The third book in the Sary Society series, SURRENDER THE SKY, has a shiny new cover!

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Morgan has her eyes and hands on her phone for a reason. Other than trying to achieve 5,000 Twitter followers, she’s avoiding people. Her former best friend posted a video of her dancing in men’s underwear and it went viral. One can imagine the looks and taunts she receives. At her summer job people smirk and make comments. She thinks she doesn’t have any allies, but she does. She makes friends with a jerk manager, Adam, who isn’t really a jerk, and perky Amy, who doesn’t censor herself and says the first thing that comes to mind.

It’s good that she has these two new friends by her side, because Morgan needs the support when her mom has a serious heart ailment. The idea that she might lose her mother propels her to search for her father, whom she’s never met. Amy and Adam accompany her on a road trip to Canada to meet him. Family secrets, friendship, and romance are found on this trip; some of these things bring pleasure, some bring more pain.

This YA contemporary novel is an amazing read. It has an equal balance of the serious and humorous. Morgan jumped off the page, and I loved her brothers, Amy, and Adam. Her family problems were intense and the slow romance with a new love interest was sweet. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Years ago, an elfin knight put a curse on a young, beautiful woman. Her daughter was cursed, her granddaughter was cursed, and so on, with all the females of this line carrying the curse. After giving birth to their first and only born, a daughter, these women went insane.

In the present time, there’s Lucy. She’s a teenage girl who lives with foster parents, because her mother has been mentally ill since she could remember. Piecing together the folksong “Scarborough Fair,” snippets of her mother’s diary, and the presence of a handsome but chilling stranger, Lucy realizes that she’s cursed. When she becomes pregnant with a daughter, she has to face the reality of going insane after the birth unless she follows the song to break the curse. She has to do three almost impossible things to save herself and the fate of her unborn child. With the help of her loved ones she sets to do these things, even though she’s running out of time and strength.

I adored everything about this book. It’s magical, suspenseful, and entirely engaging. Lucy goes through so much to figure out what she has to do to break the curse. The secondary characters, her boyfriend, foster parents, and others, jumped off the pages. I highly recommend this.

More Than Good Enough by Crissa-Jean Chappell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trent has a Miccosukee father and English mother. Neither of them seem to be on his side, although he goes to live with his father, an ex-convict. A spiteful ex-girlfriend proves to be a pain in the butt, and he’s trying to get closer to Pippa, a girl he’s known for years who now seems incredibly gorgeous and cool to hang out with.

Yes, there are people in his way who aren’t looking out for his best interest, and Trent is imperfect himself, messing up in school and in relationships. He doesn’t feel good enough, he’s not a great student, he doesn’t fit in with many people his age, and he perhaps isn’t Miccosukee enough for the reservation. The setting and situations in this fast, YA contemporary read are realistic and kept me interested throughout.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The mysterious Willy Wonka will open his chocolate factory to five children who can find the five golden tickets hidden in his candies. I so badly wanted Charlie to get a ticket, since he seemed so deserving of one, and he eventually does. Wonka's factory holds both delights and dangers for these children. I loved this book. It's lots of fun and has that wonderful spark of childhood magic about it.

Suitcase of Stars by Pierdomenico Baccalario
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the concept of this novel. A boy delivers mail in his village and meets a girl who’s affiliated with an emporium that has magical items. There are bad guys, a giant, many adventures, and the magical items are charming. I loved the illustrations, too. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect to the story or to the characters. I wonder if it’s because this was a translation, and sometimes I can’t sink into translated stories because of a loss of voice or some other element. With the title, cover, description, and illustrations I wanted to be enchanted, and I was only partially so. I’m giving this three stars, even though this could be four without my misgivings. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ratchet lives with her father. Her mother died years ago and her father is homeschooling her. Ratchet would very much like a female touch, not just because she’s motherless, but because she’s a tomboy who helps her mechanic father fix cars. She wants to take a class called “get charmed” at the recreational center and make friends. This will be hard considering that she and her father are the joke of the town. Her father isn’t just greasy from working on cars all day, but he also wears funny t-shirts and is an environmental activist who gets in trouble with the law.

We learn all this because of a journal Ratchet is keeping. Through a variety of home school assignments, she writes life events, scenes of a play, poems, stories, and uses other writing formats to reveal her thoughts. One of her biggest goals is to find out what’s inside a mystery box her father has been hiding. She’s sure her mother’s keepsakes are in there.

There’s plenty of conflict surrounding the mystery box, Ratchet’s quest for friends, and the city’s plan to ignore the environmentalists and tear down a park. This is a fast read, both because of the short journal entries as well as Ratchet’s amazing voice, which will carry you swiftly through the story. She’s so real and endearing. This is an amazing debut.

Hi Medeia! Thanks for having me over during my blog tour.

