Bookshelf Blog Party!

For my reader and writer friends!

Just a reminder to head on over to Kate Brauning's blog, The Bookshelf, to enter to win a copy of CATCHING FIRE or LOOKING FOR ALASKA, as well as critiques from some awesome industry interns! We're looking forward to hearing your questions, and answering them, so send 'em over!

-DC

Blogging for The Bookshelf

Yes... yes I know...

Hey friends!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating in a project for my good friend Kate Brauning's blog, The Bookshelf. A few other interns and I will be writing posts on various publishing topics that will go up on Kate's blog every Tuesday and Thursday.

To celebrate our new little organization, Kate is having a Blog Party this Saturday! There will be critiques for winning, as well as a copy of CATCHING FIRE and LOOKING FOR ALASKA on the table! If I wasn't involved, I would SO be entering.

The only requirements to enter are to follow Kate's blog, and the offering critiquer's blog, then leave a writing or publishing question you'd like us to address in future posts, and - BA-DA-BOOM-BA - you're entered to win!

It should be lots of fun, so be sure to stop by The Bookshelf on Saturday! I'll put up another reminder post here, just in case you forget ;-)

See you all then!

-DC

Interview: Josh Hewitt of World's End

Hi there lovelies!

Today I'm interviewing the awesome and amazing Josh Hewitt, creator and organizer of #WorldsEnd series of short stories that have gone up on his blog (here) for the past month or so. It's been an incredible thing to be a part of for me and I'm excited to talk to Josh about it! SO! JOSHIEEEEEEEE! My first GUY interview! I'm so excited. Are you excited?

JH: Like Amanda Bynes in a liquor store!

DC: You are far too inappropriate for this blog. I should've given a disclaimer. Oh, I also want to introduce the LOVELY Karen Gillan who will be joining us today. Karen, Josh. Josh, Karen.

KG: Hiya Joshie. 

DC: Ooookaaaaay, this should be interesting. So first off I just want to tell everyone how awesome Josh is for putting together WORLD'S END in the first place. All of the stories have been brilliant, and it was YOUR brain that came up with it. I'll bet you're proud. Now, on to the questions. Firstly, how long have you been writing, and what made you start?

JH: I wrote my first short story in 9th grade.  It was a spy story and it wasn't much good.  And I wrote it because I wanted to be James Bond.  But I was about as cool as Gold Bond.

KG: Hmmm. Not a very flattering remark there Joshie-boy.

DC: I agree with Karen, Josh. You've gotta stop belittling yourself. You're a great writer. (Though I'm sure you're much better now that you were in ninth grade at any rate.)Now, tell us a little bit about WORLD'S END and how the idea came about?

JH: Basically, there was a conversation on Twitter about post-apocalyptic literature.  And I started to ask questions, because I had never wrote a post-apocalyptic story before.  I'd seen Mad Max and the sequels a million times, but never written one.  And my question was "Has there ever been a Pre-Apocalyptic story before?"  The more I thought about it, the more obsessed with it I became.  I started to think about a world that was living while knowing the end would come.  What would life be like for them?

KG: Oh my... Josh, that's brilliant.

JH: Then I happened across the movie "Melancholia" which is about a planet striking the Earth.  And suddenly, things clicked.  I had my world, I knew what was going to happen.  But I'm not the writer for that story.  It was too big.  So I decided to invite some awesomely talented writers (like YOU) to participate.

DC: Aww, shucks.

JH: *laughs* I gave them all the same pitch--tomorrow we find out a ginormous planet "Ragnarok" is headed towards the Earth.  it'll take 20 years to arrive.  All stories are set 18 years after the announcement, 2 years before the end of it all.  One rule--they couldn't save the Earth.  And they took it to amazing places.

KG: I'll bet they did...

DC: Stop it Karen. Josh, what's been the most difficult thing about WORLD'S END from your vantage point?  

JH: Trying to not do too much.  I've seen, through all the stories, amazing ideas.  And, while writing my story, part of me wanted to include ALL THE IDEAS.  However, it would make it too much.  The key to writing it was balance.

As far as compiling and editing, it was placing the stories where they would have the most impact.  I divided them into three parts--Part One was made up of stories that gave an overview of life in that kind of world.  Part Two was more off-the-wall takes.  Part Three is more intimate stories that focus on couples or families.

DC: You have a wife and kids, yes? What do they think of your writing?

KG: Oh yes, what does your wife think of all this?

JH: My wife is incredibly supportive of my writing.  My kids aren't allowed to read it because I don't want therapist bills in twenty years.  I usually write after they go to bed.  Because, if not, my 4 year old is in my lap and it's very hard to not drop a couple of F bombs when she's around... Just kidding, it's not hard at all.

DC: What are you working on outside of WORLD'S END? Anything exciting?

JH: I just finished the first draft of my novel, so I'll be working on revisions.  It's called "Lessons In Life And Love" and it's about three guys in different stages of their lives and the search for happiness in the world.  And love.  And sex.  And more abject depravity.  Also, it's split between all three POV's.  So, it's very boring.

KG: Ooh, sounds like a good one.

DC: It sounds intriguing! You've mentioned the choosing of writers for World's End multiple times, so why did you pick the writers you did for Worlds End?


JH: Mostly, I read some of their work.  Like R. Scott Whitley, Suzanne Gale, Carey Torgenson, Julie Hutchings...I fell in love with their writing through some of the stuff they had shared.  So I asked, and I was thrilled when they agreed! Some people, I never had a chance to read a story by them, but I just had a feeling--like you! I read posts on your blog, and noticed you were an excellent wordsmith.  Of course, I didn't get a chance to read any of your fiction, but I knew by your posts you could craft an amazing story.  So, I asked (heart in my throat), hoping you would accept.  It was really great to work with people like you.  All the writers are amazing.  All of the stories are brilliant.  I have been blessed to work with such talented people.

DC: You're making me blush. Stop it.

KG: Wait. What is happening here?

DC: What kind of stories are your favorite to write?

JH: Literary.  As a reader, I'm very much influenced by Hemingway and Updike.  I

DC: How has your life affected your writing?

JH: I can write a hell of a story about not getting dates.

KG: *laughs* Josh, come on. You can't be serious.

DC: Music while writing?

JH: No.  it interferes with my own rhythms.  But I do take Dance Breaks.  Cause, white.

DC: Snacks? Drinks? And how do you eat an Oreo?

JH: Beer, sake, whiskey, or rock gut coffee (If you bring one of those flavored things to me, I will punch you in the temple).  I have always made it my dream to die like Hemingway--fat, drunk, and in Europe.  I open an Oreo and get the cream out.  Also, TWSS.

KG: Mmm, how 'bout wine? D'you drink wine?

DC: Oh dear, this is all going downhill now... Okay, last question: What advice would you give to our fellow writers out there, whether beginning, querying or otherwise?

JH: Don't listen to me.  I suck.

DC: STOP IT JOSH.

JH: Seriously, the best advice I can give is read.  Read lots.  And, when you watch TV or a movie, think about how you would have approached the story.  How you would have made the leads.  Imagine always.

DC: Fantastic advice that I second wholeheartedly. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview, I really appreciate it. And Karen, did you have anything you wanted to add before we go?

DC: Haha! Thanks so much to both of you!

There you have it readers! Go check out the WORLD'S END series of short stories on Josh Hewitt's blog, A Beginning, And End, and All that Lies Inbetween and follow Josh on twitter at @the_j_hewitt.

Thanks for reading! See y'all soon.

-DC

Cover Reveal: FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI, Cassie Mae

Hello lovelies!

Today I'm excited to be part of the cover reveal for a New Adult novel coming out in a couple of months. It's written by the amazing CASSIE MAE (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) who was one of my very first friends when I found my way to the twitter-sphere. I've watched her go through the drafting process a gazillion times, saw her brave the query trenches, and was even there when she got her agent and not long after announced her book deal. It's been amazing to see her journey. Cassie and I have plans to someday hang out and have a Harry Potter marathon, complete with wands, robes, hats, cauldron cakes and chocolate frogs. IT WILL HAPPEN I TELL YOU.

Here's a little about Cassie:

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. Her angel children and perfect husband fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

She's also the author of  Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, (which I read, and it was AWESOME) and How to Date a Nerd, to be released November 5th by Swoon Romance Publishing. (Which I am SO EXCITED to read.)

