Monday 31 January 2011

OLA Best Bets 2010 : Talking with Tundra

Here's some books to add to your (and my) reading for Oh (MG & YA) Canada! reading. And, there's some great picture books and non-fiction in there to check out, as well.

OLA Best Bets 2010 : Talking with Tundra

Happy Reading and To-Read List Making!

Interview and Giveaway-Denise Jaden

I'm happy to welcome Denise Jaden, author of Losing Faith, to my blog.

You can learn more about Denise, here. And, of course, check out and follow her blog!

Losing Faith (from Good Reads)  A terrible secret. A terrible fate. When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but. As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.


The Book Trailer :



I've read the book. Twice. The promise delivered, in the synopsis and book trailer, of an emotion and suspense filled book is met.  And then some. Denise's writing is vivid and pulls you into Brie's world from the beginning. You feel what she feels and what to know what happened to her sister. What _really_ happened, not what people say.

Thanks for being here, Denise! The book we're giving away is LOSING FAITH, it was your debut novel for 2010. Your next book is coming out in 2012. Can you tell us a little bit about that one?

My 2012 book is called APPETITE FOR BEAUTY and it's another YA contemporary
that I imagine will be geared at ages 14 and up. It's another sister story,
and it's still in the process of some major revisions, so I don't have much
else to share on that one just yet.

Do you have any advice for a first time author going in to do a school or
library visit or do you have a great 2010 debut moment you would like to
share with us? (or--both?)

I've done one library visit (before my book came out) and have not yet
ventured into schools (though I'm hoping that will happen soon). So I don't
have much in the way of advice for other authors, except I'd say to be
yourself and try to enjoy yourself.  I take any opportunity to talk about my
books and writing with people who are interested as a real blessing.

As for a 2010 debut moment...I did a number of book signings following my
book's release. Many of them were visited by folks of all ages, and there
were a number of people who saw me sitting there and ended up buying my book
because I was a local author. There were even older men, in their fifties or
sixties buying my book! But I still remember the first teen girl who came to
a book signing specifically to meet me and pick up my book. That was a
really great moment for me.

In my book club I have some keen readers (of course!), but also some keen
writers. They range in age from 8 to 13. When did you start writing and do
you have any advice for my book clubbers?


I started writing later in life, actually well into my thirties. But one
thing I wish is that I started earlier. Writing stories is life-giving for
me. As for advice, I'd say figure out what you really connect with in books
and why you think you connect with that. It will be helpful to know as a
writer, but also as a reader it can help you weed through the multitude of
new books out each year and find some favourites.

Speaking of my book club kids. Anything you'd like to recommend they read or
we get for our library? Something that is a recent read, or a book you loved
when you were a kid?


For ages 8-13, I would recommend LEAVING GEE'S BEND by Irene Latham. Irene
is another 2010 debut author, and she writes in such a unique and compelling
voice. You'll love it! (EDIT FROM DEB : I'll order it today, Thanks Denise)

And finally...

What is your favourite part of living where you do? Do you have another part
of Canada that you love to visit or that you've always wanted to but haven't
yet?


Well, part of me thinks I should have been born in Tahiti...but other than
that, I truly love where I live. The weather is fairly mild, but still
varied. We can ski in the winter and suntan in the summer. Vancouver is a
beautiful city, and only an hour away.

As for other places in Canada...I love all the places in B.C. I've had an
opportunity to travel to. I dance with a Polynesian dance troupe, and we
usually venture to Alberta every couple of years as well. When I was about
five my family drove across Canada together, and I'd love to do that trip
again, now that I'm older and will remember it better. I'm especially drawn
to the Maritime provinces.

Actually, one more question. Anything I didn't ask that you were hoping I would ask?


I think you had a great set of questions, Deb! I can't think of anything!!

Thanks again Denise, for helping me kick off a year of interviews and giveaways for Oh (MG & YA) Canada!

And now...on to the Giveaway. You can win a copy of Denise’s book, Losing Faith. This is open to Canada and the U.S. and you have until midnight (MST), February 7 th to enter. What do you need to do? Just leave and comment on this post and you are in.


Reminder : There is still time to enter to win a copy of Sheree Fitch's Pluto's Ghost!

