Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
I laughed. “Are you implying that Dante Berlin is dead?”
Nathaniel blushed and looked at his plate, from which he had barely eaten anything. “I… don’t know. It was just an observation.”
Eleanor smiled, twirling a ringlet of hair around her finger. “Dead Beautiful.”
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon – page 152
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Book Trailer Thursday: The Sweet Far Thing
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
This is my all time favorite book trailer. It has everything I love in a book trailer, it actually talks mildly about plot while creating suspense, it is actual video instead of stills which is always a plus, the characters are actually matched with the acting and overall it is visually stunning. Plus, the characters don’t look studio perfect, they look like everyday people you could imagine having gone to school with making it feel different than so many book trailers where every character shown is stereotype picture perfect. Overall, my very favorite book trailer and one that while older is still ahead of its time. This trailer fascinated me and by doing so really made me able to believe that book trailers have a serious future in the publishing industry. Let’s face it, most of us love YouTube giving it the possibility to be a priceless tool for publishers.
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
This is my all time favorite book trailer. It has everything I love in a book trailer, it actually talks mildly about plot while creating suspense, it is actual video instead of stills which is always a plus, the characters are actually matched with the acting and overall it is visually stunning. Plus, the characters don’t look studio perfect, they look like everyday people you could imagine having gone to school with making it feel different than so many book trailers where every character shown is stereotype picture perfect. Overall, my very favorite book trailer and one that while older is still ahead of its time. This trailer fascinated me and by doing so really made me able to believe that book trailers have a serious future in the publishing industry. Let’s face it, most of us love YouTube giving it the possibility to be a priceless tool for publishers.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Review: Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans
Novel: Psion Beta
Author: Jacob Gowans
Genre: YA (Dystopia)
Sammy, a 14-year-old fugitive, accidentally discovers he has the powers of a Psion.
Plucked off the streets, he is thrust into the rigorously-disciplined environment of Psion Beta headquarters. As a new Beta, Sammy must hone his newfound abilities using holographic fighting simulations, stealth training missions, and complex war games. His fellow trainees are other kids competing to prove their worth so they can graduate and contribute to the war effort.
But the stifling competition at headquarters isolates Sammy from his peers. Learning to use his incredible abilities powers is difficult enough, but when things go horribly wrong on a routine training mission, he must rely on the other Betas to stay alive.
The Silent War is at a tipping point; even one boy can be the difference.
But to do so, he must survive.
There are so many dystopias coming out of the woodworks but this one is one of my very favorites now. I will be anxiously awaiting book two for the next few months until it is hopefully released! Normally, when you see a book that is self published and marked at a low ebook price it is a mix of emotions. You see this great price and then there is that ultimate question of will the book live up to your standards and be something you can enjoy. This book went above and beyond for me. It was great! Amazing Dystopia read, great characters, great overall plot and a new twist of the dystopias that have been coming out recently.
It gives a militaristic twist and the fantasy aspect has a science to it that gives it a more realistic feeling. The main character is very different than most of the character I read about. He was born and lived in Africa before being recruited and the way he thinks is something I think that either gender can relate to. He isn’t perfect and neither are any of the other characters giving them more character depth. Overall, I would suggest it to anyone interested in dystopias. Great book for anyone trying to find something for a younger guy who it might be hard to keep interested or any and all fans of The Hunger Games series.
(Check out the Kindle version, it is SUPER affordable! Last I checked it was only $2.99!)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Teaser Tuesday:Psion Beta
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
Sammy opened his eyes. All six Shocks lay on the ground. Their scattered guns cast points of light in all directions.
He looked at his hands and back to the motionless shocks. “What happened?”
Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans - Page 27
( The Kindle book is only $2.99 and well worth it!! )
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
Sammy opened his eyes. All six Shocks lay on the ground. Their scattered guns cast points of light in all directions.
He looked at his hands and back to the motionless shocks. “What happened?”
Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans - Page 27
( The Kindle book is only $2.99 and well worth it!! )
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Project to Published: "You are a Mustang"
Project to Published
advice for other authors, writers and lit lovers
"You are a Mustang"
While my fiancé and I may not own horses or be avid horse riders there is something so beautiful about a horse that neither of us can help but admire. Something so free about their spirit but the most beautiful sight he or I have seen when it came to horses was when they were wild. When their spirits drove them where they wanted to go and they danced in dust storms and ran as fast as their hooves could take them simply because they wanted to.
You shouldn’t be trying to force words from your mind with such monotony that the words stop flowing completely. I know I say to keep a schedule and to keep working at it because writing is a muscle that has to be exercised but you also need to remember that you are not a horse that needs to be broken and saddled. I don’t really think that a broken horse is what most leading publishers are after. They don’t want a horse where they have to find a worn road and send them trotting along with people always riding their backs, they want a mustang that will follow the paths they find and when they run out of path, they make one.
Your writing shouldn’t be like running in circles in a training ring, it should be dancing in dust storms and running as fast as your legs can take you because believe it or not, that is what your writing is, it is freedom. You have a blank page you can do anything with. That person you imagine being, the person you want to be, that blank page can make you that person if you let it and before you know it, you aren’t in a ring riding in circles, you are dancing in the wind and the words are flowing just as fast. That feeling you feel when you let yourself go and your hands fly across the keys faster than you even realize until that moment when you look down and suddenly, you have pages written. Never forget that feeling.
Hold that feeling in your heart as your own little secret with yourself because that feeling is a writers true freedom. In that moment you aren’t just a writer, you are a mustang.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Book Trailer Thursday: Laviathan
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Laviathan by Scott Westerfeld
I love this trailer!!!! Couldn’t help but use it this week. It is just so much fun and gives you a fairly good idea of what type of book you will be reading which I love. I also love the steampunk feel to it and how the visuals seem like something anyone of any age could enjoy. It isn’t so adult that a mother couldn’t show her child and isn’t so childish that it wouldn’t interest adult YA readers. LOVE IT!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Laviathan by Scott Westerfeld
I love this trailer!!!! Couldn’t help but use it this week. It is just so much fun and gives you a fairly good idea of what type of book you will be reading which I love. I also love the steampunk feel to it and how the visuals seem like something anyone of any age could enjoy. It isn’t so adult that a mother couldn’t show her child and isn’t so childish that it wouldn’t interest adult YA readers. LOVE IT!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: Wicked: Witch & Curse
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
We have to stand our ground, make this our moment, stand our ground, break the curse. Stand our ground…
… it’s so hot; I’m so scared…
Wicked: Witch & Curse by Nancy Holder and Debbi Viguie – page 350
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
We have to stand our ground, make this our moment, stand our ground, break the curse. Stand our ground…
… it’s so hot; I’m so scared…
Wicked: Witch & Curse by Nancy Holder and Debbi Viguie – page 350
Friday, May 13, 2011
FMBBF and the Blog Hop!
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { http://www.Parajunkee.com + http://www.crazy-for-books.com/ } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
3. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
4. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
5. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
6. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
7. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
Happy Follow Friday!
Follow it up with your twitter address if you want to get that one out!
*********
Stop by the host sites for the lists!!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: The Ghost and the Goth
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
This “thing” was the reason I knew Alona Dare hadn’t committed suicide, no matter what the rumors were. When you killed yourself, all the negative energy – the sadness, the self-loathing, the fear and the desperation – remained.
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade – page 67
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
This “thing” was the reason I knew Alona Dare hadn’t committed suicide, no matter what the rumors were. When you killed yourself, all the negative energy – the sadness, the self-loathing, the fear and the desperation – remained.
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade – page 67
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Review: The Haunted by Jessica Verdey
Novel: The Haunted
Author: Jessica Verday
Pages: 480
Genre: Young Adult
An impossible truth. An impossible love.
After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with—the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead—Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume-making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all.
But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and to the famous legend that binds their fates—a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess....
