Monday, February 19, 2007
And the Winners are...
First off, congratulations to everyone who played along, thought about playing along, or tried but got derailed (Cheesy, I still love you!). I'd have to say our first Debut a Debut contest was a smashing success.
So. Without further ado, here are the winners and their prizes.
Janelle -- 5 points from BookMooch.com
Little bird blue -- $20.00 gift card from Borders
cherie pie -- Tina Bendoni's Argus: In Dreams
Karen -- Suzanne Adair's Paper Woman and Sela Carsen's Not Quite Dead
Andrew -- Shane Gericke's pack, including Blown Away, his debut
world in a satin bag -- Racy Li's Ninja
Confessions of a literary persuasion -- Lila Shaara's audio of Every Secret Thing
breeni -- Sela Carsen's The Virgin Courtesan
mark baker -- Lila Shaara's Every Secret Thing (hardcover)
sahbu -- Thomma Lyn's Thy Eternal Summer
she -- $20.00 Border's gift certificate & Rhonda Stapleton's Stripped
megan -- Dawno's You Pick
prester john -- Michael FitzGerald's Radiant Days
scooper -- Matt Curran's The Secret War
la lady lisa westerfield -- RG Willems's Targets of Affection
A few last housekeeping notes...
1. I'll keep the list of suggested authors and the prize list up at my main website. Hope you'll refer to it often and find yourself some good books.
2. Erica posted a great interview with Joshua Palmatier at Writing Aspirations. We're talking to Joshua about having him be involved in our summer contest, so the next few months would be an excellent time to pick up his first -- and second! -- book, The Skewed Throne and The Cracked Throne.
3. You may be looking at the fact that prolific reviewer Antheras only won five points from BookMooch and wondering what's up with that. That's because she refused anything more and will be joining the Debut a Debut team. Thanks to Janelle for doing that; with her knowledge, Debut a Debut (and our upcoming summer contest) will get bigger and better. You cool people will be able to say you knew us when!!
4. Lastly, thanks to all of you who were part of this in any way, large or small. We hope you'll keep spreading the word of the joint West of Mars and Writing Aspirations contests; there WILL be more (did I say summer contest?), so check in at our blogs for updates about all of that.
In the meantime, enjoy the fun stuff that Erica and I bring you on a semi-daily basis. We appreciate the fact that you guys are our readers. We hope we've exposed you to new bloggers and book reviewers and more neat sites for us bibliophiles (didn't know your favorite metal head knew those big words, huh?), and we hope you'll make at least some of them new favorites. Just... don't forget us. We'll miss you.
I'm out of here for the night... off to my couch and what else but a good book!
So. Without further ado, here are the winners and their prizes.
Janelle -- 5 points from BookMooch.com
Little bird blue -- $20.00 gift card from Borders
cherie pie -- Tina Bendoni's Argus: In Dreams
Karen -- Suzanne Adair's Paper Woman and Sela Carsen's Not Quite Dead
Andrew -- Shane Gericke's pack, including Blown Away, his debut
world in a satin bag -- Racy Li's Ninja
Confessions of a literary persuasion -- Lila Shaara's audio of Every Secret Thing
breeni -- Sela Carsen's The Virgin Courtesan
mark baker -- Lila Shaara's Every Secret Thing (hardcover)
sahbu -- Thomma Lyn's Thy Eternal Summer
she -- $20.00 Border's gift certificate & Rhonda Stapleton's Stripped
megan -- Dawno's You Pick
prester john -- Michael FitzGerald's Radiant Days
scooper -- Matt Curran's The Secret War
la lady lisa westerfield -- RG Willems's Targets of Affection
A few last housekeeping notes...
1. I'll keep the list of suggested authors and the prize list up at my main website. Hope you'll refer to it often and find yourself some good books.
2. Erica posted a great interview with Joshua Palmatier at Writing Aspirations. We're talking to Joshua about having him be involved in our summer contest, so the next few months would be an excellent time to pick up his first -- and second! -- book, The Skewed Throne and The Cracked Throne.
3. You may be looking at the fact that prolific reviewer Antheras only won five points from BookMooch and wondering what's up with that. That's because she refused anything more and will be joining the Debut a Debut team. Thanks to Janelle for doing that; with her knowledge, Debut a Debut (and our upcoming summer contest) will get bigger and better. You cool people will be able to say you knew us when!!
4. Lastly, thanks to all of you who were part of this in any way, large or small. We hope you'll keep spreading the word of the joint West of Mars and Writing Aspirations contests; there WILL be more (did I say summer contest?), so check in at our blogs for updates about all of that.
In the meantime, enjoy the fun stuff that Erica and I bring you on a semi-daily basis. We appreciate the fact that you guys are our readers. We hope we've exposed you to new bloggers and book reviewers and more neat sites for us bibliophiles (didn't know your favorite metal head knew those big words, huh?), and we hope you'll make at least some of them new favorites. Just... don't forget us. We'll miss you.
I'm out of here for the night... off to my couch and what else but a good book!
Labels: books, Debut a Debut, prizes, Writing Aspirations
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Debut a Debut winds down
So, today's the last day you can submit your review for the Debut a Debut contest. I have to admit that I'm sad about this. It's been great fun, seeing what's out there, reading the reviews you guys have chosen to write. (see the list of entrants)
And, of course, I've learned a lot. I have a habit of doing this, of learning a lot. It's a good habit to have. Karen has learned a lot, too. She says it very eloquently, in fact. If you don't already spend time there, you should.
