Guest Post: Anna Stanizewski on Writing a Series

I am so excited to welcome Anna Stanizewski back to the blog for the launch of the third book in her My Very UnFairy Tale Life series! Take it away, Anna!

The Process of Writing a Series

I used to think writing a series meant that you knew what happened from the very first page to the very last page. Then I actually wrote a series and I had to guffaw at this gross misconception. Of course, there are authors who plan books out in detail, but I think for most of us, the process is a mix of planning and flailing in the dark.

When my agent sold My Very UnFairy Tale Life, we pitched it as a standalone novel with series potential. That meant that while I was revising the book with my editor, the back of my brain was working on ways to keep the story going if the time came. Luckily, the time did come! 

Right before the first book was published, my editor asked for summaries of possible follow-up books. I quickly got to work and wrote up summaries of two sequels that mapped out a larger story arc throughout the three books while also creating smaller story arcs within each book.

I was beyond thrilled when my publisher bought the sequels and I could get to work actually writing the novels. As I went along, I was surprised to discover that the larger story arc (Jenny’s search for her parents) was easier to figure out than the individual arcs in each book.

Now that the last book in the series, My Sort of Fairy Tale Ending, is almost out, and the first book in my next series is on the horizon, I feel like I have a stronger grasp of how my process of writing a series works. I think I’ve gotten better at planning things out in advance, but honestly, there’s still a lot of flailing in the dark. I think that’s just par for the course.

Bio:

Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Stanszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was named the 2006-2007 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the 2009 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. Currently, Anna lives outside of Boston with her husband and their black Labrador, Emma.

When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. She is the author of My Very UnFairy Tale Life and its sequels, My Epic Fairy Tale Fail and My Sort of Fairy Tale Ending, all published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Look for the first book in Anna’s next tween series, The Dirt Diary, in January 2014, and visit her at www.annastan.com.

 

The Writers Helping Writers AMAZING RACE!

Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi at Writers Helping Writers (formerly The Bookshelf Muse) have added two more books to their Descriptive Thesaurus Collection: The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes and The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws. To celebrate, they are hosting a race, and not just any old race, either. It's the...

 
Writing is hard, isn't it? Create the perfect hook. Make your first page compelling. Craft an amazing 25 word pitch. Knock out a query that will blow an agent's mind. On and on it goes. And sometimes, well, you just wish someone would help.

WISH NO MORE!

From October 21st until October 27th, Writers Helping Writers is posting an OPEN CALL for writers. You can fill out a form, requesting help with critiques, book visibility, social media sharing, blog diagnostics, advice and more.

An army of Amazing Racers are standing by (ME INCLUDED!) waiting to help with your submissions. How many people can we help in a week? Let's find out! Did I mention there are Celebrity Racers too--amazing authors and editors who know their way around a first page. Maybe one of them will pick your submission to help with!

Each day this week, there's an AMAZING giveaway, too. So stop in at Angela & Becca's new Writers Helping Writers website and find out how to take advantage of this unique, pay-it-forward event for writers. I'll see you there! 

Photo Credit: Tharrin

Because the Night Book Blast

I'm excited to be a part of the book blast for this New Adult Paranormal! Keep reading for more information on BECAUSE THE NIGHT, including an EXCERPT!

WHAT: The BECAUSE THE NIGHT Blog Tour

WHEN: October 21st to 25th & October 28th to November 1st

WHERE: A blog near you. Check listings below for details

Week One

Oct. 21st - Reading In Twilight - Review + Interview
Oct. 22nd - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Character Interview
Oct. 23rd - Pen and Muse - Interview
Oct. 24th - Curling Up With A Good Book - Guest Post
Oct. 25th - BookHounds - Review

Week Two

Oct. 28th - Urban Fantasy Land - Guest Post
Oct. 29th - What's Beyond Forks - Review
Oct. 30th - The Girl in a Cafe - Review
Oct. 31st - Alphas Authors & Books Oh My  - Review + Interview
Nov. 1st - Moonlight Gleams - Review + Guest Post

About the Book on Tour

Title: BECAUSE THE NIGHT
Author: Kristen Strassel
Pub. Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Foreword Literary

Find it: Goodreads

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

The Excerpt

The next thing I knew we were in his apartment. I knew it from TV, the huge living area, the plush red chairs, the huge floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city. Still, actually being here was a different thing all together. God, I hoped we weren’t being filmed. That wasn’t constant, was it?

Tristan spun me towards him. His hands were so cold. Why hadn’t I noticed that before? I could hardly breathe.

“What are you doing here, Callie?”

My heart sank to my knees. This wasn’t the greeting I hoped for. It was more of an inquisition. “I’m on vacation.”

“Why here? You’re not old enough to have fun yet.” He jerked his head toward the window. “Out there, anyway.”