(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK! This series is one of my favorites, not the top one but in the top ten which considering how often I read means I loved it a LOT. The most important thing for me with second novels in series is that the story progress at a reasonable pace, the characters develop more fully and that I have a hard time putting it down even to remember that human beings need food to survive. Not only is this a wonderful series that is descriptive enough to pull me in but I love the concept and the characters. They have quirks I can imagine in my friends which makes characters more real for me. Making perfume, making metal lined necklaces and other personal interests are part of what makes this series so special for me. I never even thought about perfume making or scents before this novel because to be perfectly honest I can hardly ever smell anything. Now when I go through a store and see those beautiful little containers of perfume, I think of this series and I probably always will on some level. I love that and can hardly wait for the next novel! I am in the middle of so many series right now but this one continues to stand out for me. I just love it!
5 Star!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Follow My Book Blog Friday
If you are not a part of my book tour for my second novel and want to be please email me at: Emma_Michaels@hotmail.com!!!! There are tons of plans, a forum to connect with the rest of the group and you get all the updates first! I know I haven't said much about it yet but the big announcements are coming up soon! Can hardly wait it is going to be a blast!!!
It is the sequel to:
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { http://www.Parajunkee.com + http://www.crazy-for-books.com/ } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
3. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
4. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
5. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
6. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
7. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
Happy Follow Friday!
Follow it up with your twitter address if you want to get that one out!
*********
Stop by the host sites for the lists!!!
It is the sequel to:
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { http://www.Parajunkee.com + http://www.crazy-for-books.com/ } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
3. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
4. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
5. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
6. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
7. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
Happy Follow Friday!
Follow it up with your twitter address if you want to get that one out!
*********
Stop by the host sites for the lists!!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
BEA research and LINKY!
As many of you know I am a bit of a researcher. Okay, maybe more than a bit and I love to plan ahead so I decided to post my finds about BEA in May. It is my first year so of course I want to have everything planned out as much as possible so that I have some idea of what to expect. So here is a compilation of everything that I have found around the blogosphere! Feel free to add anything you would like in the comment! You can add other advice, link to your own posts, link to parties and get-togethers or anything you would like! Please when you read add your name to the linky if you will be at BEA!
1. Post your (up-to-date) picture before BEA while letting everyone know you are attending so that they might recognize you.
This is me, I don’t bite and love talking with just about anyone who loves literature of any kind (Yes, the chair makes me look small but I am 5'8" so I swear it is just a REALLY big chair):
And I will be walking around with my best blogger buddy Keri from the wonderful Quill Café http://quillcafe.blogspot.com
2. The most popular tip: Wear good (sensible) shoes. Your feet will hurt no matter what but at least they will hurt less. (as http://www.readingwithtequila.com/ says in her post “nothing says comfort like limping in hooker boots”)
3. Another extremely popular: Don’t be shy.
4. Everyone worries about what they should wear and almost everyone will tell you something a little bit different. Personally after reading over 20 posts I have decided that it doesn’t matter as long as you are presentable and comfortable. You can wear anything from jeans and a tee to a suit. Most of us concentrate more on a person’s mind and not their clothes but remember that if you have anything else you are doing any specific day you will also want it to be suitable for that. For instance, if you are planning on meeting with business individuals one day then go ahead and wear a suit or if you are planning on a night on the town maybe something that can double as an outfit for after BEA if you can’t make it back to where you are staying before an event.
5. You don’t have to be famous to fit in. As said above, we all love books.
6. Business cards! Easiest explanation is would you rather have to write down your info 500 times in three days or just hand someone a piece of paper. There are going to be a lot of people you might connect with and you won't want to miss a chance at a new friendship or connection in the industry.
7. You don’t have to take the taxi everywhere or your bank account will suffer, there are buses, the subway and a lot of areas within walking distance. So if you are worried about the money then just get a subway pass and it can normally at least get you close to anywhere you want to go. Walking it free from there. (Plus, it is like an adventure, you never know what you might see along the way!)