Erica and I will pop up on President's Day with the list of winners. I wish you guys could all win and who knows, maybe you can. But definitely check back; we'll do a summer contest, and bring Debut a Debut back this time next year.
As always, if you read anything great, tell us about it. I can't speak for Erica, but I read about 12 books a month (that number includes the ones I give up on). I'm always happy to hear of good reads.
And if you're an author, stay tuned. I'd love to help bring your books to a wider audience; no need to wait for the major contests for that.
One last note for you West of Mars regulars: I've got a new character to introduce you to. Stay tuned.
And, of course, I've learned a lot. I have a habit of doing this, of learning a lot. It's a good habit to have. Karen has learned a lot, too. She says it very eloquently, in fact. If you don't already spend time there, you should.
Erica and I will pop up on President's Day with the list of winners. I wish you guys could all win and who knows, maybe you can. But definitely check back; we'll do a summer contest, and bring Debut a Debut back this time next year.
As always, if you read anything great, tell us about it. I can't speak for Erica, but I read about 12 books a month (that number includes the ones I give up on). I'm always happy to hear of good reads.
And if you're an author, stay tuned. I'd love to help bring your books to a wider audience; no need to wait for the major contests for that.
One last note for you West of Mars regulars: I've got a new character to introduce you to. Stay tuned.
Labels: Debut a Debut
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Susan Speaks: Some Writing Thoughts
After finding my groove yesterday for the first time in what felt like forever, I wrote six or seven pages of the WIP, which I'm thinking will be the follow-up to Trevor's Song. Although it's nothing like what I used to be able to do in the days before small distractions who like to call me such odd things as "Mom," it felt good.
I finally shut the computer in time to pick up a book and wait for James to win Best in Show at Westminster. I'll have to rave about this book once Debut a Debut is over (why haven't you entered yet?), but for now, let's just say that its sensibility is so similar to Trevor's that I've embarked on an information-gathering expedition about the author's agent. Interesting that the books I've been encountering lately that seem to mesh with Trevor are all represented by agents who do a lot, if not all, YA lit. What does that say about literature right now?
What does that say about my getting Trevor's Song into print?
I finally shut the computer in time to pick up a book and wait for James to win Best in Show at Westminster. I'll have to rave about this book once Debut a Debut is over (why haven't you entered yet?), but for now, let's just say that its sensibility is so similar to Trevor's that I've embarked on an information-gathering expedition about the author's agent. Interesting that the books I've been encountering lately that seem to mesh with Trevor are all represented by agents who do a lot, if not all, YA lit. What does that say about literature right now?
What does that say about my getting Trevor's Song into print?
Labels: agent hunting, Debut a Debut, Susan Speaks, Trevor, Trevor's Song, writing process
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Debut a Debut: GO!
All right, gang. It's that time at last. Time to send in your entries to the Debut a Debut contest.
Send them to me or Erica and we'll post 'em and announce the prizes on the 19th of this month. Watch this space for updates -- and don't be shy; take the plunge and check out some of these great books!
Details on the summer contest coming up soon... again, we'll be trying to point you guys to authors you may never have heard of before -- but should!
Contest entrants:
Nimrodiel reviewing The Last Templar, by Raymond Khoury.
Andrew with The Skewed Throne, by Joshua Palmatier.
Janelle with The Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs.
Janelle with Was She Pretty, by Leanne Shapton.
Karen with The Interpretation of Murder, by Jed Rubenfeld
Camille with Firmin, by Sam Shepard.
Cherie with The Rest Falls Away: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles Book 1, by Colleen Gleason
Janelle with Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
Shaun with Tower of Shadows by Drew Bowling.
Breeni with Speak Right On: Dred Scott a Novel, by Mary E. Neighbour
Candice with Nightmare in Laos by Kay Danes
Karen! with Kabbalah: A Love Story, by Lawrence Kushner.
Janelle with And Only to Deceive, by Tasha Alexander
Mark with Death on the Flop, by Jackie Chance
Mark with A Killer Collected, by Jennifer Stanley
Karen with Torch, by Cheryl Strayed
Scooper with The Rest Falls Away, by Colleen Gleason
Prester John with Rumble on the Bayou, by Jana DeLeon
She with Don't Be Afraid, by Rebecca Drake
Lady Lisa Westerfield with And Only to Deceive, by Tasha Alexander
Karen with Jade Tiger, by Jenn Reese
Janelle with The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, by Gordon Dahlquist
Yourotherleft with Disobedience, by Naomi Alderman
Send them to me or Erica and we'll post 'em and announce the prizes on the 19th of this month. Watch this space for updates -- and don't be shy; take the plunge and check out some of these great books!
Details on the summer contest coming up soon... again, we'll be trying to point you guys to authors you may never have heard of before -- but should!
Contest entrants:
Nimrodiel reviewing The Last Templar, by Raymond Khoury.
Andrew with The Skewed Throne, by Joshua Palmatier.
Janelle with The Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs.
Janelle with Was She Pretty, by Leanne Shapton.
Karen with The Interpretation of Murder, by Jed Rubenfeld
Camille with Firmin, by Sam Shepard.
Cherie with The Rest Falls Away: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles Book 1, by Colleen Gleason
Janelle with Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
Shaun with Tower of Shadows by Drew Bowling.
Breeni with Speak Right On: Dred Scott a Novel, by Mary E. Neighbour
Candice with Nightmare in Laos by Kay Danes
Karen! with Kabbalah: A Love Story, by Lawrence Kushner.