And---if you just can't wait on the giveaway of Denise's book (and really, if you end up with two there is always...donate to your local school or public library!) :

Amazon
Book Depository
Chapters/Indigo
Independent Booksellers Association

Friday 28 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

This link is compliments of Query Tracker (yay for those Friday round-ups!)

There Are No Rules - Are You a Renaissance Soul? Use It to Your Advantage

Now this one made me go, oooo I like it, and what she says is to true!

Jennifer R. Hubbard: What characters see

Finally, a new blog on the writing process that I am really looking forward to following and learning from. It’s Elizabeth O. Dulemba’s other blog that follows her writing middle grade journey.

Love My Muse

Giveaway! Stina is taking entries from anywhere on the planet and you have until this Sunday (10 PM EST)January 30 to enter.

Seeing Creative: Homework Helpers & Giveway

Thursday 27 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Just a rather excellent!! post on voice. Short sweet and oh. so. right.

BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency: Something about Voice

A wrap up of a month long series at “the character therapist”.

The Character Therapist: T3 - How to Determine Your Character's Motivating Need

A post on “the perfect time to write.” And from that post, “Perfect writing times are made not born and if you insist on waiting for one...well, good luck finishing that book.” CJ Omololu makes her point and makes it well. There was a time when I could write in and around everything else going on...somewhere along the line I have lost some of that. Reading this was a good reminder that it can be done.

YA Outside the Lines: Finding the Perfect Time to Write-CJ Omololu


GIveaway! This one is international and ends February 3. And it’s a gooder. A book that I can’t wait to recommend to teen mystery lovers!


Carolina Valdez Miller: Review of THE LIAR SOCIETY with a SIGNED ARC GIVEAWAY

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Author interview with K.M. Weiland on Key Business Partners, LLC blog | Key Business Partners, LLC

And, can I just say WOW on this series on writing the Query. It is chock full of good information. Even if you think you know it all, read this.

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Query Letters--Shannon Style (Part Four: The Rest--and a giveaway!)

I am not quite there yet. On the other hand, maybe I am and don’t know it. There are some posts I’ve been “saving”. Saving? Maybe they just aren’t working!

The Post That Will Not Be

Giveaway of YA Highway Awesomeness!

YA Highway: ~*Super Shiny ALA ARC Giveaway!*~

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Revisiting your writing goals. Here Julie Eshbaugh and her colleagues re-visit their goals for 2011-they have three main areas that emerged. Self-Discipline, Patience and Reading. Julie takes those and expands on ways to reach those goals.

Revisiting Your Writing Resolutions « Let The Words Flow

This next post ties in with why I write, why I started writing. When I used to do school visits, I would tell stories and read aloud from picture books and novels (parts of the novel, that is.) I loved the energy this created. Kids would come into the library, looking for the books, share books they’d read and loved--get library cards. I remember one mom coming up to the reference desk very excited...her son who apparently didn’t like reading, came home from school with a list of books he’d written out for her to get. They were books I’d talked about at a visit. So, YAY to the authors who put those words to the page and all the people in between who get the books into kids hands! I want to be one of those authors!

Wendie's Wanderings: Why Reading Aloud to Kids encourages the love of Reading

This is a great tip. I do something similar...my place saver is written in caps lock.

Tip Tuesday #73 | Literary Rambles

Giveaway and I love this one. It is for book bloggers, encouraged to read and review...create more exposure for the books! This is U.S. only and you have until February 11.

The Story Siren: ARC Giveaway (Again)

Monday 24 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

A solid read on using the movies to help structure your novel. Liked how she used two very different movies to show what she means. Like she says at the end...”Good story-telling is good story-telling,...” Why not learn from a variety of mediums? Makes sense to me!

Taking Tips from the Movies and TV « Let The Words Flow

Like this one. A discussion about what you do when another idea strikes in the middle of working on a different project--let’s face it, it happens!

Author Michelle McLean: New Idea Hit and Run

Not writing, writing, this next one, but...certainly part of the writing life-I’m heading to the Western Washington Conference in April, so this is a good read!

Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog: SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-Conference Interview: Editors & Agents on Interacting With Them

Did I say Three Writing Reads? Hmmm, okay...but here is one more anyway!