8. Food: Make time for food, eat said food, don’t fall over because of forgetting food and remember you are going to be on your feet for hours you will need the energy and not want the tummy ache while in a line you want to get to the front of. Eat a big breakfast, take snacks with you, do whatever you have to do but make sure you are fed because you will need the energy. (This includes water, you don’t want to get dehydrated or your head will be pounding while you talk to everyone and you could run the risk of fainting.)
9. Remember to be professional when speaking, this doesn’t mean not to have fun conversation that is not work related, it means don’t cuss openly because most people won’t appreciate it in a business setting, don’t down talk others, and generally it just means be polite while still having fun.
10. There are tons of things after 5pm when you have time to wonder the town that you can do for free or for a price. Really depends on what you want. So don’t be afraid to take the tourist route and look up things you want to get to see while in New York. There is central park, the statue of liberty, the empire state building and so much more! Don’t be afraid to explore!
11. Most people actually don’t know this one but there are a lot of meet ups after BEA for all three days and if you are a book blogger then also for BBC. Scour the net or talk to the people you meet!
12. Don’t be offended if someone doesn’t know your name or recognize you even though they read your blog. Remember, we will be meeting tons of people in the span of three days and while we will probably recognize blogs when we see them normally we don’t stare at profile images so as long as you give us a business card we will probably go home and be like “Oh, ya! I love this blog.” But without our laptops in hand to type out each address it will probably take some time to sink in.
13. For book bloggers who are going don’t forget that there is BBC this year! Yep, that is right, the Book Blogger Convention. Please sign up because it is going to be a blast! I will be one of the authors for the author speed dating! So far the plans sound amazing!
14. If you went to BEA two years ago and not last year or this year WARNING: Book blogger do not get in free anymore. Both last year and this year you have had to pay. While I wasn’t there last year or the year before I have heard a lot in comments on the posts I read. No, we don’t get in free so you DO want to register ahead of time. If you register for BBC too then it will cost less so you should check it out: If you need help with registration here is the link of instructions for how to register for the BBC and it includes the price of BEA. http://bookbloggerconvention.com/2010/12/2011-book-blogger-convention-registration-is-open/
15. If you are a twitter fan then you can check out the ever growing #BEA11 (or #Bookexpo) hashtag and get a head start on who is coming!
16. I know a lot of you will be hoping that your favorite author will be there and they might but you should also know that with the way that author tours work and showcasing in the publishing industry, some authors go to one event and not others and vice versa. I know a number of authors I hope will be there but you never really know unless they are included in one of the booths, signings, etc.
17. Rolling luggage. I work out quite a bit though you might not know it to look at me and even with yoga, walking, martial arts and Jullian Michaels workouts I still don’t want to be hauling around all the books I know I am going to want to grab. I think my arms would just about fall off by day two. Thus, the wonderful rolling luggage that you can check into baggage check for what I have heard is 3$ but I would make sure to have more for incase the price goes up. You never know. Do not take this rolling luggage onto the exhibit floor though, you can check back to your luggage every once in a while and drop off your books but you don’t want to trip everyone while walking around.
18. If you want to go to a specific author signing that you will need a ticket or pass for, get the ticket or pass the first day if possible. It will save you time and you will know that you can make it.
19. Try not to take more copies or ARCs than what you actually need, remember that all of us will be wanting ARCs and the second copy you take, if only for yourself is probably going to be taken from someone else. If you ask and someone say yes then if you feel you need it go for it but please try to be considerate.
20. Don’t cut in line.
21. Go to the author breakfast, you don’t actually HAVE to order anything and you never know who you might meet. There is a different price for the different seats this year.
22. The most popular traveling suggestion outside of BEA for where you should go as a book lover is a bookstore called The Strand. Keri recently moved to New York so checked it out and says it is totally worth it and a book lovers dream! (Lenore has a great list of places around New York City worth visiting: http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/02/prepare-for-bea-2010.html )
23. Sharing a hotel room can really help with the cost of the trip, staying with a friend or family member also works.
24. Early bird gets the worm!
25. If you get over stacked with books there is a shipping room! You can ship them home without even needing to find a post office!
26. Breath mints. Please. You will be talking all day so don’t let your breath offend anyone!
27. For more information on what authors will be there or what novels to expect you can use this link: http://searchitfindit.bookexpoamerica.com/
28. While in town you should check out the Teen Author Carnival!
http://teenauthorcarnival.blogspot.com/p/tac-11.html
29. Add you Link so we can get to know you!(It can be a link to anything from a blog to a Twitter or Facebook!)
The Do’s and Don’ts of BEA:
1. Post your (up-to-date) picture before BEA while letting everyone know you are attending so that they might recognize you.
This is me, I don’t bite and love talking with just about anyone who loves literature of any kind (Yes, the chair makes me look small but I am 5'8" so I swear it is just a REALLY big chair):
And I will be walking around with my best blogger buddy Keri from the wonderful Quill Café http://quillcafe.blogspot.com
2. The most popular tip: Wear good (sensible) shoes. Your feet will hurt no matter what but at least they will hurt less. (as http://www.readingwithtequila.com/ says in her post “nothing says comfort like limping in hooker boots”)
3. Another extremely popular: Don’t be shy.
(You will miss out on meeting a lot of wonderful people if you don’t talk with the people around you. We all love books or we wouldn’t be there so books are probably a great ice breaker. If you are naturally very shy, don’t worry about it and go ahead of try anyhow, most of us are normally shy outside of talking to other book lovers.)
4. Everyone worries about what they should wear and almost everyone will tell you something a little bit different. Personally after reading over 20 posts I have decided that it doesn’t matter as long as you are presentable and comfortable. You can wear anything from jeans and a tee to a suit. Most of us concentrate more on a person’s mind and not their clothes but remember that if you have anything else you are doing any specific day you will also want it to be suitable for that. For instance, if you are planning on meeting with business individuals one day then go ahead and wear a suit or if you are planning on a night on the town maybe something that can double as an outfit for after BEA if you can’t make it back to where you are staying before an event.
5. You don’t have to be famous to fit in. As said above, we all love books.
6. Business cards! Easiest explanation is would you rather have to write down your info 500 times in three days or just hand someone a piece of paper. There are going to be a lot of people you might connect with and you won't want to miss a chance at a new friendship or connection in the industry.
7. You don’t have to take the taxi everywhere or your bank account will suffer, there are buses, the subway and a lot of areas within walking distance. So if you are worried about the money then just get a subway pass and it can normally at least get you close to anywhere you want to go. Walking it free from there. (Plus, it is like an adventure, you never know what you might see along the way!)
8. Food: Make time for food, eat said food, don’t fall over because of forgetting food and remember you are going to be on your feet for hours you will need the energy and not want the tummy ache while in a line you want to get to the front of. Eat a big breakfast, take snacks with you, do whatever you have to do but make sure you are fed because you will need the energy. (This includes water, you don’t want to get dehydrated or your head will be pounding while you talk to everyone and you could run the risk of fainting.)
9. Remember to be professional when speaking, this doesn’t mean not to have fun conversation that is not work related, it means don’t cuss openly because most people won’t appreciate it in a business setting, don’t down talk others, and generally it just means be polite while still having fun.
10. There are tons of things after 5pm when you have time to wonder the town that you can do for free or for a price. Really depends on what you want. So don’t be afraid to take the tourist route and look up things you want to get to see while in New York. There is central park, the statue of liberty, the empire state building and so much more! Don’t be afraid to explore!
11. Most people actually don’t know this one but there are a lot of meet ups after BEA for all three days and if you are a book blogger then also for BBC. Scour the net or talk to the people you meet!
12. Don’t be offended if someone doesn’t know your name or recognize you even though they read your blog. Remember, we will be meeting tons of people in the span of three days and while we will probably recognize blogs when we see them normally we don’t stare at profile images so as long as you give us a business card we will probably go home and be like “Oh, ya! I love this blog.” But without our laptops in hand to type out each address it will probably take some time to sink in.