Janelle with And Only to Deceive, by Tasha Alexander
Mark with Death on the Flop, by Jackie Chance
Mark with A Killer Collected, by Jennifer Stanley
Karen with Torch, by Cheryl Strayed
Scooper with The Rest Falls Away, by Colleen Gleason
Prester John with Rumble on the Bayou, by Jana DeLeon
She with Don't Be Afraid, by Rebecca Drake
Lady Lisa Westerfield with And Only to Deceive, by Tasha Alexander
Karen with Jade Tiger, by Jenn Reese
Janelle with The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, by Gordon Dahlquist
Yourotherleft with Disobedience, by Naomi Alderman
Labels: books, contest, Debut a Debut, entries
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Fiction Outtake: Eric's Flu (pre-Trevor's Song days)
This is for Erica, who's home sick with the flu. But while I have you here, let me point out that author Conor Corderoy stopped by to leave a comment here. If you haven't picked a book to read yet for the Debut a Debut contest, why not his Dark Rain? A dystopia AND murder mystery; how can you refuse?I can't!
And now... the outtake, just for Erica!
Daniel and Mitchell had gathered around Eric, who stared up at them from Trevor's couch on the tour bus, his eyes glassy.
"Freaky," Mitchell said with a nod. He pulled a potato chip out of the bag he'd bought at the rest stop half an hour ago.
"I think it's a hangover," Daniel insisted, holding out his hand for a chip.
Mitchell ignored him. "We weren't drinking that much last night. And you don't blow your nose as much as he's been doing when you're hungover. It makes your brain pound too hard."
"Good point," Daniel said. He tried to take the bag of chips, but Mitchell pulled it out of danger and tossed it toward the bus' kitchen area.
Daniel took a wary step back, but Mitchell was fast and pinned the drummer to the couch opposite Eric. "You can fucking share," the drummer snarled.
"No I can't," Mitchell growled back. "And let's hope Eric doesn't. He's got the flu, you dumb fuck. All of us can get it."
"We have a show tomorrow," Eric moaned. "We can't cancel."
"True. ShapeShifter doesn't cancel."
"What do we do?" Eric's moan turned sniveling. "I can't fucking move. Do you know I spent the entire stop trying to get out of my bunk and up here?"
"Well, I wish you'd gotten here sooner," Mitchell told him, diving for the potato chips before Daniel could grab them again. "'cause if we'd known, we could have picked up supplies."
"Supplies?" Daniel asked, sucking on the thumb that Mitchell had bent backwards in his rush for the chips.
"Yeah," Mitchell said, popping another chip into his mouth. "Soup, Jell-o." He grinned. "We could have some real fun with the Jell-o that sick boy there doesn't eat."
"What girl's gonna want to get on a bus that's got a guy with the flu on it?" Daniel asked.
Mitchell winked. "Who said we'd tell them before we're rolling?"
"Show tomorrow," Eric said and pulled another tissue out of the box he'd propped on his chest. "Me. Gotta play," he said and blew his nose. Hard.
Mitchell shuddered. Charlie, the band's tour manager, jumped for the used tissue and put it into a plastic bag.
"What do we do since we don't have any soup?" Daniel asked.
Mitchell shook his head uselessly and eyed his potato chips. There was something unappetizing about eating after listening to the goop that had come pouring out of Eric's nose. He crumpled the top of the bag closed and offered it to Daniel, who winkled his nose and shook his head.
"You fuck heads," Trevor said, getting up from his usual spot on the couch, at Eric's feet. "There's only one cure for the flu." He pushed past Mitchell, who gave him a quick slap to the back of the head, and opened the fridge. He pulled out a beer and grabbed the opener. "You get him so drunk, he forgets he's sick."
"We might pickle him before that happens," Mitchell said with a frown. He opened the potato chips and, without looking, fished one out of the bag and ate it.
"Pickle me!" Eric begged. "Just … make me better."
Trevor handed over the beer. Daniel helped himself to a potato chip and shrugged at Mitchell.
It was worth a try.
And now... the outtake, just for Erica!
Daniel and Mitchell had gathered around Eric, who stared up at them from Trevor's couch on the tour bus, his eyes glassy.
"Freaky," Mitchell said with a nod. He pulled a potato chip out of the bag he'd bought at the rest stop half an hour ago.
"I think it's a hangover," Daniel insisted, holding out his hand for a chip.
Mitchell ignored him. "We weren't drinking that much last night. And you don't blow your nose as much as he's been doing when you're hungover. It makes your brain pound too hard."
"Good point," Daniel said. He tried to take the bag of chips, but Mitchell pulled it out of danger and tossed it toward the bus' kitchen area.
Daniel took a wary step back, but Mitchell was fast and pinned the drummer to the couch opposite Eric. "You can fucking share," the drummer snarled.
"No I can't," Mitchell growled back. "And let's hope Eric doesn't. He's got the flu, you dumb fuck. All of us can get it."
"We have a show tomorrow," Eric moaned. "We can't cancel."
"True. ShapeShifter doesn't cancel."
"What do we do?" Eric's moan turned sniveling. "I can't fucking move. Do you know I spent the entire stop trying to get out of my bunk and up here?"
"Well, I wish you'd gotten here sooner," Mitchell told him, diving for the potato chips before Daniel could grab them again. "'cause if we'd known, we could have picked up supplies."
"Supplies?" Daniel asked, sucking on the thumb that Mitchell had bent backwards in his rush for the chips.
"Yeah," Mitchell said, popping another chip into his mouth. "Soup, Jell-o." He grinned. "We could have some real fun with the Jell-o that sick boy there doesn't eat."
"What girl's gonna want to get on a bus that's got a guy with the flu on it?" Daniel asked.