The Character Therapist: Nugget of Wisdom: Characterization

And the giveaway : )

Just Deb: Book Giveaway-Pluto's Ghost by Sheree Fitch

Sunday 23 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Writing the blog :

This is such good good advice. And I came across it because I’m participating in Maw Books Bloggiesta Challenge. I am learning so much about writing a blog it’s craaaazy, man. Craaazy.

10 Things Bloggers Should NOT Do

Writing the query letter :

Now, many of you may already know this, but just in case in your writing reads travels you missed it, Elana Johnson’s book from Query to the Call is now free. Go to her website (even if you already have it, or don’t need, just go her to website and enjoy--it’s gorgeous! And be sure to put her forthcoming book on your to read list) and you can download it!

Elana Johnson, YA Author

Writing dialogue :

Thanks, yet again (yes, I am a fangirl, lol) to Adventures in Children’s publishing I followed a link to this :

And in the morning, I'm making waffles! - Hey, There's A Dead Guy in the Living Room

And the giveaway :

Pluto's Ghost by Sheree Fitch

Friday 21 January 2011

Fiesta, Bloggiesta!

 I am taking part Bloggiesta! hosted on Maw Books Blog .





After reading posts from several different bloggers who signed up I realized this is something well worth doing. And, let's face it, Pedro's kinda cute. Of course, now that I am in, I am pumped, ready to read, blog, grow, learn!

Here's the list, off the top of my head. Needs some organizing, but but I can work on that as I go!

-while taking part in this....watch, learn, study--there are so many bloggers out there to learn from!-take notes

-Blog Reading -re-organize google reader, fix up the subscriptions and followings (I am doing both so getting feeds for one post twice)

-Oh MG/YA Canada-post reviews, contact writers with the schedule for interviews and giveaways

-Giveaways-create a giveaway page

-Comment Challenge-finish going through the list of participants

-Reading Challenges! Post the books I've read, think I might withdraw from one?

-Figure out what to do with Three Writing Reads and a Giveaway. I was going to stop doing it once I really got going on my Oh MG/YA Canada! But, I am kind of enjoying doing it.

-Grimm Blogger? start brainstorming, thinking about where to go with this--keep it simple to start.

-carry on finding Debut Canadian Authors to add to The Story Siren's Canadian list

-post my Debut Reads so far!

-work on my book talks for blog. Rather than reviews for my reading challenges, I want to share the book talks I would use with customers (when I'm a the bookstore) and patrons (when I'm at the library or doing my book club).

That's it, there may be more as I go along!

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

A Writing Your Character Read (and print out for reference!) :

Carolina Valdez Miller: Making Your Super Characters Extraordinary

A Writing Your Blog Read. Really like the idea of setting aside a weekend to focus on the blog, setting goals, etc.

Bloggiesta! Ready, Set . . . Let's Fiesta! | Maw Books

Been struggling a bit with this, so the timing on this was kind of, well, perfect.

Kidlit.com · A Crisis of Self-Confidence

Giveaway!

VANISHED – Interview and Giveaway! | From the Mixed-Up Files...

Thursday 20 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

I love Stina’s posts. Always full of solid, use right now information. Read this yesterday, it’s worth another read (or two!)

Seeing Creative: Becoming a Kickass Writer

Although I am not marketing myself as a writer (not yet anyway) I am writing and working on my blog to help market, promote, share my absolute passion for kid lit authors and their work. If I am going to do this, I want to do it _well_. Betsy Bird’s post will help with that. I’m thinking “Just Deb” = OH MG YA Canada as the year goes on. But, I want it to broaden...picture books, non-fiction, magazines, illustrators for all the previous. Okay, enough writing thinking out loud. Here is the link.


Fusenews: No More Dead Dog (Food) « A Fuse #8 Production


Read this yesterday, as well. Reading it again today. And most likely tomorrow. Good links within links to follow. This is why I must limit my time on reading writing blogs--I need to be applying what I’m learning. Right? Write.

Developing a Unique Voice - Links, Tips, and a Useful Tool

And...the contest! I have read and _loved_ this book. And now? A chance to win a signed copy! Oh yeah, baby. This contest is open internationally and you have until January 27, 2011. Thanks, Carolina!

Carolina Valdez Miller: Bookanistas: Sweet XVI...and Signed Book Giveaway

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

A read and a video! Showing your characters emotion and therefore deepening the reader’s experience.

Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors: Bring Character Emotion to Life Through Action

Another writing read. And know what? I agree. Celebrate rejection.

QueryTracker.net: Celebrating Rejection

And I am thinking you may have already heard that WriteOnCon is coming in August? If not, check it out! And read the workshops, transcripts, watch the vids from last year. They are made of awesome, so much to learn. August 2011--they are adding to the awesome!

YA Author Elana Johnson: WriteOnCon Awesomeness Coming in 3...2...1...

GIVEWAY!

Sheree Fitch’s Pluto’s Ghost it’s one of my giveaways for OH MG/YA Canada Reading Challenge. If you’d like to win a copy of her book, or just learn more about it it, go here :

Just Deb: Book Giveaway-Pluto's Ghost by Sheree Fitch

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Book Giveaway-Pluto's Ghost by Sheree Fitch

In keeping with OH (MG &YA) Canada! I am giving away a copy of Sheree Fitch’s Pluto’s Ghost.

Here is the description from Goodreads :

"Murderer. It's one kick in the belly of a word isn't it? Has a taste, too. It tastes like barbed wire and has wild hyena eyes. Murderer. Murder-her. Did he? Did I? That's when I remember what I want to forget."

Jake Upshore has loved Skye Derucci since before he can remember. Volatile, complex and frustrated (he's got a label disorder from all the labels he's been given) at the best of times, Jake's on a desperate quest to find Skye before she aborts the baby he believes is his. As he hurtles headlong toward certain tragedy, Jake relives the fatal choices he's made and the powerful forces that have led him to this to end. A gripping thriller and a heart-wrenching love story, Pluto's Ghost is a raw and powerful novel about anger, escape, and redemptive love.


Leave a comment it you would like to be entered in the draw. The chance to enter ends January 31st and is open to U.S. and Canada.

Recommend a book for my book club kids and me (any MG or YA!-just let me know if it happens to be Canadian) that will get you another entry...if you link to your review of the book, or another review of it, that gets you another entry!

Next on my year of Canadian reads will be an interview and giveaway-Denise Jaden and Losing Faith will be on the blog so stay tuned!

Monday 17 January 2011

Oh (MG & YA) Canada!

The Story Siren and her 2011 Debut Challenge inspired me to do something with a Canadian spin. So, I created Oh MG YA Canada. 

The challenge is to read 12 MG or YA books by Canadian authors by the end of 2011. You can join anytime by adding a comment. 


But, if adding yet another challenge to your plate isn't for you, just pick one, two, three--whatever fits or intrigues you. Or maybe add a Canadian title to one of your current challenges.


If you have suggestions or requests for interviews and features you can contact me. Please include Oh MG YA Canada in the subject line.


Authors for you to check out


The following will be doing (and have done) interviews and giveaways with me:


Joelle Anthony

Authors I've read, am reading and plan on reading:

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

A write read :

Building Plot from Character « Let The Words Flow

A write read/exercise. Really like this one-

Monday Potes: ReFound « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

A write read (for your blog). Although this is related to a question on whether or not to include in a query, there is some good information on blog writing in general!

QueryTracker.net: Should I Mention My Blog in My Query?


And....a giveaway for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday--The Emerald Atlas (plus an ARC giveaway!)

Sunday 16 January 2011

Winner of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is....

Those who entered, in the order they entered :


  1. Snow
  2. Angela Ackerman
  3. StephTheBookworm
  4. Michelle
  5. Get Real
  6. Anna Staniszewski
  7. Shana
  8. Llehn
  9. Mona
  10. GrLeblanc





EDITED to add...I thought the Random Generator kept the winning number, lol. It doesn't so, without further ado the number that popped up was number--2

Congrats Angela!!! Happy Reading!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my first giveaway.

Deb

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Unforgettable Settings continued!

The Bookshelf Muse: Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 4

I’m heading to our local SCWBI Social tomorrow night. Part of it is going to include a round table discussion about strengthening scenes in your novels. I’m bring to the table...micro-tension, something I learned about when I attended Donald Maass’s workshops at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference a couple of years ago. Here is an information blog post about it :

wordswimmer: Beachtalk with Donald Maass: On Creating Micro-tension

And just came across this post from Critically Yours. All about Creating Independent Characters. Liked that she shared what E.M. Forrester once said...good stuff.


