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Here's your chance to get your hands on a Solstice Swag Pack from PJ Hoover! Check out my interview with her below and fill in the giveaway form at the end to enter. Good luck!

Where Mythology and Dystopia meet...

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.

SOLSTICE is P.J. Hoover's debut YA novel and is the first front-list novel to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author. 

Thanks, PJ, for answering a few questions for us today! I totally loved SOLSTICE. It’s a unique twist on the whole dystopia theme. What inspired you to use Greek mythology in your story?

Thanks for the opportunity to be here! I love talking about SOLSTICE and the world it’s set in. So great question! I enjoy trying to pinpoint those things that spark my ideas. So many of my other stories, I can identify exactly what it was, but for SOLSTICE, it’s more nebulous. I think it came about as I was hearing about fairy tale retelling after fairy tale retelling, and sure, I love fairy tales. But what I love more is mythology, and I thought how cool it would be to work on myth retellings. And this is when I decided that I wanted to write a myth retelling for the young adult market.



Ok, I have to know. Reese or Shayne? Which one was your favorite to write?

Reese! First off, he’s the more dangerous of the two guys. Reese likes to break the rules. Reese is more willing to do anything to get what he wants. It’s not like Shayne is perfect. He has plenty of flaws. But there’s something about writing characters that walk on the dark side that makes the words flow easier (at least for me).



The world of Piper is fascinating and also frightening. Did your engineering background help with the research on the compound where Piper lives?

Thanks! I had fun developing the dystopic world Piper lives in. I started out with the world being pretty undeveloped, but as I

3 Comments on Giveaway and Interview with P.J. Hoover!, last added: 6/24/2011

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Harpreet Singh said, on 6/21/2011 3:08:00 PM

WOOO!!! Thanks for the super generous giveaway! I really REALLY badly want to read this!

~Harpreet
xoxo

http://booksforteens6212.blogspot.com/

PJ Hoover said, on 6/21/2011 5:29:00 PM

Thank you so much for the interview, YA Books Central! You guys are THE BEST!!!!!

Thanks for the interest, Harpreet! I hope you like it!

Firelighter18 said, on 6/24/2011 3:31:00 AM

Sounds like a great new novel. Thank-you for the fantastic giveaway you’re having. When will the book be available in Australia?



Hugs,
Rachel

My email: skow(dot)rachel(at)gmail(dot)com

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During this crazy shopping time, we all need convenience, and it's hard to be much more convenient than a Barnes & Noble this time of year. So, I've put together a list of mine, and other small press books, that you can currently walk into pretty much any Barnes & Noble and buy right off the shelf. It doesn't get much more convenient than that.

And if you plan on making a special trip, click on the books title to see if the book is in the Barnes & Noble nearest you.

From CBAY Books:

• The Book of Maps by David Michael Slater -- Although this is the third book in the series, you don't have to have read the first two. The twins start on a whole new adventure in this one as one of the oldest demons comes after them. There's a lot of action in this one, and you might just find yourself biting your nails as everyone in the world seems to be against the kids in this one.
• The Necropolis by PJ Hoover -- This is the final book in The Forgotten Worlds Trilogy, and I have to say, it's the best one yet. From an editorial perspective it's great to see how the author's writing has grown, but from a kid perspective, the book is just cool. Lots of exciting stuff happens, there's some more time travel, and we finally get to see what's happening in Atlantis. Like I said, cool.

From Tanglewood Press:

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn -- The New York Times #1 Bestseller (pretty good for a small press book) is always a great gift. Dealing with separation anxiety, this picture book is good whether a kid is starting school or daycare or even going to stay at Grandma's for a few days.

From Barefoot Books:

• Yoga Pretzels by Tara Guber -- A fabulous collection of yoga poses suitable for even the youngest yogi. These come on large flashcard sized cards so that you can always see exactly what it is you are working on.

(My list isn't longer because I had trouble finding small press books in Barnes & Noble stores. Nearly every presses full catalog is carried online, but it was hard to find them physically in the store. Show your support for small presses in big chains. Next time you're in a Barnes & Noble, purchase one of these books.)

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Green Girl tagged me with this sinful post:

"Sometimes you can learn more about a person by what they don’t tell you. Sometimes you can learn a lot from the things they just make up. If you are tagged with this Meme, lie to me. Then tag 7 other folks (one for each deadly sin) and hope they can lie."

Whew. The pressure is on. Good lying. Here goes:

Pride
What is your biggest contribution to the world?