Mitchell winked. "Who said we'd tell them before we're rolling?"
"Show tomorrow," Eric said and pulled another tissue out of the box he'd propped on his chest. "Me. Gotta play," he said and blew his nose. Hard.
Mitchell shuddered. Charlie, the band's tour manager, jumped for the used tissue and put it into a plastic bag.
"What do we do since we don't have any soup?" Daniel asked.
Mitchell shook his head uselessly and eyed his potato chips. There was something unappetizing about eating after listening to the goop that had come pouring out of Eric's nose. He crumpled the top of the bag closed and offered it to Daniel, who winkled his nose and shook his head.
"You fuck heads," Trevor said, getting up from his usual spot on the couch, at Eric's feet. "There's only one cure for the flu." He pushed past Mitchell, who gave him a quick slap to the back of the head, and opened the fridge. He pulled out a beer and grabbed the opener. "You get him so drunk, he forgets he's sick."
"We might pickle him before that happens," Mitchell said with a frown. He opened the potato chips and, without looking, fished one out of the bag and ate it.
"Pickle me!" Eric begged. "Just … make me better."
Trevor handed over the beer. Daniel helped himself to a potato chip and shrugged at Mitchell.
It was worth a try.
Labels: Conor Corderoy, creative writing, Daniel, Debut a Debut, Eric, fiction, flu, Mitchell, outtake, Trevor
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Debut a Debut Spotlight
I'm sure you guys have already chosen your debut novels for the Debut a Debut contest, right? Just in case you haven't, I wanted to point you to one that just came on my radar the other day.
My friend Janelle sent me the info, and I was immediately taken by the author's name. It's so great and lyrical; I wish I could trade names with her. Ready? Roopa Farooki, and her book is Bitter Sweets.
Using my link will take you to a UK edition, but there's apparently a US edition that was released early this month.
The book looks neat: themes of deception and how they affect the ones we love. If it's too late for you to get your hands on it now and have it read and reviewed for posting anytime between the 12th and 17th of this month, have no fear.
Ms. Roopa Farooki will be on our list of 2007 debut authors... yep, I think we're gonna do this again. Stay tuned for more...
My friend Janelle sent me the info, and I was immediately taken by the author's name. It's so great and lyrical; I wish I could trade names with her. Ready? Roopa Farooki, and her book is Bitter Sweets.
Using my link will take you to a UK edition, but there's apparently a US edition that was released early this month.
The book looks neat: themes of deception and how they affect the ones we love. If it's too late for you to get your hands on it now and have it read and reviewed for posting anytime between the 12th and 17th of this month, have no fear.
Ms. Roopa Farooki will be on our list of 2007 debut authors... yep, I think we're gonna do this again. Stay tuned for more...
Labels: books, contest, Debut a Debut, Roopa Farooki
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Thursday Thirteen #14 -- Meet and Greet Trevor Wolff
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If you haven't been here in a few days, this place has been jumping. Be sure to scroll down for the latest Debut a Debut news and author suggestions. (Have you checked out Tasha Alexander's And Only to Deceive? You historical and mystery fans should check it out!) Special thanks to Heather for the cool banners! Over the past few weeks, we've spent some time with Mitchell Voss, rhythm guitarist, vocalist, and frontman all around of ShapeShifter. In Trevor's Song, Mitchell has to share the spotlight with a true scene stealer: Trevor Wolff. (nevermind that the book is actually Trevor's story. Bet you didn't get that from the title.) Here's some bits about Trevor. Follow the links to read older outtakes that you might have missed, or to revisit them if you've already seen them. Some of them are among my most favorite moments in outtake history. 1. Trevor is the second-oldest of four. He has two brothers and a sister. 2. Jeremy, the oldest, and Hank Jr. (HJ) are carbon copies of their father. Trevor's always surprised that they don't reappear in his life, demanding money. 3. Trevor always assumed he'd scrape by in life, even though he always dreamed of something more. 4. He found a way to get that something more when he met Amy. (read about it!) 5. The first thing Trevor bought with his band money was his Vincent. 6. It wasn't in very good shape, and he talked local mechanics, Wrench, Hammer, and Torque, into teaching him how to fix it up himself. 7. Other than his bass and women, Trevor loves his Vincent maybe more than life itself. 8. And does Trevor Wolff love the women! He goes through them the way a person with a cold goes through a box of tissues -- and with the same understanding that this isn't going to last much beyond the clean-up. 9. Fortunately for Trevor, the girls love him back. Frequently, imaginatively, and satisfyingly. (is that a word?) 10. Trevor firmly believes that life is worth living, not merely coasting through. He'll try most anything once. 11. Despite a rather dark and disturbing upbringing, Trevor loves to laugh, play jokes, and be outrageous. 12. Trevor calls Mitchell's wife Rusty because after their first date, Mitchell said he was done with girls unless things with Kerri didn't work out. Thus, she caused Mitchell to grow Rusty. 13. No one really buys the fact that Trevor's in love with Kerri. But they all pretend to, so that Trevor can save face. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: character sketch, Debut a Debut, meme, Thursday Thirteen, Trevor
Susan's Reviewed a Book!
Check out my review of LL Cool J's Platinum Workout, now posted at Front Street Reviews.
Best line in the book? Near the end, when LL is telling the ladies not to worry about bulking up too much. "Believe me, ladies, I want to be the hardest thing in the bed."
You've got to love a man who can slip a line like that into an exercise book.
And in Debut a Debut news...
Karen has featured one of our debut authors (and prize contributors). Make sure you stop in if you like historical fiction.
