Elizabeth Scott's Blog

2008-07-25T10:49:00.003-04:00

Random question for those of you who read this blog and are under 18: Do you like poetry? If you do, what poets do you like?

I ask because I had lunch with a friend the other day and afterward, I got to thinking about the time she and I were looking through one of those huge anthologies they make you read when you get to college and take your first literature course, and she got to talking about poetry she'd read in high school and I had to confess I'd never had to read any. I sure wish we had, but instead I had to read The Fountainhead AND Atlas Shrugged in order to graduate from high school.*

Also, I don't know what's made Morgan Freeman pop up in everything recently, but doesn't he have the best voice? His voice-overs for all those Olympic ads are actually making me interested in the Summer Olympics, which I like far less than the Winter Olympics, which have skiing. (And, all right, skiing crashes. I know! But there, I've admitted it. What can I say? I'm old enough to remember ABC's Wide World of Sports and the big old ski crash during the opening. It always made me feel better whenever I had to go skiing and ran into a tree. (And I always ran into a tree. Always.))**

Meg Cabot is always hilarious and awesome about everything, but I especially like this: "Usually when you find the right story, you love it so much, you want to finish it (well, sort of. 99% of writing is keeping your butt stuck in the chair while the rest of your friends are out having fun. Try to think of how good you’ll feel when you get paid for it write the words THE END. That always helps me)."

Jennifer Smith, author of The Comeback Season, is having a really unique contest that really runs with her book--the grand prize is tickets to a Chicago Cubs baseball game!

*Yes, for real. And yes, both of them.

**You can find logo shots and Jim McKay's voice over ("and the agony of defeat") on YouTube, but not the actual opening. Though you can read about the skiing clip that I've babbled over. What in the world did I do before the internet? What did any of us do????

2008-07-21T11:42:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered how many blogs there are out there? I have. (Can you tell I have oodles of work to do? Next thing you know, I'll be announcing that I'm going to clean out closets*)

The answer seems to be that no one is really sure, but it's an awful lot. Possibly hundreds of millions. And if you go to blogger, they have a little thing where they list updated blogs and during the minute I counted, 36 blogs were updated, including one called Rural Postal Carrier News, which I had to check out, because well--if you've read my bio, you probably can guess why.

Anyway, let's see what else is going on.

Two discussions on writing advice: the worst you've ever been given, and the best

Two very interesting blog posts about the always popular subject of the difficulty of making a living as a writer-- here and here

Thoughts and opinions solicited on writing groups

Elizabeth Bear writes about how her latest book isn't showing up in bookstores because it's not under one of the major distributors' listings by either her name or its title--and I think she says it best "Yes, the life of a writer really is this perilous."

Scary stuff.

Two more things:

Congrats to last week's contest winners: Brittany, Liviania, Ashley, and Sarah!

I'll be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Reston, Virgina on August 1st from 10-11 PM during their Breaking Dawn Party--it's going to be a lot of fun, and I hope to see you there!

*This will never happen. Once I fill a closet so full of stuff I can't get the door open without things falling out, it stays shut. To date, there are two closets in the house that no one opens. Perhaps if I leave them alone long enough, everything inside will disappear? Oooh! Or better yet, turn into bookstore gift certficates! I could live with that.

2008-07-18T12:54:00.002-04:00

I was lucky enough to see a screening of American Teen--a documentary that follows a group of high school students from Indiana through their senior year--a few days ago, and I *loved* it. Granted, I suppose that's a given since I write young adult novels, but I thought it was refreshingly nonjudgmental and very honest about what it's like to be a teen in America today, right down to the fact that sometimes parents can be astonishingly cruel when they're trying to be "helpful."

It was also totally fascinating to see who everyone in the theater identified with, and how they reacted when certain things happened--I swear there was actually hissing a few times, and some glad "awww"s at others

2008-07-14T12:41:00.003-04:00

I loved reading all about your favorite ice cream flavors (especially like the unusual ones, like cotton candy!) but I have to admit, I was really surprised that chocolate wasn't mentioned more.

But then I live with someone who loves chocolate (you may remember me mentioning his freezer stash) and even he tends to go for ice cream flavors like cookie dough, so clearly I'm basing my assumption on the fact that if I could eat ice cream (or chocolate), that would be what I'd eat.