The Art of Secrets by James Klise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saba Khan is at a tennis match, with her entire family there cheering her on, when her apartment goes up in flames. Nothing is left and investigators announce that an arsonist is behind the destruction. It’s also possibly a hate crime since the family is Pakistani. Due to the kindness of strangers, Saba’s family gets to stay in a high-rise condo, rent-free, until they can get back on their feet.

The kindness doesn’t stop there. Everyone wants to know Saba. The most popular boy in high school notices her and wants to be her boyfriend. Her Facebook friends go from the double digits into the hundreds. Reporters are at the school all the time. Saba’s classmates decide to hold an auction to raise money for the family. First they find regular things to auction, but when the Spoons, a brother and sister new to the school, find a valuable work of art by a famous artist, things become even crazier. Who should benefit from such an expensive item? The work of art is for the auction, nowhere else, but people have their eyes on it.

THE ART OF SECRETS is deftly told in multiple points of view. It was interesting how everyone viewed the Khans, their situation, and auction-related circumstances. The fire and unknown work of art added a wonderful touch of mystery. This is a unique YA story, one that will make the reader think about class, race, religion, altruism, and so much more. I read this via NetGalley,courtesy of the publisher.

The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kate’s boyfriend broke up with her and she’s still longing for him. She also has to deal with a recent diagnosis of diabetes, and her family is upset with her because she’s not taking it seriously. Her sugar levels lead to hospitalizations. Aidan was a soldier in Afghanistan where he witnessed an explosion, the death of a friend, and the loss of one of his arms. He’s living with relatives and barely goes out, but he’s slowly coming out of his shell with Kate.

Aidan is two years older, he feels self-conscious about his arm, and what happened to him in the military is fresh, raw, and painful. Kate is keeping things from him, puts her foot in her mouth all the time when she’s around him, and has her ex-boyfriend on her mind. But the attraction between the two is undeniable.

Although there are heavy issues, this is a fast read that could be both YA and NA because of the characters’ age difference. I enjoyed the chemistry between Kate and Aidan and would love to read more from this author. I read the book via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Hope Is a Ferris Wheel by Robin Herrera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Star is not faring too well at her new school. She has a layered cut that people call a “mullet” and she openly tells people she lives in a trailer park. As one can imagine, children tease and are cruel to her. At home, her mother isn’t the most dependable person and she has a sister named Winter who writes dark stories and goes to an alternative school.

Despite all this, Star seems spunky and energetic. She is eager to start a club at school. First she names it the Trailer Park Club, which doesn’t entice people. That club breaks apart and Star heads a new club, the Emily Dickinson Club. “Hope is a thing with feathers” has a whole new meaning to Star, because she delves into what makes her hopeful. One thing she really wants is to get closer to her father. Towards the end of the book family secrets burst open. Can Star remain hopeful when she learns what her sister is going through and the truth about her father?

I really felt for Star because of her family problems and her desire to fit in at school. She also has an amazing voice. This delightful story moves well and there's never a dull scene. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Secrets of the Book by Erin Fry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine having a book full of images of famous people and with some bizarre sliding of your fingers you can bring them to life. Gandhi, Lincoln, Newton…boom, they appear before you, you can have a conversation with the person, and then put them back in the book. In this novel, there’s such a thing. It’s called Pandora’s Book.

Spencer meets an elderly man named Ed at a nursing home. He’s the keeper of the book and hands it over to him. Ed disappears and Spencer has no idea how to fully use the book. Also, Socrates is out and about and he doesn’t know how to get the famous philosopher back inside the book. There are also strange people following him and his friend, Gregor, as well as Ed’s granddaughter, Mel. One of the guys following them is a wicked person who popped out of another book. They need to defeat him, put the famous people back where they belong in between pages, and prevent historical figures, particularly the evil ones, from ever joining the modern world again.

I was hooked by the first chapter because the idea of Pandora’s Book was so interesting. The whole concept is highly imaginative and will appeal to many children. This book is a wonderful mix of both fantasy and history. I’m glad I read an ARC of this through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Skin and Bones by Sherry Shahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Years ago someone said something disparaging about Jack’s weight and since then he’s been struggling. He’s one of the few anorexic boys to stay at an eating disorder hospital, and his nickname there is Bones. He befriends Lard, an overeater who can be abrasive, but always means well. The most important person in Jack's eyes is Alice, an anorexic ballerina who pushes herself to lose more weight and dance better.

He and Alice commence a romantic relationship, although it’s dysfunctional since they both suffer from eating disorders. He finds he’s enabling her, which isn’t the best thing when she’s so underweight. Jack wavers between aching to be bony and desiring to be healthy. Within the hospital setting, the reader gets a grasp of the thoughts and compulsions of the characters, and the difficulties they have getting rid of them.

I really liked that this was told through a male POV since most eating disorder books have a female protagonist. All the calorie counting, weighing, and other behaviors of anorexics were realistic. The book tackles a serious issue, although the banter between characters was playful and humorous. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Lost by Jacqueline Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Essie is a young lady working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. A mysterious, secretive woman named Harriet is the new girl there and Essie is fascinated with her, to the point that she follows her around, eager to get to know who Harriet really is. Why is Harriet, who seems high class, working in such horrible conditions for low wages?