Looking to start a new series? Try Heather Hayashi's To Save the World. I don't know much about Hayashi (yet), but it seems that her series is directed at gamers. The Tour Manager will be pleased.
Best line in the book? Near the end, when LL is telling the ladies not to worry about bulking up too much. "Believe me, ladies, I want to be the hardest thing in the bed."
You've got to love a man who can slip a line like that into an exercise book.
And in Debut a Debut news...
Karen has featured one of our debut authors (and prize contributors). Make sure you stop in if you like historical fiction.
Looking to start a new series? Try Heather Hayashi's To Save the World. I don't know much about Hayashi (yet), but it seems that her series is directed at gamers. The Tour Manager will be pleased.
Labels: book reviews, contest, Debut a Debut, Front Street Reviews, LL Cool J
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Susan Speaks: Debut a Debut and another contest???
If you're looking for an updated (or correct!) version of the authors for the Debut a Debut contest, head on over to the main West of Mars site, or else to Writing Aspirations. The list is huge, and I'm afraid that if you haven't been here in a few days, you'll miss some of the routine action that's been happening. (Want a hint? Chelle 's got something on her mind and you guys have been strangely quiet about what she's got to say.)
Time is drawing close... Twelve more days before entries should start arriving. Have you selected your book(s)? Are you ready to read and review?
What about Ali Liebegott -- The IHOP Papers? Don't be like me and freak when you notice she's got another publication -- it's a poem. Ali still qualifies for the contest, and her book is on my wishlist. Check it out...
While we're talking contests, I came across this one. I entered more to tell the story than to win; that story is only one of millions that I've got. And it's true! Let me know what you think of it (read the comment trail to see it, but feel free to comment here; you guys have been scarily quiet lately).
See you guys in a few with a Thursday Thirteen that takes us back to Riverview. Anyone else miss it there amid all the Debut a Debut hoopla?
Time is drawing close... Twelve more days before entries should start arriving. Have you selected your book(s)? Are you ready to read and review?
What about Ali Liebegott -- The IHOP Papers? Don't be like me and freak when you notice she's got another publication -- it's a poem. Ali still qualifies for the contest, and her book is on my wishlist. Check it out...
While we're talking contests, I came across this one. I entered more to tell the story than to win; that story is only one of millions that I've got. And it's true! Let me know what you think of it (read the comment trail to see it, but feel free to comment here; you guys have been scarily quiet lately).
See you guys in a few with a Thursday Thirteen that takes us back to Riverview. Anyone else miss it there amid all the Debut a Debut hoopla?
Labels: Ali Liebegott, books, contest, Debut a Debut, Susan Speaks
Monday, January 29, 2007
Susan Speaks: Random Notes
Thanks to everyone who's been visiting as part of the Debut a Debut contest. I hope you'll all stay, look around, and come back often. There's room in my zany world for all of you, and I'd love to see you all delurk.
More authors are popping up daily, asking to be included in this list. Congratulations to all on the list; may your sales be strong.
I'll keep on trying to feature authors who've been in touch with me in one form or another. Today, it's Colleen Gleason. A fellow Thursday Thirteener and an all-around nice woman, Colleen is making it more affordable for any of you to choose her book, The Rest Falls Away, for one of your contest entries (and if you're reading this, unless you're the Tour Manager or Erica, you're eligible to enter. Yes, even if you've donated a prize).
Here's a coupon to use until February 4, 2007.
(of course, if you use my above link and buy it at Powells.com, you'll help me afford prizes for future, smaller contests. Your pick; save a buck or chip in for a future contest prize. Both have their pros and cons)
On to other stuff...
I'm reading the March Guitar World magazine right now. (what happened to magazines not hitting the sales rack until the month listed on the spine?), and I about lost it when I noticed an ad for Krank Amps. Who do you think they have pictured as musicians who use their product?
Toki Wartooth and Skwisgaar Skwigelf. Of, yes, Dethklok. That most famous (and favorite) of fictional bands.
The Tour Manager thinks it's a great idea if I order both Dethklok shirts and post pictures of me wearing them, so stay tuned for that. I know you regulars around here are dying to know what I really look like!
More later. I've got literary agents to query, books to write, and a knee to nurse.
More authors are popping up daily, asking to be included in this list. Congratulations to all on the list; may your sales be strong.
I'll keep on trying to feature authors who've been in touch with me in one form or another. Today, it's Colleen Gleason. A fellow Thursday Thirteener and an all-around nice woman, Colleen is making it more affordable for any of you to choose her book, The Rest Falls Away, for one of your contest entries (and if you're reading this, unless you're the Tour Manager or Erica, you're eligible to enter. Yes, even if you've donated a prize).
Here's a coupon to use until February 4, 2007.
(of course, if you use my above link and buy it at Powells.com, you'll help me afford prizes for future, smaller contests. Your pick; save a buck or chip in for a future contest prize. Both have their pros and cons)
On to other stuff...
I'm reading the March Guitar World magazine right now. (what happened to magazines not hitting the sales rack until the month listed on the spine?), and I about lost it when I noticed an ad for Krank Amps. Who do you think they have pictured as musicians who use their product?
Toki Wartooth and Skwisgaar Skwigelf. Of, yes, Dethklok. That most famous (and favorite) of fictional bands.
The Tour Manager thinks it's a great idea if I order both Dethklok shirts and post pictures of me wearing them, so stay tuned for that. I know you regulars around here are dying to know what I really look like!
More later. I've got literary agents to query, books to write, and a knee to nurse.
