Author Interview: L.M. Augustine

Hi, guys!

Today I'm interviewing author L.M. Augustine about his YA novel CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE, and his decision to self-publishing. Check it out below!

1. Tell us a little about your YA debut, CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE. Where did you get the idea, and did the final product turn out the way you'd envisioned it? 

Click was actually inspired by--yes--a YouTube video. I was watching a John Green vlog where he mentioned that two of his fans (one boy and one girl) met online and hit it off so much that they were organizing a real life meet up, and I thought it was so cool that they were falling in love through YouTube videos. Over time, the idea started to develop in my mind, and I kept thinking about how plausible that could be. I wondered all about what kind of person it would take to fall in love through the internet like that, what would happen to them, how the relationship would work, and then all of a sudden it was midnight and I was scribbling down the first chapter of what would eventually become Click To Subscribe.

2. What was your writing process for this novel? (Basically, are you a plotter or a pantser? And does that change every novel, or stay consistent?)

I am the most inconsistent writer ever, in that my writing process varies dramatically from book to book. I try to pants (*cough*) every book I write, but sometimes I find it not working at all and have to go back and write either a very vague or very detailed outline. It's mostly trial-and-error for me.

With Click To Subscribe, I only had a very basic idea of what the book was going to be about when I started writing. The characters sprang to life almost immediately, though, and they controlled the story and kind of ran with the plot which made for a totally awesome writing experience (but a lot of needed revisions).

3. Why did you decide to self-publish CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE? Perks? Downfalls?

I've always been fascinated by the idea of self-publishing. I'm kind of a control-freak (*ahem*) and there was something so appealing to me about the idea of publishing a book and doing it exactly how I wanted to do it, getting the book cover and the marketing plan and the overall control Iwanted. Self-publishing is certainly not for everyone, but I always had a feeling it's something I would love given my DIY tendencies. Plus I knew some authors who had been having major self-publishing success, and I wanted to try it for myself. I had a book I thought would be a good fit, so I decided it couldn't hurt to self-publish it, right? But still, I wasn't certain I wanted to commit to self-publishing. I put the book, Click To Subscribe, up on Goodreads and got on Twitter and Facebook as an experiment, still not sure if I would go through with it all, but when a few excited readers trickled in and I met some amazing authors and bloggers, I knew I had to do it.

For me, I love the control self-publishing offers. There's something totally thrilling about being responsible for your own book. I knew I wanted to be in charge of how this book in particular was edited (I didn't want the book to be changed to someone else's vision--I wanted the story to be mine, although it definitely needed the amazing beta and editor feedback I got on it), the kind of cover the book got, the marketing, the release date, and I wanted to be able to be my own boss. I work fast, and as much as I love and appreciate the one book per year standard of traditional-publishing, I felt as though I would work better controlling the release dates myself, putting out more books per year but setting my own deadlines, and not having to worry as much about not finishing a draft in time. Basically, I wanted to publish my way, and self-publishing let me do that. Plus, the royalties are better, you get to see your sales real-time, and best of all, self-publishing lets you develop a personal connection with your fans that you don't get otherwise. The last one has been hugely important to me.

The major downfall of self-publishing, for me, is the fact that I don't get a professional industry-standard editor behind me and my book, and while there are plenty of incredible freelance editors out there, there is something about a great editor at a publishing house that I really wish I had. I also think publishing with a major house offers built-in distribution and exposure; although there is no guarantee you'll be stocked in a B&N, the fact that you have someone out there pitching your book to bookstores is kind of incredible.

4. Do you see yourself continuing to self-publish your novels, or traditionally publish as well? Why?

I am definitely going to continue self-publishing. I actually already have a second book ready for release. :-) However, I am really excited about the prospect of potentially being a hybrid author and traditionally publishing as well. As I mentioned, I would love having a professional editor and the wide distribution traditional publishing offers, and I'm sure I could learn a lot with a whole team of professionals behind me and my book. Still, after Click To Subscribe, I can't see myself completely abandoning self-publishing either. It's too much fun (although stressful and hard work!) and it's too practical for me to stop. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I can find a way to do both!

5. What are you working on next? Can you give us a little hint? 

Yes! I am actually finishing up edits on Two Roads, my NA romance releasing on August 26th. The blurb is:

The only person poetry-loving Cali Monroe hates more than herself is Logan Waters, the geeky kid who lives in the dorm building next to hers.