At home, Essie takes care of her little sister, Zelda, as if the girl were her own daughter. Her mother, who is poor and harried, complains that Essie is spoiling the girl. When tragedy befalls the family, Essie is in denial. These are the moments in the story where the narrator becomes unreliable. What is truth and what is reality?

This story is fascinating both before and after the famous factory fire. The author does an amazing job with both characterization and setting. She takes you to the Lower East Side of Manhattan of the early 1900s. The mystery of Harriet and the truth about Zelda gripped me, and I couldn’t put down the book until I finished it in one sitting.

Today I have the lovely and funny Tammy Theriault for an interview. Give her a warm welcome. She's been in the blogging scene since 2012, so many of you might already know her. If you don't, follow her. You'll want to after this interview.

Pretend we're on Twitter. Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

It’s hashtag central right? I’ll do the hashtag lingo. How about #SarcasticChatterbox, #ThriftShopFashionista, #TellMyHubsDownDogDown, #MyKidsSmotherMeICan’tBreath,#LovesToJokeToHearTheSoundOfLaughter, #FitnessAndCulturalDifferencesRule, #EatsFoodAndWouldBeATerribleAnorexic, #Psychology/SociologyRocks, #Motorcycles,ShootingGuns,AndBillardsOhMy!, and last but not least #LovesDoingThingsForOthers.

Well, that was very descriptive. Those hashtags are very telling. :) Give my blog readers a snapshot of your publishing efforts. 

I’m getting close to ending my final revisions of LIVING RUNAWAY, so I will definitely take a “snapshot” of my querying efforts. It’ll be a picture of a mansion full of agents with an iron fence around it, but the lawn will be littered with paper airplanes professing my need for them to represent me. Doesn’t everybody do that? With binoculars ready to see if the door is gonna open or not?

A mansion full of agents? As long as there are no guard dogs on the lawn, this sounds great. I'm sure the paper airplanes will get their attention. Next, list some books or authors who inspired you. 

I shall make authors cry everywhere…not one author/book has inspired me. I’m so sorry, don’t grab those pitchforks! And now the real tear jerker…it’s all of you! Come in for a big hug, guys! But I will say there is one book that the writing style spoke volumes to me: THE LAST CHILD by John Hart. It was crazy good. Crazy…good.

How have I not heard of this book? I'm going to look it up now. What are some must-have conditions for writing?

Something to drink, and something to keep my mouth busy. Lollipops, sweetarts, smarties, redvines, etc. It keeps my hands free and my jaw from clenching tight with frustration. I’m a night writer since I work, and I prefer either no noise, or the strum of laundry washing/drying in the background. Sometimes I even tell my hubby that a certain “task” must commence so I’ll write amazing that night. :)

My mind went all wrong on that last bit. *clean thoughts, clean thoughts* Sooo...what are your favorite social media sites?

Blogger and Facebook. Blogger for obvious reasons. Through Facebook I get to see writers in our blogging world as actual humans with families and interests. Strange, right? It’s helped beyond Blogger to create deeper friendships, with some chats going long into the night. And Elizabeth Seckman and I created a private support group for writers on Facebook that has been blooming, called “Daydreamers Anonymous”. Hit me up if you want an invite in! The passcode is your bank account numbers…

I love Blogger. The Facebook group sounds awesome, although I'm one of those strange creatures who has deleted her Facebook out of fear that someone will get hold of my bank account number. According to your site, you write everything. What's your favorite format or favorite genre? 

I’m going to make perfectionist everywhere scream…I don’t have one! Here’s the thing, I don’t pigeon-hole myself into anything. Why? Because I don’t have a particular one I adore writing more than another. The idea for me is I’m writing. Period, exclamation mark, and no question mark needed. In fact, Stephen King started with magazine articles for over 5 years, then wrote his first novel CARRIE, and 15 years later wrote for Marvel Comics in between novels. Writing is writing. In the end, it’s all experience and practice.

That's a fantastic sentiment, and I like writers who are diverse and try new formats. Lastly, what's the most inspiring thing someone said to you in regards to your writing? 

“Do what’s right for YOU!!!” I have to do it my way in the end, because heck—I kind of know the girl, what she needs, and what doesn’t make her all butt hurt in the process. I can’t have that. Neither can my butt. We are attached at the hips, you know? Needless to say, I wrote that quote awhile back and began living it. And when I did…magic happened. Don’t be afraid to believe in your own magic either. KA-ZAAM!

Ka-zaam indeed. Great responses, Tammy. Before you go, give us your links so we can follow your trail of magic.

Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Google Plus

Today I have L. Diane Wolfe, aka Spunk on a Stick, for an interview. If you're interested in being interviewed, my email is on my contact page.

