Upcoming Agent Spotlight Interviews & Guest Posts

  • Stuti Telidevara Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 3/20/2024
  • Agent Rachel Orr and Author Cathy Carr Guest Post and Lost Kites and Other Treasures Giveaway on 3/25/2024
  • Paula Weiman Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/8/2024
  • Hillary Fazzari Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/22/2024
  • Miriam Cortinovis Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/6/2024
  • Jenniea Carter Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/8/2024
  • Caroline Trussell Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/20/2024
  • Jenna Satterthwaite Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 6/10/2024
  • Bethany Weaver Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 6/24/2024

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "H" as of 5/11/2023 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

MIDWINTER'S EVE GIVEAWAY HOP



Hi Everyone! Hope you've got all your holiday shopping done and are ready for a fantastic Holiday Season.

Today I’m thrilled to be part of the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop sponsored by Bookhounds and  I Am A Reader Not A Writer. I always love this giveaway hop. I’ve got lots of great newer released YA book choices. These are all books I’ve read am hoping to read, or know are ones you'd want to read. And if you’re reading a different book in the series listed, I’m glad to get you that book instead as long as it doesn't cost more than the book I've chosen.

Don’t see a book you like? You can win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card instead. I hope you'll all enter to win a book or gift card for yourself or as a gift for someone for the holidays.

So here are your choices. Click on the title to read a blurb from Goodreads.

 


 

 

 




BLUE LILY LILY BLUE


If you haven't found a book you want, you can win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

 
To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through December 31st telling me the book you want to win or if you want to win the Gift Card instead. I’ll announce the winner on January 5th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 or older to enter. International entries are welcome as long as The Book Depository ships to you for free.

Here's what's coming up:

I'm off until January 5th when I'll be back with an interview with debut author Lee Kelly and a giveaway of CITY OF SAVAGES, her futurist YA thriller.

Wednesday that week I have a guest post by debut author Maggie Hall and a giveaway of THE CONSPIRACY OF US, her YA thriller.

The following Monday I have a guest post by debut author Susan Adrian and her agent  Kate Schafer Testerman and a giveaway of TUNNEL VISION, her YA thriller. There may be a query critique by Kate too!

Wednesday that week I have a guest post by Robert Kent and a giveaway of his new middle grade book, BANNIKER BONES.

Hope to see you on Monday, January 5th! And have a Happy Holiday Season!

Here's all the other blogs participating in this Giveaway Hop:



TRISHA LEAVER AND LINDSAY CURRIE GUEST POST AND CREED GIVEAWAY

Release date: November 8, 2014
Publisher: Flux
Genre: Young Adult psychological horror
ISBN: 0738740802

Happy Monday Everyone! Hope you're getting prepared and excited for the holidays. I've got all my shopping done and my gifts wrapped. Just need to do a little holiday baking. Yay!

Follower News

Cherie Reich recently released two new books.
People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors by Cherie Reich is now available in print and electronic formats. The kingdom hangs within the balance. Set over a hundred years, these seventeen fantasy short stories explore the people, creatures, and lands in and around the Kingdom of Foxwick. Purchase on Amazon | Google Play | Nook | Other Retailers.

And Fantasy Uprising: A collection of nine fantastic, spine-tingling  stories. Magic. Mystery. Murder. Heartbreak and Hope. Defeat and Victory. The incredible and the Horrific. Fantasy Uprising delivers a heaping serving of the best in fantasy. Includes Reborn by Cherie Reich, Fireseed One by Catherine Stine, Givin' up the Ghost by Gwen Gardner, The Marquis by Christine Rains, The Alpha by Christine Rains, The Rifters by M. Pax, Neverlove by Angela Brown, The Fall of Shaylar by River Fairchild, and Diamonds and Dust by River Fairchild. Purchase on Amazon / Google Play / Other RetailersSmashwords.
 


And I have a winner to announce. The winner of NO PLACE TO FALL is Jamie Ayres!

