Kimberly Sabatini’s review of ENDLESSLY by Kiersten White…
*Sigh* I am so bleeping sad that the Paranormalcy Trilogy is over. I was lucky enough to obtain an ARC of ENDLESSLY through my agent Michelle Wolfson’s Wolf Pack ARC Tour. But the fact that Kiersten is an agency sister plays no bearing on my delight in reading ENDLESSLY and my disappointment that it’s over.
I am going to miss Evie and all the characters in her paranormal world. They were unique and I know that they will never come my way again. 🙁
What else did I love about this book and all the books in the trilogy? I adore Kiersten’s humor for starters. I always find myself laughing at her quirky bleeping way with words and her creativity. Her take on the paranormal world is delightful. And my favorite thing about the books? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that Kiersten writes fluff, because it’s just so much fun to read, but if you’re paying attention, she has depth and layers to what she shares with her audience. She gives deep thoughts and guidance in a way that is never patronizing. She doesn’t talk down to her readers–she wins them over and is a role model through her characters. I mean–who wouldn’t want to grow up to be just like Evie. And I’m not just saying that because I want a pink taser!
Without a doubt, ENDLESSLY comes to a fulfilling end, but I may never stop asking Kiersten to whisper in my ear about what happens to Evie in five, ten, twenty years–she’s become a friend and I don’t want to let her go.
Congratulations, Kiersten–You’ve done a fantastic job. Can’t wait to read your next book. <3
You can find out more about Kiersten White, ENDLESSLY and the Paranormalcy Trilogy here…
Today is my 1st Anniversary!!! It’s been one year since I signed with Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency and became part of the Wolf Pack. I adore my agent and love my agency sistahs!!! Without a doubt, this is the perfect place for me.
It’s my tendency to write something emotional on such a momentous occasion, but right now I want to have a smile on my face as I enjoy how lucky I am. I need to celebrate. Time to shop!!!! I just ordered this…
…from Cafe Press. I can’t wait for it to get here!!!!! Wahoooooo!!!!!!
Want to be part of the celebration? In honor of my Wolf Pack Anniversary, feel free to ask any questions you’d like about the process of landing an agent. I’ll do my best to give you a helpful answer. Or you can just join me in raving about how wonderful Michelle is. <3
Don’t forget that you can follow Michelle Wolfson on Twitter–seriously, you don’t want to miss it! You can also find my Wolf Pack twitter list HERE. Come and hang with the Pack!
I’m very busy finishing up my line edits, but just because my dance card is full doesn’t mean you can’t be doing something fun–like going to the ball…
Have you heard about the Debutante Ball? It’s a group blog for some fantastic debut authors. A couple of my very own agency sistahs have been involved. Last year Tawna Fenske continuously cracked people up at the Ball, but don’t worry you can still catch her humor daily on her own blog–Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing and of course you want to run right out and get a copy of her funny and steamy novel MAKING WAVES. Lucky for you, Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary has move than one fantastic romantic comedy writer. You can find my other agency sistah, Linda Grimes, leaving humorous words of wisdom at the Ball on Friday. Linda’s debut (a light urban fantasy) will be coming out in July–Yay!!!!!
There are other wonderful writers at the ball but there is one more that writer that I know. Joanne Levy is not only Monday at the Debutante Ball, she is also a member of the Class of 2k12 and an Apocalypsie. Joanne has a middle grade novel called SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE that I’m dying to read, so keep your eye out for it in June of 2012.
Gretchen McNeil’s debut YA Novel POSSESS is out in stores on August 23rd. I know–you’re asking why a 2012 Apocalypsie has a book coming out in 2011??? Ummm…because she’s so awesome no one could wait until 2012. I’ve got my copy of POSSESS pre-ordered and I think you’re going to want to get your order in too. Check out her brand spanking new trailer…
Speaking of books on pre-order (that are coming out in August) that I’m DYING to read…My fellow Wolf Pack Sistah…Tawna Fenske is killing me!!!!! Her debut romantic comedy MAKING WAVES hits the shelves on August 11th. But wait– there are ARCs (advanced reader copies) out there and I am green with envy–people are loving it!!!! Ahem…no surprises here–reading her blog Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing gives you a taste of how awesome this book is going to be. And of course the cover is killer too!!!!
Since I need something to do to distract me while I wait for these fabulous August books…I’ll be devouring this on July 26th. Kiersten White’s SUPERNATURALLY!!!!! My agent Michelle Wolfson can finally rest easy, knowing I won’t be going ninja on her, trying to steal one of her prized copies. *grin*
This is book two so if you haven’t read book one, be sure to check out PARANORMALCY….NOW!!!!! Seriously, what are you waiting for…go, go go!
In case you’re wondering, all this hair hoopla was kept very hush, hush by Michelle Wolfson and my agency sistahs. This is how I found out…
I had a hair appointment scheduled with my uber talented sister-in-law who WILL NOT LET ME TOUCH MY OWN HAIR AFTER THAT ONE JET BLACK HAIR DYE EPISODE. So, I’ve been waiting for my turn. *taps fingers on desk impatiently*
While I was waiting…this happened! Linda Grimes sold her book and decided that she wasn’t going to mess with a good thing. LOL!