Labels: books, Colleen Gleason, contest, Debut a Debut, Dethklok, Susan Speaks
Friday, January 26, 2007
Debut a Debut update
Okay, no wonder I'm tired and cranky. In just one week, our list of debut authors we know about has swelled from 40 to 173. And guess who is the keeper of the list? Rashenbo?
Well, I did volunteer, so no bellyaching allowed on my end. If you know of a debut author who qualifies under our rules, keep those names rolling in. And if you catch any mistakes, please let me know! There's no malice intended, just an exhausted mom-writer-wife with a potentially torn knee cartilege (again).
I thought I'd post the list for you here, even though it's fun to watch the hits on my main website. Guess I'll watch 'em in both places.
And a hello to all of you dropping in from the Romance Divas bulletin board! I hope everyone visiting for this contest will stay awhile, poke around, and become as enchanted with my world of Riverview, USA, and my fictional band, ShapeShifter.
Well, I did volunteer, so no bellyaching allowed on my end. If you know of a debut author who qualifies under our rules, keep those names rolling in. And if you catch any mistakes, please let me know! There's no malice intended, just an exhausted mom-writer-wife with a potentially torn knee cartilege (again).
I thought I'd post the list for you here, even though it's fun to watch the hits on my main website. Guess I'll watch 'em in both places.
- Alan Fox -- The Seeker in Forever
- Albyn Leah Hall -- The Rhythm of the Road
- Alex Espinoza -- Still Water Saints
- Alexandra Sokoloff -- The Harrowing
- Ali Liebegott -- The IHOP Papers
- Alice Greenway -- White Ghost Girls
- Aliya Whiteley -- Three Things About Me
- Amir Gutfreund -- Our Holocaust
- Amy Bryant -- Polly
- Ana Baca -- Mama Fela's Girls
- Andrew Britton -- The American
- Antoinette May -- Pilate's Wife
- Antonia Arslan -- Skylark Farm
- Benito Cordova -- Big Dreams and Dark Secrets in Chimaya
- Betsey Osborne -- The Natural History of Uncas Metcalfe
- Brian Martin -- North
- Brian Shuster. The Minerva Virus
- C-Murder -- Death Around the Corner
- CA Belmond -- A Rather Lovely Inheritance
- Carolyn Turgeon -- Rain Village
- Cate Sweeney -- Selfish Jean
- Catherine Murdock - Dairy Queen
- Cheryl Strayed -- Torch
- Christine Conrad -- Mademoiselle Benoir
- Cindy Woodsmall -- When the Heart Cries
- Clifford Chase -- Winkie
- Colleen Gleason -- The Rest Falls Away
- Cornelia Read -- A Field of Darkness
- Conor Corderoy -- Dark Rain
- Da Chen -- Brothers
- Daniel Judson - The Darkest Place
- David Lynn Golemon -- Event
- Debra Dean - The Madonnas of Leningrad
- Debra Ginsberg -- Blind Submisssion
- Derek Armstrong -- The Game
- Diane Setterfield -- The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
- Donna Westover Gallup -- White as Snow
- Drew Bowling -- The Tower of Shadows
- Edward Charles -- In the Shadow of Lady Jane
- Ellis Avery -- The Teahouse Fire
- Faiza Guene -- Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow
- Farrell O'Gorman -- Awaiting Orders
- Frances Washburn -- Elsie's Business
- George Robert Minkoff -- The Weight of Smoke
- Gillian Flynn -- Sharp Objects: A Novel
- Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk -- The Sidewalk Artist
- Gordon Dahlquist - The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters
- Heather Hayashi -- To Save the World
- Heidi Pitlor -- The Birthdays
- Henry Chang -- Chinatown Beat
- Hisham Matar -- In the Country of Men
- Heidi Pitlor -- The Birthdays: A Novel
- Hisham Matar -- In the Country of Men
- Hugh Paxton -- Homunculus
- Jackie Kessler -- Hell's Belles
- James Canon -- Takes from the Town of Widows and Chronicles from the Land of Men
- James Janko -- Buffalo Boy and Geronimo
- Jana DeLeon -- Rumble on the Bayou
- Jane May -- Doggy Style
- Jason Webb -- The Ghost of Che Guevara
- Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder
- Jenn Reese -- Jade Tiger
- Jennah Sharpe -- Along the Hibiscus Path
- Jennifer Gilmore -- Golden Country: A Novel
- Jerome Tell -- The Election
- Jill Conner Browne (with Karin Gillespie) -- The Sweet Potato Queen's First Big Ass Novel
- Jonathan Drapes -- Never Admit to Beige
- Joshua Cohen -- Cadenza for the Schneidermann Violin Concerto
- Joshua Palmatier -- The Skewed Throne
- Joshua Spanogle - Isolation Ward
- Judith Lindbergh -- The Thrall's Tale
- Judith Marks-White -- Seducing Harry
- Julie Carobini -- Chocolate Beach
- Kat Richardson -- Greywalker
- Kathleen Jacobs -- The Friday Knitting Club
- Katherine Min -- Secondhand World
- KE Silva -- A Simple Distance
- Kelly Kerney -- Born Again
- Keith Donohue -- The Stolen Child
- Kevin Shay -- The End as I Know it
- Kirsten Sawyer -- Not Quite a Bride
- Laura Dave -- London is the Best City in America
- Laura Fitzgerlad -- A Veil of Roses
- Laura Ruby -- I'm not Julia Roberts
- Lauren Fox -- Still Life With Husband
- Lauren Lipton -- It's About Your Husband
- Lauren Marks-White -- Seducing Harry
- Layne Maheu -- Song of the Crow
- Lee Merrill Bryd -- Riley's Fire
- Liam Jackson -- Offspring
- Lila Shaara -- Every Secret Thing
- Lisa Fugard -- Skinner's Drift
- Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum -- A Day of Small Beginnings
- Lisa Unger -- Beautiful Lifes
- Lori Lacefield -- The Seventh Survivor
- Lu Vickers -- Breathing Underwater
- Lucy McCarraher -- Blood & Water
- Marcus Sakey -- The Blade Itself
- Margo Candela -- Underneath it All
- Marie Arana -- Cellophane
- Marisa de los Santos -- Love Walked In
- Marisha Pessl -- Special Topics in Calamity Physics
- Mark Binelli -- Sacco and Vanzetti Must Die!