NOW, without further ado, may I introduce you to the awesomesauce cover for Cassie's New Adult debut:

FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI
Written by Cassie Mae
Published by Random House: Flirt |  On sale July 29

Here's the blurb and the PRETTY COVER!!!!!:

Rising star Cassie Mae introduces New Adult readers to a practical soon-to-be college freshman who seems to have everything—until a special guy shows her what she’s been missing.

In the wealthy town of Sundale, Kelli Pinkins has hatched the perfect plan to capitalize on her sweet reputation. For a generous fee, she will be every trust-fund baby’s dream: a Friday-night alibi, the “girlfriend” or “BFF” that parents dream about. With college approaching in the fall, Kelli’s services are in demand more than ever, which means that her social life is nonexistent. But Kelli is A-okay with that. She’s raking in cash for school. Besides, relationships are tricky, and sometimes very messy. She’d rather be at home on Xbox LIVE, anyway. Then the unexpected happens: She meets college stud Chase Maroney.

Chase isn’t like the preppy, privileged guys Kelli usually meets in Sundale. For starters, he’s twentysomething, always wears black, and he shoots back one-liners as fast as she can dish them out. But Kelli’s attempts to drive Chase away falter when she realizes that he treats her like he really knows her, like he cares about knowing her. When Kelli finally gives in to the delicious kiss she’s been fighting for so long, she faces a tough decision: make Chase a real-life boyfriend and risk her heart . . . or keep her clients and lose her first true love.

Advance praise for Friday Night Alibi

“Totally entertaining with as many swoon-worthy moments as hilarious ones, Friday Night Alibi is a must-read.”—Jolene Perry, co-author of Out of Play

“A fun, funny, and fantastic story, this is one you will read in a day, and pick up to re-read again the next day.”—Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone


Pre-order Friday Night Alibi: 

Amazon  |  Barnes &Noble  |  Google Play  |  Random House

Author Interview: Katie Hamstead

Hi readers! 

Today I'm very excited to have one of my good friends here with us to talk about her recently released debut, KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH. Please welcome the lovely Katie Hamstead!

*applause*

Oh, and my good friend Chris has agreed to join us today as well. He's very excited to be here. Chris? This is Katie. Katie? Chris.

KH: *swoons*

DC: So! Katie... Before we start the official interview, I just want to tell everyone how insanely proud I am of you. I remember reading your stories on your blog... maybe a year ago? Was it?

KH: It was just after I'd had the kiddo, so two years ago I think.

DC: Wow. In that time you've come so far in your writing, your career, and your platform. You're an inspiration to me! Thanks for being here. First question, how long have you been writing, and what made you start?

KH: A really long time. My first non-one-page-for-school story I wrote was during our Christmas/summer break between 6th and 7th grades, so I was 12. It was about a girl and brumbies. (Aussie version of mustangs) My mum was the person who, upon listening to me ramble on about things I'd dreamed up, suggested I write my ideas down. So, all through high school during school breaks, and when I got bored during exams, I wrote stories.

CH: Brumbies you say? I'd like that, I think.

DC: *rolls eyes at Chris* Tell us a little bit about your amazing soon-to-be-published NA Historical Romance, KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH?

KH: It's about Naomi, an Israelite, who is the direct descendant of Joseph, who trades herself in to protect her younger sisters. Everything else kind of goes from there as she is taken to the palace and becomes a wife. But all through her story her priority is to protect her family and the people she loves, often at her own expense. I love Naomi, and my CP's will attest that I call her my BFF.

CH: Can I be your BFF?

DC: Chris, I think she'll be okay with that. Katie, what's been the biggest help to you so far in getting your book into readers' hands?

KH: Oh that's a hard one. I'd say the support of all the people involved. My family, my friends, especially CP's, the team at Curiosity Quills. Everyone has been so excited along with me and helped me share the excitement by spreading it around everywhere. I just love that.

DC: Haha! Yes, we're ALL excited for you! It's such an awesome thing to have your work out there! I happen to know you have a husband and little girl, (and do you have a job too?) so how do you balance writing and being a full-time-mom and wife?

