DARK DAYS OF SUMMER TOUR! FEATURINGVeronica Roth -DivergentEllen Schreiber — Vampire Kisses 8: Cryptic CravingsAprilynne Pike -IllusionsAmy Plum -Die for MeJosephine Angelini -StarcrossedTara Hudson -Hereafter Be sure to tune in and watch the bookstore events live via Livestream at http://www.facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks! The dates of the Livestream events are: Tuesday, June 7 7:00 PM (central) Saturday, June 11 4:00 PM (eastern) Viewers will be able to submit questions for the authors to answer, as well as purchase books. For more information check out http://www.facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks, or follow @PitchDarkBooks. MEET THE AUTHORS! June 7 @ 7:00 PM Anderson’s (Naperville, IL) *livestreamed! -w/ Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, Tara Hudson, and Amy Plum June 8 @ 7:00 PM Barnes & Noble (Clackamas, OR) -w/ Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, Tara Hudson, and Amy Plum June 9 @ 7:00 PM Book People (Austin, TX) -w/ Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, Tara Hudson, and Amy Plum June 10 @ 7:00 PM Changing Hands (Tempe, AZ) -w/ Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, and Josephine Angelini. June 11 @ 4:00 PM Schuler Books and Music (Lansing, MI) *livestreamed! -w/ Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, and Josephine Angelini.
Amy Plum, author of the new book Die for Me, is here today to discuss the book and her writing. Die for Me will be released tomorrow!
Check out the bottom for a link to follow the rest of the tour stops.
1. From reading some of the background of Die For Me, it's easy to see how much thought you put into the story long before you began writing. Can you share with us 3 things that you were determined to achieve with this story?
1. I wanted to write a book that would be as much a love letter to Paris as a love story between a boy and girl. 2. I wanted to create a brand new paranormal mythology where I could let my imagination roam and have the freedom to form my own little universe.
3. And thirdly: redemption. Kate is strong and independent in a way that I wasn’t at her age. And I gave her a family I would have loved to have had.
So, although I hadn’t thought about it ahead of time, as I wrote the book (especially figuring out Kate’s past, although much of it isn’t spelled out) I was aware that I was rewriting my own past. In a small way, the book is a sort of redemption for a childhood and adolescence that included lots of not-very-nice things. And although Kate’s parents die when she is sixteen, up until then her life is what I wish mine had been.
2. Many of the locations in Die For Me were ones from your past. What made you decide to do that and is there any other place special to you that you wish you could include in a book? I am very visual, so places are important to me. And dropping my characters into locations I myself have known is—again—like recreating my past. I loved putting Jules’s art studio in my old apartment, placing a lot of the action in my old neighborhood, the Marais, and then there’s the Pont des Arts… *sigh*. So perhaps it’s a bit of a crutch. I know these places so well that I can easily go to them in my mind when I’m writing a scene. It might just facilitate the action to be able to close my eyes and be right back there.
Although… I made up the interior of Jean-Baptiste’s house from my imagination (dropping in a few elements that I knew: the staircase, Charlotte’s heart-shaped windows… ). BUT even though I’ve never been there, I know every room in that place like it was my own house. And yes – I would write a book that takes place, at least partly, in New York City, my other urban love besides Paris. It is just as magical as Paris, but in a completely different way.
3. What is the hardest part of juggling family time and writing? Do you have any tips for anyone who may be struggling with the same thing?
I can’t write if my children are in the house with me. (Unless they’re asleep, and by that time I’m usually too exhausted to write.) They’re only three and five, and if I am around they want to be rightnexttome. I’m lucky enough to have an office outside of my home. It’s a little building that’s just across the yard from our house. And when I go there I know that no one is going to bother me. I can immerse myself completely in my writing without my concentration being broken.
So my advice would be to find a place where you know you can let your mind reign supreme. Without listening for that next knock on the door or ringing phone. In Stephen King’s book ON WRITING, he spoke of writing his first two published novels “in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, pounding away on my wife’s portable Olivetti typewriter and balancing a child’s desk on my thighs.” He says that John Cheever wrote in the basement of his Park Avenue apartment building, near the furnace. It doesn’t matter where it is or if it is even comfortable. If it is YOURS AND ONLY YOURS—for the time you are writing—that is what matters.
