Uh, hello?

Man, this blog is neglected. I envy people who have a blog presence that is regularly updated. I just don't have the stamina to do that. Or maybe it's the discipline. At the end of the day it's all about the writing, right?

That's what I've been doing. I am also taking an awesome writing class led by YA author Nova Ren Suma.

It's the best class I've ever taken.

It's only twelve writers, including myself, and is offered through Media Bistro. The good thing about it is that it's designed for writers who are looking to revise.

Each week, four writers are up for "workshop" where their work is discussed at length. It's been really helpful. My goal is to revise my middle grade novel, Hoodoo, which I queried back in December and January. I got a few full requests (one is still out) but ultimately, no offers. One agent in particular said she really liked it and that she would look again with revisions. So I'm hoping this class can help me take the book to the next level.

I'm reading Nova's latest book, 17 & Gone. It's spectacular. Check her out online. She has a lot of good stuff.

http://novaren.com

http://distraction99.com

How to Write and Sell the Young Adult Novel

I just signed-up for this online class led by author and agent Mandy Hubbard. One of my crit partners also joined. It comes via LitReactor, a writing community I had never heard of before. It looks like they offer a lot of great classes.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Penguin

I work in advertising and it's not very often that I say anything about the ad industry on this blog. But this is a really cool ad campaign for Penguin Books I wanted to share.

Very cool idea.

Rereading the Magicians

I read Lev Grossman's The Magicians when it came out in hardback a few years ago. I enjoyed it and discussed it with my critique group. Unfortunately, when the next book came out, The Magician King, I didn't remember anything about the first one. So I set to reading The Magicians a second time so I could jump into the sequel fresh.

Rereading books is something I do often, but I'll save that topic for another post. Regarding The Magicians, I had a vague memory of what actually happened in the book. I mean, I knew it was about a guy who found a hidden college for magicians, and his trip to a magical realm with some of his classmates, but aside from that, I couldn't remember much of the details. So reading it a second time was really refreshing.

It's a great read: literary, imaginative, dark and depressing at points. I looked at some of the reviews on Amazon and quite a few people had a problem with it. Maybe these were readers who were more familiar with plot-driven stories and less so with literary novels. I think it blended the two styles effortlessly. I don't think I've read anything quite like it before. I think it fits on the same shelf as a few of my other favorite books: The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I love this kind of adult literary fantasy. I'll even suggest Donna Tartt's The Secret History on this list, although it is not fantasy, but I believe it has the same themes and ideals as most fantasy novels.

As I finished it last night, I used The Google Machine and searched for Brakebills, the invisible school of magic that our protagonist, Quintin Coldwater attends. There's a website (or at least a landing page) for the imaginary school that is quite funny. I particularly liked this note under ADMISSIONS:

Do not bother applying to Brakebills. If there is even a remote chance that you are qualified, you will receive an invitation to take the entrance examination.

I also found a place where you can buy Brakebills College t-shirts. I just have to get one of these.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to The Magician King. Has anyone else read The Magicians?


Breaking News: Just found a link to an article that gives more information on the idea of blurring reality and fantasy, re: the Brakebills College shirt

The Truth

Great post by the always interesting Chuck Wending:

Check it out here.

Creepy

I've had this book for a while, but only now have begun to read. It's really well written and I find myself totally caught up in it. Really great pacing and rhythm with a literary narrator voice that doesn't dumb things down. Plus, there are a lot of creepy photos. It's like Edward Gorey meets Diane Arbus by way of Poe. Or something.

If you haven't heard of it, which I'm sure you have, check it out.

Interview

My critique partner, Amy Alexander interviewed yours truly along with my other crit partner Michele, on her blog. Check it out, people.

Send your novel to Harper Voyager

Here's a chance to send your manuscript to one of the world's biggest publishing companies.

Without an agent 

Go here:

Make a trailer for your book

We've all seen these before. Ever thought about making one for yourself? Here's an easy way to do it, courtesy of my local SCBWI chapter.

Check it out.

Have fun!

Ready to Pitch?

Check out this cool opportunity over at Brenda Drake's blog.

Well isn't this depressing...

My blog is set as my home page so whenever I launch my browser I see that I haven't updated in ages and I get a major pang of guilt.

But the important thing is writing, right? Not making sure your blog stays current.

I envy writers that have healthy blogs. Mine is in bed with the flu.

I've just been busy with writing a new middle grade. That and writing TV, radio and digital for an ad agency.

I'd rather work on my fiction all day. How does one make that happen? Oh, write  a best-seller.

 I'll be back when I have something cool to share.