Ever since Cali's parents told her she would amount to nothing, she has felt entirely inadequate. Friendless and alone, she takes on the mean girl role in hopes it will make her feel better--and Logan serves as the perfect target. He infuriates her with his obnoxiously long lashes, his all too perfect dimpled smile, and his complete lack of personality outside of his intelligence. So she begins hating him, and he returns the favor. Thus, their prank-filled, insult-driven rivalry is born, and torturing Logan quickly becomes the highlight of her life.

But when Cali's parents set them up on a blind date, she begins to realize Logan might not be as boring as she always thought. He shares her love of poetry, takes a sadistic pleasure in making fun of crepes, and he makes her blush when he calls her smile pretty.

And hey, maybe those long lashes of his aren't that obnoxious after all…

***

6. Since this is The Secret Life of Writers, you have to tell us a secret. :) So spill. 

Um... *ducks for cover* Well, vanilla ice cream are Cat and West's major obsession in Click To Subscribe, so I guess my secret would be that I actually hate vanilla ice cream. I know, I know. I'm awful.


If you want to hear more from L.M. Augustine, check out his Twitter and blog, and add CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE on Goodreads!

Andrea Hannah is a YA writer represented by Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider. She writes stories about criminals, crazy people, and creatures that may or may not exist. When she's not writing, Andrea teaches special education, runs, spends time with her family, and tries to figure out a way to prevent her pug from opening the refrigerator (still unsuccessful). Oh, and she tweets a bajillion times a day, mostly about inappropriate things. 
You can find her on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/andeehannah

Drop her an email @: andeehannah@gmail.com
And visit her website @: http://www.andreahannah.com/

Author Interview: Sarah Skilton

It's author appreciation Thursday, and we have Sarah Skilton here with us on Secret Life! Sarah and I met through the Lucky 13s blog, and I was lucky enough to get an ARC of her book, BRUISED. When I saw how amazing of a writer this lady really is, I just had to know more about her. So without further ado, a glimpse into the intriguing mind of Sarah Skilton.

Can you tell us a little about your writing process? 

I like to brainstorm in a notebook by hand first, and jot down anything I'm considering for my new story. I take my time narrowing broad ideas into a basic plot, and then I do research for a while. When I was writing BRUISED, which concerns elements of PTSD, I read psychology textbooks as well as contemporary dramas. "Research" for me also means reading or re-reading books that inspire me. When I was writing my upcoming YA mystery (HIGH AND DRY, Spring 2014 from Amulet Books), I read a lot of crime fiction. 

What was the hardest part of writing BRUISED?

Finding a balance between the light and dark moments. 

What was your journey to publication like?

BRUISED went on submission the second half of 2010 and sold in January 2011, which sounds fast, but the journey up to that point was about a decade long of trying to make it as a screenwriter and writing novels that were unpublishable (and now live under my bed, rightfully so). :) I felt very lucky with BRUISED because my editor, Maggie Lehrman at Amulet, is a genius who helped me whip the story and characters into shape.

What is your favorite part of the writing/publishing process? 

I wish I were one of those people who loves writing first drafts, but I actually find them to be total agony. I much prefer to be revising what I've already written.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Don't hesitate to read outside your genre for fresh inspiration, and always write the story that you as a reader would most want to read!

Imogen has always believed that her black belt in Tae Kwon Do made her stronger than everyone else--more responsible, more capable. But when she witnesses a holdup in a diner, she freezes. The gunman is shot and killed by the police. And it's all her fault.

Now she's got to rebuild her life without the talent that made her special and the beliefs that made her strong. If only she could prove herself in a fight--a real fight--she might be able to let go of the guilt and shock. She's drawn to Ricky, another witness to the holdup, both romantically and because she believes he might be able to give her the fight she’s been waiting for.

But when it comes down to it, a fight won’t answer Imogen's big questions: What does it really mean to be stronger than other people? Is there such a thing as a fair fight? And can someone who's beaten and bruised fall in love?

Buy the book!

Sarah Skilton lives in California with her magician husband and toddler son. Her debut young adult novel, BRUISED, about a 16-year-old black belt in martial arts who freezes at an armed robbery, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Her second novel, a YA mystery called HIGH AND DRY, comes out next spring from Amulet Books.

www.sarahskilton.com

www.twitter.com/Sarah_Skilton

www.sarahskilton.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Skilton-Writer/142255925852923

Author Interview: Elizabeth Otto

Yay! I just love author appreciation Thursdays! Today, we have the fabulous Elizabeth Otto with us. Elizabeth is awesome! We met in the WrAHM group a while back and it's been great watching such a deserving lady succeed! I've never met a harder working writer. She writes like a mad woman and does an amazing job! Let's get to it!

What inspired you to start writing?

To be honest, I’m not really sure. I’ve just always written. I was an early reader, and my parents didn’t restrict me from reading certain genres or titles, so I had a varied early reading experience. My mother said I was asking her to write stories, that I recited to her, before I knew how to write words, so I guess I was just born with the drive to be a storyteller.

Can you tell us a little about signing with your agent?

Sure! I have to say, that my story is one that makes other writers a little angsty, because my querying days were short and sweet. Trust me—I know stories like this are both frustrating and encouraging. I was lucky to land my agent ten days after I started querying my book. The contemporary romance market was hot just then, apparently, because my query garnered eight full requests within the first five days, and ten days later, I had offers. I choose my agent, Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates, firstly, because she truly loved the book, and mostly because of her past deals, current client list and eagerness to help plan my career as a writer. 

If it helps, I did query my adult paranormal romance BLOOD OF ISIS for several months without much interest, before deciding to give up on the agent search, and sign it to a small publisher. I think having a fresh book, in the right market at the right time, helped me snag my agent the second time around. 

What has the editing process been like for you?

Enlightening! I had no idea what went into taking a book from a draft to the polished edition you get on your Kindle or hold in your hand. When you finish your book and think you’re done—yeah, you’re not really done. The first two passes of content edits are rough because you may end up changing the meat and bones of your story. I’ve been blessed with great editors so far, who have offered great insight into making my books better. Copyedits have shown me just how badly my grammar sucks! LOL

What books do you have coming out? 

My debut paranormal romance, BLOOD OF ISIS, debuted on April 5^th.  I have a contemporary romance series, PAINT RIVER COWBOYS, coming from Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line starting with book #1 in October, 2013 (titles are being changed, so I can’t announce them just yet).  The second and third book in that series will launch in January and April, 2014. People interested in my upcoming releases can find an up-to-date announcement schedule on my blog or Facebook page. 

I love #traumafiction! How did you come up with such a great idea?

Thank you! I actually can’t take credit for coming up with the idea for TraumaFiction (just the name). My critique partners encouraged me to do it, after we had several discussions in our group on the lack of adequate medical information for writers.

The idea behind TraumaFiction is to give writers a resource for finding realistic medical advice for their fiction. Need to know how or where to shoot/stab your character without killing him? Need to know how to set a broken arm in the middle of a forest? TraumaFiction helps with that and so much more. Every Tuesday at 10 am CST, I host a different medical topic—from diseases, to treatments, to trauma and more—and people are encouraged to follow along and jump in at ANY time with questions. Even if the questions aren’t related to the weekly topic. Viewers can use the #traumafiction hashtag to follow along. 

As a career emergency medical technician, I get really annoyed when I read a book in which the medical or injury scenes are anything but believable. I mean, we should at least try to lend some credibility to what we create, right? I hope to help with that. Very soon, I’ll have a backlist of medical topics on my blog that are readily accessible.

Do you have any secret writing habits?

I’m a panster. Not sure if that’s a secret anymore, but I very rarely outline a story before I dive into it. I do utilize the Save the Cat beat sheet to help organize major plot points and the ending, but that’s it—and rare. I also try to fast draft. This lets me get ideas out of my head very quickly, and then I go back in several sweeps to add layers and depth to the story. Generally, I can complete a fast draft in a couple of weeks and have a polished manuscript in about eight weeks.

What's next for you?

I’m currently working on a novella that my agent and I plan to put on submission soon. I’m also working on story lines for a three-book contemporary romance with paranormal elements, and hope to have the first one ready for submission this fall. I plan on being a career author, so I’m sure I’ll always have something in the works.