13. For book bloggers who are going don’t forget that there is BBC this year! Yep, that is right, the Book Blogger Convention. Please sign up because it is going to be a blast! I will be one of the authors for the author speed dating! So far the plans sound amazing!
14. If you went to BEA two years ago and not last year or this year WARNING: Book blogger do not get in free anymore. Both last year and this year you have had to pay. While I wasn’t there last year or the year before I have heard a lot in comments on the posts I read. No, we don’t get in free so you DO want to register ahead of time. If you register for BBC too then it will cost less so you should check it out: If you need help with registration here is the link of instructions for how to register for the BBC and it includes the price of BEA. http://bookbloggerconvention.com/2010/12/2011-book-blogger-convention-registration-is-open/
15. If you are a twitter fan then you can check out the ever growing #BEA11 (or #Bookexpo) hashtag and get a head start on who is coming!
16. I know a lot of you will be hoping that your favorite author will be there and they might but you should also know that with the way that author tours work and showcasing in the publishing industry, some authors go to one event and not others and vice versa. I know a number of authors I hope will be there but you never really know unless they are included in one of the booths, signings, etc.
17. Rolling luggage. I work out quite a bit though you might not know it to look at me and even with yoga, walking, martial arts and Jullian Michaels workouts I still don’t want to be hauling around all the books I know I am going to want to grab. I think my arms would just about fall off by day two. Thus, the wonderful rolling luggage that you can check into baggage check for what I have heard is 3$ but I would make sure to have more for incase the price goes up. You never know. Do not take this rolling luggage onto the exhibit floor though, you can check back to your luggage every once in a while and drop off your books but you don’t want to trip everyone while walking around.
18. If you want to go to a specific author signing that you will need a ticket or pass for, get the ticket or pass the first day if possible. It will save you time and you will know that you can make it.
19. Try not to take more copies or ARCs than what you actually need, remember that all of us will be wanting ARCs and the second copy you take, if only for yourself is probably going to be taken from someone else. If you ask and someone say yes then if you feel you need it go for it but please try to be considerate.
20. Don’t cut in line.
21. Go to the author breakfast, you don’t actually HAVE to order anything and you never know who you might meet. There is a different price for the different seats this year.
22. The most popular traveling suggestion outside of BEA for where you should go as a book lover is a bookstore called The Strand. Keri recently moved to New York so checked it out and says it is totally worth it and a book lovers dream! (Lenore has a great list of places around New York City worth visiting: http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/02/prepare-for-bea-2010.html )
23. Sharing a hotel room can really help with the cost of the trip, staying with a friend or family member also works.
24. Early bird gets the worm!
25. If you get over stacked with books there is a shipping room! You can ship them home without even needing to find a post office!
26. Breath mints. Please. You will be talking all day so don’t let your breath offend anyone!
27. For more information on what authors will be there or what novels to expect you can use this link: http://searchitfindit.bookexpoamerica.com/
28. While in town you should check out the Teen Author Carnival!
http://teenauthorcarnival.blogspot.com/p/tac-11.html
29. Add you Link so we can get to know you!(It can be a link to anything from a blog to a Twitter or Facebook!)
Book Trailer Thursday: Wicked Lovely
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
This was one of the first book trailers to really catch my attention before I started eagerly looking into them. This trailer in enthralling and beautiful while still using a lot of still images. Very imaginative so personally I love it!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
This was one of the first book trailers to really catch my attention before I started eagerly looking into them. This trailer in enthralling and beautiful while still using a lot of still images. Very imaginative so personally I love it!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: The Replacements
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
The air was too thick to breath, almost like water, and the ground had stopped feeling cold.
I turned my face into the grass and wondered if this was how people felt when they knew they were going to die.
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff – page 153
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
The air was too thick to breath, almost like water, and the ground had stopped feeling cold.