Hello, Diane. Thank you for coming over. Since you answered my Twitter call for author posts, describe CIRCLE OF FRIENDS BOOK V...HEATHER in 140 characters or less.

Coaching basketball, useless sister, father dying - last thing Heather needs is a relationship with a workaholic who’s opposed to marriage...

That is the last thing, but I have an inkling that maybe it's good for her, unless I'm wrong. I'll have to see when I read the book. Give my blog readers a snapshot of how you got your series published. 

I originally started subsidy publishing the series, something I don’t recommend any author do if they want a career. (And don’t want to waste a ton of money.) It did teach me a lot about marketing though. Fortunately, Dancing Lemur Press was willing to take on the series and complete it.

I don't know much about subsidy publishing. I'm glad a publisher accepted the series. List some books or authors who inspired you.

Richard Adams - Watership Down
Anne McCaffrey - The Dragonriders of Pern series
Gary Chapman - The Five Love Languages series
Napolean Hill - Master Key to Riches
(Yes, quite the variety, huh?)

Yes, it is. :) And what are some must-have conditions for writing? 

When working on fiction, I enjoy music and can write in 10-15 minute segments. It’s the opposite with non-fiction though. I need silence and a good 1-2 hours to focus on what I am doing.

Interesting. I've also written in short segments, although I prefer 30 or more minutes. What are some favorite ways you promote your work?

I used to love doing book signings and interacting with readers. I still do that through my speaking gigs, but with fewer stores and less people buying print books, signings aren’t as fun anymore. Blog tours and appearances are also fun.

I understand about the personal appearances. So, what are you working on next?

I have an outline for a book with four paranormal stories, one of which will be a rewrite of story I wrote 25 years ago. Hopefully paranormal doesn’t go out of style before I finish.

I think people are always eager for a great paranormal story. What words of encouragement or inspiration would you give to unpublished writers in the query trenches?

Believe in yourself and consider all the possibilities!

L. Diane Wolfe
Professional Speaker & Author

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and an author. She conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation. She is the author of seven books, including two non-fiction titles and a NA/YA series, The Circle of Friends. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains numerous websites & blogs, and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site.

The Circle of Friends, Book V...Heather

When confidence turns to frustration…
A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball and Heather’s ready to focus on her duties.
Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience.
Her life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

 About ELEVATED: The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis, the guy she's been avoiding for five months.

Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.

But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | On Goodreads

Praise for ELEVATED:
"ELEVATED will take you on an emotionally gripping journey through the highs and lows of first love."
~Carolee Dean, author of Take Me There and Forget Me Not

"Poignant, raw, and intense, ELEVATED is a novel that will grip your heart and linger in your mind long after you turn the last page."
~Stasia Ward Kehoe, author of Audition and The Sound of Letting Go

About Elana Johnson: Elana Johnson’s work, including Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available for free download, as well as a Possession short story, Resist. School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.

Social Media Links: Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Wattpad | League of Extraordinary Writers | WriteOnCon | Elana on Goodreads:

My Review: Elly has several deep issues she’s been dwelling on. She has an ex-boyfriend she doesn’t want to talk to. She feels responsible for a horrific accident her best friend went through…there’s more, but I don’t want to become spoilerish. She has to face things head on when she’s stuck in an elevator with Travis, her ex. Talk about tension!

I adore novels-in-verse, so I was ecstatic when I received an ARC of Johnson’s ELEVATED. It’s a great addition to this genre and style. The author is skilled in verse and knows how to write a superb YA contemporary book.

Today I have Kate Scott over to talk about herself and her writing. She has a new release out, a YA entitled COUNTING TO D. It was a pleasure to read and I'm thrilled to have her here today.

I've read it, but for those who haven't encountered it yet describe COUNTING TO D.  

Counting to D is a contemporary young adult novel about a dyslexic fifteen-year-old girl named Samantha Wilson, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young child. When her mom gets a new job and forces Sam to move to a new town, Sam sees it as her chance to start over and put her learning disability behind her.

In addition to trying to keep her little illiteracy problem a secret, Sam also struggles to make new friends. Two of the first people she meets are Nate (her charming chemistry lab partner) and Eli (the basketball star in need of a math tutor). Nate and Eli are nothing alike, and Sam doesn’t seem to have anything in common with anyone.

Sam’s got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight—without being able to read.

I'm wishing many sales and reviews for your work. Give my blog readers a snapshot of how you got COUNTING TO D published.

My path to publication was a bit unusual. I signed with a literary agent back in 2011. By the beginning of 2013, she still hadn’t sold my novel to a traditional publisher, and it became clear it was time to part ways. Instead of seeking a new agent, I decided to look into smaller presses. The publishing industry has changed a lot in the past few years, and I believe small, boutique-style presses will be the publishing model of the future.

Once I started looking into different presses to submit to, I found myself thinking, “That looks like fun.” I love to write, but I like doing a lot of other things, too. Being the executive editor of a small press is my dream job. So in the summer of 2013, I founded Elliott Books, LLC. I then acquired COUNTING TO D as its first title.