Elizabeth's links:

Facebook

Blog

Twitter

Pick up BLOOD OF ISIS today!

Passion isn’t the only thing that burns…

When a designer drug rocks the small town of New Brighton and makes junkies spontaneously combust, Paramedic Jayda Swenson suspects the worst. The super-methamphetamine her husband created before his death has resurfaced. She’s worked hard to create a safe, tidy life and put her meth-ravaged past—and her secrets—behind her. But when tourists start disappearing and charred body remains crop up, Jayda learns the hard way that this drug doesn’t just fry people’s minds—it also fuels demons.

Sexy new medic Ben Tierney is a demon-hunter in disguise, but his demon-busting powers don’t work so well anymore…until he realizes Jayda’s touch can refuel the energy he’s lost—a touch she’s not so willing to dish out. Now Jayda finds herself wedged between an ancient demon that knows her past and her secret, and Ben, who has plenty of secrets of his own. He’s willing to help—for a price—but Jayda’s not sure if it’s a price she’s willing to pay…

Author Interview: Francesca Zappia

Hey guys!

I had the opportunity to interview someone I've been interested in for a long time, not only because she's awesome and hilarious, but because I'm dying to read her debut novel, ASK AGAIN LATER, coming in 2014 from Greenwillow/HarperCollins. I adore Chessie, and I'm sure you guys will too when you read about her success story below.

Tell us a little bit about your book, ASK AGAIN LATER, which snagged you your agent and super kick ass book deal with Greenwillow/Harper Collins.

Here's the Publisher's Marketplace summary: ASK AGAIN LATER is about the ultimate unreliable narrator, a schizophrenic teenage girl unable to tell the difference between reality and delusion who discovers -- thanks to a Magic 8-Ball, her little sister, and the boy she thought was imaginary -- that sometimes there really is someone out to get you.

Basically it's about my MC, Alex, trying to get a hold on her schizophrenia before it gets the better of her. Complications arise, as they are wont to do.

Yeah, I hate when that happens. How did you come up with the idea for AAL? Was it something that
came at you all at once, or did it develop over time as you drafted/revised?

It definitely developed over time. The very original draft, which was written back when I was in fifth or sixth grade and looks NOTHING like the book now, had nothing to do with paranoid schizophrenia. I'm not sure when that was thrown in the mix, but over time it became the focal point. (I'm not sure you can write about paranoid schizophrenia without it being the focal point. But I heard someone say that this story sounded like a plotting nightmare, which made me laugh, mostly because it does seem like it would be one. But it took so long for it to come together, and it's such a mix of so many different drafts and ideas and pictures that I never really felt like I was plotting it at all. 

So it was very much a develop-over-time book, which I think it needed to be. Its selling point is the two central characters, Alex and Miles, and I've been with them for so long that I know them inside and out. It wouldn't be half the book it is if they weren't so clear in my head.

I love that! Can you talk a little bit about the submissions process now that you're through it (WHEW). How many drafts did you go through before your agent submitted it to publishers? And can you say how long you were on sub for, even just vaguely? AND how did you handle being on sub without wanting to hurt someone?

I'm pretty sure I can, haha! I don't remember the exact number of rounds of edits we did--it was at least three or four--because some details were so delicate and precise and we wanted to make sure everything about the story was perfect before we sent it out. If I remember right, we were on submission for a little less than a month. I've heard horror stories about writers being on submission and that whole experience of waiting being an absolute nightmare, but my agent Louise was so great about updating me on what was going on, who was looking at the manuscript, and who was/wasn't interested that the waiting never felt so bad.

That being said, I feel EXTREMELY lucky and grateful that my submission went the way it did. Others don't have that sort of experience, and I know there are plenty who want to rip their hair out by the end of it.

That is AH-MAZING! So you just announced your deal (YAY!). Tell us about the deal itself.
How did everything go down? What was it like having to keep that a secret for so long?

Yay! I can tell you this deal was amazing, and also one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. HarperCollins made a house offer on the manuscript, and I had to pick between two of their imprints, both of which I loved. In the end, I decided to go with Greenwillow.

Keeping the secret was AWFUL. I know sometimes it takes months to get things moving, and it may take a while to be able to announce, but there were times when I got really frustrated about it, mostly because I was afraid me or someone else who knew about it would let something slip, and we'd all be in trouble for letting the news out too soon. So now that it's out, there's a lot of pressure off!

