Blog Contest Bloopers

March 9, 2011 | ,

Can I pick your brain? I’d like to do a contest sometime and I was wondering what makes you go out of your way to enter a blog contest and what turns you off. In the comments I would appreciate it if you picked your most enticing prize(s) and would be extra thrilled if you had any thoughts or suggestions about what you think makes a good or bad contest.

Possible Prizes…

1. Free book(s)
2. Gift Card to Book Seller
3. iTunes card
4. Generic Gift Card (VISA, AMEX etc.)
5. Big Picture Item (iPod, Kindle etc.)

Thanks for helping me avoid those bloopers!


Share This:

A WICKED Editorial Letter

March 7, 2011 |

I recently got my very first editorial letter. *gasp* 

Those things are a little scary, even when they’re exciting.  I’ve wanted to tell you about what it feels like to get that letter and make those changes, but it’s really hard to put it all into words. The thoughts have been tumbling around in my head.  Finally, I figured out how to tell you when I went to see WICKED this weekend. The author/editor relationship is a lot like the relationship between Elphaba and Galinda.  I’m serious!  At the end of the day, when the book is finished and the story closes, if you’ve done it right, it should feel something like this…

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

But until that day…I’m guessing it feels a little closer to this…


Yup–I’ve got an awful long way to go.  *grin*  

Back to revisions.  Love you Anica. *heart squish*
 

Tags: , ,

Share This:

The Most Important Thing You Should Know If You Want to Be Repped By Michelle Wolfson!

March 4, 2011 | ,

There are things you should know if you decide you want the amazing Michelle Wolfson to be you’re agent.  Here’s how the story goes…

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away-pink taser in hand- my agency sistah, Kiersten White started messing with the Universe in order to sell her YA novel Paranormalcy.  

Tawna Fense-not to be out done-decided to jump on board this runaway train.  

Paranormalcy sold in a three book deal AND it also became a New York Times Bestseller!   Kiersten had to make good on her superstitious tempting of fate.

Then…you guessed it.  Tawna sold three books and the hair gods expected payment.  Her first book Making Waves is out this August-she has also paid the hair gods for safe passage into the world of publishing.  

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???

Monica Bustamante Wagner and Kasie West…tag, you’re it!


Tags: , ,

Share This:

It’s a Baby Book Blogger – Marion James

March 4, 2011 |

Just like my Freaky Friday Interviews of aspiring authors, I’ve discovered that there’s a whole world of YA bloggers just starting out. I thought it would be fun to highlight some of these newbie bloggers because-lets face it-bloggers are freaky book lovers too and we should all work together in our quest to take over the world one YA book at a time.

Today’s interview is with Marion James.

Marion and I met on Book Blogs.  He has a wonderful blog called Palm Books Journal.


Marion brings a guy’s perspective and international flair to the interview.  He’s our very own book blogging 007.  *grin*   I can’t wait for you to meet him, so lets get started…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog?

The name is Marrion James (MJ) and I’m a 21 year old book lover living in the Philippines. I’m friendly, approachable, spontaneous and long tempered. I am a vampire, which means I prefer to stay inside the house and mostly do things to help me relax — Reading and watching movies.
 
Aside from books, I love to draw and sketch, take long walks at night, eat a lot and do the best–my writing. I am currently writing my own novel and hoping someday (fingers-cross) I will be able to publish it. I am also a fan of handicrafts, where I work myself to make small sculptures and figurines.
 
I’ve been reading books since I was in High School but I had no such interest whatsoever before. But then a close friend has the same enthusiasm as I do. It’s especially great when you have someone to talk to about the book that you’ve read. It is kind of exciting knowing that I am not the only one who has this kind of passion in reading.
 
Palm Books Journal is a new blog that shares my own review of a specific book. It also includes recommendations, latest books and other stuff involving books.  The blog only focuses on three genres: Young Adult, Fantasy and Adventure 

I think it is wonderful that you’ve developed a passion for books through discussions with your friend.  A book blog is just an extended version of that conversation.  

What kinds of readers are following your blog and how difficult has it been to get followers?
 
My followers started out as a few of my friends and people I just met who appear to have the same interests as I do. But yes, finding followers was the tough one… I don’t know why? I think they’re expecting much from you even though your a newbie at all this. Though I took it as a challenge, which is fun and exciting. I have a long way to go, this is just only the beginning. :]

Knowing that finding a following is hard as a newbie book blogger, what do you bring to your blog that would make authors have you as a reviewer and readers use you as a source of information?
 