Which leads me to...congrats to Kayleigh, who won the summer six-pack of books!

This week, I desperately need to take a vacation, but can't. So, once again, in the interest of living vicariously, tell me about your favorite vacation (or favorite vacation spot) and you could win a free book! The books I'll be giving away this week are: A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian, Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson, The Comeback Season by Jennifer Smith, and When You Wish by Kristin Harmel.

I'll take comments here through Friday, July 18th, and then I'll draw four names at random and each of those four people will win a book! This contest, as usual is open to everyone (I will ship books overseas), though I do want to remind you that if you comment here, *please* make sure you leave me a way to email you if you win.

Okay, back to work for me, but before I go, here's a couple of interesting links:

A great interview with Nora Roberts where she talks about her writing process--I love her thoughts on first drafts!

And branching out from there, the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog asks writers to chime in about their own first draft process. I never get tired of reading about how other people write--other people are so creative when it comes to writing books!

2008-07-09T11:25:00.002-04:00

I just realized that when I wrote about the winners of the STEALING HEAVEN contest the other day, I forgot to give the answers to the questions. Duh!

Anyway, here they are:

1. What's Greg's last name? Tollver

2. Where does the Donaldson family keep their silver, and what's on it? Pantry, and an eagle.

3. What's the first thing Dani does using her real name? This one was tricky, and I should have said using her *full* real name. She gets her driver's license, although I took all the answers that came in saying the first time she uses her real name is with Greg because she does tell him that her name is Danielle.

Those of you who didn't get a chance to enter, or didn't win, don't worry--I'm going to be running another little contest featuring my books in a few weeks, so stay tuned...

And, of course, you know I have links!

Justin Larbalestier writes about "the hard bits" of being a writer and how life as a full-time novelist isn't quite how she pictured it

From the "Did someone really do this? REALLY?" department--ten ways to blow a book deal

Maureen Johnson on muses -- The whole thing is brilliant, but I think my favorite part is this: But even the best books like to REPEATEDLY PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE while you are working on them. I believe the technical term for this is “work.”

Because it's so true! (At least for me, anyway) I love writing, but it's like any other job in that some days you can't wait to get to it and on others, you'd rather clean the sidewalk with a toothbrush.

Elizabeth Bear has lots of interesting things to say about change in her writing process

Melissa Walker writes about best friend breakups. I've written about one (Perfect You), and if you've ever had a close friendship end (and who hasn't?), this lovely essay will resonate with you.

2008-07-07T11:42:00.000-04:00

This week, I'm going to do something a little different--I'm giving away six paperbacks that are perfect for summer reading--and one person will win ALL of them!

So, for a chance to win: Death by Bikini, I Heart Bikinis: What's Hot, Better Latte Than Never, Tourist Trap, The Best Girl, and The Boyfriend League, just leave a comment telling me what your favorite ice cream flavor is. (I can't eat it, so I have to live vicariously through you! :-) )

I'll be taking comments through midnight EST on Friday, July 11th, and then I'll pick one name at random and that person will win all SIX books!

Also, I want to say congrats to the winners of the STEALING HEAVEN contest! Morgan won the necklace, and the gift card winners are: Katy, Tanya, Maureen, Lacey, Sasha, Hannah, Beth, Cathy, Linda, Rachael, Jennifer, Emily, Catharine, Beth, Melissa, Tatiana, Elle, Nicole, Suzanne, and Mandy.

2008-07-01T12:59:00.002-04:00

Congrats to last week's contest winners: Erin, Bria, Kaylee, and Kiss to Betray, and also to everyone who checked out what was posted yesterday over on the news page.

Also! The Prince William County Library has named me teen author of the month, which was a unexpected and truly lovely surprise--my thanks to all the librarians who work there, especially Blair and Debby!

I have some links to share, but before I get to them, I just want to thank everyone who has stopped by the site or written to me about Living Dead Girl, which is about a fifteen year old girl called Alice who was kidnapped when she was ten, and has spent the past five years living with her kidnapper. It's pretty intense and much darker than my current books. You can read more about it here, and it will be in stores in early September.

Now the promised links:

Over at the livejournal community Fangs, Fur, & Fey, writers are talking about stress.

