*for some reason this is looking weird. I will be unable to change colors or center this all. Sorry :( *
Remember if you wanna see how cool the newsletter really is you must subscribe. Email me at princessashley9@gmail.com so I can sign you up :)
Authors
http://koriannespeaks.blogspot.com/ is planning to have Siobhan Vivian
http://www.princess2293.blogspot.com/ has Madison Scott on the 19th
http://www.princess2293.blogspot.com/ has Jillian Canter on the 24th
Adele Walsh at http://persnicketysnark.blogspot.com is having Karen Tayleur (Chasing Boys) as her author spotlight this week, which includes a reader's snapshot, an interview and a guest blog.
Reyna at http://booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com/ is having Shelley Adina (author of the young adult "All about Us" novels) for a visit.
Reyna at http://booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com/ is having Sarah MacLean, author of "The Season",
Lauren at http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/ had one with Janni Lee Simner, who wrote Bones of Faerie.
2/11 - Melissa de la Cruz at My Favorite Author
2/18 - Richelle Mead at My Favorite Author
2/25 - Claudia Gray at My Favorite Author
Author Spotlight
Lisa and shooting star Interviewed Jennifer Banash for us. Here is what she had to say!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was around 2, my father gave me a typewriter as a birthday present. I don't think I realized that I was going to be a writer right then and there (umm . . . I could barely drink from a sippy cup without making a mess), but I think the seed was definitely planted.
What inspired you to write the Elite books?
My own high school experience. I went to high school with a lot of wealthy kid that were supposed to have it all--but were actually deeply troubled, and had less than perfect home lives. While I've always been attracted to glamor, and really wanted to write an escapist series for teens, also wanted to temper it with a bit of reality in terms of the characters home lives.
What do you think makes a good story?
I think drama, romance, and intrigue make a good story! Writing what you know doesn't hurt either :)
How long did it take you to write each book?
I wrote all three books in about 9 months. Yes, I was tired afterwards!
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I'm kind of Facebook obsessed, so I hear from readers a good deal. Mostly they just tell me that they love the books, or ask for tips on getting published themselves. I love hearing from readers--it's the best part of the job!
Who is your favorite character you've created?
My favorite character I've created is Madison Macallister. Yes, she's a drama queen, diva-bitch, but she's just so much FUN to write! I literally giggle in my chair like a maniac when I'm writing her story arc.
What book are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading I KNOW IT'S OVER, by CK Kelly Martin. It's fantastic.
What's your all time favorite book?
Arrrrgh . . . I hate this question! I'm indecisive and could never choose just ONE. Some of my favorites are: A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, LESS THAN ZERO, TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, and I love anything that Carole Maso writes--not many people read her--but they should. As far as strictly YA goes, SISTERS OF MISERY by Megan Kelley Hall is the best book I've read in a LONG time--hands down.
And finally, what's your opinion of book bloggers? :)
I love book bloggers--so much so that I thanked them profusely on the acknowledgments page of IN TOO DEEP! I think bloggers do an excellent job of raising the visibility of YA--a genre that doesn't really get many print reviews in general. If any bloggers out there still haven't reviewed the first two ELITE book, let me know! I'll be glad to get you copies.
If you had to live in the shoes of one of your characters in the Elite series for a whole year, who would you pick and why?
I would pick Madison, because even though she's a complete bitch, it would be really liberating to tell everyone exactly what I thought of them 24/7 without holding back. I'm the type of person who always wants to please EVERYONE--often at the expense of my own sanity, so to spend a year as Madison, doing and saying exactly what I wanted, would be very liberating for me.
Have you ever had an idea for a character to include but ultimately left them out? If so, can you tell us anything about these "cut-out" characters?
Hmmm . . . I had an idea for a character in THE ELITE that was physically abused by her parents, but at the end of the day her story arc was just too realistic and TOO much of a downer for the series itself. I'm all for realism, but she just didn't fit. I definitely want to write a book about child abuse at some point, but this just wasn't the right series to include it--As it was, I had to fight my editor tooth and nail to include Sophie's problem with cutting.
Since you have Drew in the series, do you feel that boys could read your books as well as girls and get something out of it?
Definitely. In fact, guys write me all the time on MySpace or Facebook and tell me that they love the series, and that they can really relate to Drew as a character. I'm especially proud in those moments because writing from a guy's perspective is incredibly difficult for me, and thus, those kinds of comments are incredibly gratifying to me as a writer.
The Blog to check out
Nineteen Teen (http://www.nineteen.blogspot.com)
YA authors Marissa Doyle and Regina Scott talk about the lives, loves, and interests of teens in nineteenth century England. With pictures from the time period, quizzes and guessing games, themed giveaways, posts by characters from YA novels about the nineteenth century, and interviews with other authors, this is the place to be if you like your skirts long and your men dashing. They’re in the middle of a series of posts on English Country dancing, including how to flirt while dancing. Over 1,300 visitors a month can’t be wrong! Come join the fun.
Thanks to Regina for sharing that info with us!
Reviews
•Ashley is reviewing New Moon at booksaremylove.blogspot.com
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review Frenimies.
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review sophomore Switch.
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review In Too Deep
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review Bloom.
•My Favorite Author is reviewing The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Remember if you wanna see how cool the newsletter really is you must subscribe. Email me at princessashley9@gmail.com so I can sign you up :)
Authors
http://koriannespeaks.blogspot.com/ is planning to have Siobhan Vivian
http://www.princess2293.blogspot.com/ has Madison Scott on the 19th
http://www.princess2293.blogspot.com/ has Jillian Canter on the 24th
Adele Walsh at http://persnicketysnark.blogspot.com is having Karen Tayleur (Chasing Boys) as her author spotlight this week, which includes a reader's snapshot, an interview and a guest blog.