Congrats! E-mail me your address so I can have your book sent to you. Please e-mail me by the end of Wednesday or I'll have to pick another winner.

Today I'm excited to have  Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie here to do a Q&A they wrote up about their new YA suspenseful book CREED. Details of the giveaway will be at the end of the post.

Here's a blurb:
Three
of us went in.
Three
of us came out.
None
even a shadow of who they once were.

When their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Dee, her boyfriend Luke, and Luke’s brother, Mike, seek help in the nearby town of Purity Springs. But as they walk the vacant streets, the teens make some
disturbing discoveries. The seemingly deserted homes each contain a sinister book with violent instructions on disciplining children. The graveyard is full of unmarked crosses. Worst of all, there’s no way to contact the outside world.

When Purity Springs’ inhabitants suddenly appear, Dee, Luke, and Mike find themselves at the mercy of Elijah Hawkins, the town’s charismatic leader who has his own plans for the three of them. Their only hope for
survival is Elijah’s enigmatic son, Joseph. And his game may be just as deadly as his father’s . . .

How does the co-authoring process work for you?  Does each of you take a chapter?  Do you write different scenes?

Trisha:  We write in single POV so it is important the voice is seamless. I don’t ever want a reader to be able to pick out who wrote what.  Because of that, both Lindsay and I have a hand in every chapter, every scene, every sentence. We pass the manuscript back and forth mid-chapter, sometimes mid-scene. I actually just re-read CREED, and to be honest, even I can no longer tell who wrote what.
J


Do you ever disagree about the direction of a specific scene and if so, how do you resolve it?
    
Lindsay: Of course! With every book, there are infinite possibilities in terms of characters, direction and tone. So it's natural that occasionally we will have a different vision for a particular scene. But, generally these types of disagreements  resolve themselves quickly. Often we'll both take a stab at that particular scene and almost always, one direction comes out as the winner. 

What was the most difficult scene for you to write in CREED?

Trisha:  Hard question to answer without giving away some spoilers. But there is one particular scene in Creed that totally tore my heart out.  Horrible things happen to good people in CREED, people whose only mistake is making all the smart…all the RIGHT choices. We went back and forth for weeks on whether to include this scene but in the end, no matter how torturous the scene was to write, the book wouldn’t have been the same without it! (Side note…writing scenes like this is when I thank God that I have a co-author aka a second person to process through all the emotions necessary to pull a heart-wrenching scene off.)

Do you have any other co-authored books in the works?

Lindsay: Yes! We have a second co-authored novel, HARDWIRED, releasing in November 2015 from Flux. This is a realistic contemporary sci-fi and we can't WAIT to share more details with you all!

Do you have one piece of advice you would give writers considering co-authoring?

Trisha:  Check your ego at the door.  There needs to be a free exchange of ideas if the process it going to work!

Lindsay: Trust that your co-author has the same goal as you...the best book possible!





Advance Praise for CREED:

“Debut authors Leaver and Currie make an auspicious foray into YA horror...creating a believably desperate and terrifying situation for their characters" ~Publishers Weekly

"Welcome to a town that makes "Children of the Corn" look like child's play."   ~ MTV News

"This is: a straight-ahead, cover-your-ears tale of terror that grows more nihilistic and grueling by the page." ~Booklist


  
Buy Links:

 


About the Authors:

Trisha Leaver:
Trisha Leaver graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in
Social Work. She lives on Cape Cod with her husband, three kids and one rather
irreverent black lab. She is a member of the SCBWI, the Horror Writers
Association, the International Thrillers Writers, and the YA Scream Queens-- a group of nine women who take their horror deathly serious!


  


About Lindsay Currie: Lindsay Currie graduated from Knox College
in Galesburg, IL with an English Literature degree. She is a member of the
SCBWI, the Horror Writers Association and a contributor to the YA Scream
Queens.

