Category: 2009 Debs

25 Days of Debs: day 12 Cyn Balog

Day 12 and we’re featuring Cyn Balog, the author of many terrific YA novels.

Cyn’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Freedom

First line: 

This is summer.

Oh, a summer story: surf, sand, the boardwalk. As for summer lovin’ … maybe not so much.

2009 Debut: Fairy Tale

Most recent: Starstruck and Getting Caught

Cyn wrote Getting Caught with fellow Deb (and YA author and literary agent) Mandy Hubbard and it’s a fun, lighthearted contemporary young adult novel, also available for Kindle and Nook. Writing with a partner–all the cool kids are doing it.

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

25 Days of Debs: day 11 wait … that’s me!

Day 11 of 25 Days of Debs and we hit my story in the table of contents. I know. 11-11-11 is some kind of lucky.

My Firsts:

Anthology story: The Trouble With Firsts

First line:

The first time I rode a rollercoaster, I ended up with vomit in my shoes.

First dates, prom, and humiliation–not necessarily in that order.

2009 Debut: Hint: see the sidebar

The Trouble With Firsts story trivia: 

  • This story represents the first time I’ve written something on contract. That is, I agreed to write the story and signed the paperwork long before I had even a glimmer of an idea. And sure, no panic was involved with that.
  • I brainstormed a whole bunch of firsts, but an idea hit me while I was unloading the dishwasher.
  • The first time I saw the cover art, I knew I had to work that dress into the story somehow.
  • The story begins and ends with vomit. (I know. Romantic.) I may have taken that sage writing advice “the end is in the beginning” a little too literally.

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

25 Days of Debs: day 10 Jon Skovron

We hit double digits today on 25 Days of Debs with Jon Skovron.

Jon’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Looking Through One Eye

First line: 

Eric sat in the metal folding chair and drew streaks on the stainless steel table with his palms.

Our double digit day has a story about two brothers. If you’re a fan of The X-Files, then I think you’ll really enjoy this one. At least, that’s the vibe I got. According to Jon, the story takes place in the same world as his second novel, Misfit.

2009 Debut: Struts and Frets

Most recent: Misfit

Oh, creepy goodness abounds!

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

25 Days of Debs: day 9 Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Here we are at day 9 already. Today’s story is by YA author Cheryl Renee Herbsman.

Cheryl’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Green Glass Reflection

First line:

The sound of my mother’s too-loud laughter tumbled across our yard as I arrived home after a hellishly long school day.

Pool parties, and almost time for prom, and storms. If you’re a “hopeful” romantic, you’ll love this one.

2009 Debut: Breathing

Catch up with Cheryl: Stop in at her blog.

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

25 Days of Debs: day 8 Jennifer Brown

Moving on to day 8 of 25 Days of Debs. Today’s featured Deb is Jennifer Brown. Something you may not know about Jennifer. She’s a two-time winner of the Erma Bombeck Global Humor Award.

Jennifer’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Against The World

First line: 

Dear Sugar,
You were born on December twenty-first.

Like all of Jennifer’s YA fiction, this one tackles a emotional subject.

2009 Debut: Hate List

Most recent: Bitter End (nominated for a YALSA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults)

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

25 Days of Debs: day 7 Heidi R. Kling

Day 7 and what better way to start a Monday than with another Deb. Up today is Heidi R. Kling.

Heidi’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Fly To Me

First line: 

I was the only one left.

It’s a romantic dystopian set in Paris!

2009 Debut: Sea (Heidi’s debut was pushed to 2010, but she’s a Deb at heart.)

Most recent: Forthcoming! WITCH’S BREW the first of ten-books in her SPELLSPINNERS OF MELAS COUNTY series debuts Fall, 2011 and is about an estranged witch and warlock fighting to save their magic, and their forbidden love.

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

25 Days of Debs: day 6 Shani Petroff

Day 6 and up next is Shani Petroff! Shani is the author of the adorable middle grade series Bedeviled. I know Kyra will tear through this series in a few years.

Shani’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Romeo and What’s Her Name

First line: 

It was the moment I’d been dreaming of since, well … forever.

Oh, a theater story. And the show must go on. Plus, I think the dress on the cover of The First Time makes a cameo appearance.

2009 Debut: Bedeviled: Daddy’s Little Angel

More recent: Bedeviled: Love Struck (This is book four in the series.)

See? Adorable.

Catch up with Shani: Visit her blog.

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

25 Days of Debs: day 5 Leigh Brescia

Catching up with Day 5 after a long (but extremely fun) Girl Scout day at the Children’s Theatre Company. Today is Leigh Brescia.

Leigh’s Firsts:

Anthology story: When Skies Are Gray

First line: 

The bell jingles overhead as I pass into the morning sunlight, trading the smell of ground coffee beans for wet asphalt, the humid air barely breathable.

Oh, I don’t want to say too much about this story. I’m afraid I’ll spoil it by even hinting at what happens. It’s a must-read–angsty and atmospheric, and romantic in a way that might surprise you.

2009 Debut: One Wish

Catch up with Leigh: Visit her blog!

Musical Interlude: Strings and Clocks

The First Time Trivia: Although I don’t mention the song the cafeteria string quartet is playing in my story The Trouble With Firsts, I spent a lot of time listening to Vitamin String Quartet trying to find the perfect one.

Didn’t know there was such a thing as a cafeteria string quartet? Well, the answer to the why and how is somewhere in The Trouble With Firsts.

25 Days of Debs: day 4 Stacey Jay

It’s day 4 of 25 Days of Debs. Up today is Stacey Jay. Stacey is all about the paranormal–like funny zombies? She’s your gal. Like things a little scarier than that? Check out some of her recent releases and her adult novels.

Stacey’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Sweet Truth

First line: 

If I’m spotted, life as I know it–and the future I’ve dreamt about for sixteen years–is over.

I read this one last night and it does not let up from that first sentence. I really hope she’s basing a novel on this world and these characters.

2009 Debut: You Are So Undead To Me (Zombies are fun! No, really. They are!)

Most recent: Juliet Immortal Again with the cover love. Spectacular:

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