Reyna at http://booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com/ is having Shelley Adina (author of the young adult "All about Us" novels) for a visit.
Reyna at http://booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com/ is having Sarah MacLean, author of "The Season",
Lauren at http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/ had one with Janni Lee Simner, who wrote Bones of Faerie.
2/11 - Melissa de la Cruz at My Favorite Author
2/18 - Richelle Mead at My Favorite Author
2/25 - Claudia Gray at My Favorite Author
Author Spotlight
Lisa and shooting star Interviewed Jennifer Banash for us. Here is what she had to say!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was around 2, my father gave me a typewriter as a birthday present. I don't think I realized that I was going to be a writer right then and there (umm . . . I could barely drink from a sippy cup without making a mess), but I think the seed was definitely planted.
What inspired you to write the Elite books?
My own high school experience. I went to high school with a lot of wealthy kid that were supposed to have it all--but were actually deeply troubled, and had less than perfect home lives. While I've always been attracted to glamor, and really wanted to write an escapist series for teens, also wanted to temper it with a bit of reality in terms of the characters home lives.
What do you think makes a good story?
I think drama, romance, and intrigue make a good story! Writing what you know doesn't hurt either :)
How long did it take you to write each book?
I wrote all three books in about 9 months. Yes, I was tired afterwards!
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I'm kind of Facebook obsessed, so I hear from readers a good deal. Mostly they just tell me that they love the books, or ask for tips on getting published themselves. I love hearing from readers--it's the best part of the job!
Who is your favorite character you've created?
My favorite character I've created is Madison Macallister. Yes, she's a drama queen, diva-bitch, but she's just so much FUN to write! I literally giggle in my chair like a maniac when I'm writing her story arc.
What book are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading I KNOW IT'S OVER, by CK Kelly Martin. It's fantastic.
What's your all time favorite book?
Arrrrgh . . . I hate this question! I'm indecisive and could never choose just ONE. Some of my favorites are: A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, LESS THAN ZERO, TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, and I love anything that Carole Maso writes--not many people read her--but they should. As far as strictly YA goes, SISTERS OF MISERY by Megan Kelley Hall is the best book I've read in a LONG time--hands down.
And finally, what's your opinion of book bloggers? :)
I love book bloggers--so much so that I thanked them profusely on the acknowledgments page of IN TOO DEEP! I think bloggers do an excellent job of raising the visibility of YA--a genre that doesn't really get many print reviews in general. If any bloggers out there still haven't reviewed the first two ELITE book, let me know! I'll be glad to get you copies.
If you had to live in the shoes of one of your characters in the Elite series for a whole year, who would you pick and why?
I would pick Madison, because even though she's a complete bitch, it would be really liberating to tell everyone exactly what I thought of them 24/7 without holding back. I'm the type of person who always wants to please EVERYONE--often at the expense of my own sanity, so to spend a year as Madison, doing and saying exactly what I wanted, would be very liberating for me.
Have you ever had an idea for a character to include but ultimately left them out? If so, can you tell us anything about these "cut-out" characters?
Hmmm . . . I had an idea for a character in THE ELITE that was physically abused by her parents, but at the end of the day her story arc was just too realistic and TOO much of a downer for the series itself. I'm all for realism, but she just didn't fit. I definitely want to write a book about child abuse at some point, but this just wasn't the right series to include it--As it was, I had to fight my editor tooth and nail to include Sophie's problem with cutting.
Since you have Drew in the series, do you feel that boys could read your books as well as girls and get something out of it?
Definitely. In fact, guys write me all the time on MySpace or Facebook and tell me that they love the series, and that they can really relate to Drew as a character. I'm especially proud in those moments because writing from a guy's perspective is incredibly difficult for me, and thus, those kinds of comments are incredibly gratifying to me as a writer.
The Blog to check out
Nineteen Teen (http://www.nineteen.blogspot.com)
YA authors Marissa Doyle and Regina Scott talk about the lives, loves, and interests of teens in nineteenth century England. With pictures from the time period, quizzes and guessing games, themed giveaways, posts by characters from YA novels about the nineteenth century, and interviews with other authors, this is the place to be if you like your skirts long and your men dashing. They’re in the middle of a series of posts on English Country dancing, including how to flirt while dancing. Over 1,300 visitors a month can’t be wrong! Come join the fun.
Thanks to Regina for sharing that info with us!
Reviews
•Ashley is reviewing New Moon at booksaremylove.blogspot.com
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review Frenimies.
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review sophomore Switch.
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review In Too Deep
•Booksaremylove.blogspot.com will review Bloom.
•My Favorite Author is reviewing The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Hi Book Spot,
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in Little Lov'n Monday
I can so relate to your post about contests. Fortunately, I do have more books than I can read so tell folks to join us for LLM and earn a chance to win a freebie. Thanks.
If you copy it into a blank word doc, you can change all of that to black and left-alligned, and then copy it into blogger and change the colours and center it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning Nineteenteen!
ReplyDelete:) Marissa
On blogger it doesn't have the allign stuff working at least on this blog at the moment. really bothering me :(
ReplyDeleteDoes too. See? It's the lines... And you know you can make hyperlinks so you don't have to copy and paste, right?
ReplyDelete