Seventeen-year-old Lark Singer only has two things going for her, her music and her best friend Bean. While entering a competition she hopes will launch their music career, Lark searches for answers that will make her whole. Her quest reveals some secrets that those around her would rather keep hidden. As the competition looms closer, Lark discovers not only who she really is, but also who her real friends are. Then tragedy threatens everything she has worked so hard to accomplish. Can she pick up the pieces and move on?
Chapter One
I want to be like Gideon Lee.My lips move as I read the title of my essay. They twitch as I stifle a snicker. Looking around the room, I make sure no one has seen my facial tic. My eyes light upon the Presidents’ pictures lined up on the wall. They face me, each with a unique expression, and I wonder what they were thinking while they posed. They are above the clock so my gaze naturally falls on it. It’s almost time for lunch.
I settle back in my seat and my lips twitch again. A feeling of defiant exhilaration washes over me like a tidal wave.
Montgomery’s going to freak when he reads this.
Despite my best efforts, a giggle escapes and the boy in front of me turns around and gives me the evil eye. I return the glare. He is slumped over, and sweat beads on his upper lip. I think this is odd — it’s rather chilly in the room — but dismiss it before I turn back to my essay.
I bet old man Montgomery doesn’t even know who Gideon Lee is. This thought sends another giggle to the surface, but I quickly squash it by biting my lip.
I picture him searching Gideon Lee’s name on the Internet. I see his expression changing from confusion to disgust. I imagine him taking off his black, thick-rimmed glasses and shaking his head. I hear him mutter, “Lark Singer, what are you doing?” He rubs his face. I can actually hear the rough sandpapery sound as his hand finds his day old stubble. He sighs and puts his glasses back on. “What am I going to do with you?”
I remember when Mr. Montgomery first told us about the assignment. We were supposed to write an essay on someone we admire, someone who has contributed to society in some way. I know when he says this he wants us to write about an a historical figure. After all this is history class, but I raised my hand anyway.
“Lark,” he called out as he stood at his lectern.
“Do they have to be dead?”
He cocked his head as he studied me with his piercing blue eyes. Then he ran his hand over his military style crew cut, and I watched as his salt and pepper hair flattened then popped back into place as if each hair was standing at attention. I could tell he wasn’t sure where this was going.
“Well… I guess not.” That’s when he froze, as if he realized he had just opened a door for me and he wasn’t going to like what was on the other side. He shifted his weight, and looked down at the floor before he backpedaled. “But they have to have made a positive contribution to society. It can’t be about a mobster or anything like that.” Pursing his lips, he stared at me, fiddling with those glasses. “This is one half of your semester grade, Lark. I wouldn’t pull any funny stuff.”
“Oh, I won’t. Scout’s honor,” I answered sweetly, placing my hand over my heart and giving him the scout salute, while inside I planned my rebellion.
I have him. I’m going to write about Gideon Lee, and there’s nothing he can do about it.
Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. Hooked on mysteries by the fifth grade, she even wrote a few
of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first series, “The Super Spies,” has reached bestseller status.
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, she spent many years in the insurance industry, pining to express her creative side. The decision to stay home with her children gave her the opportunity to follow her dream and become a writer. She currently resides in Rockford Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on a Coming of Age Young Adult series called The Starlight Chronicles. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.
I’m busy working on my presentation for The State of the Market Report that I’m giving at the NJSCBWI conference to kick off Sunday morning. The report is chuck full of statistics, survey answers from editors and agents, and lots of analyst. Since all of my time has been going into that report and not on my blog, I thought I would give you a glimpse.
Young Adult ebooks are doing really well and I know many of you are considering going the digitally root hoping to ride that wave. I was surprised how many digital publishers are out there and since this research taught me things, I thought you might be interested in seeing the list and the number of deals each had during the last year. Please note some publishers were not in business for the full year.
Swoon Romance
14 deals in the last 12
Astraea Press
12 deals in the last 12 months
Bloomsbury Spark
11 deals in the last 12 months
Vinspire
6 deals in the last 12 months
Entangled
4 deals in the last 12 months
Diversion Books
4 deals in the last 12 months
Entranced
4 deals in the last 12 months
Harlequin Teen
4 deals in the last 12 months
Polis
3 deals in the last 12 months
In This Together Media
3 deals in the last 12 months
Lyrical Press
2 deals in the last 12 months
Evernight Teen
2 deals in the last 12 months
Inkspell
1 deal in the last 12 months
Simon & Schuster Children’s
1 deal in the last 12 months
Untreed Reads
1 deal in the last 12 months
Champagne Books
1 deal in the last 12
Little, Brown Children’s
1 deal in the last 12 months
Bold Strokes Books
1 deal in the last 12
Adaptive
1 deal in the last 12 months
Midnight Frost
1 deal in the last 12 months
Thought Catalog
1 deal in the last 12 months
Fire & Ice
1 deal in the last 12 months
Anaiah
1 deal in the last 12 months
Spencer Hill Contemporary
1 deal in the last 12 months
Month9Books
1 deal in the last 12 months
Candlemark & Gleam
1 deal in the last 12 months
TouchPoint Press
1 deal in the last 12 months
Kindle Worlds
1 deal in the last 12 months
Buzz Books USA
1 deal in the last 12 months
Now it is time to do your homework to see if any of them are a good fit for you.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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Self-publishing Tagged:
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It’s Author Interview Thursday! Woohoo! Today’s special guest interviewed me on her blog a few weeks ago.