Like getting an agent.

Now that would be awesome.

I think this new MG may be the one.

I'll be in touch.

XOXO

The Wild Rumpus comes to an End

R.I.P. Mr. Sendak

ATTENTION

It's been forever. Still working. About to go on a well-earned vacation. Hopefully, I'll get over my blogger's block upon my return.

Happy writing!

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by to make a comment on the post below for the chance to win an advance reading copy of Black City Chronicles, by Elizabeth Richards.

The Goddess of Fate chose Angela, who runs the blog Little Blue Pig.

I've reached out to Angela and she is psyched!

Thanks, everyone. This book looks great so be sure to pick it up when it comes out!

Cover Reveal for Black City Chronicles

A dark and tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.
 
A while back, I interviewed author Elizabeth Richards. You can find the interview here. 
Her debut, Black City Chronicles, is getting some buzz, and I have the cover and first chapter here!


Check out this blurb on the book and the first chapter below. You also have a chance to win a galley of the book!

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

BLACK CITY CHRONICLES BY ELIZABETH RICHARDS

First Chapter

ASH

An air raid siren wails in the distance, alerting Black City citizens to lock their doors and turn out the lights. They don’t want to be out in the dark alone. They might meet something dangerous. Something like me.

I head under the canal bridge and wait for the girl, taking a packet of Sentry-regulation smokes from my back pocket and sparking up. The nicotine courses through my veins, making them throb with adrenaline; the sensation is almost like a pulse . . . almost.

Footsteps approach the bridge, and a short girl with straggly black hair appears from the shadows, dressed in men’s work boots, tight black trousers and a tailcoat made from a patchwork of clashing fabrics. Her hazel eyes gaze up into mine. She’s brave. Not many cherry-poppers have the courage to look me in the eyes. She hands me an old playing card with two hearts on it, one red, one black. It’s my calling card. It seemed an appropriate choice; that’s what I’m selling her after all, an illusion of love. I slip it into the pocket of my dark green military jacket.

“You’re late,” I say. “Last thing I need is to be caught out here after curfew by a Tracker. They’re just begging for a reason to throw me in jail.”

“Sorry, they’ve put up extra checkpoints, stopping everyone. There’s tanks everywhere!” she babbles. “I guess they can’t be too careful with the Sentry Emissary back in the city, what with the boundary negotiations with the Legion and—”

“You paid Beetle?” I interrupt.

The girl nods.

“Terms and conditions,” I say. “No refunds. You don’t enjoy it, you puke, you freak—not my problem, okay?”

She nods again.

“You pregnant?” She blushes furiously. “I’ll take that as a no. It may cause drowsiness, so don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery.” She smiles at this, and I grin. They always like that. “And no repeats for at least two weeks, all right? I mean it.”

“That all?”

“No kissing. Strictly business, okay?”

She seems a little disappointed by this, but I don’t like to mix business with pleasure. She shyly unbuttons the collar of her coat, revealing her slim, pale neck. Hunger grips my stomach at the sight.

“What do I do?” she asks.

“Lean back,” I say.

She obeys like a good girl. I place a hand against the wall and slip my other hand between her thighs, gently easing her legs apart. Touching her doesn’t turn me on, but I groan like it does, knowing she’ll enjoy that. They all do, even the guys—it’s why they come to me instead of the Haze dens. I slide my body between her thighs so we’re face-to-face. Her shallow breaths are warm against my cool skin.

“Relax, okay? It’s more enjoyable if you relax.”

“My heart’s pounding a mile a minute.” She gives a nervous laugh.

“Can’t say I know how that feels,” I admit.

She tentatively presses a hand against my chest, and her eyes widen. “So it’s true, then? You don’t have a heart?”

“I have a heart,” I growl, shoving her hard against the wall. It just doesn’t beat.

A small tear snakes down her cheek, her thin lips trembling.

“Sshhh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” I gently wipe her tear away. “Forgive me?”

She nods, then tilts her head to one side, exposing the smooth whiteness of her neck. The poison sacs behind my fangs swell with venom.

Focus, Ash. Don’t blow your load.

I lean toward her, pressing my lips against the soft flesh on her neck, just below her ear. Her pulse flutters under my lips, and I nearly lose it. I begin to nibble on the flesh, tickling the tiny hairs on her neck with my tongue, making them wet with my saliva.

“Do it,” she whispers.