Gosh, what a tough question. It's a real toss up between those highly acclaimed academic tomes on the principles of cold fusion and my spicy spaghetti recipe.

Envy
What do your coworkers have that you wish was yours?

Anonymity. I get hounded all the time by eager tweens begging me to please, please, please write a sequel to Dragon Wishes.

Gluttony
What did you eat last night?

Monte Cristo sandwich, fries, and baked fudge with ice cream and whipped cream. It's a real tragedy to have one of those metabolisms that just won't let you put on any weight. What's a girl to do but eat?

Lust
What really lights your fire?

Apathy. I'm so tired of men who know what they want. Couldn't they be wishy washy for a change? Not know what they want? Take years to propose? Why do they have to hurry us so?

Anger
What is the last thing that really pissed you off?

The recent election demonstrations in Iran. How dare those forward thinkers try and bring about democracy, or even fairness in election voting returns. What do they think this is, the 21st century?

Greed
Name something you hoard and keep from others:

Manuscripts. Move over Emily Dickinson. Just wait till I die. Oh, the treasures the world will find.

Sloth
What’s the laziest thing you ever did?

Gave one word answers to open-ended questions.

Disclaimer: I may be an author, but I'm not sure I'm the wittiest one when it comes to answering questions like these. It's all that Catholic upbringing. I can feel the weight of Purgatory bearing upon me as I fudge the truth. I swear! May these writers be more unencumbered in their yarn spinning :-)

ROOTS IN MYTH

Gutsy Writer

Hello Ello

Keri Mikulski

Lilly's Life

Rena Jones

Writing it Out

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In the excerpt on Monday, the kids found a record in Ancient Lemurian. As part of my all things Lemurian this week, I thought I'd share with the world what Lemurian looks like and how you too can type phrases in Lemurian.

At this link here, you can see examples of actual Lemurian texts and download a font that lets you type in Lemurian. Now I realize that most of you who read my blog are a little old for this kind of thing, but it's really popular with kids. They like to give each other messages in code.

This would be an example of a relatively easy marketing tool. Since I already had Adobe Illustrator, I merely had to get a fairly inexpensive font creator. What's even better is that now I can make all sorts of fonts for all sorts of projects.

Once the font is made, it's then really easy (and free) to distribute. You just stick it on your website. And like I had mentioned before, kids (and some adults) love these kinds of playthings. It's another way to link people to your book.

Another way to use this font as a marketing tool, is to use as part of a contest. In October, we'll be giving away book sets based on kids' abilities to decode messages posted around the web.

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We've got lots to celebrate here at 2k8 with contests and rave reviews. Please give us a woot!

SLEEPLESS author, Terri Clark, is giving away an authentic Navajo dream catcher on her blog. For your chance at sweet dreams and for a sneak peek of her paranormal thriller, click here.

Also, Terri is pleased to announce that her essay in FLIRTING WITH THE MONSTER, an anthology about Ellen Hopkins and her work, will be published by BenBella books in May of '09.

PJ Hoover celebrated the launch of her middle grade science-fiction novel THE EMERALD TABLET! THE EMERALD TABLET received a great review from Brianna over at Balanced Steps. Brianna compares THE EMERALD TABLET to Harry Potter and says this: "Anyone who enjoyed discovering the world of magic with Harry Potter will enjoy diving into a different magical world with Benjamin Holt and his friends...for you Potter fans, the experience is TOTALLY different from Harry's." Thanks, Brianna!

Tasha at And Another Book Read gave THE EMERALD TABLET a fantastic review! She had this to say: "I loved every minute that I was reading it, and I feel like I want to reread the book over and over again. ... While reading the book I kept thinking that in a way it was almost like a myth that was being told and how cool it would be if it was actually true... Fans of Rick Riordanʼs PERCY JACKSON series will particularly enjoy this book."
Thanks, Tasha!

And Book Chic also gave THE EMERALD TABLET an awesome review including this tasty morsel: "This is a wonderful beginning to a fantasy middle-grade trilogy. Hoover's writing is extremely compelling and makes the book hard to put down." Thanks, Book Chic!

And speaking of Book Chic, this has been one busy reviewer. He's also written a great review for THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE by Liz Gallagher and plans to feature Courtney Sheinmel as November's Fresh New Voice in YA and Barrie Summy as December's Fresh New Voice in YA!

Cynthea Liu posted a fun interview with Nancy Viau, author of SAMANTHA HANSEN HAS ROCKS IN HER HEAD.