What's next for you? Are you drafting something new? Can you giveus a hint? ;)

I think it's safe to say I'm always working on something, haha. ASK AGAIN LATER is YA contemporary, but normally I'm a sci-fi/fantasy writer. I really love creating and exploring other worlds. Right now, I'm working on sort of a sci-fi/contemporary crossover that will hopefully appeal to both contemporary fans and sci-fi fans. That's all I can say for now, but I hope I get to share more info about it soon!

Thanks, Chessie! You can add ASK AGAIN LATER on Goodreads here, and follow Chessie on Twitter right over here! 

Author Interview with Elizabeth Norris!

Yep. That exclamation point was absolutely necessary. Why? Because UNRAVELING was one of my favorite books last year. Seriously. I couldn't put it down. I loved everything about Janelle's voice and, well, Ben Michaels, of course! The pacing had me on the edge of my seat all the way through and I can't WAIT for the sequel. Over the last year, I got a chance to get to know Liz and I just absolutely love this girl. When I realized I had the opportunity to promote her sequel UNBREAKABLE on Life of Writers, I was thrilled!

So here you have it. My interview with the awesome Liz Norris.

With the release of your novella UNDONE, how vital would you say, as the author, is it for readers to read this first before UNBREAKABLE?

It's not. I actually wrote UNBREAKABLE before I knew UNDONE was going to exist. I had talked about it as a concept with my editor but I hadn't actually written any of it yet. The last story in UNDONE overlaps with the beginning of UNBREAKABLE. Because it's from Ben's perspective and because I tried to reveal things about Ben that we didn't already know, I think readers can read either one of them first.

Was it difficult to tie in UNRAVELING and UNBREAKABLE while keeping in mind that some people might skip UNDONE? 

No, it didn't really factor in since I wrote UNBREAKABLE first. As an author I hope people who are fans do go and read UNDONE, otherwise I feel like they aren't getting the whole series, but they certainly don't need to.

Did you enjoy writing from Ben's POV in UNDONE? Was it difficult at all finding his voice? 

I was worried that it was going to be really hard or even that I wouldn't be able to do it. I don't know much about teenage boys. They are and have always been sort of a mystery to me. But when I actually sat down to write Ben's story, it flowed pretty easily. I knew his character so well that finding his voice came naturally. I did have plenty of moments when I was doing my first draft, where I wrote "[Ben's thoughts/feelings?]" and then I asked my boyfriend what he would be feeling in that scenario. Thankfully he was a good sport about that.

Can we expect dual POV in UNBREAKABLE or perhaps in Book 3? Will there be a Book 3? (Please say YES!) 

As of right now, there isn't a Book 3 in the Unraveling series. I did recently plot one out in case there will ever be one some day, and I flirted with the idea of dual POV. But my third book with Harper is going to be a different world and different characters. I didn't want to try to force the story into a trilogy, and I do really like the ending of UNBREAKABLE.

NO SPOILERS, but you seem to be a fan of killing characters off *ahem* *tear*––How do you make that decision to kill off certain characters? 

I really believe that no one is safe. I love reading books where I know the author isn't afraid to kill off a character, because then the stakes are always higher. Several years ago, one of my favorite authors (Kim Harrison) killed off a character in a book and I sobbed so hard I had to put the book down. And for the next several books in the series, I kept secretly hoping the character would somehow not be dead. I think there's a realism in that--if a character is in a life-threatening situation, even if they make it out alive, they're going to lose something or someone they care about. And that's going to shape who they are. As I was writing UNRAVELING, I had planned one character death because I knew that moment was going to change something in Janelle. It was going to be a really pivotal moment in the course of the plot. Another character death just sort of happened when I was writing, but it fit. It felt right. Janelle is a slightly different person in UNBREAKABLE as a result of what she went through in UNRAVELING.

It's no secret that you're a fan of The X-Files. Can we expect to find more X-Files references in UNBREAKABLE? 

There are a few, but less than in UNRAVELING. When I started writing the sequel, I wanted to figure out a way to raise the stakes somehow. UNBREAKABLE takes place over a shorter span of time and Janelle doesn't have much time to slow down and take a breath. 

And just for fun, what is one super secret thing you can tell us about your writing?  