- Mary E. Neighbour -- Speak Right on: Dred Scott a Novel
- Matthew Scott Hansen -- The Shadow killer
- Max Brooks -- World War Z
- Meg Mullins -- The Rug Merchant
- Melissa Clark -- Swimming Upstream Slowly
- Mia King -- Good Things
- Michael A. Fitzgerald -- Radiant Days
- Michael Graham -- The Snow Angel
- Michael Stephen -- The Manuscript
- Michael Thomas -- Man Gone Down
- Michelle Tea -- Rose of no Man's Land
- MWF Curran -- The Secret War
- Naomi Alderman -- Disobedience
- Natalie Danford -- Inheritance
- Nora Gallagher -- Changing Light
- N.S. Koenings -- The Blue Taxi
- Olga Grushin -- The Dream Life of Sukhanov
- Pam Jenoff -- The Kommandant's Girl
- Pamela Carter Joern -- The Floor of the Sky
- Patrick F. McManus -- The Blight Way
- Patrick Hyde -- The Only Pure Thing
- Paul Batista -- Death's Witness
- Paul Rusesabagina - An Ordinary Man
- Paul Wolfe -- Choices
- Peter Behrens -- The Law of Dreams
- Peter Bourne -- The Deserter
- Peter C. Brown -- The Fugitive Wife
- Peter Hobbs -- The Short Day of dying
- Racy Li -- Ninja
- Rae Meadows -- Calling Me Out
- Raymond Khoury -- The Last Templar
- Rebecca Drake -- Don't Be Afraid
- RG Willems -- Targets of Affection
- Robert Dugoni - The Jury Master
- Robert Fate -- Baby Shark
- Robert Gregory Browne -- Kiss Her Goodbye
- Robert Gussin -- Trash Talk
- Roger Morris -- Taking Comfort
- Roger Alan Skipper -- Tear Down the Mountain
- Roseanne Keller -- A Summer All Her Own
- Sam Barone -- Dawn of Empire
- Sam Savage -- Firmin
- Samantha Grosser -- Another Time and Place
- San Culberson -- The Nick of Time
- Sandi Ault -- Wild Indigo
- Sara Gruen - Water for Elephants
- Sean Chercover -- Big City Bad Blood
- Sela Carsen -- Not Quite Dead (http://www.Selacarson.com)
- Sela Carsen -- The Virgin Courtesan
- Shane Gericke -- Blown Away
- Stephen J. Spignesi - Dialogues
- Steven Hockensmith -- Holmes on the Range
- Steve Voake - The Dreamwalker's Child
- Sunny -- Mona Lisa Awakening
- Suroopa Mukherjee -- Across the Mystic Shore
- Suzanne Adair -- Paper Woman (http://www.suzanneadair.com)
- Tasha Alexander -- And Only to Deceive
- Tawny Taylor -- Sex and the Single Ghost
- Thomas Mullen -- The Last Town on Earth: A Novel
- Thomma Lyn -- Thy Eternal Summer
- Tinling Choong -- FireWife
- Toby Devens -- My favorite midlife crisis (yet)
- Tom McCarthy -- Remainder
- Tony D'Souza -- Whiteman
- Troy Cook -- 47 Rules of Highly Effective Bank Robbers
- Wendy Wasserstein -- Elements of Style
- Will Beall -- L.A. Rex
- William Kittredge -- The Willow Field
- Yael Goldstein -- Overture
- Yvette Christianse -- Unconfessed
Prizes:
- 2 $20 gift certificates from Borders
- A copy of RG Willems' debut, Targets of Affection
- 5 free points from BookMooch.com
- A copy of Matt Curran's debut, The Secret War
- An autographed copy of Lila Shaara's debut, Every Secret Thing
- A copy of Suzanne Adair's debut, Paper Woman
- A copy of Racy Li's debut e-book, Ninja
- A copy of Sela Carsen's debut e-book, Not Quite Dead
- A copy of Sela Carsen's follow-up short, The Virgin Courtesan
- A copy of Michael FitzGerald's debut, Radiant Days
And a hello to all of you dropping in from the Romance Divas bulletin board! I hope everyone visiting for this contest will stay awhile, poke around, and become as enchanted with my world of Riverview, USA, and my fictional band, ShapeShifter.
Labels: books, contest, Debut a Debut, Writing Aspirations
It's a Hoot!
Go check out my latest post at Working Stiffs.
It's a hoot, I tell ya! It's a hoot!
(comments here and there both gracefully and gratefully accepted. Thanks to everyone for helping me create yet another successful Thursday Thirteen. And don't forget to Debut a Debut!)
It's a hoot, I tell ya! It's a hoot!
(comments here and there both gracefully and gratefully accepted. Thanks to everyone for helping me create yet another successful Thursday Thirteen. And don't forget to Debut a Debut!)