Well, today she gets to sit on my hot seat and answer all my questions. Muhahaha! Ok, enough of my ‘The Count’ from Sesame Street impersonation and let’s get right to it. Speaking to her over the last few weeks and visiting her blog, it’s clear to see she’s in this for the long haul. Her book covers stand out and you can tell a lot of thought was put into creating them. I got introduced to her by Sharon Ledwith who is a great connector of authors and readers. I’d really like you to connect with her at one of the links she provides in our interview as she’s a wonderful person to know and learn from. With that been said, please join me in welcoming Lisa Orchard.
Can you tell us a little bit about the first time someone complemented you on something you had written?
Sure. One of the first and best compliments I have ever received was from a mother who read “The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer” with her daughter. The story sparked a conversation between them about what her daughter would do if she were in the same situation as the main character. I loved that my story helped them bond. It was a wonderful feeling.
What can a reader expect when they pick up a Lisa Orchard book?
Hmmm. Good question. They can expect an entertaining, thought provoking story. Readers have said that I write an unpredictable mystery. I was so excited to hear that because it means I’ve accomplished one of my goals with my stories.
You’ve gone the traditional route and are published by Astraea Press. What would you say are the advantages you’ve experienced compared to a self-publisher?
I would have to say the advantages are the fact that I didn’t have to pay for an editor or cover artist. I received both excellent editing advice and I absolutely love my covers. There’s also an excellent writer community with the Astraea Press authors. This community helps with marketing and social media strategies.
What tips can you give us in terms of working with a publisher to ensure your vision for a story doesn’t get diluted or compromised by the demands of a publisher?
Good question. Keep in mind; I only have my experience with Astraea Press to guide me with this answer. My experience with Astraea has been that they work with the author to make sure there is no dilution or comprising of the story. They’re very attuned to making sure that doesn’t happen.
You write in the YA (Young Adult) genre which is very popular and competitive. What advice would you have for someone who wants to write in this genre?
Know your market. I can’t stress that enough.
You’ve published three books in the Super Spies series. Was it a conscious decision to write a series and what led you to do it?
Yes. It was a conscious decision to write a series and what led me to do it was that I enjoyed reading series when I was younger, so a series was the most natural way for me to go.
What have you found to be a successful way to market your books?
I’ve found the best way to market my books is to get in front of my readers. I do classroom visits that are very effective and writing workshops with various girls’ groups near me.
What were some of your favourite books as a child?
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Series, Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, Trixie Belden, and The Bobbsey Twins just to name a few.
What three things should writers avoid when writing dialogue? 
Repetitiveness.
Dialogue that doesn’t move the story forward.
Wordiness.
What book or film has the best dialogue that inspires you to be a better writer and why?
I would have to say the book “Frozen Fire.” I thought the dialogue was wonderful and it helped me to be less wordy.
What is your definition of success as an author?
Ahhh…good question. I would say success for me as an author would be having a positive impact on my fans. Although, I’d be excited to hit the New York Times Bestsellers list or the USA Today Bestseller’s list as well.
Toy Story or Shrek?
This is a tough one, because I watched both movies with my kids and liked them both. I’m going to have to go with Shrek though. There’s just something about that loveable old ogre.
What three things should a first time visitor to Michigan do? 
Check out the Great Lakes. They’re gorgeous and it’s so relaxing by the water. An event that’s worth attending is ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. It’s inspiring to see the creativity of the artists in the area.
What can we expect from Lisa Orchard in the next 12 months?
I’ve just completed a Coming of Age Young Adult Novel titled, “Gideon Lee.” I’m excited about it and I can’t wait until its release date. It’s with an editor now and she’s checking it out. She read the first few pages and didn’t want to put it down. I think that’s a great sign!
Where can readers and fans connect with you?
You can find me at these social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1
Website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/
Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry?
Keep plugging away! You’ll get there. I know it’s frustrating, but keep writing and persevere.
Couldn’t agree more with you Lisa. At the London Book Fair, Jasinda Wilder talked about how her big breakthrough came on book 26! Imagine if she had quit on Book 25? It’s been an absolute pleasure having you today Lisa and your pearls of wisdom were and are appreciated. Lisa and I would love to hear your comments on our interview, so leave a few lines in the comments section below. You can also grab a copy of Lisa’s book at the link below and do remember to share this interview on your social circles.
Lisa Orchard on Amazon
I figured you were busy, busy, busy with prep for the conference which is why you haven’t been following up! At least I know you’re OK and just busy :) Been meaning to call to be sure, but now I know so won’t bother you! lol See you in a few days :D :D :D
Very useful information, Kathy. Thank you. I’ve been eyeing Swoon Reads for a while now.
Thanks! Your hard work is appreciated.
Kathy -
do you know if any of the deals involved payment of advances?
Just curious.
Janet
Looking forward to hearing your Market Report and hopefully chatting with you this weekend. Thank you for all you do and see you soon! Jen