hello, snow!

I would tell you about all the amazing things I did this weekend except that--well, we got about 30 inches of snow here and, therefore, I spent the weekend indoors. Now, granted, I spend a lot of time indoors, but there's something about being in the house and knowing you can't leave that makes you (or at least me) suddenly desperate to get out! I have my fingers crossed for a dig-out today, so we'll see...

In the meantime, loads of links to share:

Are you a teen who blogs? If you are, apparently you're a rarity

Agent Jessica Faust on being a teenager and querying agents/getting published and trusting your gut instincts when it comes to agents -- I especially like the second post, as when I left my first agent, I wondered if I'd ever find another one, but everything in me was screaming "Go! GO!"--and you know what? I left, and it was one of the best choices I've ever made.

Pimp My Novel offers Good Idea/Bad Idea, or things writers and authors really should--and shouldn't--do

Author April Henry talks about life as a full-time writer

Author Catherynne Valente has a fascinating blog post up about publishing and self-publishing via e-book -- It's a long post, but very much worth reading.

Author Jay Lake writes about why he won't stop working with publishers

Agent and author Nathan Bransford has some tips for making the most of your book marketing time as well as a nice roundup of what happened last week in the publishing world (short answer: a lot!!)

Must-read blog post by CJ Cherryh, who's been a published author for 35(!) years, on how publishing has changed. An amazing look back at how publishing was in the 1970s, 80s, etc--don't miss out on reading this one!

Editorial Anonymous points out that editors can't--and shouldn't have to--fix everything that's wrong with a book. There's also discussion of what things can make a book impossible to edit and this: "One of the misconceptions editors meet most often among non-editors is that we can fix anything. No, we can't. We don't have superpowers. Our ability to make anything better depends on our ability to convey to the author what's working and what's not working and why, and the author's ability to apply that knowledge. In order to edit anything, it has to be the author who fixes things, not us.

Author Joshua Palmatier on looking at a project and realizing you have to start all over again

links! and my boots. (don't worry, you'll see...)

I lost my car keys (I know, I should just wear them around my neck or something!) again this morning. I looked in my purse, of course, and then checked the car (I figured that, knowing me, I could have left them in there) and then the fridge (remember when I found my snake ring in there?!).

No luck. So I check my jacket and then the jeans I was wearing yesterday and then--then I found my keys. In my boots.

Yes, apparently my brain decided an excellent place to store my car keys were in my right boot! Thank you, brain....(SIGH)

Before I head off to try and not misplace anything today, I've got some links:

Agent Jessica Faust on how It's Not All About You and a truly outstanding post about writers and revision

Ellen Hopkins asks What Is A Book Worth? -- As usual, it's a wonderfully articulate and smart post

Nathan Bransford asked how much e-books should cost (And the poll results, if you just want to see those, are here)

Bob Mayer on the importance of passion when writing

Agent Rachelle Gardner shares ten things she and various other agents DON'T want to see in queries

Thoughts on the "rules" of writing

interview with Suzanne Young!

The Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit (GCC) is a webring of YA novelists, and I'm happy to be new member of it because I get to talk to other YA authors about their books--which, well, how awesome is that? (And I think we all know how much I love YA!)

Today, I was lucky enough to interview Suzanne Young about her new book, The Naughty List!



Me: Tell us about your book in ten words or less!

Suzanne: Group of cheerleaders who investigate cheating boyfriends. (quick comment from me--how awesome is that?? And there's even a website for the book, which is the first in a series, here)

Me: What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Suzanne: I’m a big fan of “Keep Writing.” If I would have stuck with my first book, I’d still be waiting. The Naughty List was my fifth book. And my latest sale—my 12th book.

Me: What do you wish you'd known about being published before your first book came out?

Suzanne: I wish I’d practiced in the mirror more. I’m about to go do my first reading—and I’m terrified!! What if I have a weird twitch that I’ve never noticed before?

Me: What's the last book you read that you loved so much you had to tell everyone about it?

Suzanne: I really loved Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder. Oh, and Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles!

Me: What blogs do you *have* to read?

Suzanne: Most of my mornings are spent reading blogs! How to pick a favorite— well,I always check the Tenners on LJ and Alice Pope’s CWIM. Also, I have my friends all listed on my blog, so I stalk them daily.

Me: Random Bonus Question: What's your favorite salad dressing?

Suzanne: Pesto Ranch from The Spaghetti Factory. Mm…. spaghetti.

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Isn't she great? Don't forget to check out The Naughty List and congrats to Suzanne for her latest sale, a novel called A Need So Beautiful, where a seventeen-year old finds out that by doing the good deeds that her body makes her, she will disappear into the Light and be forgotten -- but by fighting "the Need," what might happen could be even worse...

--

PS Is anyone else having awful problems with Blogger and ftp? I know they are getting rid of it, but for those of us who haven't moved yet, can't they give us the time they said they would???

links! and what shows are you watching? and what prizes do you want?

Our DVR is currently just about ready to blow up--I've been recording some new shows lately, and my favorite is Life Unexpected. Anything new or new-ish that you think I should know about or check out?

The winner of the suggestions for my next readergirlz post is Haley, and this time around, and I'll keep you all posted as to when it's going up. Also! Any ideas for what you'd like the contest that goes along with my next readergirlz video are welcome...

Moving on to the links:

Agent Jessica Faust has a very interesting look at the economy and agents

Nice post about rejection and how to deal with it here

How did people get an agent before the Internet? Read April Henry's How I Got My Agent story and find out!