I wrote part of the third story in UNDONE ("After I Left Her") with a mouse in my apartment. The mouse had run into my heating grate, and I trapped it in there (and was hysterical about it). I had to wait in my apartment for the super to come by and remove said mouse, but it was going to take him a few hours to finish up whatever he was doing. I was on a tight deadline for UNDONE and my kitchen table which doubles as my desk was right next to the grate. So I sat there and finished the story and periodically screamed when the mouse peaked out at me. It was an emotional day.

Thank you so much to Liz for being a part of our blog! You made this fangirl very happy. Be sure to pick up your copies of UNRAVELING and UNDONE before the release of UNBREAKABLE on April 23rd! 

Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's recent snowpocalyptic winter. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.

Author Interview: Shannon Dittemore

Shannon was one of the first published authors to befriend me when I first came onto the writing scene. I was excited to find out that we live in the same area, so it made it easier for us to become instant friends. We spoke a few times through emails and Twitter, of course, and we met in person at a writing conference in our town. Since then we've spoken on many occasions and I can definitely tell you that her friendship is a blessing. So when Life of Writers came up with this feature, I knew immediately who would be my first pick. I'm even more thrilled that it happened around the time that she just released her second book in the Angels Eyes Trilogy. Now that I've told you how wonderful she is, I think it's time you found out yourselves.

I know how excited I am about BROKEN WINGS coming out this month, but how are YOU feeling? Does it get easier as each book is released into the wild? 

You know that moment in Armageddon where AJ asks Oscar how he's doing? Here, this moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imH1B_4Ge6w Oscar about nails it. I'm 98% excited, 2% scared. Or maybe it's the other way around. Who knows? If this release week is anything like the last one, it'll be a very topsy turvy emotional ride for me. And that's okay. It's probably good. Makes me feel victorious when it's over. The best part of this next week will be Saturday (2/23) when I get to celebrate the launch at Barnes and Noble with other readers. I'm very much looking forward to that. I don't know if it gets any easier as time goes by. I will certainly let you know!

In ANGEL EYES (Book 1 of the trilogy) we are shown a fantastical world mixed with real life situations. Can we expect the same from BROKEN WINGS?

Yes. Absolutely. I wanted Broken Wings to be the next logical step for Brielle and her friends. Brielle's father is the source of a lot of drama in this one. And then, of course, there are some returning demons and angels with wings of blade. The goal has always been to show everyday life existing alongside the supernatural. I hope it makes for an exciting ride.

I've seen the pin board filled with colorful flash cards in your office, and as a pantser, I must know: How do you keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed by all the outlining? 

Well, I should probably confess here. I'm a half-pantser. Most of my flash cards go up on the board after a chapter is written, not before. Occasionally, I'll pin a card with a couple details scribbled on it to remind me what comes next, but mostly I use the boards to remind me where I've been. I don't do a formal outline. I usually write a bit and then outline the next few chapters, and then write a bit more and adjust from there. Obviously, OBVIOUSLY, I'm still learning, but I'd rather the characters tell me what happens next. That only happens when I let them run around and talk to each other.

What's your process like when you're on a deadline? How do you keep yourself on track? 

I'm going to have to confess everything to you, aren't I? That's okay. You're awesome and I don't mind. The truth is, I'm usually always behind. But the reason I know that is because I set a weekly word count goal. Say 10,000 words a week. Now, I miss my goal lots, but the idea is that if I've hit it by Friday, (WAHOO!) I get the weekend off. If not, Saturday and Sunday are catch-up days for me. Sometimes I let myself cheat and skip catch-up days. Makes me feel like a rebel, but I always know just how far behind I am and how many words it will take to catch up.   

As I understand, you just turned in your edits for DARK HALO (Book 3). How does it feel to be nearing the end of your first trilogy? 

Weird! It's very weird. It's fulfilling to know I've told this entire story, wrapping it up exactly the way I wanted to. That's an amazing feeling. But it doesn't feel like the end of these characters. I don't know if I'll write them again, but I think they'll always be alive in my head, wandering around, doing what they do. That's the part that's weird. That these characters will do things in my imagination that no one will ever know about. It'll take some getting used to, I think.

For your last question, I have to ask: What super "secret" thing can you tell us about yourself and your writing? 

