links!

Loads of links to share today:

Allison Winn Scotch wonders "So How Do You Know If You Suck?"

Nathan Bransford muses about the ever-shrinking divide between "young adult" and "adult" novels -- This made me think about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which was published as a both a young adult and adult novel in the United Kingdom, but as an adult title in the United States (and sold very well indeed!)

Agent Janet Reid looks back at publishing in 2008--how's it's changed, and how it hasn't

Seven Deadly Publishing Sins -- or, as the intro says, "These seven no-nos will put your career on ice faster than you can say “remainder.”"

Sarah Ryan answers questions about being an author--and risks

Michelle Rowan shares ten things she's learned since her first book was published

Ally Carter has some straightforward, sensible--and blunt--advice for those who want to write

I'm pleased to say that Living Dead Girl was named a Cynsational Book of 2008 and made the BCCB 2008 Blue Ribbon List--WHOO!

Also! Don't forget to enter the Simon Pulse Spring Fling Contest!

One last thing: congrats to Jenn, who won the copy of Dooley Takes The Fall and Brick!

Announcing the Simon Pulse Spring Fling Contest!

Happy New Year, and welcome to the Simon Pulse Spring Fling Contest!



Just in case you can't see the image, here's the contest info:

Pulse Spring Fling Contest!

Grand prize: One signed copy each of Far From You, Fade, and Something, Maybe along with a phone call from your choice of one of the three featured authors

Second prize: A box full of Pulse books

Third prize: Your choice of a signed copy of any one of the featured author's backlist titles


To enter, simply send an email to pulsespringfling@gmail.com with the words Pulse Spring Fling! in the subject line and answer the question, "Who is your favorite fictional couple?" in the body of the email.

One entry per person, US residents only. Contest begins January 1, 2009 and ends February 14, 2009. Winners will be announced Monday, March 2nd, with prizes delivered mid-March.

win a book (and a movie!)

Earlier in the month, Bookshelves of Doom had a post about a novel, Dooley Takes the Fall. I read the post, thought the book sounded interesting, and then got to mention of the movie Brick. Which I love.

After that, I *had* to get the book, and guess what? I loved it too. It's one of the best books I've read in 2008.

In fact, I loved it so much that I want to spread the love--so I'm giving away a copy of the book *plus* a copy of the movie.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite books of 2008 by midnight this Wednesday, December 31st. I'll pick one person at random and that person will get a copy of Dooley Takes The Fall and Brick.

Two things: Because Brick is rated R and will only play in region 1 DVD players, this contest is only open to people 17 or older who live in the US. (Don't worry, you know the next contest will be open to everyone!)

links, thanks, and Happy Holidays!

Just a couple of links to share this fine (and cold!) morning:

A debut author reflects on a year of being a published writer -- some really interesting stuff here.

Editorial Ass wonders about hardcover vs. paperback debuts, and then lets us know what the publisher decided for a book EA has been working on

Agent Kristin Nelson writes up her 2008 statistics -- and if you feel like it, check out her 2007 stats and compare (the number of queries alone! This year it works out to something like over 95 a day. A DAY.)

Living Dead Girl placed third in the Young Adult Category of the Book Bloggers Top 10 of 2008 -- WOW! And *thank you.*

I also need to say congrats to Avni, who won the Fade ARC!

And finally, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

holiday cheer: win a copy of FADE before it's in stores!!

This week, I've got a special holiday treat for you!

I've got an ARC of Lisa McMann's Fade, the fantastic sequel to her equally fabulous first novel, Wake--and I'm giving it away!

For your chance to win, just leave me a comment telling me what's your favorite part of the holidays. Mine is always hoping that it will snow....

I'll take comments through this Friday, December 19th, and then I'll pick one person at random and that person will win the ARC of Fade! You can only enter this contest once, but you can enter if you live overseas and/or if you've won anything from me before. (And yes, if you're reading this on Facebook, of course you can enter!)

I also have a couple of links to share:

Elizabeth Bear talks about some very common writing advice and why you shouldn't assume it's right for you, or, as she puts it, Here is some writing advice I will henceforth be ignoring -- As usual, interesting stuff in the comments too.

Another article about the problems facing publishing, written by agent Richard Curtis--it says some (by now) familiar things but keep reading until the end, when--if you're like me--you'll say "Oh. OH." about a certain date.

just a girl and her dog

Dear Sweet Dog of Mine,

While I love you to pieces and have ever since the night I first saw you eleven years ago and you came over and licked my hand, your "helpful" efforts today haven't been all that helpful.

So, instead of deciding that the elaborate grid of notes I've laid out looks like something that would be SUPER FUN to roll on, maybe you could just stomp across them once. Or--and I know this is a wacky idea!--perhaps you could do what you usually do, and sleep lying on my right foot until it goes numb and then give me a look when I move it away that says, "Um, excuse me, I was using that foot. Circulation smirculation."

And now you must know I am writing about you because you are sitting here by my feet, staring at me with your big eyes like I am the one person you adore more than any other, which is very sweet and...

oh. I see. You've realized that I keep the dog treats in my desk drawer and you want one.

Do you really think I'm that much of a sucker? Ha!

Yeah, okay. I'm a sucker. But no more rolling on my notes, okay? Please?

mailing list note update

Just wanted to let those of you on the mailing list know that if you're subscribed to the list using a yahoo or hotmail address and haven't gotten my holiday message yet--check your spam folder. I've had a couple of people write and let me know it's showed up there.