Category Archives: 2009 Debs

October 14, 2012 · 4:22 pm

This week in books

What I read/am reading:

  • Finished Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle. My take here.
  • Working my way through the big fat book on the Russian Revolution (yes, that’s what it’s called). I’m on page 107. This means I’m 13% the way through the book. (I told you it was big and fat.)
  • Finished The One and Only Ivan, book #70 for the year. Terrific and charming, perfect for animal lovers of all ages. Passing it along to Kyra now. Pretty sure it will make her cry–not that it made me cry or anything.

Out this week:

Fabulous 2009 Deb Kirstin Cronn-Mills has a new release out this past week (October 8th).

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children is available in paperback and on Kindle.

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August 26, 2012 · 1:02 pm

A new (old) release!

Or should that be an old (new) release? I’m not sure, but hang on and I’ll tell you why.

A few months ago, I received the rights back to my short story The Trouble with Firsts that appeared in the 2009 Debs e-anthology The First Time (per the contract). I didn’t think much of it until I remembered that I had another YA short story that didn’t currently have a home. What if I used those two stories to walk through the process of publishing something online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble?

Advantages? Here’s what I thought:

  • Clean, edited manuscripts pretty much ready to go
  • Short length, making the formatting and technical review easier
  • Low risk

It was surprisingly fun along with being educational. My goal isn’t to earn a lot of money with these stories–or even much at all–but to learn how the process works.

And it is also a low risk way to have some of my writing available to new readers as well. A 99-cent short story sampler versus $8.99 for Geek Girl? Some readers might want to go with the 99 cents to start. It’s nice I can give them that option.

So, without further ado, I give you: The Trouble With Firsts:

The e-book contains two short stories:

  • The Trouble with Firsts: a story about first dates, prom, and humiliation–not necessarily in that order.
    First published as part of The First Time e-anthology, October 2011
  • Speechless: a story about not speaking up–and what happens when you finally do.
    First published online as part of the launch for The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading.

So, there you have it. My new (old) release. Or my old (new) release. It’s available on:

  • Kindle
  • Nook (forthcoming ~ I’ll update this post when it goes live)

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May 7, 2012 · 7:28 pm

In which I wax nostalgic about Betsy-Tacy books

I’m over at Jennifer Hubbard’s blog, waxing nostalgic about the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace.

Jennifer is a 2009 Deb and the author of The Secret Year and Try Not to Breathe.

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April 8, 2012 · 11:51 am

Another good review and 99 cents too!

Hey, what do you know? There’s another nice review of e-anthology The First Time, over at Eli to the nth. And … I’m not just saying that because she liked The Trouble with Firsts (but she did).

Even better, The First Time is now on sale for 99 cents at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For how long? Who knows. So if you don’t have your copy, you might want to hurry. Twenty five stories for 99 cents? You can’t beat that with a stick. (Well, you could, but you’d break your e-reader and nobody wants that.)

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March 19, 2012 · 1:21 pm

Waking up to a terrific review

Over at Long and Short Reviews, in the YA/Middle Grade section, there’s a terrific review of the 2009 Debs e-anthology The First Time.

And I’m not just saying that because the reviewer said some very nice things about my story, The Trouble With Firsts. (Although she did. Click through to read.)  But she went above and beyond the call of reviewing. This is one thoughtful and comprehensive review, which touches on nearly all the stories included in the anthology. Considering there are twenty five stories in the anthology, that’s no small feat.

All in all, not a bad way to start the morning and the work week. Thanks to Long and Short Reviews and reviewer Honeysuckle.

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March 13, 2012 · 9:55 am

Writers, non-writers and the things they say

Too good not to share.

First, the non-writers:

And now the writers:

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November 26, 2011 · 10:48 am

Musical interlude: Ode to Kindle Fire (with apologies to Bruce Springsteen)

I’m browsing on the ‘net, I click on the Add to Cart
I think I should delete, but this is just the start
I say I won’t like it, but you know I’m a liar
‘Cause when we surf
Hmmm, fire

Well late at night, I’m tapping your screen
Well you say I wanna an app, I say free Angry Birds is just mean
I say I don’t love you, but l can’t hide my desire
And when we surf
Ohhh, fire, fire

You had a hold on me right from the start
It’s a grip so tight I couldn’t tear it apart
My nerves all jumpin’ actin’ like a fool
Your graphics they burn, but your case stays cool

Romeo and Juliet, Samson and Delilah
But Kindle you can bet their love they didn’t deny
My words say quit, but my words they lie
‘Cause when we surf
Hmmm, fire, fire

Burnin’ in my soul, my Kindle’s out of control
Fire

So. Do I love my Kindle Fire? Yes, yes I do. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the back-lit e-reader vs. e-ink, but so far I think I’ve actually been reading more, not less. Of course, being able to adjust the brightness helps.

Oh, and streaming content? Yes, please. Right now, I’m working through all of Ken Burns’s documentaries. (Civil War first to complement the War Through the Generations reading challenge.)

And I can check my email, go on Facebook, and, and, and …

And … check out the book between Pasta and Tina Fey. Could it be Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay? Why, yes. I think it is. See, even the 2009 Debs are on fire.

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November 25, 2011 · 11:31 am

25 Days of Debs: day 25 Jenny Moss

It’s hard to believe this is the very last day of 25 Days of Debs. Where did November go? Our very last, but certainly not least, Deb is Jenny Moss, a former NASA engineer and author of three terrific books.

Jenny’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Evan and Penny

First line: 

“Didn’t you say this was your stop?” he asks me.

A really sweet story of “first like” and the perfect way to end The First Time anthology.

2009 Debut: Winnie’s War

Most recent: Taking Off

Wow! Even more cover love! This story centers around  Christa McAuliffe and the space shuttle Challenger accident.

Catch up with Jenny: visit her blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

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November 24, 2011 · 11:12 am

25 Days of Debs: day 24 Teri Hall

It’s Thanksgiving here in the US and I’m thankful for many things. When it comes to writing and publishing, I’m unbelievably thankful for the 2009 Debs. This community of authors is so caring and helpful and awesome and I’m always a little astonished that I’m somehow included in this group. I can’t imagine navigating the world of publishing without them.

Today, on our second to last day of 25 Days of Debs we have Teri Hall, author of a very interesting YA dystopian novels.

Teri’s Firsts:

Anthology story: The Corridor

First line: 

Pho’s waiting in the corridor, just like he said he would be.

This story is set in the same world as Teri’s books The Line and Away. If you’re a fan, you’ll want to read this one for sure. If you haven’t read Teri’s books yet, I have the feeling you’ll want to after sampling the world of this story.

2009 Debut: The Line (debuted in 2010 ~ Teri is another Deb who had her release pushed into 2010)

Most recent: Away

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

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November 23, 2011 · 10:44 am

25 Days of Debs: day 23 Janet Gurtler

Hard to believe we’re nearly done with our 25 days of Debs! Day 23 features a really terrific story from Janet Gurtler, author of three terrific YA novels.

Janet’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Two of a Kind

First line: 

Fab glances down at the feet of the girl lying on top of him.

Okay. It’s not what you think. Then again, maybe it is. This story is a little bit edgy wrapped up in the sweetness of two young people finding each other.

2009 Debut: Waiting to Score (written as J. E. MacLeod)

Most recent: If I Tell

Catch up with Janet: visit her blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

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