Twitter           
Facebook            
Instagram

Trisha and Lindsay have generously offered a copy of CREED for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through January 3rd. I’ll announce the winner on January 5th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, please leave it in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry.This is for US & Canada only.

Here’s what’s coming up:

On Saturday I'll be participating in the Midwinter Eve's Giveaway Hop. I'll have lots of great book choices for you or an Amazon Gift Card.

Then I'm off until January 5th when I'll be back with an interview with debut author Lee Kelly and a giveaway of CITY OF SAVAGES, her futurist YA thriller.

Wednesday that week I have a guest post by debut author Maggie Hall and a giveaway of THE CONSPIRACY OF US, her YA thriller.

Hope to see you on Saturday! And Happy Holidays to you all!



MEDEIA SHARIF INTERVIEW AND VITAMINS AND DEATH GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday Everyone! Hope you're having a good week. I'm enjoying my break from working and am busy applying for jobs and going on a few interviews.

I have a few winners to announce.

The winner of THE YOUNG ELITES is Joni!

The winner of the $10 Amazon Gift card for the Gratitude Giveaway Hop is Sheila!

And the winner of THE DISAPPEARING is Jemi Fraser!

Congrats! E-mail me your addresses so I can send you your books. Please e-mail me by the end of Wednesday or I'll have to pick another winner.


Today I’m excited to have Medeia Sharif here to share about her new YA contemporary VITAMINS AND DEATH that releases on Wednesday. It sounds like a fantastic story with high stakes for Deidra as she navigates hard times at school and at home.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

Deidra Battle wants nothing more than to be invisible. After her mother, a public school teacher, engages in an embarrassing teacher-student affair at Lincoln High, they relocate to a different neighborhood and school. Being her mother’s briefcase, Deidra joins her mother at her new workplace, Hodge High.

Since her mother has reverted to her maiden name and changed her appearance, Deidra thinks no one will figure out they’re the Battles from recent news and that they’re safe. Neither of them is. Hodge brings a fresh set of bullies who discover details about the scandal that changed her life.

Feeling trapped at home with an emotionally abusive, pill-addicted mother and at school with hostile classmates who attempt to assault and blackmail her, Deidra yearns for freedom, even if she has to act out of character and hurt others in the process. Freedom comes at a price.


Hi Medeia! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

I wrote poems and short stories as a child. A few days after I graduated from high school, I received a word processor as a gift and started typing a novel, which I didn’t finish. Then I finished the next one and started submitting it when I was eighteen. It was not publishable, although I thought it was. I kept writing one drawer manuscript after another until my late twenties when nibbles became bites. Although, I didn’t get my first contract until I was in my early thirties.

2. I can totally see you continuing to write constantly knowing how productive you are now. Where did you get the idea for VITAMINS AND DEATH?

I had the idea of a girl struggling in an inner city high school and she had an imbalanced mother. I was fixated on this idea. The plot became clear after I wrote several drafts of an outline. We hear about student-teacher affairs in the news, and I wanted to write a story in the viewpoint of someone living with the teacher in question.

3. Awesome your outline helped clarify the initial idea. One of Deidra’s challenges is dealing
with her abusive, addictive mother. Did you do any research into this type of family situation or did you draw on experience to be sure you portrayed some of the issues Deidra faced accurately?

I used to have toxic acquaintances and friends, people who would drain me emotionally. Looking back on it, they might have had personality disorders, low self-esteem, jealous attitudes, dependency issues, or drug problems. These days I don’t tolerate such people. Sorry, it might sound heartless, but I have to think of my well-being and learned that if I give of myself to someone who’s needy, they keep wanting more. Just like Deidra, I wanted to distance myself from people who are abusive in any way.

4. Yes, it's so hard handling situations like that. What was one of the challenges you faced craft-wise in writing VITAMINS AND DEATH and what did you learn from the experience?