I turned my face into the grass and wondered if this was how people felt when they knew they were going to die.
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff – page 153
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Project to Published: Keys to a Successful Signing
Keys to a Successful Signing
My very first book signing was at one of the largest book festivals in California, the OCCBF (Orange County Children’s Book Festival). Although I had already received notice, I was still competing against a lineup of other authors, some well known and others who were newcomers, just like myself. Each of us had our own unique approach to how we conducted our individual signing.
Honestly? I was terrified of my first signing. I wondered if anyone would show up to see me and if they did, would they buy my first book. I was only given so many hours before another author would get to have my booth. I was also given a large box of my books from my publisher, in addition to what I had brought with me, for 'just in case'. I was very glad they did that before my day was half over.
I talked with the other authors and they told me about some of their past experiences, ideas that worked and ones that didn't. On the internet you will find a wide assortment of blogs and articles that other authors have put together about their signings and how to make them successful. Here is what I personally discovered and learned during the OCCBF.
1. Early bird catches the worm
2. Don't be a Bambi
3. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!
4. Speak up and make eye contact
5. Don't be afraid to try something new
It is an old saying, but the quote "the early bird catches the worm" fits any signing perfectly. I arrived early to my signing and the first thing I did was to talk to everyone there. I spoke to volunteers, employees, other authors and even the group in charge of our lunch (this last one wasn't because they had free chocolate available... honest!). I learned a great deal from speaking to each person and I knew everyone by their first name before the signing began (even if I was terrible at remembering those names so not all of them stuck). This is important because your signing isn't just about the people who buy your book and ask for your autograph - it's about the ones who help to make the signing happen.
Don't be a Bambi means that you shouldn't allow yourself to be caught like a deer in headlights. If you freeze up, take a deep breath and jump into doing something no matter what it is. Organize your swag and books in front of you, turn to someone new, smile and say hello, go wash your hands, straighten your hair and look yourself firmly in the eyes, telling yourself that you can do this - that you will make it happen. My fiancé, who went with me to the signing, impressed me the most because he is naturally introverted, but he dived right in to speaking to everyone when he noticed I froze my first few minutes. Seeing him do that made me smile and I was ready for anything.
Collaborating is important. Collaborate with friends, family, volunteers (there for you and the event), and most importantly, other authors. We're all in this together and by sticking by one another, not only can we help each other but together we can do what one person alone could never hope to accomplish. Success isn't just about one person doing well - it's about all of us sharing what we accomplished together. It's good marketing, it benefits everyone, and we help each other as a team.
This one I learned from my psychologist fiancé - speak up and make eye contact. Michael once told me he felt that authors should take business etiquette and marketing courses. I never understood what he meant until my first signing. He is right (but shhh! don't tell him I said so) because while we may have a group of people who are coming to see us as authors personally, it is the groups of people who did not expect to see us that we also want to reach. We have to look a person in the eye and say "Hello! Would you like to see what I have to offer?" (Not in those exact words, remember you aren’t a used car salesman.) Our books can sell on their own, but in order to encourage people to give them a chance, we have to open the door before they will step inside.
This last one I can't stress enough - don't be afraid to try something new! The world's greatest concepts and inventions were not created because of commonplace, average ideas. They came to be because someone had an 'off-the-wall' idea that succeeded because they made it succeed. Listen to any tape or read a book about being successful in business and what is the first thing they tell a person? It is the person who takes an outlandish idea and makes it successful. We, as authors, have everything we need inside of us to be successful - we just have to let our ideas flourish.
Yes, I do have more tips if you would like them. If you are a starting author (like I am, I am just sharing my journey and knowledge as I learn, hopefully for many years to come.) never hesitate to e-mail me and let me know what posts might be helpful for you! Or for readers who have questions! Anyone wanting to submit an idea or question feel free to e-mail me at: Emma_Michaels@hotmail.com anytime.