Critically Yours: Creating independent characters

The Giveaway (it’s massive!). This one is U.S. only, ends January 31, 2010 and is well worth entering if you can and if you can’t, help spread the word, buy L.K. Madigan’s books, order them for your library! I read Flash Burnout when it came out and can attest to it’s quality and that it’s one to recommend to teens. I will be sure to get it and The Mermaid’s Mirror for my new library (and my own collection). Yeah, what the 2009 Debuts are doing is made of awesome...it’s one of the reasons I love (love) the kid lit community and have since I starting working for library youth services so many years ago. NUFF SAID...here’s the link!

2009 Debutantes - L. K. Madigan's Feast of Awesome Giveaway!

Saturday 15 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

As always Adventures in Children's Publishing has the most AWESOME round up of articles for writers :

Best Articles This Week for Writers 1/14/11

And just a great post on the writing life, a quick read well worth reading :

Jennifer R. Hubbard: Help and Hope


Voice. We hear much of this and we know it is important. It’s “that thing” that jumps off the page and allows you to hear the character, know who they as the story unfolds (even if they don’t know!). I’ve mentioned (I think) that I am switching my middle grade wip to third person. It has more voice now than it did when in first. This got me to thinking about a picture book series of mine-trying to make my mc jump of the page-I thought why not try and switch from THIRD to FIRST? And, you know what...it works. _And_ this is advice I found a couple of months ago in a book on picture book writing. Yeah. It just took some time to sink in. Following is the book and some tips from the Ann’s site.

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
Writing Tips



Giveaway! Another chance to win a copy of Angle Fire...maybe this is the lucky one? Open internationally and you have until Jan. 21


Bewitched Bookworms: Angelfire Review and Giveaway!

Friday 14 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

This is an article from yesterday. All about world-building. And world building is something to do for any type of novel writing. Whether it be a beach front community in the contemporary real world or one in an alternate fantasy world where elves and dinosaurs roam.

Worldbuilding: The Art of Everything | Tor.com | Science fiction and fantasy | Blog posts

As a writer (and reader!) I like keeping up with what’s up. This is a good Friday round-up :

QueryTracker.net: Publishing Pulse, January 14, 2010

Just an all around great (great) round up of links for writers :

Seeing Creative: Cool Links Friday


And a Giveaway you don’t want to miss out on!

YA Author Elana Johnson: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis

Thursday 13 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Angela Ackerman of The BookShelf Muse is guest posting on Linda Clare’s blog today. Looking forward to finding out the history of the emotion thesaurus and exploring a new writing blog! Her post on “Cracking Open Your Character’s Lives” is one that caught my eye.

Linda Clare's Writer's Tips

Natalie M. Fischer posts about some of her pet peeves. I’ve been sending out queries for a while now and I think oh yes I would never do some of these things. Well. Check out #7 on her list. Going vague on the I have read your blog, your interview your whatever-I’ve done that when I can’t quite find the words to express why I think the agent might be a good match, it’s just a feeling I have. See the impression you could create.

Adventures in Agentland: It's QUERY season!

I mentioned Write On Con yesterday and now want to share one of my go to reads for character development. This isn’t the only treasure in there by the way. There’s more, much more! I’m finding this one particularly useful because I am switching a manuscript from first to third person...and oddly enough the story is “singing” now. I was convinced that this was a story that needed to be told in first person to truly capture the MC’s voice. No. It needs to be told in third person so her voice _and_ story come can through loud and clear. First person was not achieving that. AnyHOW. Here is the article!


WriteOnCon.com – Creating Memorable Characters by author/literary agent Mandy Hubbard


And....the contest--how about mine! You have until January 15 to enter and I will make the draw on January 16, announce on the Jan 17.

Give away, How to Say Goodbye in Robot

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

I like this one. Slowly figuring it out, especially now that I am making part of the writing...blogging. Follow along with the comments, too.

Nathan Bransford - Blog: You Tell Me: How Do You Balance Writing and Life?

Gearing up for WRITE ON CON! A completely amazing on-line writing conference--and, it’s FREE.

WriteOnCon.com – Happy New Year with Pippin!

_Great_ post on developing character! Will be printing this one off for sure. Thanks, Stina!