While I am doing all the things a self-published author would have to do, I don’t think of myself as being self-published. I am small-press published. I just happen to be both an author and the executive editor of the press I’m using.

I chose to release COUNTING TO D first because I want to learn what I’m doing and make all my mistakes on myself. My goal is to open Elliott Books to submissions from other authors by the summer of 2014.

It would be fantastic to open the door for other writers! List some books or authors who inspired you. 

I’m inspired by great writing, so I guess the easiest way to answer this question is to list some of my favorite books and authors.

I love Sarah Dessen’s characters. She always has great main characters, but she also always has wonderfully complex minor characters. I love how all of her books are set in the same community, and a minor character in one book can appear as a major character in another book. Together, all her books tell a larger story—everyone is interesting, and every character (no matter how minor they may appear) has a story of his or her own. In an attempt to emulate this in my own writing, my second novel, THE EVOLUTION OF EMILY, is set at the same school as COUNTING TO D, and some of the characters overlap.

I love Maggie Stiefvater’s words. She writes unique urban fantasy that is almost impossible to describe. A book about man-eating water horses doesn’t sound all that interesting or compelling to me, but THE SCORPIO RACES is probably my favorite book of all time. The reason is simple: Maggie can write! Reading her words inspires me to keep working at my own craft. I hope one day I’ll be able to construct a sentence the way she does.

I love Laurie Halse Anderson’s drama. In recent years, the term “Contemporary Young Adult” has become synonymous with “Teen Romance.” Changing hormones are a huge part of adolescence, and I do enjoy the romantic element of many YA novels. But there is more to life than romance, and Laurie Halse Anderson writes better “issues books” than anyone else. Her characters aren’t pure angst; they’re normal teens, dealing with very real problems. I love all of her novels, and her words definitely inspire me to push myself and my characters to tackle bigger issues.

I've read all three authors and also admire them greatly. Next question...what are some must-have conditions for writing?

I prefer to write with my laptop on my lap, not at a desk. I have a big, overstuffed recliner in my office, which is where I do most of my writing. I can write just about anywhere, though, and I don’t have any real “must-haves.” I do prefer it to be quiet when I’m writing. I’m a very auditory person and often find it hard to tune out sounds around me, so music (especially music with lyrics) can be a big distraction.

What are some favorite ways you promote your work?

Since this is my first novel, I’m still learning the ropes of self-promotion. So far, I have had a lot of great responses from bloggers (like you). I expect that, even after I discover lots of other PR avenues, blogs will still be my favorite because they give me a chance to connect both with readers and with other writers. Writing can be a very solitary activity, so I always enjoy forming connections with other people working in this industry.

Blogging remains my favorite after all these years. And what are you working on next? 

I’m currently working on a book called THE EVOLUTION OF EMILY. It is a companion title to COUNTING TO D and is set at the same high school. I’m having a lot of fun getting to know this new cast of characters, as well as getting to know some of my old characters better. For example, Miles from COUNTING TO D plays a big role in THE EVOLUTION OF EMILY and is such a quirky guy; he is very fun to write. I expect THE EVOLUTION OF EMILY to be released in the fall of 2014 or spring of 2015.

I look forward to it. What words of encouragement or inspiration would you give to unpublished writers in the query trenches? 

Don’t be afraid to reassess your dreams. If you can land a big name agent, and then a subsequent big name publisher, that’s great. But the publishing world is in the midst of a major transition. Twenty years from now, the big New York-based publishing companies will probably all be gone, or at least redefined. If you’re a new writer who hopes to still be writing in 20 years, you don’t have to wait in line to buy tickets for the Titanic. You can submit to small presses. You can self-publish. You can team up with other authors and create a press of your own. This industry is changing, but people are still reading.

Your first goal should always be to write a great story. Once you’ve done that, you need to find a way to connect that story with readers. But there are many paths you can take to find those readers. If your first dream doesn’t come true, don’t give up—just find a new dream.

The publishing world is indeed changing. Thank you for answering my questions, Kate.

Find Kate: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Bio:
Kate Scott lives in the suburbs outside Portland, Oregon, with her husband Warren. Kate was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young child but somehow managed to fall in love with stories anyway. COUNTING TO D is her first novel. When Kate isn't writing, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, camping, and spending time with her friends and family. Kate also spends a lot of time doing math and sciency things and is a licensed professional engineer.

Official Synopsis for COUNTING TO D:
The kids at Sam’s school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb. That’s what it means to be dyslexic, smart, and illiterate. Sam is sick of it. So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem. Without her paradox of a reputation, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust. When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect. But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret. The books are stacked against her and so are the lies. Sam’s got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight—without being able to read.

Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood by Varsha Bajaj
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abby Spencer has never met her father. What she knows is that her American mother dated him in college, he went back to India, and his mother tried but couldn’t get in touch with him there. When Abby has an allergic reaction that might be hereditary, she and her mother try harder to reach him. He’s been elusive because he’s been going by a stage name. He’s now Naveen Kumar, big Bollywood superstar and heartthrob.