The Rejectionist on the perils of working for a bad agent

Justin Musk offers some ideas on how to create compelling characters

Finally, if there's only one link you decide to check out, make it this one: Micol Ostow on writing and insecurity

want to win a signed ARC of The Unwritten Rule?

If you're interested in winning a signed ARC of The Unwritten Rule, you'll want to check this contest out:

My name is Katy*, and I run the Elizabeth Scott Fans! groups on Facebook and Goodreads, as well as the new and improved fan site: elizabethscottfans.tumblr.com

Right now, I'm having a contest to win a signed ARC of Elizabeth’s upcoming book, The Unwritten Rule.

Here's how to enter:

1. Join tumblr and then follow Elizabeth Scott Fans! on tumblr

2. You get 1 entry for that, and then you can get an additional +1 entry for each review you write of one of Elizabeth's books and then post to Amazon or B&N.com.

3. Make sure you note that you're following the tumblr fan site and/or list where your reviews are (and what name you wrote them under) along with an email address where you can be reached here

Please note that entries will ONLY be accepted at Katy's site--not anywhere else!

The contest is open to US residents only and ends at midnight EST this Friday, February 5th. After that, one winner will be chosen based on the number of entries and that person will get the ARC!

*Katy is amazing--and I just want to thank her for being so supportive of my books and for running this fab contest!

WOW! Awesome The Unwritten Rule news!!

I just found out from my editor that The Unwritten Rule is going be out before April 6th--in fact, it's going to be in stores on March 16th!!

I'm super excited about this, because a. The Unwritten Rule is going to be out sooner, which makes me happy because I can't wait for you all to read it! and b. Wal-Mart is going to carry the book and it's going to be in way more stores than Something, Maybe was AND they are going to carry the paperback of Something, Maybe too (which will be out on Feb 23rd--and yes, will have a sneak peek of The Unwritten Rule)

One last thing--since I'm in a really good mood, I want to sweeten the winnings for whoever gives the best suggestion for what my next readergirlz blog post should be about. In addition to Fallen, the winner will now get that and not one but TWO other published YA books of their choice. So come tell me what you think I should talk about for readergirlz! You've got until Sunday....

don't forget about the free books...or yes, I am giving some away! (I know, the shock, right?)

Just a reminder that, as part of my first readergirlz videoblog, there's a free book contest going on--and if you want to enter, there's still time.

Also! Anything you'd all like me to talk about next month? Best suggestion gets a copy of Lauren Kate's New York Times Bestseller Fallen (and did you see the all ads for it on the CW last week during The Vampire Diaries??? Wow!)

(Edited to add: and now, not only will you get a copy of Fallen, but you'll also get to pick two published YA novels you want--and get them too!)

Anyway, for your chance to win the copy of Fallen, just leave your suggestion for what my next redergirlz blog should be by--well, since this is Thursday, let's say you've got until midnight EST on Sunday, January 31st, and the suggestion I like most gets the book. (And yes, the contest is open to everyone, even non-US residents)

I know I've already said this, but I do want to thank all of you once more for all your support about the whole piracy thing. I really appreciate it, and yes, I meant every word I said! (Especially about how you are all the BEST!) Oh, and again, for those of you overseas who can't find my books--I highly suggest you check out The Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.com/) -- not only are their prices great, they have free shipping everywhere, which makes it an amazing deal and a great way to get books you can't find elsewhere. (I'm currently waiting for two UK YAs: Sarra Manning's latest, Nobody's Girl, and Saci Lloyd's The Carbon Diaries 2017, to come)

And now we move on to the links:

The first is a repost of one I put up on Monday, but forgot to actually include the link (thanks, Ben, for the heads up!)--a guest blog over at Nathan Bransford's about trying to get published (again)--and yes, it is depressing, but I think very much worth reading.

I found this absolutely fascinating: An interview with someone who not only downloads books illegally, but who also scans in and uploads books for other people to steal--check out Confessions of A Book Pirate

Author Lilith Saintcrow points out that editors aren't your enemies--"I see a lot of new writers (and a lot of unpublished writers) operating under the unconscious assumption that the editor is an enemy at worst, a suspect ally at best, and someone to be on guard against. I’ve had one or two nasty revenge-editors, but those are the exceptions. The overwhelming rule is that editors are your friend. They believe in your book. They fight for it in acquisition meetings, they twist arms to get marketing money, they work and agonize over polishing it until it’s as good as it can be. The editor wants what you want: a successful book that earns money. Their energies are concentrated to that end. You are a fool if you don’t realize that and make it as easy as possible for them to be your advocate."

Jessica Faust has a great post on agent response time

Over at the Amazon book blog, Omnivoracious, there's a list of their top eight YA authors of the last decade. (Make sure to check out author number 2, and see who is listed under "paved the way for"---talk about an honor!!)

Maybe writer's block isn't such a bad thing...

Pimp My Novel on PSA, or Per Store Average--yet another great look into an very seldom discussed aspect of publishing. Also, there's a good--but scary--post about the future of Borders

Agent and soon-to-be-author Nathan Bransford wants to know how you got the idea for what you're working on now --There's loads of comments, of course, and interesting stuff about inspiration and how it works, not just for Nathan, but for others too.

Finally, I'm so glad to see that this so-rarely addressed subject has gotten some more attention: Agent Rachelle Gardner writes about what you need to do if you want to work in publishing She also has a post about becoming an agent as well.

Don't forget get to visit readergirlz for your chance to win a free book, and don't forget to let me know what you'd like my next blog for them to be about--that copy of Fallen could be yours....