Query Critique Winner

The Random Number Generator has spoken and the winner is...Dan Hanks! I'll email instructions regarding your query critique. Thanks to everyone who entered, and check back soon for another chance to win! Also, please keep noting how many times you've entered because I've been doing extra critiques for persistent folks who have entered 5 or more times in a row. Good luck! :)

Wednesday Query Critique Giveaway

QUICK NOTE: If you haven't entered the Creative Curse Word Contest, you can still enter by Fri. to win the YA book of your choice, so get cursing!

It's Wednesday Query Critique time! Remember to enter by midnight EST in order for your chance to win the weekly query critique.

REMINDERS: These critiques are for those who prefer a private critique versus a public one. Please read my prior post on Query Tips before entering. Also, as mentioned in my big giveaway, I tend to be very direct and picky, but my goal is to get your query in the best shape possible. Finally, the query is only the first step--make sure the entire book is as good as the query before you hit "Send." To enter the weekly query critique giveaway, simply follow the directions below. Good luck!

RULES:

Just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered in the giveaway and give your email address, using (at) and (com) as follows so the spam bots don't find you. 

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner who will receive a query critique through email. NOTE: If your query involves space monkeys, I might make an exception and do an extra critique!

Creative Curse Word Contest

This contest was inspired by one of my FB friends who read my post about Twitter Tips last week. She loved the part about [insert favorite curse word] and messaged me her favorite curse word (which had me rolling). Thus, a contest idea was born. I have a character in my current wip that uses curse words--um, creatively, and I'm always curious about what curse words others use. I want to know what your most creative/funniest curse word (or phrase) is. I'm going to pick my favorite response (meaning this contest is entirely subjective), and the winner gets a prize. Easy, peasy. The only thing I ask is that you either follow the blog or subscribe to the posts or newsletter in order to enter.

RULES: Leave your creative curse word or phrase in the comments below. Contest ends: Fri. June 1st at midnight EST.

PRIZE: The YA Book of Your Choice sent to anywhere The Book Depository ships.

OFFENDED BY CURSE WORDS? Don't enter (and why the f*#k are you still reading this?) ;)

GOOD LUCK!

Query Critique Winner

The Random Number Generator has spoken and the winner is...Sharon Mayhew! I'll email instructions regarding your query critique. Thanks to everyone who entered, and check back next Wednesday for another chance to win! Also, please keep noting how many times you've entered because I've been doing extra critiques for some persistent folks who have entered 5 or more times in a row. Good luck! :)

Wednesday Query Critique Giveaway

It's Wednesday Query Critique time! Remember to enter by midnight EST in order for your chance to win the weekly query critique.

REMINDERS: These critiques are for those who prefer a private critique versus a public one. Please read my prior post on Query Tips before entering. Also, as mentioned in my big giveaway, I tend to be very direct and picky, but my goal is to get your query in the best shape possible. Finally, the query is only the first step--make sure the entire book is as good as the query before you hit "Send." To enter the weekly query critique giveaway, simply follow the directions below. Good luck!

RULES:

Just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered in the giveaway and give your email address, using (at) and (com) as follows so the spam bots don't find you. 

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner who will receive a query critique through email. NOTE: If your query involves space monkeys, I might make an exception and do an extra critique!

Trends in YA Book Covers

All around awesome writer and blogger Kate Hart did a comprehensive analysis here of 2011 YA book covers. I can't even imagine the time it took her to compile all this info. She told me she doesn't watch television at all, but this was still an enormous task to take on. Her study yielded results from the interesting (blue is the most common color of traditionally published YA books) to the sad (the downright dismal amount of ethnic diversity in cover models).


Kate followed this up with another post that clarified some reader questions, and addressed what writers can do to help--especially writers who are white (like me). It's very thought-provoking and has me thinking about my own responsibility as an author. Though I have characters in my books who are ethnically and sexually diverse (LGBT), I'm not sure how much control I'd have over the covers. Per Kate's post, even mega-author John Green admitted not loving several of his book covers. I'm not sure what the answer is but Kate poses some great questions that we, as writers, need to keep asking.

Have you read these posts? What are your thoughts on these issues? Anyone else happy to see the decrease in dead girl covers?

Release Day for SUFFOCATE by S.R. Johannes

It is May 21st and guess what that means?

S.R. Johannes’ Suffocate is out today! 

Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.

Here’s a little about the novelette…

“For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 

If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.”

The 2nd novella in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013.