This one is an older link, and one I've shared before, but she recently mentioned it in her blog and reminded me all over again of how interesting it is--Justine Larbalestier's fantastic How To Write A Novel

2008-06-30T12:59:00.003-04:00

Two things I love:

1. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. (Possibly the Best. Trailer. EVER. Don't believe me? Watch!)

2. Greek. How did I miss this show? HOW? But there is a certain pleasure in being able to watch tons of episodes. (I just finished the flashback one, and WOW.)

Two things to read:

1. Agent Michael Bourret talks about advances

2. Agent Jennifer Jackson on art vs. commerce--there's been a lot of talk from writers about this (and probably always will be!), but her response is, I think, both heartfelt and enlightening.

Now I have to go watch a certain something again.

2008-06-26T13:38:00.002-04:00

I've been taking yoga classes for a while now, in a--perhaps futile--effort to become the kind of person who can perform a simple stretch without saying things like "Wait, is my leg supposed to make that popping sound?"

I didn't think I'd like it much, but I do. Oh, I'm not very good at it, and don't think I'll ever be, but I find that things like actually having to focus on relaxing is hard.

I mean, when you think about it, relaxing doesn't *seem* hard. You sit, you do nothing. Done! But real relaxation--letting go of all the things you're thinking (read: worrying) about, letting go of everything that's going on in your life and just *being*--has proven surprisingly hard for me. But I keep trying because those moments where my mind stops churning and I'm just....here, not thinking, but just present, are truly relaxing in a way I've never expereienced before.

Of course, I'm still the kind of girl who can come home from yoga class feeling vaguely smug (I managed not to fall over during any of the balance poses. I think I might be getting more graceful! And flexible! WHOO!) and whack herself in the head with the screen door. (So much for grace, eh?)

Before I head out to walk the dog (and yes, I'll watch out for the screen door!) I have some links to share:

An interesting post on second books and the "sophmore slump"

Justine Musk has a new writing essay up. Hurrah! I keep waiting for someone to snap up all her essays and publish them as a writing guide because they're just that good.(I mean, how can you not love this? "So I guess my point– assuming, of course, that there has been a point at all, which is kind of a lot to assume when you really think about it — is something about how the only way I can hope to stay in the game as a published writer is by, well…writing.")

Nathan Bransford wants to know how you feel about writers putting out a book a year--as both a reader and a writer. As you might expect, heaps of comments on this one.

Finally, I'm interviewed about Stealing Heaven over at the YA Authors Cafe.

2008-06-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

I spent Saturday moving furniture around, which was about as much fun as it sounds. The thing about buying new furniture is that you have to get rid of the old furniture that the new furniture is replacing, and what seemed like a normal sized chair or sofa suddenly swells up and fills with large stones. (Oh, and if you're clumsy like me, you will drop things. Heavy things. On your feet. Unfortunately, as I bruise if you look sideways at me, the resulting bruises aren't nearly as dramatic as I think they should be. I've had worse bruises from the dog jumping onto my lap and she weighs way less than that stupid furniture!)

Anyway. It's things like this that make me worry about ever moving because if furniture turns cumbersome, what on earth can I expect from all my books? Don't get me wrong--I love my books, I can't go into a bookstore without drooling over at least four things and never leave without at least one book, but the thought of packing them all up? Shudder. I have bookcases that are triple filled, and whenever my parents come by, they always ask (in the way parents do where they pretend they are joking but you know they mean it) if I'm quite sure the second floor of the house will hold up under the weight of my books.**

Speaking of books, I want to say yay! and congratulations to last week's contest winners--Emily, Jacqueline, and Annie.

I also have a few more books to give away: Take Me There by Susane Colasanti, Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer, the dead & the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer, and A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb. If you're interested in winning one of these, just leave a comment here by midnight EST on Friday, June 27th and then I'll pick four winners at random and each of those four people will get a book. You can enter no matter where you live (I will ship books overseas) and if you've won something from me before.

**I would never tell them this--but occasionally, as the floor creaks under one of my bookcases as I find a way to slide yet another book onto it, I do wonder if they might be right.

OH! I almost forgot, but last week, a commenter asked about BEA pictures, and I do have some--just click on the links embedded in this entry (I can never bring myself to post multiple photos in blog posts, as I always think about people who still have to use dial-up and how long it takes for even one picture to load) But yes, there are BEA pictures here.