So, today was the big day-I couldn’t let my agency sistahs down. The hair gods have been appeased. I closed my eyes and let the professional do the work. She bleached and foiled and and now I hope I have a streak of red-hot luck to match my hair!
Now my only question is…is this just for first-time sales???
Just a few days after I sold TOUCHING THE SURFACE to Anica Rissi at Simon Pulse, I got a letter home in the 7 year old’s book bag. The second graders were studying communities and were asking parents to come in to do a mini job fair with the kids. I looked at the sign up sheet, bit my lip and took the plunge.
(I can’t lie-I giggled and did a little happy dance when I saw this. Didn’t even care about the name typo.)
Then I put the date on my calendar and forgot about it, until I realized that I should bring stuff with me that was authory. But what should I bring? I don’t actually have a book at this point. I took my best guess and stuffed a bag with authory stuff and headed out. Of course, as I made my way to the school, it was raining like I was in the middle of a biblical plague. There weren’t even any close parking spots. Can you picture me hauling a giant dance bag, a rather large bag of book stuff and a pocket book while balancing an umbrella and herding the 5 year old? Kind of hilarious, but so worth it when I got to do this…
You know I was grinning like a little fool. And of course two of my favorite mom librarians were there and there was extra jumping up and down and looking silly.
So what did I bring and why did I bring it?
I started with a variety of dance shoes, my teacher’s notebook and some pics of me dancing over the years… What was that? Oh, you wanted to know about the author stuff? Just kidding.
I arrived with the tools of the trade! I started with a hard copy of my manuscript that I’d used with a beta reader. The guesses of how long it took me to write that thing ranged from 7 days to 200 years. My response? "That would make me like 227 years old." *grin* My humor totally went over their heads.
I also brought books and magazines that I like to read. Some I read for pleasure and some are about craft and some straddled both. I explained that if you want to be a writer, the single most important thing you could do was be a reader. And own a dictionary. And be proficient at marketing and networking…(Notice I was doing subliminal sales for my fellow wolf-pack member Kiersten White and her YA novel Paranormalcy.)
Lastly, I brought chocolate. I shouldn’t have to explain my love of it by this point in our relationship, but this was no ordinary chocolate. This was editor love chocolate. I sniff it often while admiring the amazing note from my editor AND THEN I wander off to find similar looking chocolate to eat while I’m writing. I can’t part with this one. *I reserve the right to revise that statement in a chocolate emergency.
So was it fun? Being an author/dance instructor, role-model, thing-a-ma-jiggy?
Ummmm…YES! YES! YES!
I even got some love from my own second grader. He picked me first. *phew* with his gaggle of guy friends. They all sat down and with my most serious looking face I said…"I’m pretty sure I know which hat you guys want me to wear for this interview. Today I’m going to teach you all about ballet." *gasp* I never said I was a nice author.
But paybacks can be tough…
(My favorite second grader.)
After I told the boys all about being a WRITER, they tumbled off like a pack of puppies and an adorable little blonde girl wandered over…
Girl: "Are you Ty’s mom?"
Me: "Yes, I am."
Girl: "He’s been telling me a lot about you."
Me: (Beaming) "I hope he’s saying all good things." (Beams some more)
Girl: "Eh, about half and half."
Me: *Head thunk* followed by a *grin.* We all know the truth-any publicity is good publicity, right?
Thursday night, fellow Wolf Pack member Tawna Fenske was contemplating what to do with her hair during her yoga class. Because great minds think alike, uber agent Michelle Wolfson and I suggested a french braid would be the cure all to her yoga woes. I nodded off to sleep that night, content in the knowledge that I had done my grooming duty for the pack. Little did I know what I would wake up to on Friday morning…
From tawnafenske…@WolfsonLiterary hair too slippery to stay in braid. Speaking of hair @kimmiepoppins =Wolf Pack post-sale ritual: http://bit.ly/9wXSIR
Was this clause in my contract? Had I missed it? I was starting to wonder about my agency contract and the fine print that seemed to be getting smaller and smaller…
I could go on but these were the best ones my thesaurus had to offer.
So now what do I do? Tempt fate? Kiersten White is the NYTimes Best Selling author of PARANORMALCY and SUPERNATURALLY (out in August) and is writing the third book in the trilogy. Tawna Fenske has her first book MAKING WAVES out on August 2nd. The colored hair is WORKING!!!! I also would like to point out that even outside the Wolf Pack, there is reason to believe that paranormal hair is directly linked to literary success. Stephanie Perkins, author of ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, is rocking the blue!
I’m in.
And it won’t be a little piece of fake colored hair on a little comb–because honestly, I don’t want some fake little piece of success, hanging on by a hair’s breath. Too risky! Plus, I may have always wanted to do this and never had a good excuse. *grin* And honestly, if I do it…Linda Grimes, Monica Bustamante Wagner and Kasie West (all much more fair haired than I) will have to do it too. *wicked wolf pack grin*
I have a hair appointment with my FABULOUS Sister-in-Law, Christina Sabatini-Pierantozzi, at Soul Therapy on March 11th. So now I need to take a Kim "Pole" and see what you think. What color should I get?