I wrote it out of order, with flashback chapters. This was difficult. I only had a few flashbacks in my previous novels. Also, I used chapter titles for the first time, when I normally only number my chapters. The titles are meaningful to the timing of each chapter since they switch from past to present. It was a challenge, and I learned I could do this. My beta readers were helpful when they saw any discrepancies, such as too much repetition between the switching and things that might not have been aligned.

5. You’ve written a number of contemporary YA stories. What advice do you have for other authors about writing good contemporary stories?

I suggest being as vague as possible when it comes to technology and name-dropping of celebrities. I realize that my 2011 debut novel probably seems outdated since I did this, although years from now readers could appreciate the cultural references. I also suggest researching what teens are into now and what current issues they have. For example, a future release has scenes of cyber bullying, which didn’t exist when I was a kid. Also, listen to how teens talk. I’ve put books down if characters sound like adults.

6. Great advice to keep the technology vague. You’ve worked with a number of smaller presses of various sizes. What’s been your experience working with different presses that are smaller and what advice do you have for other authors considering querying small presses?

Small presses are interested in your social media platform since ebooks won’t make it in a bookstore and POD books can’t be sold in every venue. I believe small presses take risks and are open to all types of books. Overall, I enjoy the small press experience. My books are being published and read, so I’m happy. My advice is to carefully read their submission guidelines. They vary tremendously. I’ve formatted manuscripts and synopses in so many different ways based on guidelines.

7. I didn't realize that about the submission guidelines, but it's always important to check them. One of the things I admire about you is how organized and productive you are. You teach and have been able to write and get published more than one book this year and done the marketing for them too. Plus you’re a prolific reader. What’s your secret for being so productive and accomplishing so much?

I have weekly to-do lists that I usually abide by. Only some items might roll over to the following week. I wake up early and start doing things so I can scratch items off. I’m free during the summer, and I typically can draft two manuscripts during those two months, using the rest of the year to revise and edit them.

8. Wow! You draft fast. How are you marketing this? What have you learned from your experiences marketing other books?

I did a cover reveal and I’m having a book blitz. Also, people are always requesting or I offer interviews and guest posts. I have supportive people who are either reading copies given in exchange for an honest review or those who tell me they are definitely buying the book based on the description. I’m active on Blogger, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. I get modest to tremendous attention on those sites, so I’m getting my books and my name out there. I learned that you have to be in tune and in touch with readers, bloggers, and other writers. They are very giving when it comes to helping writers promote.

9. Awesome you're doing a book blitz. I think that's a good way to reach new readers. What are you working on now?

I have another edgy book, 52 LIKES, that will be published in January by Evernight Teen, so I’m busy with that. I’m juggling some middle grade manuscripts that are in various phases. Two of them are horror.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Medeia. You can find Medeia at twitter.com/sharifwrites, instagram.com/sharifwrites, goodreads.com/sharifwrites, and medeiasharif.com.

Medeia has generously offered an e-book of VITAMINS AND DEATH for a giveaway.  To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through January 3rd. I’ll announce the winner on January 5th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, please leave it in the comments.


If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. International entries are welcome.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Next Monday I have a guest post by Trisha Leaver and giveaway of CREED, her YA suspenseful debut book.

Next Saturday I'll be participating in the Midwinter Eve's Giveaway Hop. I'll have lots of great book choices for you or an Amazon Gift Card.

Then I'm off until January 5th when I'll be back with an interview with debut author Lee Kelly and a giveaway of CITY OF SAVAGES, her futurist YA thriller.

Wednesday that week I have a guest post by debut author Maggie Hall and a giveaway of THE CONSPIRACY OF US, her YA thriller.

Hope to see you on Monday!



JAYE ROBIN BROWN GUEST POST AND NO PLACE TO FALL GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday Everyone! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. We spent it with a really good friend's family and it made our first holiday without Rudy much easier. This is kind of a hard time for me because Friday would have been my sister's birthday and yesterday would have been Rudy's. Then Wednesday is the anniversary of my sister's death. I got through yesterday and am glad it's over.