2008-06-17T12:44:00.002-04:00

Normally, I would be getting ready to watch Tour, but this year, I'm just not excited about it. I know there are a lot of opinions about what happened last year, but I wish Michael Rasmussen hadn't been fired by his team and kicked off the Tour. (There's a fantastic, but long article about what happened here)

It's just as well, anyway, as I'm working on copy edits now, and also have page proofs to do, and various other things. But I will miss the excitement of the Tour (I know you're thinking--um, Elizabeth, it's bicycle racing!--but seriously, it's great fun to watch.)

Before I head back to work, here are some interesting links:

Writers discuss publishers asking for a book a year

Thought-provoking post from Editorial Anonymous on sales peer pressure

Laura Anne Gilman writes about contracts

Agent Kristin Nelson is holding (running?) a poll about buying books (And as someone who just got a Kindle, I have to say that while I'll always love actual books, the Kindle is pretty freaking awesome--and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who likes mine!)

Agent Lucienne Diver has a long, detailed post about query dos and don'ts

2008-06-16T12:21:00.001-04:00

To celebrate the fact that summer is here (at least, summer weather is!), I thought I'd give away some books. This week, I'll be giving away:

-- one copy of Stephenie Meyer's new special edition of Eclipse, which has the cover art for Breaking Dawn, a sneak peek at the new book, and more -- PLUS a Twilight tote bag!

-- one SIGNED copy of Melissa Marr's Ink Exchange

-- one set of the P.C. and Kristin Cast House of Night Series--Marked, Betrayed, and Chosen

For a chance at winning one of these prizes, just leave me a comment telling me how summer (or at least, the summer weather!) has been treating you so far. I'll take comments through midnight EST on Friday, June 20th, and then I'll pick three names at random and each of those three people will win one of the prizes! This contest is open to everyone, regardless of where you live (I will ship books overseas) or if you've won something from me before. (Just make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win, okay? Please??)

As far as how my summer has been treating me...let's just say I'm grateful for air-conditioning!

Oh! And don't forget, there's still time to enter the STEALING HEAVEN contest--answer three questions, and you could win one of a *bunch* of prizes!

(Also, congrats to Lenore, who won last week's contest and got a copy of Read My Lips!)

STEALING HEAVEN contest!!

2008-06-11T15:23:00.002-04:00

Stealing Heaven is now available in your favorite local bookstore and so I'm going to have a STEALING HEAVEN contest because hey, I like contests! And also, this is my first ever hardcover novel, which is pretty exciting!

The STEALING HEAVEN contest is even easier to enter than any of my other book contests---all you have to do is email the answer to three questions about Stealing Heaven to me at elizabethscottcontest@gmail.com

Ready? Okay!

Here are the Stealing Heaven questions!

1. What's Greg's last name?

2. Where does the Donaldson family keep their silver, and what's on it?

3. What's the first thing Dani does using her real name?

Just email the answers to me at elizabethscottcontest@gmail.com

I'll be taking answers to these three questions through July 6th, and will announce the winners on July 7th.

And what are the prizes? I'm glad you asked!

One person will receive a sterling silver Elsa Peretti necklace from Tiffany that I think symbolizes Dani and Greg and reflects something Dani sees at the end of the book.

Twenty other people will each receive $20 gift cards to the bookstore of their choice.

Winners will be chosen at random, and please remember to send the answers to the questions to elizabethscottcontest@gmail.com

2008-06-10T12:15:00.002-04:00

Terri Brown, author of the new book Read My Lips, is having a blog party all this week and giving away a ton of books and other prizes. Today she's giving away a copy of my latest novel, Stealing Heaven, so hop on over there and enter if you're interested in winning it or any of the other great prizes she's giving away today.

And since Teri was sweet enough to ask me to be part of her blog party, I'm going to give away a copy of Read My Lips! If you're interested, just leave a comment sometime today, June 10th (make sure you leave a way for me to contact you!) and I'll pick one winner at random tomorrow and send that person a copy of Teri's book!

2008-06-09T13:08:00.001-04:00

If you're interested in getting a free note card of Stealing Heaven or Perfect You, getting an autographed bookplate, joining my mailing list, finding out how many books I have out and when the next ones will be in stores, learning more about where I got the ideas for each of my books, and when the book that's excerpted at the end of Perfect You is going to be out, click here.