Yes I will be going again this year and here is a picture from last year:
So many people were there last year! I can hardly wait to go this year on Oct 2nd! It will be a blast!
http://kidsbookfestival.com/
Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
My very first book signing was at one of the largest book festivals in California, the OCCBF (Orange County Children’s Book Festival). Although I had already received notice, I was still competing against a lineup of other authors, some well known and others who were newcomers, just like myself. Each of us had our own unique approach to how we conducted our individual signing.
Honestly? I was terrified of my first signing. I wondered if anyone would show up to see me and if they did, would they buy my first book. I was only given so many hours before another author would get to have my booth. I was also given a large box of my books from my publisher, in addition to what I had brought with me, for 'just in case'. I was very glad they did that before my day was half over.
I talked with the other authors and they told me about some of their past experiences, ideas that worked and ones that didn't. On the internet you will find a wide assortment of blogs and articles that other authors have put together about their signings and how to make them successful. Here is what I personally discovered and learned during the OCCBF.
1. Early bird catches the worm
2. Don't be a Bambi
3. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!
4. Speak up and make eye contact
5. Don't be afraid to try something new
It is an old saying, but the quote "the early bird catches the worm" fits any signing perfectly. I arrived early to my signing and the first thing I did was to talk to everyone there. I spoke to volunteers, employees, other authors and even the group in charge of our lunch (this last one wasn't because they had free chocolate available... honest!). I learned a great deal from speaking to each person and I knew everyone by their first name before the signing began (even if I was terrible at remembering those names so not all of them stuck). This is important because your signing isn't just about the people who buy your book and ask for your autograph - it's about the ones who help to make the signing happen.
Don't be a Bambi means that you shouldn't allow yourself to be caught like a deer in headlights. If you freeze up, take a deep breath and jump into doing something no matter what it is. Organize your swag and books in front of you, turn to someone new, smile and say hello, go wash your hands, straighten your hair and look yourself firmly in the eyes, telling yourself that you can do this - that you will make it happen. My fiancé, who went with me to the signing, impressed me the most because he is naturally introverted, but he dived right in to speaking to everyone when he noticed I froze my first few minutes. Seeing him do that made me smile and I was ready for anything.
Collaborating is important. Collaborate with friends, family, volunteers (there for you and the event), and most importantly, other authors. We're all in this together and by sticking by one another, not only can we help each other but together we can do what one person alone could never hope to accomplish. Success isn't just about one person doing well - it's about all of us sharing what we accomplished together. It's good marketing, it benefits everyone, and we help each other as a team.
This one I learned from my psychologist fiancé - speak up and make eye contact. Michael once told me he felt that authors should take business etiquette and marketing courses. I never understood what he meant until my first signing. He is right (but shhh! don't tell him I said so) because while we may have a group of people who are coming to see us as authors personally, it is the groups of people who did not expect to see us that we also want to reach. We have to look a person in the eye and say "Hello! Would you like to see what I have to offer?" (Not in those exact words, remember you aren’t a used car salesman.) Our books can sell on their own, but in order to encourage people to give them a chance, we have to open the door before they will step inside.
This last one I can't stress enough - don't be afraid to try something new! The world's greatest concepts and inventions were not created because of commonplace, average ideas. They came to be because someone had an 'off-the-wall' idea that succeeded because they made it succeed. Listen to any tape or read a book about being successful in business and what is the first thing they tell a person? It is the person who takes an outlandish idea and makes it successful. We, as authors, have everything we need inside of us to be successful - we just have to let our ideas flourish.
Yes, I do have more tips if you would like them. If you are a starting author (like I am, I am just sharing my journey and knowledge as I learn, hopefully for many years to come.) never hesitate to e-mail me and let me know what posts might be helpful for you! Or for readers who have questions! Anyone wanting to submit an idea or question feel free to e-mail me at: Emma_Michaels@hotmail.com anytime.
Yes I will be going again this year and here is a picture from last year:
So many people were there last year! I can hardly wait to go this year on Oct 2nd! It will be a blast!
http://kidsbookfestival.com/
Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
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