ASK THE EXPERT INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF FOREVER

Today I'm so excited to interview Kris Summers, who just started college this Fall, and who not only reads a lot, but also has been blogging while in high school about books with her friend Hikari (who I'll be interviewing for this series later) at Imaginary Reads. I enjoy reading their book reviews and they do quite a few book giveaways so I recommend you check it out.

Hi Kris. Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your school, and what you like to read.

I’m a first year university student with a love for reading, writing, and blogging. (Note: I’m not majoring in English. I may love reading and writing, but it doesn’t mean I like to spend my days analyzing literature!) In general, I’m open to any books excluding horror and thrillers, but I do have a preference for contemporary and paranormal romances. I’ve also been getting into dystopian novels lately.

2. My daughter and I have been getting into dystopian novels lately too. Before you started blogging, how did you find out about the books you read? What about new books coming out?

I started blogging around the time that I found Goodreads and book blogs in the late Fall of 2010. Before then, I would skim the library shelves of my school and the public libraries, or I’d go to Barnes and Noble and look around the shelves for contemporary/fantasy books. (It was after I started blogging that I started reading paranormal romances and dystopian books.) I started Imaginary Reads late April 2011.

3. What made you decide to start blogging? How did your blog partnership with Hikari come about?

I started blogging because it looked fun. Every blog I saw was so enthusiastic about the books read and reviewed, and I wanted to share my opinions. At first, I started a personal/writing blog because I really enjoy writing and because it lets me talk about funny, random things like a series of photos I put together like a comic strip with captions underneath.

Then I began to notice a conflicting desire to blog about reading and writing. I’d started posting some book reviews at my blog, and I wanted to share them with more people. However, I had noticed that most book blogs were centered on books, so I decided to start running two blogs. Because I was in school at the time, I wasn’t sure if I could handle a book blog by myself, soI asked my good friend Hikari if she’d like to blog with me. It took a little wheedling, but she finally agreed. And am I glad she did! We’ve gotten a lot closer while working together on Imaginary Reads.

4. That's so awesome you have a blogging partner. I love being Casey's blog partner and don't think I could handle blogging without her too. How has blogging changed what you read, if at all? What books are you waiting to be released?

Blogging has definitely changed what I read. It has opened me to many books that I hadn’t read before and wouldn’t have read if the reviews (and ratings) didn’t attract me. Since book blogging, I’ve begun reading paranormal romances and dystopian novels. I’m currently waiting for a bunch of sequels to be released, including Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton, Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, Endlessly by Kiersten White, Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer, Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, and the sequels to Carrier of the Mark and Dark Inside, both of which I’ve been lucky to receive ARCs of.

5. I can't wait for Bloodrose and Endlessly too though I'm just going to read the second books in theses series soon. You're ahead of me. But I've found my reading tastes have expanded too from blogging and I'm reading some books I might not have picked up. Do you buy most of your book, receive ARCS, or get them at the library? How often do you go to a bookstore?

I do receive a fair number of ARCs to review, but I also check out a lot of new releases from the local public libraries when they receive them, or I’ll buy them on my Kindle. Since getting my Kindle, I’ve rarely had reason to go to the bookstore. It’s a portable, wireless library after all!

6. I love the library too and read many books from there I'm not giving away here. I don't have a Kindle yet. Do you read any teen book blogs, author blogs, or author or publisher websites? Become a fan of an author on Facebook? Why?

All of the above. Reading book blogs is a great way to find new books and to find out if a book is for you. The reason I’ll return to a book blog dependent on our common interests. The more kinds of book interests you share with a book blogger, the more likely you are to return and check out what they’ve read/ what authors they’re hosting.

I read author blogs and fan their Facebook pages because I like their sense of humor (like Kiersten White’s), or because I’m interested in what’s coming next from said author, the latter of which is the same reason I’ll read a publisher’s website. I’m a big fan of many Harper Teen and Penguin books, so I frequent the websites for the titles of upcoming releases.

7. I'll have to check out publisher websites more. Thanks for the tip. Have any of your teachers recommended any blogs or websites to your class or to you?

I once asked my English teacher how she finds new books, and she recommended that I check the bookstore or look on Goodreads. Other than that, I haven’t really talked to a teacher about book blogs and websites, and they make recommendations other than where we can buy required readings. I get the vast majority of my recommendations from fellow book bloggers.

8. Are there things your favorite authors could do that would make you more likely to visit their website, their blog, or become a fan on Facebook?

In general, I don’t visit author websites because all of the fun is in the blog, though I will fan authors that I like on Facebook to show my support (and for updates on events, upcoming releases, and blog posts). I love visiting blogs where authors talk about more than their books. I like hearing about… okay, this is going to sound stalkerish… what’s going on in their lives. Not the nitty gritty, but the fun stuff. Like what you see at Kiersten White’s blog. And Stephanie Perkins’s blog. Those are but two examples of author blogs that I love!

9. That's good to know that as a reader you like to read author blogs. Have any authors visited your school? Who? Is there anything you’d recommend that an author do to make their presentation more interesting to you and other kids at your school?

Unfortunately, I’ve never had an author visit my school. I really think that my past schools have been swarming with book-deprived zombies. It’s been years since I had a best friend (offline) who reads just as much as I do. I don’t know what kind of recommendations I’d make to an author, but there is one universal fact that I know. If you’re enjoying yourself on stage, then in general your audience will have fun too. It doesn’t hurt to have a wicked sense of humor.

10. Do you see starting college changing your reading habits or your blogging? If so, how?

I’ll definitely have less time to read since I’m determined to study hard (and party hard… in the good, non-alcoholic way). I might resort to reviewing books that I’ve already read—or start writing shorter reviews, something that I’ve been telling myself to do. Once I start writing a review, I want to pore all my thoughts out onto the screen, which is bad. No one wants to read a ten-page essay on all my likes and don’t-likes of a book!

Thanks for all your awesome advice Kris! Good luck with college and blogging.