I don't know how super secret it is; my neighbors are all highly aware. But when I'm stuck or need to think through an idea, I walk around and around my court. I wave at the kids, rile up the dogs, smell the roses, so to speak. Usually I'm wearing sweats and only my socks--I've destroyed oodles of them, btw--but it helps me to GET OUT. I love my writing cave, but there's only so much inspiration to be derived from my bookshelves and bulletin boards. So there you have it: I walk in circles! Now you know all my secrets.

Just to prove how awesome she is, Shannon has offered to giveaway a copy of BROKEN WINGS which is now available in stores! To enter, please see the Rafflecopter below. You have until March 7th to enter! 

Thank you so much to Shannon Dittemore for this fabulous giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shannon Dittemore has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. The daughter of one preacher and the wife of another, she spends her days imagining things unseen and chasing her two children around their home in Northern California. 

Author Interview: Ashley Elston

Today, we have the lovely Ashley Elston here for a quick interview. I gotta say, I'm sooo excited for her book, THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING!

Hi Ashley, could you tell us a little about yourself and your book so we can get to know you?

 

I’m married with three sons and live in North Louisiana. I was a wedding/portrait photographer for 10 years and now, when I’m not writing, I help my husband run our landscape business. My book is about a family stuck in the Witness Protection Program and they get relocated to Louisiana. That poor family has been through so much and I’m afraid it’s not getting any easier for them.

 

What made you want to write this book?

 

I had the idea for this book and it just wouldn’t go away. I kept thinking how hard it would be for a girl in high school to have to hide who she really was. 

 

What was your journey to becoming represented then published like?

 

When I set out to find an agent, I had no idea just how hard it would be. You need a pretty thick skin when you start querying. Luckily, my story caught the eye of a fantastic agent, Sarah Davies. I thought the hard work was done until I got her email detailing all the revisions she would like me to make. So I went to work. And it paid off. I was thrilled to get a two book deal with Disney Hyperion.

 

Can you tell us what's next for you? Are you working on anything new that you can reveal?

 

I just finished the first draft to the sequel for THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING and sent it to my editor. I’m really excited about where this story is going.

 

And finally, what do you love most about being an author?

 

Really, what’s been so incredible is when I hear from a reader and realize they love my characters as much as I do. It’s very humbling.

Thanks for stopping by, Ashley! Your book sounds amazing! Plus, there will be a sequel?! Score!

 She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING will be out on May 14, 2013, so go check it out on Goodreads and get ready for the awesomeness!

And follow Ashley to keep up with news and for more general awesomeness!
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An Interview with Author Lyla Payne

Hey, lovelies!

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with up-and-coming NA author, Lyla Payne. Not only is she fun and fantastic, but she's incredibly honest about her experiences as a writer. Take a look at Lyla's interview to read her secrets and witness her awesome for yourself!

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Hi Lyla! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your upcoming book so we can get to know you?

Sure! I'm trying something different with this novel, and with New Adult, but it's something I've been interested in for a long time. BROKEN AT LOVE emerged from a strange combination of my love for tennis and my rabid obsession with Gossip Girl. I think it works, though. The story is fun, lighthearted, and--I hope--sexy.

I understand you're writing under a pen name. Why did you decide to write anonymously? 

I write YA that's pretty squeaky clean as far as language and sex, and I love writing that. BROKEN AT LOVE is the exact opposite in tone, expression, and graphic nature so I thought it would be best not to link the two types of stories under one name. Honestly, I love the idea that my YA attracts younger readers and that their parents don't have to worry about what they'll find between the covers. I would hate to think of them picking up BROKEN AT LOVE before they're ready to read this particular kind of story. 

How did you decide you wanted to write NA? What about it is most appealing to you? 

I *love* writing NA. It's been something that has interested me for a long time--for me, college was the time I grew and explored the most in my life, the years where freedom granted me the space to make all kinds of crazy and wonderful mistakes. I was a late bloomer, and I know I'm not the only one. Writing about the kinds of things that can really only take place in a college environment is SO MUCH FUN.  

Can you tell us a little bit about your publishing journey up until now? How did you decide you wanted to self-publish your NA novels? 