Soon Abby is on a plane to Mumbai to meet her estranged father, who had no idea about her existence. She’s wowed by the people, the city, and her famous father and his films. How do they break it to the public that he has a daughter? Will Abby be able to keep this secret until that time comes?

This was a fun, light read. I loved Abby’s voice, her real feelings about family, and her enthusiasm about India and her father’s side of the family. I’m sure the middle grade audience will adore this book. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Counting to D by Kate Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam is a dyslexic math whiz who finds comfort in numbers, not in words. When her unemployed mom finds work in another city, she has to move. In her new school, she finds herself taking AP classes and falls in with the smart kids. Having to take beginning Spanish and possibly facing special ed classes might ruin her façade, because with her new clique she’s hiding the fact that she’s practically illiterate. She’s good at memorization and distracting people when it’s her time to read, but the truth will spill out. There are ways to cope and seek help, although Sam can’t help but feel anxious. The author tackles an important issue with this well-plotted story. Sam is a great character and someone to root for.

Sheltered Volume 1 TP by Ed Brisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vic and Hailey are renegades who don’t believe Lucas, a boy their age who wants to be leader of their survivalist group. According to Lucas, a huge volcano is about to blow and everyone will need to take shelter underground for years. In order to survive, the current population needs to decrease. Lucas and his followers kill all the adults, which means the parents…when some people don’t believe in this philosophy and are heartbroken by their loss. It was interesting seeing the tension between Lucas’s followers and the rebels. There’s a lot of bloodshed, gore, and language in this book, so it’s not for the faint of heart. I didn’t quite believe in the kill-all-the-parents thread. It needed something stronger behind it, rather than the weak explanation presented in the book. This is a four star book for me. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Hero for Hire by Milo James Fowler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Darrel is twenty-seven and still lives with his parents…not exactly a winner in life, but he is a winner in his fantasies. He imagines himself to be an amazing samurai warrior with a sword he bought on eBay. He decides it's time to make his mark by advertising himself as a “hero for hire.” After a few crank calls, he gets an actual client. He sets off to prove himself and some funny circumstances unfold. I'd love to read more about Darrel and his hijinks.

The White Album by Joan Didion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After stumbling on this book on a blog that featured a rave review, I had to get this. THE WHITE ALBUM is an amazing collection of essays about the 60’s and 70’s, it’s people, events, and zeitgeist. Also, snapshots of the author’s life were quite interesting. I’d love to read more from this author, both her fiction and non-fiction.

Smoke by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SMOKE follows two sisters, Pattyn and Jackie. Pattyn is on the run after defending her sister by killing one of her abusers. Jackie is left behind, with serious issues of a community cover-up surrounding her history of abuse. Pattyn drifts farther away, in disguise, and builds a new life for herself. Every plot point was amazing and I couldn't wait to see what would happen with the two young ladies. This is an intense novel in verse. Next to CRANK, this might be my second favorite from this author.

Fellow bloggers, I have another book coming out in 2014. You must think I've been on some writing frenzy since I recently announced SECRETEST. BOYFRIEND. EVER. for spring and VITAMINS AND DEATH for the fall. VITAMINS AND DEATH I finished over the summer, but the other two books, SBE and the new one I'm about to announce, are 2 years or older. I've been submitting and getting offers is all. :)

Today I have author Shane Bowen for an interview. Give him a warm welcome. He answered my Twitter call for author interviews. If you're interested in being interviewed, email me. The address is on my contact page.

Briefly describe your latest novel so that we can become acquainted with your work.

COPS AND ROBBERS is the story of a young reporter who gets the break of a lifetime when he lands a widely sought after interview with former police chief Boyd Craig. Boyd is an old man who tells the story of his life and career in the city of Moyenne. From the time Boyd was a young man, he had to choose to follow the law or organized crime. Find out what drove him and what he wants his legacy to be!

Boyd sounds like an intriguing character. Give my blog readers a snapshot of how you got COPS AND ROBBERS and your other novels published. 

I am a self-published author. Perhaps someday I will switch to a more traditional route, but then again, what is "traditional" these days? I have relied on family and friends to proofread and edit my books at this point. COPS AND ROBBERS was no different from the first three, although I did have more people willing to get a sneak peek at the story to help me prepare it for the public eye.

List some books or authors who inspired you.

John Grisham, and Stephen King are certainly my two favorite writers. I am inspired by most any book I have read because they each remind me that I can do this. Books of all sorts remind me that every story should be told, it is just a matter of learning how to tell it right.

Yes, it can be done. What are some must-have conditions for writing? 

I write better with a little bit of noise in the background, whether that is music or chatter of a coffee shop. Time of day is irrelevant to me and I do not have a particular place that helps me write.

What are some favorite ways you promote your work?