KH: I do have a job too! I really have no idea how I balance everything. I guess I try to keep my days as structured as possible. This time is for this and this time is for that. Obviously, with a two year old, I have to be flexible, but I utilize nap time and post bedtime as much as possible. Also when she's awake and the hubby is at school/work, I use that time to do grocery shopping, visit the gym and library, and other things out and about that I need to do to maintain my home and family. So when we are all home we can be together.
Also, when I do take my kiddo to the store/park/library or when I'm at the gym, I think up ideas for my WiP's so when the time comes when I have a moment to write, it's all ready to go and I just have to type it out. It seems to work pretty well, and my word count is quite high when I do that.

CH: Ugh, that sounds exhausting...

DC: Shut-up Chris. You don't know what you're talking about. Katie,where did the inspiration or idea for KIYA come from?

KH: The very first idea of Kiya came to me in high school. I think it was 12th grade, and we were studying Egypt in my Ancient History class. We were talking about Akhenaten for a while, and one day we talked about Kiya. I don't want to give away the story by going into detail, but basically I was fascinated by what little is known about her and who she potentially was. So, while I was studying for exams, I found myself thinking about her and a young Israelite woman popped into my mind because I was also studying the Old Testament through Seminary. The combination of the two drastically different worlds collided and Naomi was born. It took me several years to throw it all together and actually write it, but even back then, her motive was to protect her sisters from being taken. Her courage and love has been there from the very beginning.

CH: So, she's an Isrealite, but she's Egyptian? How does that work?

DC: We'll leave you to think about it, Chris. Or just go read the book. Katie, are you working on anything else while KIYA gets ready?

KH: Ah... yes. I wrote Branded for NaNo, then Deceptive Cadence in Dec and Jan, and right now I'm thinking about writing something that Deseret Book (an LDS/Mormon Bookstore) would stock about YSA's (Young Single Adults) in Australia. Should be interesting.

CH: YES! YES! YES!

DC: (I think he's excited about that...) How has your life affected your writing? (Vague question, take it however you want.)

KH: Lol. There are definitely pieces of me in all my stories. I know in Deceptive Cadence I even included things that really happened to me. In Kiya, my passion for history and the unwritten history of women really comes through. Women were often forgotten, but played such a crucial role in the background. I really wanted to pay tribute to these women who struggled and suffered and fought for what they believed in and loved but are forgotten by history.

CH: Such an admirable goal, Katie. You're so brilliant. Do you think -- 

DC: It's probably time to wind things down, so let's do some quick questions: Music while writing?

KH: Yes! I'm a huge music nerd, did choir, sang in the Sydney Opera House and all that stuff. Kiya has theme songs for each book in the trilogy, and I listened to the Prince of Egypt soundtrack, the Gladiator Soundtrack and Adiemus. Jolene Haley has a playlist for Kiya up on her blog for her Musical Mondays: http://letsgetnerdy.blogspot.com/2013/04/musical-tuesday-katie-teller-kiya-hope.html

CH: Ah, I have a question. can I --

DC: Snacks? Drinks? And how do you eat an Oreo?

KH: I prefer Tim Tam slams. I'm Aussie :-)

CH: Girl after my own heart. Listen, Katie --

DC: Calm down Chris.

CH: Sorry.

DC: AAAND last but never least, what advice would you give to our fellow writers out there, whether beginning, querying or otherwise?

KH: "Never give up! Never surrender!" Querying sucks. Rejection really sucks. But, if you believe in it, then keep trying. Take feedback when it comes and use it to improve yourself and your writing. No one knows everything, so you can always learn something from those around you. At the same time, never compromise your voice and your story because someone says it doesn't fit what they want. If they don't want it, look for someone who does. When my Acquisitions Editor at CQ read Kiya, it only took her a few days. No joke! She asked for the full on Thursday, and sent me a contract on the Sunday. You want someone who loves what you've created as much as that because that passion for your work will come through when they come to publishing it.

DC: Wow. I'm still so impressed by your story! I'm excited that KIYA is finally out there!!! Thanks again for being here, Katie! Chris, do you have anything to say for yourself?

CH: *grins*

DC: *side eyes Chris*

Friends, KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH is a NA Historical Romance set in ancient Egypt, with family drama, palace intrigue, love, friendship, and so much more. Go get a copy!!!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

AND, if you've read this far, leave Katie a comment below and I'll choose a winner to receive an Ebook of KIYA!

-DC