Today I'm also giving away a signed copy of FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvator. She came to Novi, Michigan on July 18th and I got to meet her. It was a highlight of my summer. I'm a huge fan of Maggie's and got an extra SIGNED copy of FOREVER to share with you.

Here's a description from Goodreads:

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater.

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

I loved watching Grace and Sam's journey. And we get to learn more about Isabel and Cole, two very complex characters, through their POV.

I'm giving away one SIGNED copy of FOREVER. All you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment about my interview with Kris by midnight on October 1st. Please leave your e-mail address with your comment if you don't have it on Blogger. I’ll announce the winner on October 3rd. International entries are welcome.

Next week I'll be interviewing Kiki Hamilton and giving away a copy of her debut book THE FAERIE RING. And on October 3rd, I'll be interview Hilary Wagner and giving away a copy of THE WHITE ASSASSIN.

Hope to see you next Monday!

Agent Spotlight: Kathleen Rushall

This week's Agent Spotlight features Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc..

Status: Open to submissions. 

Update on 1/6/2022: Kathleen as been promoted to a senior agent.
About: “Kathleen joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2016 after agenting for five years with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She represents writers and illustrators for picture books (both fiction and nonfiction), middle grade, and YA.
"When it comes to picture books, Kathleen loves to laugh, have her heartstrings pulled, and enjoys quirky, character-driven stories with heart. She would be happy to find more biographies and what some call “ficinformational” picture books (books with a fictional story that ties into the Common Core). She's always interested in picture books that inspire emotional intelligence, self awareness, and empathy.
"Kathleen is excited to find middle grade novels across all genres. She has a soft spot for heartfelt stories with depth, as well as humorous stories with a relatable voice. She particularly enjoys middle grade with strong friendship and family themes. She would love to find more spooky middle grade and always enjoys a good mystery.
"For YA novels, Kathleen loves voice-driven contemporary (and is especially fond of magical realism), compelling fantasy with unforgettable characters, and historical fiction. She's keen to find a contemporary romance with humor and depth. She is always on the lookout for something smart and edgy that pushes the envelope. She would love to see more YA horror, particularly if it has a feminist bent or social commentary.
"Kathleen’s YA list includes Lisa Maxwell’s NYT bestselling, captivating tale of time travel and magic, THE LAST MAGICIAN (Simon Pulse/S&S); Gloria Chao’s hilarious and heartwarming contemporary, AMERICAN PANDA (Simon Pulse/S&S); Laurie E. Flynn’s boundary-pushing contemporary, FIRSTS (St. Martin's/Macmillan); and Breeana Shields’s gripping fantasy, POISON’S KISS (Random House/PRH). Some of her middle grade titles include Lois Sepahban’s moving historical, PAPER WISHES (Margaret Ferguson/Macmillan); Jess Keating’s humorous My Life is a Zoo series (Sourcebooks); and Lindsay Currie’s smart, mysterious THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET (Aladdin/S&S). Recent picture book releases include Josh Funk’s riotous LADY PANCAKE AND SIR FRENCH TOAST (Sterling); Lori Alexander’s charming FAMOUSLY PHOEBE (Sterling); accessible nonfiction with personality such as Jess Keating’s clever PINK IS FOR BLOBFISH (Knopf/PRH); and empowering female biographies like Jess Keating’s SHARK LADY (Sourcebooks) and Annette Pimentel’s GIRL RUNNING (Nancy Paulsen/PRH).
"Some topics that are close to her heart (and that she’d love to find incorporated into picture books or novels) include environmentalism, animal welfare, social justice, women in science, literature, technology, and little known events or people in history. Kathleen is always interested in anything witchy, whimsical, or feminist. She’d love to find more stories (in any genre) by diverse creators and underrepresented voices.
"In addition to her children’s list, Kathleen also represents select adult nonfiction and is interested in mind/body/spirit books.
"Kathleen earned an MA in Children’s Literature at San Diego State University. In addition to her passion for children’s literature, she loves animals (especially dogs!), crystals, tarot cards, and would never say no to Mexican food.” (Link)
About the Agency:
“The Andrea Brown Literary Agency was founded in August 1981 and has offices in the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
“Our agency works to bring to light the voices and perspectives of new writers as well as to nurture and develop the careers of experienced authors. Our goal, whether seeking to secure a publishing contract for a first book or a fiftieth book, is to make sure that clients are not only published, but published well.
“Our philosophy is to remain a ‘small’ agency at heart. We invest a great deal of personal care and attention in each project, and we are hands-on in all aspects of our interactions with clients. We work closely with clients in an editorial capacity and we devise a strategy at every stage of the writing process that will enable us to find the best publisher for each book. In doing so, we think about both short term and long term goals for our clients, always keeping the trajectory of a successful career in mind.
“Our agents have backgrounds in New York publishing, editing, academia, business, teaching, writing and film, and one of our strengths as an agency is that we work collaboratively. Our clients have the benefit not only of their individual agent's expertise but of the combined experience and vision of the group.
“As a West Coast based agency, we follow a tradition of West Coast innovation in our passion for discovering new voices, in our efforts to make New York publishing more inclusive of voices from other parts of the country, and in our attempt to see publishing trends that result from this broader perspective. We combine this approach with access, standing, and visibility in the publishing community at large. Our agents make regular trips to New York, attend industry conventions, and participate as faculty at writers' conferences all over the country. We ensure a high profile for our clients and actively keep our fingers on the pulse of publishing.” (Link)Web Presence:
Andrea Brown Agency website.

Personal website.
Twitter.
LinkedIn.
AgentQuery, QueryTracker.
What She's Looking For:
Picture book through YA and select adult nonfiction. See her bio above when she discusses what she's looking for.
From Her Manuscript Wish List:
"I’m looking for picture books, middle grade, and YA (no chapter books please).
"For picture books, I love to laugh. I love irreverent character driven stories with a surprise ending or twist. And, on the other side of things, I’d like to find something sweet with a deeper meaning and beautiful language. I'm looking for picture books that inspire emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy in a non-didactic way.
"I’m also on the hunt for nonfiction picture books. (Science! Biographies! Common Core topics made fun!). I’d love to find more biographies and what some call “ficinformational” picture books (books with a fictional story that ties into the Common Core, or with a true-life story that has been fictionalized but includes factual back matter), a la Jess Keating's EAT YOUR ROCKS, CROC! and Karen Jameson's WHERE THE WEE ONES GO as examples of the former and Carole Lindstrom's WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS and Laurel Neme's THE ELEPHANT'S NEW SHOE for the latter. I would especially love to see more biographies about young climate activists.
"I'm particularly passionate about the environment, conservation, animal welfare, and social justice and these are all themes I'm always happy to see in picture books. Climate change and pollution (still looking for a great book about plastic) are topics I very much want to see more books about across all ages. Let's nurture the next generation of activists and advocates!
"I'm especially hungry for more middle grade. Please send me your middle grade!
"For MG, I’m always looking for heartfelt stories, as well as contemporary ‘coming of age’ stories with a relatable voice.
"I’m happy to see atmospheric spooky MG or truly scary MG. I represent Lindsay Currie's THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET and it's a fantastic example of the kind of voice-driven, fast paced fright with atmosphere that I enjoy. I also love middle grade mysteries.
"It's all about voice! I love middle grade with a memorable narrator, and especially when the story dives into themes of family, culture, and friendship like Supriya Kelkar's AMERICAN AS PANEER PIE and THAT THING ABOUT BOLLYWOOD.
"Another example of MG on my list that I'd love to find more of is literary MG such as Aimee Lucido's gorgeous novel in verse, EMMY IN THE KEY OF CODE, which weaves together friendship and coming of age with music and coding. And, of course I love high stakes adventures with clever kids at the helm a la Jess Keating's Elements of Genius series.
"Friendships and family relationships are something I particularly enjoy in middle grade. I always admire when parents (and other mentor family members like grandparents) are present as opposed to "off stage" throughout the book. I also love a dash of magic in contemporary MG. And again, I am always interested in wildlife, nature, conservation, climate themes.
"For YA, I’m especially interested in voice-driven contemporary. I'm especially looking for a fresh, diverse YA rom-com with depth and heart like Gloria Chao's RENT A BOYFRIEND. I'd love to find more light-hearted contemporary YA. I also enjoy YA that tackles big picture topics with nuance and heart (bonus points for humor).
"I would love to find more YA horror, especially if it has a deeper message or smart underlying social commentary. I'm a fan of thrillers and would like something dark and twisty that makes me think.
"I’m looking for voice-driven, compelling, high stakes fantasy and am especially interested in contemporary fantasy. A great example of my taste is Isabel Sterling's THESE WITCHES DON'T BURN. I enjoy characters that are clever and secretive with the capacity to outwit each other (or the reader). I’m always interested in unreliable narrators or characters who turn stereotypes on their heads. Characters and voice matter most to me.
"I also have a soft spot for historical novels, both MG and YA. Especially if it takes place before WWII. (Take me baaaaaack farther than the 1940s!) I’d love to find historical fiction in the vein of Sharon Cameron or Elizabeth Wein with heart-wrenching choices and fascinating historic detail. And I'm always on the lookout for Celtic or Viking inspired YA such as Adrienne Young's SKY IN THE DEEP.
"I adore magical realism in both MG and YA. Bonus points for complex family relationships (or secrets!) and unique, atmospheric locations that can be considered a character themselves.
"For everything I acquire, from picture books through MG and YA, I’m passionate about championing diverse creators and underrepresented perspectives. LGBTQ voices are always welcome.
"A few elements I'm always excited to see in YA include strong female leads, great rapport, small towns, lesser known mythology, unexpected circumstances, humor, and romance.
"I'm always looking for novels that explore identity, finding yourself, and feeling seen for the first time. Try me!
"I’m also looking for mind/ body/ spirit or metaphysical adult nonfiction (and I also love these topics when they pop up in fiction). I would be thrilled to find a fresh nonfiction project about any of the following: tarot, crystal healing, feng shui, mindfulness, meditation, intuition, astrology, energy healing, reiki, acupuncture, or yoga."

There is more detailed information on what she is looking for on her Manuscript Wish List. You can also find helpful resources for writers on her personal website.
What She Isn't Looking For:
Religion politics, science, nature or overtly spiritual self help (Link)Editorial Agent?
“Each manuscript is different, and requires different levels of edits, but there are always revisions. One of my favorite parts of my job is brainstorming with my authors. Honestly, I think the days when fiction agents didn’t need to be editorial have passed. Editors are looking for a project to be polished and sparkly by the time it reaches their desk, now more than ever.” (Link)
Pet-Peeves:
“I think this is probably everyone’s pet peeve that receives queries, but please don’t send a mass query with no personalization. Or one that is outside of my scope of genres that I represent (no poetry, no adult novels, etc.).” (Link)
Clients:
There is a list of Ms. Katheleen Rushall's clients on the agency and her personal website as well as those listed in her bio above.
Query Methods:
E-mail: No.
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: Yes.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
“We accept email queries only. Please direct your e-query to ONE agent at our agency, and include the following:
“Fiction: query letter and first 10 pages.”
Please see the Andrea Brown Literary website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines as well as the agency's Submission Advice, Dos and Dont’s, and Tips.Query Tips:
“For me personally, the perfect query demonstrates the author’s research (why did you choose me to query?), plot points and character intro (what’s the hook, why do I care about these characters - why do I want to open your sample?), and a brief bit about the author (relevant information – are you a member of SCBWI or any writing groups, published before, writing experience, etc.). Bonus points if you can cite comparable books already on shelves and why yours is different.” (Link)
Response Times:
She only responds if interested. If you have not heard from her in six to eight weeks, consider it a rejection.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews:
Featured Agent: Kathleen Rushall at 12 x 12 (11/2016)
Interview with Agent Kathleen Rushall at Fantasy, Futuristic Paranormal (04/2015).
Query Questions with Kathleen Rushall at Michelle Hauck (02/2014).
7 Questions for Literary Agent Kathleen Rushall at Middle Grade Ninja (06/2013).
Interview with Literary Agent Kathleen Rushall at YA Fushion (07/2011).
Interview and Pitch Contest winners with Kathleen Rushall at Operation Awesome (07/2011).
Friday Firsts: Interview with Kathleen Rushall at Deana Barnhart (06/2011).
Friday Firsts: Kathleen Rushall Interview Part 2 at Deana Barnhart (07/2011).
Interview With My Awesome Agent: Kathleen Rushall! at client J.R. Johansson’s blog (04/2011).
Contact:
Please see the Andrea Brown Literary for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 5/27/2020.
Agent Contacted For Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 9/15/11.
Update 3/5/2017: As of 2016, Kathleen Rushall is an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Please check their website for details on what she's looking for and how to submit to her.
***
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com

Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.

Lisa Nowak: Interview and Book Giveaway

Today I'm happy to offer you an interview with Lisa Nowak. Lisa is a longtime follower of Literary Rambles and a friend. I read an early draft of her debut Running Wide Open and we've exchanged countless e-mails over the past couple years as she's navigated the publishing process. While I have reservations about non-proven writers self-publishing, I totally support it when it's right for a book and its author, and for Lisa, I think it was. I'm thrilled to have her on the blog to share her experience and book with you. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. Lisa might have time to drop in and answer!

Before we begin, here's the book summary:

Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it's landed him at his uncle's trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?

What Cody doesn't expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he's been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he's come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he's ever dared to trust.

Hi Lisa! It’s so awesome to have you on Literary Rambles. Can you introduce yourself and your novel RUNNING WIDE OPEN?

Running Wide Open is a coming-of-age story about 15-year-old Cody Everett. After a lifetime of abuse from his manipulative mother, he gets busted for tagging and shipped off to live with a laid-back uncle who calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and drives a stock car at the local track. Cody’s sure his new situation won’t work out, but he finds himself drawn into the racing community. Even more importantly, Race becomes the friend and mentor he’s always wanted.

I’m a retired stock car racer, a cat whisperer, a landscaper, and a professional smart ass. (Yes, I can provide credentials.) People tend to confuse me with a certain diaper-wearing astronaut, but I assure you I’m well housebroken and I’ve never been higher than 30,000 feet.

Cody’s story manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I think teens (and adults!) will find elements to relate to even if they aren’t into stock-car racing. What led you to write this particular novel? Did you have an audience in mind when you wrote it?

I had two audiences in mind. The first was teens, particularly those who come from difficult family situations. I often escaped into books when I was a kid to escape my dysfunctional and depressing life, and I wanted to pay it forward in that respect. The second audience was the stock car racing community. I think of Running Wide Open as a crossover novel because I’ve had so many adults come away from it commenting that it’s more than “just a kids’ book.” For that reason, I think it will be as popular with adult race fans as it is with teens.

My biggest reason for writing this story was to provide a glimpse of the stock car racing community. People tend to poke fun at circle track fans and racers, dismissing them as rednecks, but that’s really selling them short. These folks are family-oriented and fiercely loyal. Once they’ve welcomed you into the fold, woe be it to anybody who goes against you. They also have their own particular ethic code. For example, finding ways to get around a rule without directly breaking it might be considered creative engineering rather than cheating. And when someone breaks down, it’s not unusual for a competitor, even a sworn enemy, to lend that driver a part so he won’t fall behind in the points. I was fortunate enough to spend four years as part of the Eugene Speedway community. That experience left an indelible mark on my life—in fact re-wrote the entire course of it. It only felt right to pay tribute.

Do you have a favorite quote or scene from the book you'd like to share or talk about?

You know, Race and Cody both have a lot of great zingers, but when it comes down to it, I think Denny Brisco, one of the secondary characters, has a line that best sums up the book. “Family is everything to us racers. If you happen to lack one, someone just takes you into theirs.”

You’ve had an interesting journey. At one point you had a literary agent, at another a contract with an epub on the table, but you decided to self-publish. What was involved in these decisions?

Actually, I had offers from both an epub and a small traditional press. As for the agent, that came about as a result of four years of relentless submissions. Running Wide Open and its companion book, Driven, were not an easy sell. I got great feedback, but everyone said they just weren’t right for his or her list. Maybe I would’ve had better luck if I’d written about stock car racing vampires. When I finally did sign with an agent, she didn’t have any more success than I had, but again, we got plenty of positive comments. I came to the conclusion that the powers that be simply couldn’t see the market potential for my books. Which is kind of amusing, considering politicians realized the power of this community when they coined the term “NASCAR dads.”

My first serious thought to the idea of self-publishing came in August of 2010, when I saw Colleen Houck speak at the Willamette Writers Conference. Her ebook had become a best-seller on Amazon.com, and as a result, she’d lured in an agent and a movie deal. That told me it could be done, but I knew it was a one-in-a-million kind of thing, and I didn’t think it was for me. Fast-forward to January of 2011, when I heard agent April Eberhardt speak at another Willamette Writers event. She talked about the ebook revolution, and how it was changing the way agents were doing business. A friend of mine, also in that audience, was starting up an ebook publishing company. She wanted my entire series. Once I’d heard April’s speech, I was pretty well sold on doing it myself, but after conducting more research I decided to join forces with my friend. We worked together for a couple of months, at which time RainTown, a small press specializing in YA and MG fiction, finished reviewing the submission I’d made to them the previous fall. They wanted Running Wide Open and called me into a meeting. Let me tell you, it was a rush sitting down with five people who loved my book and believed in it. I had a great time discussing characters and setting, as well as brainstorming marketing ideas. One editor gave me the ultimate compliment for a woman writing from a male perspective. She said that while they’d been discussing the book, she’d kept referring to me as “he” and having to be corrected, because my teen boy voice was so convincing.