QueryTracker.net: Deepening Your Character’s Needs



Great opportunity! Ten ARCs are up for grabs!

First Big ARC Giveaway

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Rose Cooper: Book Release Day of GOSSIP & Giveaways!!

I've watched Rose's journey to publication. She's shared so much along the way. Things for me to tuck away and learn from as a writer. As a reader I am THRILLED this day is here for her. My book clubs kids will be too--wait 'til I tell them that they actually get to interview her. Thanks so much, Rose. I will keep the questions down to one each, when the time comes.

Rose Cooper: Book Release Day of GOSSIP & Giveaways!!

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

Just an outstanding go to resource is Fiction Notes and for my particular wip :

Novel Diagnosis–Voice

Part three of Creating Unforgettable Settings, oh yeah!

The Bookshelf Muse: Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 3

And finally, writing related. Tuned in for some of this yesterday and oh my it really did feel like the Oscars for KidLit.

Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog: ALA Awards: Celebrating the 2011 Winners!

Giveaway :

Oh my gosh, read the first page of this book. So. Good. It is on my to read list for sure.

First Page: Small Persons With Wings « First Page Panda

Monday 10 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

I am switching two of my wips over to third person (first person was just not working). As I do this I’m editing along the way!

Anne R. Allen's Blog: 5 Essential Tips on Self-Editing from Catherine Ryan Hyde

Going to enjoy checking out these tweets this morning.

There Are No Rules - Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 1/7/11)

Good friend of mine is just about done her novel after much revising, cutting, revising. Now it’s time for her to move to stage two.

Eerie Query Week: Monday Tips about Query Writing | Scott Tracey – Young Adult Writer

And thanks to a tweet from Adventures in Children's Publishing last night, came across a...

Giveaway! It’s open to US and Canada, just leave a comment on the post and you could get a copy of THE LATTE REBELLION

Guide to Literary Agents - 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

Sunday 9 January 2011

Three (Writing) Reads and a Giveaway

A slight change to the focus of this particular feature. Moving forward it will be about writing related blog reading. And just changing contest to giveaway...which really is what they are!

Three (Writing) Reads :

The Bookshelf Muse: Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 2

The Character Therapist: T3 - Character Motivations, Part 1 (oh, this is going to be so good to follow along with!)

Best of the Best: POV, Syntax, Symbolism, Writing Tips & Techniques (long list of links with, literally, something for everyone, slowly making my way through, bookmarking, printing off, which reminds me, need to get a binder organized for all this)

And a Giveaway :

Because the deadline for my own giveaway fast (ish-ly) approachs, I thought I would mention it again. It’s open to Canada and the U.S. and is for young adult novel HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford. Here is how GoodReads sums up the book :

New to town, Bea is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

Good, good book that will pull you in from page one (it did it to me, looking forward to sharing this one with teens!)

Leave comment on this post with your name and email. I will gather up all the commenter names from here and other posts and draw the winner January 16. You have until January 15 to enter.

Off the Shelf Reading Challenge

Off The Shelf!
I am joining this. Am I going into reading challenge overload? Not yet. I chose to do TEMPTED. That is I am going to pick five books off my shelve that I will read this year, books that have been waiting for me to get to them. They will all be writing related, either the writer's journey, the craft of writing or writing inspiration. 
  1. Anne Lamont-Bird by Bird
  2. The Right to Write-Julia Cameron
  3. Plot and Structure : Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish - James Scott Bell
  4. Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers - Christopher Vogler
  5. The War of Art-Steven Pressfield

Saturday 8 January 2011

Comment Challenge

I really like the concept behind this. It gets you out there and in the habit of commenting, taking part in conversations.  I've discovered that even in cyber space I am hesitant to jump in and take part. The Shy takes over. It took some doing to get going with the YA/MG Canadian Reading Challenge, but I did. This will take me a step further into getting out there and sharing my passion. Okay, couch session over. Time to get out there and comment! Go here to learn more :

Mother Reader

Friday 7 January 2011

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Three Reads and a Contest-Thursday

On my to buy list! 2011 Debuts

YA Author Elana Johnson: Two Thousand Eleven

Query letter writing--Shannon Style. Like her style!

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Query Letters--Shannon Style (Part One)

Wow. A whole whack of resources for working with a writer’s plot board!