I am still learning and developing my promotion techniques, but it seems that utilizing Facebook and Twitter have helped me so far. I am in the developmental stages of a website and a blog, so hopefully that will push me beyond the area where I live. Book signings are also a lot of fun, but not necessarily a great way to spread the word.

What are you working on next?

I am currently working on THE RECKONING, which is the final book in a three book series. It is the culmination of a story that started in the early 1700s and reaches into present day. Two secret organizations, founded in Hannover, have pursued each other for centuries, until a break for one them sets things into full swing.

What words of encouragement or inspiration would you give to unpublished writers in the query trenches?

Keep trying. Submit, submit, submit. I haven't gotten that glorious acceptance letter yet, but I think it will happen someday. Let people read your query letter, especially someone who has been signed! Find out what publishers want to hear and put those words in front of them.

Keep plugging away, Shane. Thanks for coming over.

Find Shane

Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Lulu.com

About Shane

I am a 36 year old, self-published author. I love telling stories and seeing the look on a person's face when they enjoy hearing my story. I have a bachelor's degree in business administration, but I am currently working on becoming a math teacher.

COPS AND ROBBERS

This is the story of former police chief Boyd Craig. Reporter Alan Truitt is chosen to tell the story of this legendary police officer from Moyenne. Follow Boyd from his childhood through to present day. Learn of his adventures and what made him a legend in his own time.

First Wednesday of every month.

• I have a middle grade that’s half-way finished that I haven’t worked on in a month. I’ve been busy writing blitz posts for my two releases this year, so I can’t wait to return to actual writing. 

• I’ve been taking my horror MG to my critique group. I should be all done with revisions by late spring. I really like how it’s turned out.

• When I was doing ROW80 updates, one of the abbreviations I used for a contemporary YA I was working on was TWILAMPH. I’ve been submitting that project and crossing my fingers for it.

I received an ARC of this for review and was so glad I did. This is an amazing collection of tales about a rascally spider named Anansi. Some of my favorites were “Anansi and the Cooking Pot,” “The Pea that Made a Fortune,” and “Escaping Tiger.” There were also clever riddles interspersed throughout the book, difficult ones I might add. Overall, this was a delightful read.

More about ANANSI AND COMPANY and the author...

How do you escape a hungry tiger? Why do ram-goats smell? What happens if you get too greedy? In this collection of ten retold Jamaican stories, Anansi the spider tricks, sings, and dances his way into and out of trouble.

But who is Anansi? It was the Ashanti of West Africa who brought the spider into the Caribbean. He clung tight to the web he wove in the minds of those who had been captured, surviving not only the harrowing passage across the Atlantic Ocean, but hundreds of years of slavery.

As a trickster, Anansi has both good and bad traits, which makes him very human. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. When he wins he dances and sings for joy. When he loses, he shakes it off and keeps on living, a lesson for us all.

Bish Denham, whose mother's side of the family has been in the Caribbean for over hundred years, was raised in the U. S. Virgin Islands. She still has lots of family living there and visits them regularly.

She says, "Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book. Columbus named them, Sir Francis Drake sailed through the area, and Alexander Hamilton was raised on St. Croix. Pirates plied the waters and hundred of years of slavery left its indelible mark. It was within this atmosphere of magic and wonder that I grew up. My hope is pass some of that magic and wonder on to my readers."

You can learn more about Bish by visiting her blog,Random Thoughts. She can also be found on Facebook,Twitter, and Goodreads. 

I was thrilled when Brinda Berry created a trailer for my upcoming novel, VITAMINS AND DEATH, which will be released by the end of the year. Here it is. Thank you so much, Brinda.



If you would like to help me promote this novel, the form is below. The ebook will be released December 10th. If you are on a blog break at that time, we can postpone some of the posts for January. Please note that this is the first time I'm posting this form. There was another form on this blog a few weeks ago for my other to-be-released novel.

The form has been removed so I have a set number of promo posts. Thank you to those of you who signed up.

Also, if you did not sign up for the blitz for my other 2014 release, SECRETEST. BOYFRIEND. EVER., the form can be found here. I will be deleting the SBE form in a few days since I'm composing promo posts this week and need a definite number in order to work on other things.

Thank you so much to those who signed up for SBE and those who'll sign up for the V&D blitz. I'm always willing to return the favor.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ophelia, her sister Alice, and her father move to a place where it’s always snowing. Ophelia’s mother passed away, but her presence lingers. She’s going to help Ophelia battle the evil Snow Queen. The strangeness of the museum and whom she finds there is unbelievable, but her curiosity and determination remain steady.

Inside the museum where her father works is a boy who’s been trapped for over three hundred years by the Snow Queen. Ophelia must not only save him, but save the world. Circumstances involving strange creatures and deadly situations don’t scare Ophelia away. The boy’s story of how he came to be there is intriguing, and Ophelia faces her own journey of magic and heroism.