But, nice as it was to finally get some validation by securing a traditional deal, by that point I’d had a taste of empowerment. I’ve always been independently minded. It just took a shift in awareness for me to realize I could apply that to my writing career. Books take time to build a following, especially when you’re relying on word of mouth advertising. I didn’t want to be at the whims of a company who could decide after a month or two that Running Wide Open wasn’t doing well enough by their standards. I didn’t want to live in constant fear that my next book wouldn’t suit the needs of an industry that tries to guess what the market will be doing two years in advance. I also realized that with self-publishing, I’d have the opportunity to make a living from my writing, something that rarely happens for traditional authors. I guess the simplest way to put it is, I wanted to be in the driver’s seat.

All that said, I’m really glad I had an agent and a traditional offer. Those two things give me legitimacy in a world where self-publishing hasn’t fully gained the respect of the majority.

I love the final cover of RUNNING WIDE OPEN, but I know you had a different cover initially. What’s the story behind your cover(s)? How important is the cover of a self-published book, in your opinion?

My first cover featured a helmet and a notebook, two items that have significance in the story. But the feedback I was getting said those images weren’t telling people enough about the book. Starting over was a gut-wrenching decision for me. First, I was afraid of offending my designer, Robin Ludwig. With every little change I asked for, I felt like I was knocking her talent. (I’ve since learned that cover design is all business, and artists are accustomed to clients asking for changes.) Then there was the pressure of coming up with something new. My friends said they wanted to see a car and a kid on the cover, so I started searching through stock photos. I invested five hours looking for a boy, and even then a good friend of mine said he didn’t look like the Cody she’d envisioned. That’s the problem with stock photos. And I never did find a car that would work. Finally, I dug out my old racing pictures, came up with a negative (remember those?) of a car I drove at Hickory Motor Speedway, and had it scanned at high resolution. I had to Photoshop the heck out of it to remove all identifying logos and fix the glare on the hood and roof. Readers will note that the car number and color aren’t an accurate representation of the one Race drives in the book, but at least it’s a Dodge Dart. The background image is also nothing like Eugene Speedway, which was a run-down short track. But there’s only so much you can do. The experience of facilitating this design really gave me some perspective. Now I know why covers often don’t match the story. Artists are limited in many ways, and unless an author is willing to pay big bucks for a private photo shoot, she’s not likely to get exactly what she wants.

As an indie author, a good cover is probably the most important promotional tool you can have. Some might argue that a well-written book is even more vital, but the fact is, if your cover doesn’t catch a person’s eye, he’s never going to give you a chance to impress him with your story.

What did you have to do to prepare for the release of RUNNING WIDE OPEN? What did you have to learn? How much time and money (if you’re willing to share) went into its publication?

A lot of preparation went into the release of this book. I started doing research in January, intending to publish in late March, but it was the first of June before the ebook was ready for public consumption. The paperback didn’t become available until mid-July. Among the things I had to learn were how to format an ebook and convert it to mobi (Kindle) and epub (Nook) and how to upload the various retailers. One of the biggest hurdles was forcing myself into situations where I wasn’t particularly comfortable, like filing a copyright, working with a cover designer, and negotiating the application process at Lightning Source. I had to learn how to ask for what I wanted and stand up for myself. I’m sure a lot of writers can relate to that difficulty. Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. You’re responsible for everything, right down to fact-checking your book. You can’t just shut your eyes and hope someone else will take care of that stuff for you.

As far as money, this book cost more than future ones will simply because I invested in 100 ISBNs (that’s the number used to track book sales). If you buy one it costs $125. You can get 10 for $250 or 100 for $575. Since you need a minimum of four for each book (each format requires its own) and I plan to publish at least six books, it only made sense to get this out of the way from the start. There were also some expenses due to the learning curve (such as the second cover). In the future, I estimate it’ll take about $600 to publish a book in both ebook and paperback forms. That includes editing, cover design, POD set-up, and copyright.

RUNNING WIDE OPEN is available as both an e-book and print book. Are you happy with your decision to do print-on-demand as well as e-publishing? Would you recommend the POD company you’ve been working with?

Definitely, on both counts. POD usually isn’t where most indies make their money, but I think it’s a nice perk for readers. I kept my price low in the interest of getting the book out there.

POD has its own challenges because you have to understand a little about book design, something that’s not important with ebooks, where the user determines how things look by adjusting the settings on their ereader. I chose to go with Lightning Source because they’re a professional printing company associated with Ingram, who distributes books to bookstores, and Baker and Taylor, who deals with libraries. Lightning Source isn’t an author services company. They won’t tell you how to format your book or market it. The learning curve is a bit higher, but the advantage is dealing with a professional company who’s independent of Amazon and who can get your books into foreign markets. I strongly recommend Lightning Source, but be aware that until you actually have an account, they’re not easy to get a response from.

How has marketing and promotion been so far? What is your approach?

It’s been both exasperating and fun. The exasperating part is the online stuff. It’s impossible to keep up with Facebook and Twitter, let alone things like Google+ , Goodreads, Linked-in and the like. I’ve been hearing more and more about how pointless these avenues are for promotion, though, since authors tend to target other authors, rather than their audience, so I’m not sweating it too much. My efforts have been concentrated more on in-person promotions. I’m sponsoring a 12-year-old racer at Sunset Speedway, and more recently I did a book giveaway at River City Speedway in St. Helens, Oregon. That track was a bit more relaxed, so they let me bring in my books and sell them directly to the fans. The announcer, who remembered me from my racing days at Portland Speedway, did a bang-up job of promoting the book, and because of him I made seven sales. The highlight of the night was seeing a boy reading Running Wide Open right there at the track while the racing was going on in front of him.