A Writer's Plot Board: Getting organized

CONTEST/Giveaway :

Musings of a Reader Happy: Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (+ Giveaway)

OH (MG & YA) Canada! Reading Challenge

Coming soon, have most everything lined up including interview schedule and giveaways (and a # for twitter #ohmgyacanada  <oh yeah, I am so original:) 
Stay tuned!


This is my so far reading/author list for the 2011 MG and YA Canadian Reading Challenge I will host with giveaways and book reviews. It is a combination of Debut, New Release and Old and Re-Reads of Favorites. Over the next few weeks the list will grow, of course. If you'd like to join me, please leave a comment (or just pick an author to learn a little more about and one of their books to read and enjoy). I have a good friend who is going to design a logo for us!


** Quick Note** This list is still rough and although, in some cases, I only have one book listed, many of the authors have much, much more, so check out their sites and or blogs!


R.J. Anderson Faery Rebels : Spell Hunter & Wayfarer


Joelle Anthony-Restoring Harmony Interview and GIveaway TBA

Catherine Austen All Good Children (YA novel), Orca Book Publishers, Fall 2011 & How to Pass Grade 5 in 5 Difficult Lessons (MG novel), James Lorimer & Co, Fall 2011


Helene Boudreau-Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings Interview and Giveaway TBA

Leslie Carmichael (MG) Amulet of Amon-Ra Interview and Giveaway TBA

Marty Chan-Mystery of the Cyber Bully

Eileen Cook The Education of Hailey Kendrik (YA)-just released interview and giveaway TBA



Danika Dinsmore-Brigitta of the White Forest interview (or guest post) plus giveaway TBA

Judith Graves Under my Skin & Second Skin (YA)

Janet Gurtler I'm Not Her (YA), April 2011 Interview and Giveaway TBA



Kate Jaimet Dunces Anonymous (MG)


Denise Jaden Losing Faith (YA)


Kari Jones

Terry Lynn Johnson-Dog Sled Dreams (Debut!) Interview and Giveaway TBA

Jan Markley Book Three of the Megabyte Mysteries (MG) Interview and Giveaway TBA

Kenneth Oppel Half Brother (YA)

Shane Peacock-The Vanishing Girl (and the rest of the series)

Lois Peterson-Silver Rain


Yolanda Ridge-The Trouble in Trees (MG)-Orca Spring 2011 (Debut!) Interview and Giveaway TBA


Karen Rivers 

Simon Rose-Time Camera & Flashback

Rebecca Upjohn-Last Loon (MG) Interview and Giveaway TBA

 
Eric Walters-Shaken (YA)


Robert Paul Weston-Dust City (YA) and Zorgamazoo (MG-and been on my to read list of toooo long! need to get it read!

Tim Wynne Jones Rex Zero, King of Nothing (MG), Uninvited (YA)

B.L. Sauder-Year of the Golden Dragon



Valerie Sherrard The Glory Wind  (YA)

Arthur Slade-The Dark Deeps (Book 2 of the Hunchback Assignments)

Marsha Skrypuch-The Stolen Child (Scholastic, 2010) interview and giveaway TBA

Three Reads and a Contest-Wednesday

New Middle Grade Releases for Jan 2011~!

New Releases – January 2011 | From the Mixed-Up Files...

Um. Yeah. I agree with what Nathan Bransford says! I’m glad agents blog--I learn from them and about them (makes targeting your queries a little easier for us, and them). And last time I checked they are peoples just like the rest of us. Some people really enjoy blogging, it’s a good way to promote their authors with new releases and a great way to share some of what they know (so, in my view, them taking the time to blog is pretty dang generous). AND--for some it’s an outlet for creative, enjoyable pastime. Some knit, some build cabins, some enjoy sports....some blog!

Nathan Bransford - Blog: In Defense of Blogging Agents

This whole blog is a treasure trove of book Giveaway! Plus, she hosts something called the giveaway hop--there is a list of blogs you can hop to, each one hosting a giveaway! Can you say LOVE it?

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Contest. Ends Jan 31--Canadian Residents only.

WIN A FREE COPY OF CHOKER BY ELIZABETH WOODS! | TeenBookaholic™

#ReadtheNorth

Over the last while there has been a hashtag you may have seen about called Read the North. It's a campaign encouraging people to read C...