Publisher's Weekly gave Courtney Sheinmel's MY SO-CALLED FAMILY a starred review and called it "smart, original and full of vitality."

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8 x 8
Polychromo pencil on Strathmore Bristol

This is what all those "Walnut Brown" experiments were all about. I finished this today, and the recipient is very happy with it. I am so relieved!

It was a very fun commission. Its an invented artist's studio with some Harry Potterish bits in it, as well as things that are meaningful to the person to whom it now belongs. (that was wordy).

**Update** I now know I have permission to say WHO the mystery recipient is ~
the wonderfully gifted colored pencil artist Nicole Caulfield!!!
She mentions this on her blog and explains what its for.
It was such an honor to do this for her. I am a BIG fan of her work and admire her skill with a pencil tremendously.

I think we achieved the "black and white" idea but warmed it up sufficiently by using the Walnut Brown Polychromo instead.

There's a secret passageway going under the cupboard toward the right, a broom for flying leaning against the drawing table, Hedwig the owl, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans down front, an invisibility cloak hanging on the armoire, a chocolate frog, and references to Nicole's work and subject matter she uses in her pieces.

I wish I had a secret passageway in my studio...


All images and content herein are © Paula Pertile and may not be used or reproduced without permission.

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Class of 2k8 members love Web sites!

Here's few more thoughts on the subject:

Web sites provide author bios.
My favorite part of any author’s site is the Bio page. What can I say? I love checking out the wizard behind the curtain! After checking out the author, I always click over to the frequently asked questions. Not only are they usually very interesting and informative, but because I’m a debut author I need to prepare myself for what kind of questions I may one day be frequently asked.

And since no one has ever frequently asked me anything—except maybe if they could have my book for free—I decided to *steal* some FAQ’s from some of my favorite authors and answer them as best I could on my own site.
~Brooke Taylor, Author of Undone,
http://http://www.brooketaylorbooks.com/


A Web site is a fantastic marketing tool.
People will tell you it's an essential marketing tool these days, but I think its most important role is giving readers a more personal glimpse of the writer, a sense of the personality behind the book… and that can deepen and enrich your understanding of her work, as well as forge a feeling of connectedness between author and reader—and connecting with readers is what writing is all about.
~ Elizabeth C. Bunce, Author of A Curse Dark As Gold,
http://www.elizabethcbunce.com


A Web site adds professionalism.
I have a Web site because I love the idea of having a Web site. But more than that, it makes me feel the part of being a writer. For the past fifteen years, I've designed chips (the kind that go in computers, not in your mouth), so when I started writing, there was a certain part of me which felt like a poser. Like I was pretending to be something I wasn't. And even now, with my first book coming out later this year, it's still kind of hard to identify myself as a writer.

So what does my site do for me? It makes me feel professional. It gives me the opportunity to present myself in a positive way. And it makes others view me as a positive and professional author. Writing is fun; I love it and want to do it forever. It is more than a hobby, and I want anyone who visits my site to see that and understand.
P.J. Hoover, Author of The Forgotten Worlds Book 1: The Emerald Tablet,
http://www.pjhoover.com/


A Web site can be jam-packed with activities.
A Web site is a really good way for me to showcase my books, introduce readers to me, and to pass information on to school librarians about what happens when I come to a school to visit. I also use the site to put up teacher packs, i.e. information, games, coloring pages, mazes, extra websites, writing assignments, that teachers can use with my books either before or after I come, helping to build upon the information I present when I am there.
~Stacy Nyikos, Author of Dragon Wishes,
http://www.stacyanyikos.com


Web sites satisfy curiosity.
I think a Web site gives readers a place to get to know you, learn more about your books and your plans, and maybe try something new.
~Regina Scott, Author of La Petite Four,
http://lapetitefour.com


A Web site is the place to be.
To a writer, a Web site is very important. The Internet is where we all go now...and having a pleasant, interesting presence there can help a writer attract and keep readers.
~Marissa Doyle, Author of Bewitching Season,
http://www.marissadoyle.com/

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For me, it's all about the furniture. I have "to do" lists where I keep track of what needs to be done for work, including emailing, sketches, final art, updating portfolios, promotion pieces etc. But the biggest help for me was organizing all the supplies. I have a lot of things I need for my work and they all need to fit in a small space.

The first step was this secretary desk, which is where I work on the computer and it holds a huge amount of art supplies. Next to it I have a mini filing cabinet that the scanners sits on. This cabinet holds all the computer/printing supplies. On the other side I have a large filing cabinet that holds all my work files, finished artwork, emails, sketches, printed illustrations, etc. The copier/printer sits on top of that.