I think real-life marketing is more fun and effective than online promotions, but it takes time to build a following by word of mouth. I intend to do more speedway events next summer, and this fall I have other promotions scheduled. I’ll do several book signings, have a table at Wordstock, Portland’s writing extravaganza, and present to a class of future middle and high school teachers. I’m also trying to line up some gigs teaching others how to self-publish. I think it’s important for potential indie authors to understand that this is a business, and they have to conduct themselves professionally.

One other thing I’d like to note is that I never look at a book signing or author visit in terms of potential sales. I see it as an opportunity to network. Word of mouth isn’t about making a sale today. It’s about establishing a relationship that will lead to multiple sales down the road.

Has the writing community been supportive? Have you run into any resistance as a self-published author?

For the most part my local writing community has been pretty accepting. There have been a few skeptics, but the majority of authors are curious or even approving. They tend to view self-publishing as something they might use in the future to handle their backlist or books they’ve had a hard time selling. Others even seem to have a little admiration, seeing indies as pioneers. Frankly, I don’t worry too much about getting anyone’s approval. The only opinion I care about is the reader’s. On that front, I haven’t had any trouble getting support and respect.

I know you’ve gained a lot of knowledge about self-publishing since choosing to do so and are happy to educate others. What would you like to share that we haven’t covered already?

First, do your homework. Don’t go into this in a rush, throwing together any old thing and expecting to make a million dollars over night. Self-publishing is hard work, and you need to approach it with the proper planning, the same way you’d start any other business. I recommend reading Zoe Winter’s book Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author to gain an overview of what to expect and how to get started. When you’re ready to format your first book, go to Smashwords and download The Smashwords Style Guide by Mark Coker. If you start there and then convert your Word file to mobi and epub, you shouldn’t run into any of the typical problems many beginners have. For those whose brains just don’t get the whole computer thing, you can hire someone to do the formatting for you for a nominal fee. Smashwords keeps a list of people who can provide this service, and it’s something I’ve been thinking of getting into myself. When you’re ready for POD, get Aaron Shepard’s book, Perfect Pages. He details how to do the formatting using Word. While he tends to make some assumptions about people already knowing the various tools in the program, after reading his book, you’ll be able to create a professional-looking PDF that’s ready for submission to a printer.

My number one piece of advice is, be professional. Get feedback from critique groups and beta readers. Hire a professional editor. There are some qualified, affordable ones out there, you just have to keep looking. Have your cover designed by someone with experience. Create good sales copy, which is one of the three things (along with a cover and great writing) that will sell a book. All this can get expensive or it can be very affordable, depending on who you hire and what you can trade.

For those who are interested but haven’t yet started reading e-books, is there a particular device you recommend? Any words of encouragement you’d to like offer?

Since my only experience is with a Nook, I can’t really say which device is best. I’m happy with what I have, and I understand the new models have even better features, but I think it’s a matter of personal preference. People should do their research, maybe play with a friend’s ereader to see how they like it, and decide from there. I understand that there are some inexpensive off-brands as well.

Where can readers buy RUNNING WIDE OPEN?

It’s available as an ebook through all major online retailers including Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Smashwords, Sony, The Apple Store, and even those obscure ones like Kobo and Diesel. The paperback can be purchased at Barnes and Noble.com or Amazon.com.

When will we be seeing other books in the series? Are you working on anything else?

There will be five books total in the Full Throttle series. Four are written and the last one is in outline stage. At this point I’m going through revisions to the second book, Getting Sideways, based on feedback from my editor. It should be available by the end of September in ebook form, and in paperback before Christmas.

Where can readers stay up-to-date on you and your books?

The best place to follow me is at my blog, the Tao of Webfoot. I’m also pretty good with Facebook. I’m not an active Twitter user (to me it feels like getting caught in a flash flood) but I do have an account and people can get in touch with me there if they want to. If you’d like occasional email updates, you can sign up for my newsletter . By “occasional” I mean less than once a month, so you don’t have to worry about being spammed.

Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your extensive knowledge of self-publishing, Lisa! I hope Cody’s story makes it into the hands of a lot of readers. His story deserves to be read, so I’m thrilled you’ve made it happen.

Thanks, Casey. I’ve been a fan of your blog since the early days, and being featured on it is an awesome opportunity.

Great insight into the self-publishing process, right? Lisa has graciously offered to give away a copy of Running Wide Open in e-book form. To enter, be a follower (if possible) and leave a comment. That's it! Feel free to enter even if you don't have an e-reader. E-books can be read on your computer, too. The giveaway is open until October 4th. Please consider spreading the word. Happy Wednesday!

Tip Tuesday #105

Tip Tuesday is a recurring feature where writers send in tips for fellow writers. If you'd like to send in a tip, please e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com.

I'm excited to share today's tip. If you have an iPad or recentish version of Mac or PC, I think you'll want to try this out. Sean W. Byrne (a.k.a B Dub), who submitted the tip, is a fantastic artist and writer. You can see his gorgeous art on his website and get a peek of a middle grade story he's working on at his blog, Woolgathering. He also publishes an art magazine called Artsee. Enjoy!

I discovered Ommwriter recently and have found it very useful.

http://www.ommwriter.com

There is a free version available for download, as well as a version with more features available for purchase (including iPad versions).

OmmWriter fills your screen to block out all other applications (like Facebook, etc.) that you may be tempted to open (and for someone easily distracted like me, this is awesome). It plays meditative music (probably better with headphones) and puts you in a writing frame of mind. There is a very simple text editor so you won't be distracted by too many formatting options, and you can save what you've written as a txt, rtf or PDF file to import into Word or something later.

Very cool!

-Sean W. Byrne

P.J. HOOVER INTERVIEW AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

First, I'm going to announce the winner of BLOOD MAGIC.

The winner is:

GLAMOROUS NEWLYWED!

Congrats! E-mail me your address so I can send you your book.

