I put Ender’s Game into the hands of everyone who asks me for a thrilling book. I thought Incarceron was terrifically original and dark. The Hunger Games blew my mind. Across the Nightingale Floor swept me away. And Harry Potter… I could go on. Sigh. Books are awesome.
Who was harder/more fun to write, Aria or Perry?
Aria. I don’t really know why. I just totally channeled Perry right from the beginning. At one point had the story all in his POV. I’m really glad I picked up Aria’s voice, and she’s as fun/difficult for me to write as Perry now. It just took me a little longer to find her.
How long did it take you to write UNDER THE NEVER SKY?
A year to develop and draft, and then six months to revise.
Will we get to see more of Roar in Book Two?
The answer is…. yes! You will see much more of Roar in Book Two. And you’ll meet Liv. I’m going to stop there, so I don’t get spoilery. (Lots of questions about Roar from you guys, I must say…)
Are you going on book tour, if so where?
I will be going on book tour over the next few weeks. For dates and locations, check here or here.
Is there an UNDER THE NEVER SKY playlist?
There certainly is, and it’s right over here
Is there anything you’d like to know that I haven’t answered above? Leave a comment with your question!
I’ve posted a few more over at the Facebook Page. Check ‘em out!
Also, head over here for April/May book tour dates. Hope to see you!
Now, who’s ready to go watch the Hunger Games movie? If you’ve already seen it, what did you think?
Let me know in the comments if you’re coming–I’d love to see you at one of these stops!
A P R I L 2 0 1 2
LOS ANGELES, CA
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
6 o’clock in the evening
(With authors Tahereh Mafi, Anna Carey, Cynthia Hand, and Marie Lu)
CHICAGO, IL
Friday, April 13th, 2012
Anderson’s Bookshop
123 West Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL
7 o’clock in the evening
(With authors Tahereh Mafi, Anna Carey, and Cynthia Hand)
WASHINGTON D.C.
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Hooray For Books!
1555 King Street, Suite 101
Alexandria, VA
3:30 in the afternoon
(With authors Tahereh Mafi and Anna Carey)
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
New York City, NY
1 o’clock in the afternoon
(With authors Tahereh Mafi, Anna Carey, and Lauren Oliver)
HOUSTON, TX
14532 Memorial Drive
603 North Lamar Boulevard 265 Aragon Avenue 140 Kentucky Street
12000 Southeast 82nd Avenue
15311 Main Street
AUSTIN, TX
Austin, TX
Coral Gables, FL
Mill Creek, WA 98012
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!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 GriffinDREAMLESS, by Josephine AngeliniTIGER LILY, by Jodi Lynn AndersonDESTINED, by Aprilynne PikeTo 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!