Also, congrats to the winners of my latest mailing list contest: Rylie, Katlins, Brianna, Brooke, Hannah, Renee, Christina, Sarah, Ashley, and Jen

While I was away, I did guest blogs about writing over at Teen Book Review and Teen Troves--and many thanks to Teen Book Review and Teen Troves for asking me to write and share something with their readers!

And finally, Book Expo America, which is the reason why I've been gone so long.

In short, it was AMAZING. The thrill of signing books in the autographing area, where just two years ago I was waiting in line and never EVER thought I'd be on of the people behind the tables...WOW. Not to mention driving across the country, which--although exhausting--was plenty wonderful too.

Here are a few pics from Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. I also include one of my dog, who became quite the seasoned traveler (as you can see!) and one of myself, taken on the very last day. I think the bags under my eyes ARE my whole face.

Also, here's a look at the cover of Living Dead Girl--which was on display on the wall of the S&S booth (!!!) --and one of me at the booth signing I did on Sunday, with many thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by on the last day of BEA.

Oh! And I got to meet Melissa de la Cruz who is, in a word, FANTASTIC. Plus I got her to sign my copy of Fresh Off the Boat, which, if you haven't read it, you totally should. Right now. Seriously.

How have things been for you?

2008-06-07T07:22:00.002-04:00

I'm home--YAY!

I've got loads of messages to answer and I'm going to get to them as soon as I can, I promise. In the meantime, though, I wanted to answer a few questions that have come up.

In the back of Perfect You is an excerpt for a book called Live! Nude! Mom. When is that coming out?

The title of Live! Nude! Mom. had to be changed, and is now called Something, Maybe. It will be out in March 2009.

How many books do you have out, and what books are coming next?

Right now I have three books out: Bloom, Perfect You, and Stealing Heaven.

Living Dead Girl will be out this September.

Something, Maybe (*called Live! Nude! Mom. in the excerpt at the end of Perfect You*) will be out in March 2009, and love you hate you miss you will be out in June 2009.

I'll put up more information on the 2009 books as it becomes available!

How did you get the idea for Bloom/Perfect You/Stealing Heaven?

Look under the Extras section of each of my book pages to find out how I got the idea for each story--and thanks for wanting to know!

Can you autograph my book for me?

It's awfully expensive for you to mail the book to me--and you'd also need to send along a big, postage-paid envelope for me to mail it back!

So, instead, I'd be *thrilled* to send you an autographed bookplate you can put in your book. You can also get note cards for some of my books as well.

Find out how to get an autographed bookplate or note card by going to my bio page. The information is on the right hand side, under Free Stuff.

How do I join your mailing list?

Just go to the contact page, and follow the directions on the right hand side.

2008-06-02T16:02:00.002-04:00

Greetings from Arizona!

Right now, I'm trying to get used to this rather strange keyboard I'm using and restrain myself from hauling all my BEA loot out of the car. It's hard, though, because I got so many great books! But I'm not quite sure I'm willing to go through all the drama of putting them back in the car...

BEA was fabulous, and driving across the country has been amazing--I'm so used to there being *things* around that I'd forgotten how beautiful open space can be. I've taken some photos, and I'll try to share them when I get back.

If you're on my mailing list, don't forget that there's a contest going on for Stealing Heaven!

I'll also be running another Stealing Heaven contest, but that'll be starting in a few days. (Once I've gotten back across the country! :-) )

It's here!!

2008-05-23T18:34:00.002-04:00

Sorry about the picture quality. I was so excited my hands were shaking because I SO didn't expect to see Stealing Heaven today. But it was there!

YAY!!!

2008-05-22T13:17:00.002-04:00

I love running book wish contests--you all know I love giving books away to begin with, and seeing what other people really want to read is so much fun! (And congrats to the winners: Meekin, Kyra, Alea, and Rylie)

I have about a million things I need to do, but I have some links I've gotta share:

Editorial Anonymous has another Q&A session with a book buyer

Agent Jennifer Jackson is taking questions about agent etiquette--lots of interesting questions asked already, and she's already started to answer them.

I admit, I'm more of a Blair/Chuck girl (So WRONG! But yet I love them!), but Meg Cabot's hilarious post about Blake Lively and Penn Badgley and how they aren't dating has made me think that maybe I've been too hard on Serena and Dan. Blake and Penn are awfully cute together. (Not that they're dating!)