Today, I'm excited to interview P.J. Hoover about her new e-book SOLSTICE that was released May 4th. I've become friends with P.J. through her blog and it's been so much fun watching her career grow. In SOLSTICE. I loved how P.J. combined a dystopian setting with Greek mythology. She's also the author of a middle grade series, THE EMERALD TABLET, THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD, and THE NECROPOLIS.

Here's a description of SOLSTICE from Goodreads:

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

Hi P.J. Thanks so much for joining us.

Thanks so much for letting me be here! I am super honored!

1. Tell us a little about your book.

SOLSTICE is set in the future when global warming is basically killing the earth. This girl, Piper, gets a mysterious box as a present for her eighteenth birthday, and her entire world shifts. She discovers that, in addition to her global warming world, there’s this world of mythology, and somehow she’s deeply connected to it. Her mother is psychotic and won’t give her any freedom, so when Piper gets a rare opportunity for freedom, she seizes it. And the next thing she knows, her best friend almost dies, she visits the Underworld, and gods are walking the earth. And that’s only in the first eighty pages


2. I loved how action packed the story was and that you got us into the problems of the story right away. You’ve created a dystopian story with extreme global warming as the problem and chose Austin, Texas, as the setting. Having visited there twice in the summer, I could so see this as a setting that would be impacted by severe global warming. How did your background in science (for those of you who don’t know, P.J. was an engineer) help you develop the strategies to deal with global warming in your story?

From what I’ve seen, technical types tend to focus on world building, and I found this to be the case with SOLSTICE. I loved asking the what-if questions and trying to figure out the world. How would society be impacted? What would people do to cope? How would daily life be different? I attribute spending so much time on these questions to my engineering background and interests.

3. I loved the combination of the dystopian world and Greek mythology. Tell us how you decided on this combination and why you picked the Greek myth you chose.

Thank you! It’s funny, because I never intended to write a dystopian story. I simply wanted to write a “what happens after the myth” story (as opposed to a myth retelling). And I always wanted to focus on the Hades/Persephone story. The whole dystopian element kind of came by surprise and evolved into way more than I ever imagine.

4. I think focusing on what happens after the myth with the dystopian aspect is one of the ways you've made your story so unique. At least for me. Piper is such an interesting character. She’s sheltered by her mother big time, but rebelling a bit at the start of the story. And then she’s faced with all these hard choices and a hidden past. How did you develop her as a character and what were the differences in writing a YA main character versus the middle grade character in your first series?

I spent many, many hours revising Piper’s character. I wanted to make sure she changed over the course of the novel. I wanted to make her strong yet still susceptible to many of the issues teens face today. It was no easy task. Piper starts as an uber-controlled character, never making her own decisions in life, but she ends as a force to be reckoned with, with her own, definite, place in the world.
As for the differences between MG and YA in this respect, teens (the normal age for YA) face such intense issues. Not that younger kids don’t, but many of the tough issues are not talked about in middle grade novels. Facing harder issues seems to open more doors for character exploration.

5. You decided to independently publish SOLSTICE. What were some of the considerations in making this decision? Do you have any advice on the pros and cons of going this route after independently publishing your first book?

Lots of the decision was hitting the market window. SOLSTICE is heavy in mythology, and this spring seemed to be the season of the mythology book. I wanted to be in that season.
For the pros, timing is a huge one. There is no long delay when publishing an ebook which is actually wonderful. The book is formatted and published. And people can start reading. It’s all so cool (and very much like a whirlwind).
As for the cons, all marketing is all up to the author. That said, in today’s publishing world, authors have to market their books anyway and it’s good to learn how.

6. Your agent, Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary, and you are trailblazers in the independently published book field. In fact, you’re the first author Andrea Brown Literary Agency helped independently publish a book. Tell us a bit about how that came about and how Laura Rennert’s role as your agent changed through this process.

Laura was the one to suggest independently publishing SOLSTICE. I love that she is so forward thinking and is not afraid to try something new. It’s the way I want to be in life. Try it, and see how it goes rather than sitting around thinking about it for years.
As for her role as my agent, it’s only complemented that role. She is still my agent for traditionally published books, so nothing has changed in that respect.

7. That's awesome that Laura was the one to suggest this. You did a large two month blog tour in July and August to promote SOLSTICE. How was the tour organized and by whom? What did you learn from the blog tour that you’ll use when your future publications are released?

My tour was actually two separate tours. The first four weeks were organized by Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours, and the second four weeks were organized by The Teen Book Scene. Both were fantastic to work with.
As for future books, each individual project has to be analyzed and decisions made at that time based on the book, the audience, and how social marketing has changed. Even now we are seeing blogs read less and twitter being more popular. In a year everything could be different, so it’s always nice to keep one’s options open.

8. It is interesting to watch how social networking and publishing is changing. Over the past months, I’ve noticed you reaching out on your blog to more book bloggers and other authors independently publishing their books. Tell us how you networked with them and any decisions you made in deciding who to connect with.

I’ve met some indie authors through social networking who I’ve developed a bond with. Of these, Laura Elliott asked me if I wanted to be part of the YA Indie Carnival which is a group of indie authors posting on the same topic every Friday. I loved the idea, and the group is fabulous. Truly, the indie books I’ve been sampling and reading are authors who have reached out in friendship and those with whom I have common interests.

9. What are you working on now? What are your plans for publication of your future project?


I’m working on a middle grade and a young adult novel, both fantasy. I never talk much about unpublished works, but I am managing to keep myself busy. As for plans for publication, I am open to pretty much anything.

Thank you so much for letting me be on your wonderful blog!

Thanks P.J. I'm excited you're continuing to write fantasies, my favorite genres. Good luck with your book.

Here's P..'s bio:

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. P. J. is also a member of THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing Kung Fu, solving Rubik's cubes, and watching Star Trek. Her first novel for teens, Solstice, takes place in a Global Warming future and explores the parallel world of mythology beside our own. Her middle grade fantasy novels, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, and The Necropolis, chronicle the adventures of a boy who discovers he’s part of two feuding worlds hidden beneath the sea.