The setting and storyline are rich—I was absolutely lost in them in the few hours I read this. This modern take on fairy tales will surely captivate young people. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

8-Bit Christmas by Kevin Jakubowski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jake Doyle wants a Nintendo for Christmas. It’s the 80’s and all his friends have to line up outside Timmy Kleen’s house, fawning over and bribing him to be let inside since he has the neighborhood's only Nintendo. The game system is hypnotic. But when something wacky, unexpected, and dangerous happens, Nintendo is banned in their small town of Batavia, Illinois.

There’s no stopping Jake from trying to get his own system, though. He’ll help his sister get a Cabbage Patch Kid if she helps him get a Nintendo. He’ll attempt to sell the most Cub Scout wreaths for the chance to win the prize of a gaming system. He and his friends will make the utmost sacrifice to pool their money together to buy their own. Time after time, Jake and his friends face the frustrations of not being able to acquire a Nintendo. Christmas is nearing. Maybe Santa will grant Jake’s wish.

This book was laugh out loud funny. Also, I loved the suburban setting, Jake’s parents and other secondary characters, the nostalgia, and all the names of the candy, toys, and shows of the 80s. I recall many of the games mentioned, and yes they were addictive, so I completely understood where Jake was coming from. Great writing and a trip back in time made this a delight to read. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Mélanie Watt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The narrator is a scared, germphobic, super-organized little squirrel who gives tips on how to have a safe Halloween. Not to worry, despite the squirrel's worrywart ways, the reader can still have an enjoyable Halloween following his advice. This is a cute book. I also liked the illustrations, lists, and other features. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Tell Me When by Stina Lindenblatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amber is a wounded young woman. Starting her first year of college, she suffers from nightmares, flashbacks, and other signs of PTSD. She’s on the brink of failing her math class. Also, because of a horrific stalking incident that happened the previous year, she doesn’t want any men making moves on her, but they do anyway despite the way she hides behind clothes and friends.

That’s when Marcus steps in. He’s irresistible and his personal life consists of a string of one-night stands. He pursues Amber, but she doesn’t seem to want him, which is puzzling since women normally throw themselves at him. She does hire him to tutor her in math and the two form a tentative bond. They’re both hurting and hiding terrifying secrets. What happened to the both of them threatens their budding romance. Also, with someone menacing sending messages to Amber, perhaps her stalker isn’t locked up, or he has someone on the outside working to harm Amber and anyone close to her.

This novel has a strong balance of both emotions and pure suspense. I was teary-eyed with the romance and the revelations of Amber and Marcus’ past, and how they were slowly opening up to each other, and I was also on the edge of my seat in regards to the stalker. The secondary characters were fleshed out well and they were fantastic complements to the two main characters. This is a superb NA novel from a talented debut author. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

'90s Island: A Novella by Marty Beckerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twin brothers Jack and Zack have always been wistful for the 90s, their coming of age decade. They shun modern things and wish they could turn back time for the music, movies, junk food, video games, dial-up internet, and other decade markers. After turning the big 3-0 and launching a Kickstarter campaign, they fund a 90s island, inviting thousands of other 90s buffs to live with them. When one brother becomes a power-hungry egomaniac, things take a turn for the worse in this nostalgic paradise. It was interesting seeing people regress and live all-90s. The humor here isn’t laugh-out-loud funny, but the story is still quite enjoyable.

This blog hop was initiated by Stina Lindenblatt. In her novel released this month and that I’ll be reviewing next week, TELL ME WHEN, the main character is stalked throughout. She’s always being watched, someone is leaving messages for her, and this is absolutely terrifying.

While I read this, I wondered if the character could have done anything to prevent this horrific situation from happening to her. We know some stalker prevention techniques like not revealing too much online, not having our addresses out in the open (like envelopes laying around), and things like that. In this novel, when the past was revealed piecemeal, it was obvious the main character had done nothing out of the ordinary to capture this person’s attention. The stalker was truly a madman who, in his warped mind, believed she should be his.

I’ve encountered creepy people before, whether being out and about or at the workplace. Although I haven’t been stalked, I’ve had some odd people insinuate themselves into my personal space and into my life. I’ve had people call nonstop, several times a day, even several times an hour, because they made up some relationship with me in their minds. After knowing these deranged people for a mere few days, they pronounced that I was their friend. And at the time, when I was twenty-something, I felt the need to be nice and polite. Nice and polite gave these people the wrong message. Getting these people out of my existence wasn't always easy since they were clingy. The best thing to do was cut things off abruptly, stop accepting their calls, tell them in an email or in person that I wanted nothing to do with them...whatever I had to do to excise them from my life.

This no longer happens to me because I’ve established boundaries. When I’m rude or cold, oh well. I have to survive in this world without anyone making me feel uncomfortable. The energy and time stealers are going to back off. If these people are needy, helpless, insecure, lonely, what have you, and they think I’m going to save them, help them, and be their best friend and confidante, they can think again. No one is forcing any sort of relationship on me.