“I have a fake ID.” I protested. But I knew that wasn’t what he meant. “And I wanted to see you.”

“You shouldn’t have come here.” His face darkened.

“You don’t want me here?” I felt tears welling up in my eyes. No, I couldn’t cry. Not now.

“Oh, I do,” a slow grin spread over his face, but it had an edge. “But you shouldn’t be here.” His slid his tongue over his teeth as he waited for my answer to his original question, settling on one very sharp tooth, playing with it, daring me to notice.

I winced, like I had been stung. I hated those stupid fangs. Why didn’t he take them out after the show?

I didn’t have time to process it before he was suddenly on top of me. His hands closed on my arms, and he pinned me against the window with my feet dangling in midair, unable to even struggle. Icy cold radiated from his body like I was standing near an iceberg. He paused, fangs like icicles inches from my face, but no breath, not even freezing cold breath caressed my face.

I couldn’t even open my mouth to scream. All the things I wanted to ask him, all the things I wanted to say, they didn’t matter now.

It was true. God, it was all true.

Whatever he was, he certainly wasn’t human. My eyes were wide and frozen, staring into his, unblinking. I wanted to lose myself in their dark depths, swirling with danger and desire.

“Didn’t you know what I was when you came here?” he finally broke the silence; loosening his hold on me just enough that I slid down the window. He cocked his head thoughtfully, still grinning, and stroked my neck with one cool finger.

He enjoyed this.

I wanted to tell him to get the hell away from me, but I couldn’t. He made my heart race and sent a shiver down my spine. Even in his monster form.

The Author on Tour

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house. Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.

Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

Find her: BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Cover Reveal: Don't Look Back by Jennifer Armentrout

I am SO SO EXCITED to be posting a cover reveal for Jennifer Armentrout's DON'T LOOK BACK!

First, the deets:

Release date: 04/15/2014

Synopsis:

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it’s one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took “mean girl” to a whole new level, and it’s clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She’s getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she’s falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn’t just buried deep inside of Sam’s memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Amazon

B&N

Author Bio:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Find Jennifer:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Okay, now that we got through that, are you ready for this cover?

Are you?

REALLY?!

Because it's not just any cover. 

IT'S ANIMATED.

And a little CREEPY.

Oh my GOD how awesome is that? I CANNOT wait to read it. :)

Moonless by Crystal Collier Cover Reveal!

 I am so excited to be participating in the cover reveal for Crystal Collier's YA debut, Moonless!

Title: Moonless
Author: Crystal Collier
Series: Maiden of Time #1
Publication: November 13th, 2013
Category: Young Adult (YA)
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance

Description:
In the English society of 1768 where women are bred to marry, unattractive Alexia, just sixteen, believes she will end up alone. But on the county doorstep of a neighbor’s estate, she meets a man straight out of her nightmares, one whose blue eyes threaten to consume her whole world—especially later when she discovers him standing over her murdered host in the middle of the night.

Among the many things to change for her that evening are: her physical appearance—from ghastly to breathtaking, an epidemic of night terrors predicting the future, and the blue-eyed man’s unexpected infusion into her life. Not only do his appearances precede tragedies, but they’re echoed by the arrival of ravenous, black-robed wraiths on moonless nights.

Unable to decide whether he is one of these monsters or protecting her from them, she uncovers what her father has been concealing: truths about her own identity, about the blue-eyed man, and about love. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with the man of her dreams and risk becoming one of the Soulless.

Add Moonless on Goodreads.

Doesn't it sound awesome? Are you ready for the cover?


?


?


? <--Sorry, I can't resist. :)

About Crystal:
Crystal, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

❀Unleashing the dream world, one book at a time ❀ 

Website: www.crystal-collier.com
Blog: http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/crystalcollier1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2598146-crystal
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crystalcollierauthor

Love and Other Games Release Day!

I posted the cover reveal for Love and Other Games at the end of August, and now it's here! Today you can get your own copy of this great collection of four romances taking place at the Winter Olympics. I'm reading it now, and it's GREAT! :)

Title: Love and Other Games (Collection)
Author: Melinda Dozier, Ana Blaze, Aria Kane, Kara Leigh Miller
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Format: eBook

Love and Other Games Book Blurbs: 

LOVE AND OTHER GAMES is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and  Kara Leigh Miller. 

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze  

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running. Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier 

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.  Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way.  A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult.  Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane 

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts. “Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia. The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need. 

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller 

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process.

Love and Other Games on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365891-love-and-other-games
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJLKZFU/

Melinda Dozer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelindaDozier

Ana Blaze on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=ana%20blaze&src=typd

Aria Kane on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aria_Kane

Kara Leigh Miller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1

Swoon Romance (publisher) site: http://www.myswoonromance.com/