So much for foreplay. I sink my fangs into her jugular. Hot blood spills over my tongue, making my taste buds burst with its sticky sweetness. Man, I love the newbies; they always taste the best. She sighs as my venom enters her bloodstream. I wait for the Haze to take effect before I start to drink from her. That’s the bonus of Haze; my clients get high from me, and I get high from them by drinking their drugged blood. It’s win-win.

A sour, bitter flavor suddenly floods my mouth, and I gag, leaping back.

“What the—” I spit up blood.

The girl stares at me with glazed eyes, blood trickling down the two puncture wounds in her neck.

“Everything’s sparkling,” she says dreamily.

“Didn’t Beetle tell you I don’t take clients on meds?”

She lurches toward me, and I grab her before she falls into the water.

“I love you,” she slurs, trying to kiss me.

I shove her, hard. She falls back against the wall and slides to the floor. Her eyes roll back into her head, and she begins to spasm, white foam bubbling out the corners of her mouth.

“No, no, no! Wake up.” I kneel down and shake her, panic rushing through me.

The girl jerks, her boots leaving black scuff marks on the cobblestones. Fragg! This is why I don’t take clients on meds. You can never tell how they’re going to react to the Haze. I shrug off my jacket and place it under her head.

A Sentry tank rolls over the bridge, and I shut my eyes and wait for it to pass. Even though the war is officially over, I still get chills at that sound. Wherever they went, Death followed. I had a few close scrapes during the war. During those days, the fact that I was a legal citizen and half human didn’t mean much to them. If you weren’t 100 percent human, you were the enemy. Every day was a fight for survival. Not much has improved since then; I’m still the enemy in most people’s eyes. All they can see is the Darkling in me. The tank turns down Bleak Street toward the Sentry Emissary’s headquarters.

The girl groans. It’s too dangerous here; I have to go. I could just leave her . . . No, that’s not an option, but I can’t take her to the hospital. I’d get in so much trouble.

Beetle!

I peer down the canal. A yellow barge is moored about one hundred feet away. The lights are off. Where is he? He’s meant to be my wingman; that’s why I came to the bridge in the first place. Can this get any wor—

An explosion of pain bursts inside my chest, and I clutch a hand over my lifeless heart. I sense someone behind me and turn.

A girl stands by the entranceway, lit by the headlamps of a passing truck. In the fleeting light, I catch a glimpse of cornflower-blue eyes flicking between me and the Hazer writhing on the ground.

Her gaze finally fixes on me.

I fall back, struck down, as the pain in my chest blooms again.

Shivers run through my body, rushing toward a single point in my chest. There’s a spark of electricity and then:

A flutter.

Sounds pretty awesome! 

Want to win a galley of this book before the public sees it on shelves?  Just comment on this post and you'll be entered to win. The galley is provided by Penguin Books for Young Readers and the winner will be announced on this blog post March 14, 2012. It's also open to international visitors.Good luck!
 
Elizabeth Richards lives in Buckinghamshire, England and can be found online at www.theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist and debut author, who spent her early career writing for videogame publications such as CUBE, P2 and Games TM, and now works as a website editor. Previously, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls. She won the Jane Hayward Young Journalist of the Year award for her feature on girls in the games industry, and was named 'Editor's Choice' in the industry trade magazine, MCV.

Hello

Yes, I'm still here if anyone happens to drop by. Just working away on a new middle-grade concept that I think is very cool. Hopefully, I'll be posting a lot more soon.

So if you stop by, thanks, and I shall be back in the blogosphere soon.

(Unless I think of a subject that just has to be reflected upon!)

Cracked is out in the world

My good friend Kate Walton's YA debut, Cracked, is out in the world. I'll be picking up a copy as soon as possible. Kate has a great Road to Publication story on her blog and should be read for people in the trenches waiting for representation.

Congrats, Kate!

Young Adult

I saw the film Young Adult on Christmas evening. I didn't know a whole lot about it, but wanted to see it since it was written by Diablo Cody who wrote Juno. It was quite good. I had no idea that it actually dealt with the YA we all know.

Charlize Theron is a YA ghostwriter for a popular series of teen books. Trouble is, she's not quite an adult herself, and has a bad case of arrested development. Hijacks ensue. A really good dark comedy I recommend.

It was very funny to see her avoid calls from her agent.

Happy post holiday wishes to everyone out there.

Hobbittttsssss

Hey look, it's the Hobbit trailer.

Happy Holidays

As you can see from the dearth of activity, I've been quite lax on Ye Olde Blog. It happens. Everything is quieting down for the holiday break. I've been working on a new MG with a pretty cool premise, and hope to make a lot of progress over the break.

I hope everyone has a happy Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanza-Festivus-Solstice-Festivus!