Oh, and if that's not enough, today is my last day at work. I'm actually feeling ready for it to just end all ready. And I'm still planning to stay friends with everyone I work with. Most of us have been together for over 10 years. I'm looking forward to a little break while I continue to look for a new job. I've only been off work for about one month since I was 15 so I'm going to try to enjoy it.

FOLLOWER NEWS


The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond was just published! Here's a blurb:
Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don'ts that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey. And here's a few links:

And Angela Brown's new YA urban fantasy BEACON was just released.Here's a blurb:
For seventeen-year-old Macie Breen, life in The Colony is a daily norm of being the odd girl out, that is, until everyday predictable slams to a screeching halt. Forced to the capital city of Bliss, Macie's life becomes a horrific unraveling as she confronts daunting truths about The Colony as well as who, or what, she really is.
And here's a few links:
Buy links: Evernight | Amazon

Today I'm excited to have Jaye Robin Brown here with a guest post and giveaway of her new YA contemporary NO PLACE TO FALL. Details of the giveaway are at the end of the post.

So here's Jaye.

THE ONLY WORD YOU NEED

Like most of you, I plunged into writing because I had this story rattling at my brain-pan, busting to get out. If someone along the way had sat me down and explained what the road map was going to look like—you know, the one that follows the route from early scribblings to eve of my debut novel—I might have parked the proverbial car right then and there. Because holy road trip, it would resemble something from The Amazing Race, and daring adventure is not my strong suit.

But guess what is? Tenacity.

The farther I get into this publishing business I’m starting to think that’s all a writer really needs. Yes, talent is good. Yes, knowing the craft is good. But neither of those things is worth a hill of beans if you don’t have the kind of iron grip that makes you hang on, no matter what. Tenacity, learn it, own it, be it. (picture my day job teacher look here)

I remember hearing stories at SCBWI conferences about “oh, it took my 3rd manuscript to find an agent.” And me thinking, “Wow, she really stuck with it. (It took my 4th). Then, “oh my first manuscript didn’t sell”, and me thinking, gosh that would suck (2nd manuscript for me, too-thought the 6th I’d written). I’d hear stories about writers losing that magical agent and having to start querying again and I thought, that must be the worst (when it happened to me it did feel like the worst, but it turned out to be a rainbow in disguise). Then I heard other side of the fence stories about second book manuscript drafts rejected (yep) and editors leaving to go to new houses (yep) and ouch. All those bumps hurt and leave you needing a soul aspirin, but for some crazy reason, your tenacious heart WON’T LET GO.

And that’s it. The magic recipe for ending up here. A week away from a debut about to release into the
world. Your path won’t look like mine and with a million different choices open to authors in today’s world, that’s okay. But whatever your route, self-pub, small press, agented and big house, there will be detours, surprises, disappointments, and things that just plain hurt, but whatever happens, don’t quit.

Be true to your words. Always keep writing. And be tenacious. You’ve got this.

You can find Jaye at:

www.jayerobinbrown.com
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144570-no-place-to-fall

Here's a description of NO PLACE TO FALL from Goodreads:

 Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.


Jaye has generously offered a copy of NO PLACE TO FALL for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through December 13th. I’ll announce the winner on December 15th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, please leave it in the comments.


If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is for US only.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Next  Monday I'll have an interview with Medeia Shariff and a giveaway of VITAMINS AND DEATH, her YA contemporary.

The following Monday I have a guest post by Trisha Leaver and giveaway of CREED, her YA suspenseful debut book.

Saturday that week I'll be participating in the Midwinter Eve's Giveaway Hop. I'll have lots of great book choices for you or an Amazon Gift Card.

Then I'm off until January 5th when I start the New Year with a fantastic line up of debut author interviews and guest posts.

Hope to see you on Monday!