4. What has been the biggest adjustment for you since you started writing? What is your favorite thing to do that helps you relax after a long day of writing?
The biggest adjustment has been having a project that is long-term. When I was an art dealer or a professor or wrote articles for magazines, I had short-term projects that I could work hard on and then be done with in a relatively short amount of time. Now, writing the draft of a book usually takes me a few months. I’ve had to learn to chop that up into short-term goals. One day will be just for planning. The next I will write one chapter. I can’t stop until I finish it, but once I do I’m done for the day. Or if I’m editing, I have to finish two chapters per day. Whatever it is, I have to look at it as small tasks, because seeing it as a whole is too overwhelming for my impatient, impulsive personality.
And favorite thing to do at the end of a long day of writing? Usually after writing, I am busy splitting parenting activities with my husband: making dinner, getting the kids’ bath, pajamas, bedtime books, etc. So it’s not until the kids are in bed that I have time to relax. At that point, I’m usually so exhausted that I flop into bed with a book or my New Yorker magazine, or bring my laptop with me and read scandalous celebrity gossip! (Shhh… shameful confession!) When my husband offers to do all the kiddie stuff himself (when he sees that I’m falling over), I take a one-hour bath with a book and a glass of wine.
5. Can you tell us something that people would find surprising about you? I don’t have a television connection… by choice. My tv set is only used for DVDs! So when people talk about different television series or personalities, I don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. (Except for True Blood – my friend Kim sent me the series on DVD. Which I LOVE.)
6. What else can people expect from the Revenants series? Do you know how many books will be in the series?
DIE FOR ME is a trilogy. But I certainly have enough of a story to write another book or maybe spinoff books. I also have another series I’d like to write however, so who knows what will happen! So as far as the actual books go—your guess is as good as mine.
However, as for the story line, you can expect to discover more about the revenant mythology. You will learn more about the other characters. And you will see how Kate and Vincent respond to new challenges posed both by their relationship and by this dangerous supernatural world that Kate is just beginning to discover.
Die for Me by Amy Plum Publisher: HarperTeen (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 341 pages Series: Revenants, book #1 My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies.. immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind. While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?
It's that time again! I'm really excited to get an earlier start on next year's debut challenge. There are so many amazing books coming out and I can't wait to start reading them all! For 2010 I'll probably hit around 20 debut books read. That isn't too bad considering I signed up in June: ) My 2011 Debut Author Challenge Goal: 40 books!
The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.
You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate.
You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
Qualifying books:
Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
DO NOTE: Just because a book has a teen character or is about a teen, does not mean that it is necessarily a Young Adult novel.
This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011. They cannot have a prior middle grade or young adult title released.
If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut.
More challenge guidelines:
Novels must be read between January 1, 2011- December 31, 2011. That means, those of you that have read arc forms of the titles early will not be able to count those toward your challenge totals.
You can use debuts from other countries, but the novel cannot be previously released in your county. (I explain this a little bit more in the FAQ section, if you want to check that out!)
For more information the challenge is hosted by The Story Siren and you can USE GOOGLE for details.
Bolded entries mean I currently own the book. Striked entries mean I have read the book (reviews will be linked)
1. Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal 2. Unearthy byCynthia Hand 3. XVI by Julia Karr 4. Across the Universe by Beth Revis 5. Vesper: A Deviants Novel by Jeff Sampsen 6. Choker by Elizabeth Woods 7. Angelfire byCourtney Allison Moulton 8. Rival by Sara Bennett-Wealer 9. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford 10. Haven by Kristi Cook 11. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton 12. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney 13. Exposed by Kimberly Marcus 14. So Shelly by Ty Roth 15. Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach 16. Wither by Lauren DeStefano 17. Entwined by Heather Dixon 18. Clarity by Kim Harrington 19. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes 20. Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard 21. Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter 22. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher 23. The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg 24. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton 25. The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder 26. Bumped by Megan McCafferty 27. Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese 28. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 29. Hourglass by Myra McEntire 30. Die For Me by Amy Plum 31. Divergent by Veronica Roth 32. Hereafter by Tara Hudson 33. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris 34. A Beautiful Dark by Joceyln Davies 35. Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley 36. The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver 37. In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane 38. Through Her Eyes by Janenifer Archer 39. Flawless by Lara Chapman 40. Moonglass by Jessi Kirby 41. Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin 42. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky 43. Possession by Elena Johnson 44. Wildefire by Karsten Knight 45. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab 46. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 47. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsay More will be added soon…
This week was sooooooooo good!!! Not only was I blessed with great review books but I won an incredible contest from the Bewitched Bookworms and won 5 signed books from the Dark Days of Supernatural tour! *happy dance!!* Absolutely made my week. I didn't have anything by these authors signed and I'm a huge fan of all of them so I will cherish these books forever.