I had a literary agent for about a year, and when she and I parted ways I decided to self-publish the YA series we'd worked on together. It was a hard decision but I honestly don't regret it--I would have loved to have had a great agent experience but I didn't, and it's opened my eyes to a lot of things, including the idea that authors need to take responsibility for their own careers.

Self-publishing the NA seems like a no-brainer to me. The readers who adore these kinds of books are voriacious (I'm seeing more crossover from romance readers than YA), and they're hungry for more, always. The slow grind of traditional publishing doesn't work for them. In addition, the majority of major publishing house deals are for NA plucked from the self-published world--that's the way it's working right now. eBooks that prove themselves get print deals, not the other way around. It's an interesting time to study publishing, for sure. Things are changing. 

What are some of the perks of self-pubbing? 

Control is a big one. Of your content, cover, marketing, blurb...everything. It's overwhelming at times but also completely lovely not to make changes you don't believe in. Publishing on my timeline is also a huge plus, for authors and readers. I don't need a year to put out a quality book. Four to five months is great timing for me, and readers get more books.  

What are the biggest downfalls? 

On the flip side of what I said above, there's no one to blame if something goes wrong or people hate your story or cover. Yes, I hire editors and have critique partners and cover designers...but everything you see from cover to cover, I okayed it. It's a lot of pressure. And once you put out books every four to five months, there's a lot of pressure to continue doing so. 

Other than that, even though the stigma that goes along with self-publishing (that we're quitters who weren't good enough/ready enough to get an agent and be traditionally published) is slowly fading, it's still there. I encounter it every day even while my YA series has decent, steady sales and more five star reviews than any other rating. It can be a lot to overcome, although like I mentioned, the stigma is much smaller to begin with in New Adult. Another reason to love it.  

What do you have to do (marketing, finance, etc.) to make sure a book is a success if you self-publish? 

Everything. The biggest thing I tell people just starting out in self-publishing is never say no. Say yes to guest blog posts and interviews (!), to contests and giveaways and reveals. Interact with readers on Facebook and Twitter and Goodreads. Support other authors. Give away copies to people who take the time to ask to review it. Use your money wisely, but you do have to spend it to make it. 

If you had to tell people one thing they should know about self-publishing and authors who self-publish, what would it be? 

I answered some of this above, but I would add this: don't skimp on editing. Don't publish a first draft. At the very, very least, hire a professional copy editor AND implement suggestions from reliable critique partners. Having people dismiss your book because of unprofessional content is the fastest way to lose readers.  

Thanks, Lyla! She's pretty fantastic, right? So is her book. (Bonus: Hooottt cover.) 

When a knee injury ends twenty-year-old Quinn Rowland’s pro tennis career, he’s not only dumped by his hot Russian girlfriend but ordered to attend college by his disinterested billionaire father. A rich kid who’s not used to being disappointed by life, Quinn and his sociopathic half-brother Sebastian create a frat house game intended to treat girls how they see them—as simple game pieces to be manipulated for their pleasure.

College sophomore Emilie Swanson knows Quinn’s reputation—after all, he did send one of her sorority sisters into therapy earlier in the semester—but the game and his charm bring them closer together and soon she starts to believe there’s more to Quinn than people think.

But what if the more is something darker than a game of toying with emotions and breaking hearts?

Quinn and Emilie might be falling for each other, but there are secrets he’s not ready to tell—and lifestyle changes he’s reluctant to make. She willingly stepped on the court, but if Emilie finds out she started out as nothing as a pawn in Quinn and Sebastian’s twisted game, she might never forgive him.

To his surprise, Quinn finds that he might finally care about someone more than he cares about himself…even if that means letting Emilie walk away for good. 

BROKEN IN LOVE comes out in March, but you can add it on Goodreads right now! 

Broken at Love on Goodreads

And make sure to follow Lyla to keep up with her newest books:

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Andrea Hannah is a YA writer represented by Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider. She writes stories about criminals, crazy people, and creatures that may or may not exist. When she's not writing, Andrea teaches special education, runs, spends time with her family, and tries to figure out a way to prevent her pug from opening the refrigerator (still unsuccessful). Oh, and she tweets a bajillion times a day, mostly about inappropriate things.

You can find her on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/andeehannah
Drop her an email @: andeehannah@gmail.com
And visit her website @: http://www.andreahannah.com/