There are two other pieces of furniture that complete my "studio". One is a large cabinet with shallow drawers that holds all my large pieces of art and watercolour paper/supplies. The other is a table that I use for my inking and painting.

Now everything has a place and I can actually find the things I need... well most of the time... Read the rest of this post

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Well, it took 4 months but it's finally done (see the process here)! Take a look:

*And even my register covers are creative. Done by my brother-in-law who does great ironwork.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I had a tiffany blue paint swatch for 2 years knowing that it would be the color of my studio someday, but I really wanted a warm and cozy space, so I decided to go with a green instead. I've got these on flickr too and will be adding in some comment notes so take a peek over there too.

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The past several (SEVERAL!) Woogie Wednesdays have consisted of deadlines for me or the Woog helping me measure, paint and whatnot in the new studio. We didn't do pictures of those days because it really wasn't all that interesting. But now, since the studio is done, this is the first Woogie Wednesday and really the first kind of art (besides those 60 illustrations I had due yesterday) that was done in the studio. And, since we've started late in the day it will continue into a Woogie weekend.

Today, we are working on our Christmas card. We're making a Junk A Doodles snowman:



And the Woog is loving her new studio space. Here she is while the paint is drying:



And I don't like to show a room that's not yet fully decorated (hopefully I'll be able to do that some tomorrow in between projects), but here's a sneak peek at one wall:

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It's finally done and I'll start moving in today after I finish up some work for a client. Pictures to come!


Things I've learned:

• I hate dirt


• I hate sawdust


• I never want to build a house (I knew that before but this experience has reinforced that)


• I don't have the desire to flip houses anymore (sad because I really thought it would be fun, now, not so much)


• Putting on a roof does some major damage to your hands


• I now know what people go through who suffer from arthritis of the hands. My pain only last a few days and it was horrible.


• My most comfortable pair of sneakers are not good working shoes. Crocs are the way to go! Unfortunately I found that out late in the game after weeks of soar feet.


• Don't let a 3 year old load up her own paint roller.


• Paint and stain do go through a drop cloth - what's the point?


• Caulk and trim will hide most anything


• Goody's Body Pain powders are good stuff

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HATS
are this week's theme at Illustration Friday. Very seasonally appropriate I thought. I have already started looking out the family's winter hats as our house is wonderfully cool in the summer but also in the winter, alas! Wearing a hat makes a big difference.

In fact, when winter really hits, a hat is a necessity, especially in my studio. North-facing and with a very feeble radiator, there are times when you can practically see your breath in there. No need to wrap up my palette at the end of the day...the paint stays nicely refrigerated and fresh for days on end. Me too I guess, so I wear a hat, a neck-warmer and a paint splattered down vest to work.

Self Portrait in a Cold Studio, oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches

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Well, it really feels real now! I wish I had taken a before picture but under the top cabinet was another cabinet that I took out, tiled the "backsplash" area (to match the rest of the kitchen I did a few weeks ago), patched up the wood floor where the cabinet was, cut a hole in the wall and put my door up. Now I just have to put in a little bit of base board and shoe mold and it will be all done. Now I have a little mud roomish area (I love mud rooms) and an entrance to my studio! Today the shingles will finally go on!

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I have a roof and my french doors are in!! I've given myself a deadline of Thanksgiving to have the entire thing done, inside and out. It's supposed to rain everyday this week so I don't know if shingles will go on or not. Once it gets all dried-in I can go ahead and get my electrical and insulation in and then I can start doing the drywall.

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I'm a little behind on posting studio progress. This is how it looked last week. It's over 300 square feet, but it's so much bigger than I had imagined. We might have to take another day trip to IKEA to fill it up.

Yesterday the rafters went up. It's been rainy this week and my contractor's due to have a baby tomorrow so they'll be some delays, but we're so close too getting in all dried in. Can't wait!!

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I mentioned to a couple of people that we got a new light for the front room and said it was a "schoolhouse" light and got blank looks. So I thought I'd show some pictures. This is a very traditional style of milk glass light fixture, in this case a semi-flushmount with a brushed nickel base. I thought everyone knew what a schoolhouse light was, but realize now that years of reading Canadian House & Home, Country Living, Domino, Canadian Home & Country, Elle Decor and Style at Home has possibly taught me things not everyone knows.