Also, huge thanks to Janenifer Sommersby (who gave me the best book personalization of all time), Harlequin Teen, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's Press, Tachyon Publishing, and Lisa at A Life Bound by Books.
Review Sleight (SIGNED) by Janenifer Sommersby The Urban Fantasy Anthology (ARC) by Various Authors If I Die (ARC) by Rachel Vincent Blood Red Road by Moira Young Sirensong by Janena Black
Gifted Albatross by Josie Bloss (Thanks Lisa!)
Won Die For Me (SIGNED) by Amy Plum (and bookmark) Hereafter (SIGNED) by Tara Hudson Cryptic Cravings (SIGNED) by Ellen Schreiber Illusions (SIGNED) by Aprilynne Pike (and 2 tattoos) Divergent (SIGNED) by Veronica Roth Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
and a bracelet too (not pictured because my daughter ran off with it. Thief!)
HUGE thanks to the Bewitched Bookworms for having this amazing contest and for asking my question during the signing! EEK! I've never been to an author event before but siting here watching it from home was just as terrific!: )
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire 5/1/2011) Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready (Simon Pulse 5/3/2011) Bite Club (The Morganville Vampires #10) by Rachel Caine (NAL Hardcover 5/3/2011)
Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegen Books 5/3/2011) Everfound (The Skinjacker Trilogy #3) by Neal Shusterman (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 5/3/2011) So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti (Viking Juvenile 5/3/2011)
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (Flux 5/8/2011) Bitter End by Janenifer Brown (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen (Penguin Young Readers Group 5/10/2011)
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Walker Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) Tighter by Adele Griffin (Knoph Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (Knoph Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011)
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott (Simon Pulse 5/24/2011)
Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 5/3/2011) Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum (HarperTeen 5/10/2011) The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski (EgmontUSA 5/10/2011)
Flawless by Lara Chapman (Bloomsbury 5/10/2011) The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 5/10/2011) Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 5/23/2011)
Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini (HarperTeen 5/31/2011) Blood Magic (The Blood Journals #1) by Tessa Gratton (Random House Books for Young Readers 5/24/2011)
If you know of any other new releases for May 1st-31st feel free to add them in the comments so others will know about them!
This week was an amazingggg book week! I got 2 huge packages from HarperTeen, and books from Scholastic, Penguin, Spencer Hill Press (Thanks Kate!), Tor, St. Martin's, and a surprise from Jordan Deen!
Review Wanted (ARC) by Heidi Ayarbr Dreamless (ARC) by Josephine Angelini (!!!!!) Darkness Before Dawn (ARC) by L.A. London Hemlock (ARC) by Kathleen Peacock Until I Die (ARC) by Amy Plum The Lost Code (ARC) by Kevin Emerson Sweet Evil (ARC) by Wendy Higgins Destined (ARC) by Aprilynne Pike Vesper by Jeff Sampson Havoc by Jeff Sampson Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake Lenobia's Vow by P.C. and Kristin Cast A Confusion of Princes (ARC) by Garth Nix Never Fall Down (ARC) by Patricia McCormick All the Right Stuff (ARC) by Walter Dean Myers Fall From Grace (ARC) by Charles Benoit Trafficked (ARC) by Kim Purcell Perception (ARC) by Kim Harrington Minder (SIGNED) by Kate Kaynak Half Moon (SIGNED) by Jordan Deen
Purchased The Fault in Our Stars (SIGNED) by John Green
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