And if you want to find what books I'd take to a desert island, or learn more about Living Dead Girl, check out my interview over at Teen Troves

2008-05-19T12:58:00.003-04:00

I'm looking at the official release date for Stealing Heaven, and it looks like it *will* be in stores next Tuesday!!

If you'd like to read the first three chapters, you can download them here

Anyway, since the book is apparently going to be in stores next week (so SOON!), I've decided to run my most favorite of all contest--a bookwish one!

However, since I'm supposed to be getting ready for my trip, I have to make this contest a fast one, so....

Tell me what young adult novel you wish you had a copy of, or that you’ve been wanting to buy but haven’t, and you could get that book for free!

Comment* (or email me at elizabeth at elizabethwrites dot com) with the title and author of the young adult novel you wish for (it just has to be in print, and under $20 US) by midnight EST tomorrow, May 20th, and then I’ll draw four names at random, and each of those four people will get the book they wished for! Though you can only reply once, you can reply no matter where you live (I will ship books overseas), or if you’ve won something from me in the past.

And congrats to last week's winners: Molly, Axa, Patricia, and Megan!

Also! If you're interested in finding out my guilty pleasure, my current favorite piece of trivia, and what scares me, check this out**

*If you comment, please, please make sure your Blogger profile has a way for me to contact you, or leave your email addy in the comment. You can always at and dot com if you're worried about spam, but this last contest marked the fourth time a name came up--and I had no way to contact the person.

**The fear thing? Totally for real. Does anyone else remember this? Who'd want to eat cereal that could cause an animal to ATTACK YOU??? On the other hand, it's been years and I still remember the ads. And fear the animals in question.

2008-05-15T11:20:00.004-04:00

All the bubble suit comments? They've made my husband's year, I swear. He's been sending me links non-stop. Current favorite:

http://www.natlallergy.com/prod/1177/i-can-breathe-honeycomb-carbon-masks.html

which he says I should get and wear in the car as I head to LA.

I think I could actually *hear* him laughing in the email he sent about that one.

I am half tempted to buy one and wear it to the next work party we have to go to. If nothing else, it would be a VERY memorable look. Heh.

Anyway! I am leaving for LA next week--I'll be at BEA, and if you're going, please come by and see me--my signing schedule is here

Also! Is there anything along the way and/or in LA that I *have* to see, or that you've always wanted to see?

I'll take comments about things on the way/in LA that I should see through midnight EST tomorrow, May 16th, and then I'll draw four names at random and each of those four people will get a free book! Though you can only reply once, you can reply no matter where you live (I will ship books overseas), or if you've won something from me in the past.

Books I'll be giving away are: She's So Money by Cherry Cheva, Devilish by Maureen Johnson, Theodora Twist by Melissa Senate, and Wake by Lisa McMann.

I also have some links to share:

Fifty Ways to Get Yourself Writing -- Loads of interesting suggestions here.

Author Kit Whitfield talks about the mid-book blues -- I really like her way of coping with them.

Paperback Writer has written a jaw-dropping amount of information about writing and publishing, covering just about everything--and now she's got it all in one place

And be sure to check out Justine Larbalestier's Writers Are Crazy. I think the title says it all.

2008-05-12T11:37:00.003-04:00

Dear Body,

When I plan a relaxing weekend, you know what you shouldn't do?

GIVE ME HIVES.

There I was on Friday, planning to spend the afternoon--and then the whole weekend--doing nothing but relaxing (reading books, watching movies, spoiling my dog (though I'll grant you I'm not sure how much more spoiled she can get) ) and what do you do?

GIVE ME HIVES.

The first few I shrugged off. No big deal! I get hives! I'll be fine! They'll go away!

They didn't. They hung around. And they brought friends.

By Saturday morning, I was on a double dose of my regular antihistamine plus lots of Benadryl. Yes, it's true, I was relaxed (to the point of incoherence, even!) but lying around staring blankly at the ceiling while I dozed on and off for a WHOLE DAY was not relaxing. It was all I could do.

Even now, they still aren't gone, but please, immune system o'mine, have pity on me and ease up. Pretty please? I promise that if you relax, I'll relax, and then we'll both win.