Labels: blogging, contest, Debut a Debut, Working Stiffs
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Lucky Thursday Thirteen -- More About ShapeShifter
Those of you who've been around know that my fiction centers on the fictional band ShapeShifter, the men who make up this unique band, and the people who shape the rest of their lives. For the past two weeks, our focus has been on ShapeShifter frontman Mitchell Voss. Now that you guys have a better idea who he is, I thought I'd throw in some generic bits about ShapeShifter -- sort of like a palate cleanser before we get to the next character.
Enjoy, and don't forget about the Debut a Debut contest (and to check out the winners of my meme contest, too!)! The list of debut authors to check out is being updated semi-daily and can be found either at Writing Aspirations or my main website.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Enjoy, and don't forget about the Debut a Debut contest (and to check out the winners of my meme contest, too!)! The list of debut authors to check out is being updated semi-daily and can be found either at Writing Aspirations or my main website.
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1. They are four boys from Riverview USA who made it big 2. They are all roughly the same age. Trevor and Daniel are a year older than Mitchell and Eric. 3. They love all their fans, but show it most obviously to the female variety. The males just get autographs and pictures. 4. Mitchell and Daniel are the band's heartthrobs and mouthpieces. 5. Mitchell can be quite cranky to the media. 6. Trevor came up with the band name. In the beginning, they had a typical ShapeShifter concept. Each band member had an animal: Mitchell the dragon, Daniel the bear, Eric the eagle and Trevor Wolff was … a wolf. 7. The concept was soon considered too hokey to be allowed to continue. But Mitchell is still considered a dragon by many. 8. The band's first tour happened before they had a record deal. They piled into Mitchell's father's Bronco, attached a U-haul to the back, and off they went. 9. They did everything in the back of that Bronco. It's a wonder the truck survived. But it did. 10. Mitchell is still driving it during Trevor's Song. 11. They love to hang out in pools (witness Green Hair Week) -- and in pool halls, shooting 8-ball. 12. They love to make commando runs on ice cream stands before leaving town. Fans often try to guess where they'll stop. The ice cream shops love the added business. 13. They'll stop and talk music with you as long as they possibly can. Make sure what you say reflects the fact that you've got a brain in your head (with the obvious exception of someone obviously tongue-tied at having a discussion with ShapeShifter). Don't forget to Debut a Debut! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: Debut a Debut, ShapeShifter, Thursday Thirteen, Writing Aspirations
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Debut a Debut news
For those of you who've been looking for it, a partial list of debut authors for the Debut a Debut contest is now up at West of Mars.
If you are an author of a debut novel and would like to either see your name listed, or would like to contribute prizes, please contact me or Erica.
Happy reading, everyone! I'll be back with a list of winners from my second contest tomorrow. And would anyone else like some fiction this week?
If you are an author of a debut novel and would like to either see your name listed, or would like to contribute prizes, please contact me or Erica.
Happy reading, everyone! I'll be back with a list of winners from my second contest tomorrow. And would anyone else like some fiction this week?
Labels: books, contest, Debut a Debut, Writing Aspirations
Friday, January 19, 2007
Contest Time! #3 About to Begin
The book industry faces many challenges. People seem to have less time to read and it's tough to compete with the television and Internet. Any new or aspiring author knows how hard it is to make his or her voice heard amongst the chorus of "publish me!" "Notice me!" "Buy my books!"
In many cultures around the world, Valentine's Day has converted the month of February into the month of love. This February, two aspiring authors are taking their love of reading and their admiration for debut authors and combining them into the "Debut a debut!" contest.
Take a first-time author for a spin on your "To Read in 2007" list and give yourself the chance to win great prizes! Gift certificates to Borders and more!
During the week of 12 Feb through 17 Feb, read a book written by a debut author and post your review by 17 February. Send Susan or Erica the permalink to your review and you will be entered in a drawing for some great prizes.
Some Rules
A debut author is an author who has had their first novel published between 01/2006 and 02/2007.
Accepted publication types are ebook and in-print novels from established royalty-paying publishers or e-publishers; if you're not sure, e-mail us the name of the publisher. POD, vanity presses, or Publish America books are not considered for this contest.
Reviews can not be previously printed online or in print. The review of a debut author's novel must be posted between the dates of 02/12/2007 - 02/17/2007. Prize drawing will occur 02/19/2007 and winners will be notified via email.
Multiple entries are allowed.
The Prizes
2 randomly drawn participants will receive a $20.00 Borders gift certificate. Other prizes announced closer to the contest.
How to Enter
1. Buy, find, or borrow a novel that is an author's debut. (see list of some debut novels at WestofMars.com, West of Mars -- the Meet and Greet, or Writing Aspirations)
2. Read the novel.
3. Write a review. It does not have to be a professional review. Provide a brief plot synopsis and then mention your likes or dislikes or other thoughts you had while reading.
4. Post the review online - either on a website or blog.
5. Send the permalink of the post to West of Mars or Writing Aspirations in an email message or post a comment to the main contest post with a link to your review.
Remember, the review is to be completed and posted during the week of 02/12/2007 - 02/17/2007.
A post will be created on West of Mars and Writing Aspirations with links to all book reviews submitted.
Authors
Don't miss your chance to get some press! West of Mars and Writing Aspirations are in the process of gathering your names and titles to help our contest entrants find great books to read. Please send us links to your website, or just your name and the title of your debut novel that was published between 1 January 2006 and 1 February 2007. If you have any promotional items -- especially copies of your book -- that you'd like to donate, we'd love to offer them as prizes.
Labels: books, contest, Debut a Debut, fiction, prizes, Writing Aspirations