When did I become so home decor obsessed? I'm not sure. It had some practical applications when we were fixing up our condo in order to sell it, and of course we need to fix up our new home to make it comfortable, but I think you can tell it's gone beyond that. Luckily my girlfriends also seem to be a bit home decor obsessed themselves lately so I don't have to feel too sheepish for wanting to talk about tiles, paint colours and light fixtures all the time. (speaking of tiles we found some white 1" hexagonal floor tiles for our bathroom - I can't wait to install those!!)

So this front room is our living/dining room, but it's also working really well as my studio during the day. The computer is to one side in my secretary desk, and the dining table is perfect both for watercolour painting and sewing. You may notice the ironing board in the hallway - very convenient so I can do my cutting and pressing on it as I work on sewing projects. Right now I have my sewing machine out because I'm making a present for Bradley. Speaking of which, are you wondering why all the posts all of a sudden? Well it's an extra-posts-for-the-week-before-your-birthday treat for Bradley. And tomorrow is the big day! That's when I'll show you what I made for him.

p.s.



This is the old light fixture... just didn't really work with the decor and made the ceilings seem lower than they are, plus Bradley kept bumping his head. Plus environmentally speaking it was using a whopping 480 watts!

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Well, some wood is finally up along the wall. Hopefully we'll have a floor by the end of the week. We had a setback last week when we were told we had to dig out our hill behind the studio so we had to get that done before we moved forward with anything else. Hopefully now we can finally start building up!

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Well, the block was finished up yesterday and I think the next step is a drainage system and insulation on the block. It's finally staring to look like something now!

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Well, digging started:

And after 10 day and 18 truckloads of dirt, excavation is finally done!


Wow, I never imagined there would be so much dirt! Once it was all dug out I could see it is going to be so much bigger that I imagined. I can't wait. Tomorrow the foundation is getting formed with wood and re-bar (I have no idea how it's spelled!) is going in.

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I am currently bouncing off the walls with the excitement of my life! My very first original painting sale happened today, four days shy of the artwalk (well besides the paintings that were sold at Doctors and Derrieres for charity). I couldn't be happier. Really! A client of mine asked to see what I had for sale so I invited him (and his family) to my studio to take at look at the display I was creating for this years Whyte Ave artwalk. I almost cried when they left my house (with pure happiness). My little paintings could not have found a better home. Truly.

Here are the paintings (Spring Lady will still be available to view only at the artwalk if you'd like to see her before she goes to live at my clients home). :)

YAHOOOOOO!!!!!

-Crystal

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The last few days have been a blur. My sister has come home from living abroad for nearly a year and my best friend has also returned from New Zealand after living there for what she describes as "20 months". I've been wracking my brain in my latest role as "fine artist" rather than illustrator to complete paintings I think might sell at this years Artwalk put on by the Paint Spot on Whyte Ave. Sitting on my parents deck on the farm I grew up on I couldn't help thinking what a crazy great job I have to be able to paint wherever I want...

I have recieved my vendors permit and I'm going to be situated at the Varscona Theatre (or Walterdale??). The event runs from July 13-15 so stop by the farmers market and then come by for a chat (this is Edmonton for those of you who don't know where I live) as I'm right across from it. It'll be a one of a kind event for me because I've never actually sold my art before! This entire time I've been deeply involved in illustration where the client "borrows" the scanned image but I'm quaking in my boots to think of someone taking home one of my paintings! Oh I just hope they do. Otherwise my halls will be lined up like crazy with bright pictures of girls sipping wine.

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By Kirsty OUP-UK

Saturday 16 June 2007 saw the Oxford offices of OUP transformed for one night only: the Oxford University Press Ball. These momentous nights only take place every few years, so it really is a special occasion. Below, for your viewing pleasure, are some photographs from the night in question. (more…)

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I took these photos this week. Nice sunny days. Warm, but nice. I could still leave the studio door open. Well, now it's approaching 100 degrees, with 105 just around the corner. Good bye open door 'till about...mid September!

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Along with my quest to becoming published, I'm embarking on another, and just as difficult, quest. Becoming organized! The spring cleaning bug bit. That nasty little bug jumped right from the house into my studio. It keeps nipping at me. Finding piles over here and stacks over there. Newspaper clippings hidden among photos. Pencils stubs too short to even grasp. Plastic containers with no real purpose. And books! Stacks of books everywhere! It was time for a plan.

Ikea to the rescue! They have a cubicle style bookcase made just for me. I have cubbyholes for my copies and for the copies from each of the libraries I visit. And I can still stack, but hopefully keep things under control. Like all good organizers bitten by the spring cleaning bug, I started out by sorting everything alphabetically!

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