You can also find P.J. on her blog and her website.

P.J. has offered two copies of SOLSTICE for a giveaway. You do not need an e-reader to read her fabulous book. I don't have one so downloaded her book to my computer. All you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment by midnight on September 24th. Please leave your e-mail address if it’s not on Blogger. I’ll announce the winner on September 26th. International entries are welcome.

Next week I'll be interviewing a teenager who also blogs for my ASK THE EXPERT SERIES and also doing another book giveaway.

And on September 26th, I'll be interviewing Kiki Hamilton and giving away a copy of her debut book, THE FAERIE RING.

Hope to see you next Monday!

Tip Tuesday #104

Tip Tuesday is a recurring feature where blog readers send in tips for fellow writers. If you'd like to send in a tip, please e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com.

Tip Tuesday time! I have a fantastic tip by Martha Ramirez today and it's perfect for those of you mulling over critiques and editorial letters. Martha has a website where you can find her books and also blogs at Martha Ramirez - Writer Unleashed. Please give her a visit after you're finished reading here. Enjoy!

Conquering Edits and Crits

Your editor's name (or maybe it's your fabulous critique partner) appears in your inbox and you can't wait to hear what she's/he's got to say about your baby. You open up her/his editorial (critique) letter and it's five hundred pages long. Oy. Okay, I'm exaggerating but you the picture. You let out a good cry and wonder how you'll ever tackle them.

I'm here to tell you—You. Can. Do. It!

The first thing I find helpful after reading over the suggestions is tackling the little ones first. I like to get them out of the way. It makes my TO DO list a little less daunting.

Next, after tackling the "easy" ones first, I print out the detailed suggestions on the more complicated ones and then reword for easy comprehension. In other words I summarize what I have to do so I don't get lost in all the detail when it comes time to go down the list.

I find if I make the things I have to tackle clear, then when it comes time to take care of it, it becomes a little less complicated. The biggest thing that has helped me organize edits and crits is bullet pointing a list.

I make a bullet point list for the bigger suggestions. I'll have a page of my bullet point TO DO list and then I also have my printed version of detailed suggestions for reference if my memory bails out on me, which it often does.

So that's pretty much it.

Bottom line: Go through small issues first. Then print out detailed notes on the bigger concerns, and lastly summarize those concerns and bullet point them for your TO DO list for easy access.

I find this not only makes me more organized but by seeing a bullet point list, it tricks my brain into thinking this isn't so bad, all I have to do is go down the list. And if I need help, I just glance at my detailed notes.

Happy editing!

~Martha Ramirez

HAPPY LABOR DAY AND RANDOM ACTS OF PUBLICITY WEEK POST

First, here’s the winner of THE GATHERING by Kelley Armstrong:

LINDA A!

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

I hope everyone is enjoying your Labor Day weekend. I’m planning to rest today. I know many of your kids have already started school, but here in Michigan it doesn’t start until the day after Labor Day. Tomorrow is Anna Li’s first day of high school. I can’t believe she’s really already in 9th grade. And we start with a bang. She’s on the high school girls swim team and has to be at practice tomorrow and 3 days a week through early November at 6:00 am. She and I have to get up at 5:00 am those days. Yikes! I’m up before 6:00 most days but that seems early. But it’s so great watching her be so passionate about swimming and working hard toward her goals.

I don’t know if you’re all aware of this, but this is the 3rd annual Random Acts of Publicity week September 6-8 started by Darcy Pattison, a published author who also runs awesome novel revision retreats. The purpose is to promote a friend’s book, your favorite book, a new book, or one less known. You can do it by blogging about the book, reviewing it on Goodreads or Amazon, talking about it on Facebook, or telling a friend about it. The Facebook link is here and Darcy will be offering tips and prizes for your friends on her blog here all week.

So I thought I’d tell you about some books that I’m excited to share with you over the next month. What’s most exciting for me is that I know all the authors through following their blogs.

First, on September 12th I’ll be interviewing P.J. Hoover and giving away a copy of her e-book SOLSTICE. Here’s a description from Goodreads:

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

I loved the combination of dystopian and Greek myths in this story. And P.J. picked a problem we can all relate to—global warming.

Then on September 26th, I’ll be interviewing Kiki Hamilton and giving away a copy of her debut book, THE FAIRIE RING, which will be released on September 27th. Here’s a description from Goodreads:

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

This is a fast paced page turner with deep secrets unfolding about the plot and the characters. And Kiki did an excellent job transporting us to 1871 London.

On October 3rd, I’ll be interviewing Hilary Wagner and giving away a copy of her middle grade book, THE WHITE ASSASSIN. I just got my ARC. Here’s a description from Goodreads:

Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles. The next step in the journey of the Nightshade City rats!

“Fans of Redwall and the Warriors series will love this heroic tale of good versus evil in a subterranean society of rats. The world of the Catacombs is so compelling readers will wonder if it really might exist under our city streets. Expect great adventures in Nightshade City.” ~ Rick Riordan, Author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

I’ll be honest that I don’t usually like books with animals as the main characters. But I love this series and am enjoying getting to know new rats/heroes that Hilary introduces us to in Book II. I’m about half-way through and am trying to race through it. It’s that good.

Finally here’s a book that I’m not doing an interview on. It’s an awesome dystopian book that my daughter and I just finished, XVI by Julie Karr. I saw it at the library and recommended Anna Li read it. Here’s a description from Goodreads:

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world-even the most predatory of men-that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past-one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

I always know a book is good when Anna Li can’t stop reading it. She was even trying to read it when her dad was having her to do her chores. I couldn’t put in down either.

I could go on and on because I’ve been reading a ton of good books lately. But I’ll let you go enjoy your day. What good books have you read lately?

And don’t forget to enter my contest for a signed copy of BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton until midnight on September 10th here.

I hope you'll come back next week when I interview P.J. Hoover and giveaway a copy of her book SOLSTICE.