I am now participating on different memes hosted by the other bloggers. I have also joined a few giveaways now. At the moment, I enjoy all the things I am currently doing, and before I only had 12 followers, and now I jumped off to 50+! It was a great feeling but still I have to be patient. Hopefully, someday, I will be able to host my very own giveaway. I have a lot of ideas to install for my blog.  

*He’s up to 104–who is going to be lucky 105?
 
I also show them how completely passionate I am to read a certain book. When I recommend, I want them to make their own decisions whether they want the book or not. I want my reviews to be fun and freely expressive. I don’t want my opinions to be flat and boring. I don’t intend for my reviews to be highly professional, instead I would like them to feel what I felt about the book. :]

I was wondering, you’re located outside the United States, English is a second language and you’re a guy (which is very cool).  Do any of these factors impact you positively or negatively as a reviewer?

 

There has been no negative feedback so far — thank goodness!  Most of them welcome you when you’re new at all this. And there is one who said to me, "It was nice to see reviews from a guy’s perspective". I was so glad to see that they accepted me even though I was a guy because most of the fellow book bloggers are out numbered by girls. There is no discrimination, it’s fair and equal. Though I was looking for some dudes who liked reading the same as I do. Well, fortunately I found one and he is a Filipino like myself. He has been blogging a long time before I was and he was glad to see a another guy who had a similar craze for books. 

I think its awesome that you’re giving a guys perspective.  I really appreciate it.  Can you tell me what your favorite 5 books/authors are?

1.  Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
2.  Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
3.  Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
4.  Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
5.  Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
 

Some of my favorites too!  Before we finish up, any advice for other baby bloggers or aspiring bloggers?

For the aspiring baby bloggers out there, building your own book blog is challenging. There are few things you should remember.

First, be patient, you don’t have to rush everything, sometimes you have to wait longer to accomplish something you want.

Second, there must be an aspect of professionalism, if you dillydally too much and if you loosen your grip, you might fall off and it will be difficult to stand up again.

Third, ask for assistance, you don’t need to carry it all, there are times you cannot do it by yourself.

Fourth, accept challenges, negative feedback, errors.   Mistakes are really a bummer but you have to learn from them. It should be your "Confidence Booster" instead of making you feel down and give up.

Lastly (I think), don’t forget to have FUN! It is very essential. You don’t become a blogger because "you need to" but because "you want to".  Don’t think of it as work or responsibility, you need to think of it as fun and exciting. It is your choice on how you manage your blog and how will it be successful in the future. :]

 
Thanks Ms. Kim for this interview. I really had fun answering your questions! I’ll be always in touch on your blog and here in Book Blogs!

Thank you too!  I enjoy reading your blog, Palm Books Journal, but I also really love hanging out with you in the cyber world.  You’re stuck with me now Marion!  *grin*  

You can find Marion James in a number of other fun places–facebook, twitter and goodreads.  Be sure to stop by and friend/follow him–you won’t regret it.  He’s a wonderful guy.  :o)


Share This:

Killing Me Softly

March 2, 2011 | Uncategorized

I went to the gym yesterday and saw a woman who is obviously severely anorexic.  This isn’t the first time that I’ve seen her and every time it leaves me unbalanced.  If I saw someone starving on the street I would give them money or food-but this isn’t that simple.  This is physical starvation walking hand and hand with deeper emotional needs.

As I run on the treadmill across the room from her-I watch.  She’s there long before me and stays long after I leave.  I notice that no one seems to be looking and I can’t tell why.  Are they sneaking glances, but feeling powerless to help?  Or do they not even see her at all?  I don’t know.  I have to believe that they are as lost as I am because the alternative is too scary to think about.   We wouldn’t continue running and sweating on our machines if someone keeled over from a heart attack.  We wouldn’t stand and watch someone place a pistol to their temple. Yet we are watching another human being slowly take her life, right before our eyes.  

I am ashamed of myself.  

I feel as if I should do more, but I don’t know how.  So, I can at least do this…  

I can write.  

I can say it out loud and believe in the power of words sent out into the world.  

I can believe that being seen, even by one person, is more powerful than being ignored.

I can hope that maybe one of you has a better answer than mine…

Tags:

Share This: