Tag: YA books

This week in books

What I read/am reading:

New books on the block:

Kiss, Kiss, Bark!A while back, I entered a Twitter contest to win Kiss, Kiss, Bark! from Tanglewood Press–then figured that would be that.

This week, I found out that I won a copy. Kyra was thrilled. So was I.

It looks like a cute and fun read. We both can’t wait to dig in.

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.

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)

Even more Betsy, Tacy, Tib … and me!

The flyer pretty much says it all:

You can also find more information on the event here. I’m excited, and nervous, and all wound up in general. With a little luck, I’ll be able to give a report sometime next week. I also hope to share a little bit of news as well. We’ll see.

In the meantime, I’m excited, and nervous, and all wound up in general.

Betsy, Tacy, Tib … and me!

Remember way back in May when I waxed nostalgic about Betsy-Tacy books over at Jennifer Hubbard’s blog?

Well, one thing led to another (as things are wont to do) and I will be on the author panel and signing books on July 21, 2012 at the Betsy-Tacy Convention in my hometown of Mankato, Minnesota.

Am I excited? Completely. Is Kyra, who will be going with me? Also completely. We will, of course, need new outfits befitting such an event.

It just goes to show you: You never know where your writing might take you. In my case, it’s taking me back home–and I couldn’t be happier.

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.

Reading recap for March: Fifty/Fifty update

I have been reading, but haven’t been updating or writing reviews recently. Uh. Clearly. Here’s what I have for March in the Fifty/Fifty challenge:

Books

  1. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley (William C. Morris Debut Award and the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature)
  2. Sapphique (Incarceron) by Catherine Fisher (The sequel to Incarceron–read that first)
  3. The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West (WWI Challenge book)
  4. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (a middle grade novel in verse–wonderful)
  5. Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (Love A.S. King)
  6. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Cute!)
  7. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan by Rick Riordan (About time I read this)

Movies

None. Surprise! But now that I’ve caught up on Downton Abbey, I plan on watching some. Honest.

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.)

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.

There’s always room for Pi(e) and YA

Happy Pi day! Mmmm …. pi(e).

There’s always room for some pumpkin pi(e). And yes, now I will stop making pi(e) jokes.

In other news, I’m blogging today over at Chick Lit Writers of the World about my top five reasons to read and write YA. Stop on by and add your own reason(s) in the comments if you’re so inclined.