Love,
Elizabeth

PS Congrats to Kate, who won the ARC of Evernight!

want to win a copy of STEALING HEAVEN?

2008-05-06T12:22:00.002-04:00

Are you interested in winning a copy of my upcoming book, Stealing Heaven, almost a month before it's in stores?

Then all you have to do is head over to Claudia Gray's journal (cut and paste link: http://claudiagray.livejournal.com/14327.html) and leave her a comment telling her about your favorite fictional love story! The winner not only gets a copy of Stealing Heaven--he or she will also get a copy of Claudia's upcoming novel, Evernight, a fantastic YA vampire novel, AND a $25 gift certficate to Amazon.

What are you waiting for? Go enter! (and don't forget to leave your email address so Claudia can contact you if you win!)

I've also got some links to share:

One of agent Nathan Bransford's clients, Jennifer Hubbard, talks about going from blog reader to (soon to be) Published Author -- really inspirational, and Jennifer's book sounds AMAZING

Author Laura Anne Gilman and her agent, Jennifer Jackson, talk about the book deal offer process. Laura's post is here, Jennifer's is here, and it's fascinating to see how it works from both the agent and the writer's perspective

Yes, it's true--someone out there really does like writing a synopsis--and here's a blog entry that proves it

Author Shanna Swendson talks about how publishers position books (that is, pick the books they think will be bestsellers, and then market them accordingly)

Looking for an agent? Don't do this. EVER.

Finally, be sure to check out this fascinating interview with a former FSG editor who discusses why an editor can like a book and still not buy it, among other things. A great behind-the-scenes look at the world of publishing.

win a copy of EVERNIGHT--before it's in stores! (And Perfect You contest winners!!)

2008-05-05T12:08:00.003-04:00

First, *thank you* to everyone who entered the Perfect You contest --you all are the BEST!

Here are the winners:

iPod nao winner:
Keli

Twenty $20 bookstore gift certificate winners:
Jennilyn, Renee, Christina, Megan, Briana, Shannon, Melissa, Elaina, Taylor, Dawn, Tara, Tasha, Valeria, Kelsey, Allison, Lauren, Caroline, Rylie, Lucie, and Breanna

YAY!

And now, I've got a real treat for you...

This week, I'm giving away an advance reading copy of Evernight by Claudia Gray--it's a fantastic novel--Twilight fans, you'll LOVE this book!

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment here by midnight EST on Friday, May 9th, and then I'll pick one person at random and that person will win the copy of EVERNIGHT, which, in addition to being a great read, is also a collector's item because one of the main character's names is different in the final book!

Congrats also to the ten people who won a copy of Lock and Key: James, Karly, Lane, Kaylee, Lizzy, Hope, Ashley, Beth, Tina, and Muna

2008-05-02T10:03:00.003-04:00

I was so excited about actually finally getting to update my blog yesterday that I completely forgot something important, and that's THANK YOU! to everyone at "Personal Profiles" in Eastern Middle School, especially Abbey-- you all made my first tv interview so much fun!

And okay, I've been asked about this a lot, so I'm going to tell you the UTTERLY HUMILIATING story of how I came to mess up my finger. (I hate typing hairline fracture. It makes me feel like I should stop typing and wrap my finger up like a mummy again. And I don't want to!!)

ANYWAY. Here's what happened. I was eating breakfast, half-asleep like I always am in the morning, and went to get the paper, which had--as papers do--slid off the table and onto the floor (who do papers do that? WHY?), and when I went to pick it up, I managed to--and this is the really humiliating part--FALL OFF MY CHAIR.

I know, you envy my grace, don't you? (And now you know why there was no dancing at my wedding--who knows what would have happened if I'd tried that???)

So I fall off my chair, and put my hands out to brace myself. I actually managed to land on them, which was all well and good except I managed to fall mostly onto my left hand, and specifically my left index finger, which made an awful cracking sound (seriously, it was nasty-sounding), and before I knew it, I was headed to the ER.

The moral of the story is: Avoid newspapers in the morning at all costs!!!

All right, not really. The real ~~dream~~ moral is this: clearly I shouldn't attempt doing anything in the morning, and should instead lie around in bed and have breakfast (and the paper!) brought to me.

Or I could, you know, try not to FALL OFF CHAIRS.