You can purchase Suffocate for only 99 cents at

Amazon

B&N

Also you can add it on Goodreads! - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13648347-suffocate

And in case you were wondering here is a bit about the author –

S.R. Johannes is author of the Amazon Bestseller Untraceable and a current nominee of the Georgia Author of the Year in the Young Adult category. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her goldendoodle Charley (notice he is listed first :), her British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.  You can find her hanging out online and visit her at srjohannes.com

Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes

Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/srjohannes/

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes

Twitter Tips

After joining Twitter about a year or so ago, I have to say that I love it. That says a lot coming from someone who was reluctant to join the social media scene--I was the last person in my book club to join Facebook and only did so due to peer pressure. I'm on Twitter much more than Facebook these days because I like the immediate back and forth it allows between people, and I enjoy the constant stream of information. NOTE: If you don't yet follow me on Twitter, you can do so by clicking the twitter icon on the side, or just click here. All the cool kids are. ;) Here are a few tips I thought I'd pass along, and please add your own observations/tips in the comments:

DO
1) Share useful information. I love it when people pass along informative links or RT articles on the publishing industry.
2) Engage with others. Though it's great to share, don't solely rely on RT's and links to other things. Spend some time engaging with your fellow writers and industry peers.
3) Be yourself. The people that I enjoy following the most are those that seem to just be themselves. Whether you are naturally interesting, witty, or funny--embrace it and do that. Trying to present as something other than you are comes through.

DON'T
1) Promote your book constantly. One of the few things that will cause me to immediately unfollow someone is if they follow me and I follow them back--only to get a "message" a minute later asking me to buy their book or check out their site. Don't do this!
2) Follow people just so they'll follow you back, and then unfollow them to jack up your numbers. Rather than making you look popular, you look like a [insert favorite curse word]. NOTE: People reading this post are clearly awesome people who don't do this.
3) Don't exclude. Even if I can't follow everyone back (because it's only possible to keep track of so many people in my feed), I always respond to @replies. Unless you're Neil Gaiman, you are not too cool for school, and will come across as a [insert favorite curse word] when you are only seen interacting with published writers.

What are your Twitter tips? Do you autofollow everyone? Share below.

Query Critique Winner

Drumroll please...the Random Number Generator has chosen winning entry #8--congrats to Zoe! I'll email instructions regarding your query critique. Thanks to everyone who entered, and check back next Wednesday for another chance to win! Also, please keep noting how many times you've entered because I've been doing extra critiques for some persistent folks who have entered 5 or more times in a row. Good luck! :)

Wednesday Query Critique Giveaway

It's Wednesday Query Critique time! Remember to enter by midnight EST in order for your chance to win the weekly query critique.

REMINDERS: These critiques are for those who prefer a private critique versus a public one. Please read my prior post on Query Tips before entering. Also, as mentioned in my big giveaway, I tend to be very direct and picky, but my goal is to get your query in the best shape possible. Finally, the query is only the first step--make sure the entire book is as good as the query before you hit "Send." To enter the weekly query critique giveaway, simply follow the directions below. Good luck!

RULES:

Just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered in the giveaway and give your email address, using (at) and (com) as follows so the spam bots don't find you. 

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner who will receive a query critique through email. NOTE: If your query involves space monkeys, I might make an exception and do an extra critique!

Random Act of Kindness BLITZ!

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community. 

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Kindness ROCKS!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ.  And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!

**I am spreading the love today to my blog Sisters, Valerie Kemp and Lacey Boldrev, over at Sisters in Scribe. They are not only amazing critique partners, but have given me endless support and encouragement throughout my writing journey. Since we have done a lot of YA contests and book giveaways over the years, I wanted to return the favor. Valerie and Lacey, for my RAOK gift, in addition to my eternal gratitude, I want to give you each the gift of any YA book you want from The Book Depository. And for those reading, please stop by and tell them how they awesome they are too--they deserve it!**

Do you know someone special that you'd like to randomly acknowledge?

Don't be shy--come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :)

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness?  Let me know in the comments!

Query Critique Winner

I just have to point out that I've been doing query critiques for weeks now, and I have yet to come across a single query involving space monkeys! Seriously, people--someone out there has to have a space monkey somewhere in their story. Okay, moving on...the Random Number Generator has chosen winning entry #4--congrats to Chris Mandeville! I'll email instructions regarding your query critique. Thanks to everyone who entered, and check back next Wednesday for another chance to win! Also, please keep noting how many times you've entered because I've been doing extra critiques for some persistent folks who have entered 5 or more times in a row. Good luck! :)

Wednesday Query Critique Giveaway

It's Wednesday Query Critique time! Remember to enter by midnight EST in order for your chance to win the weekly query critique.

REMINDERS: These critiques are for those who prefer a private critique versus a public one. Please read my prior post on Query Tips before entering. Also, as mentioned in my big giveaway, I tend to be very direct and picky, but my goal is to get your query in the best shape possible. Finally, the query is only the first step--make sure the entire book is as good as the query before you hit "Send." To enter the weekly query critique giveaway, simply follow the directions below. Good luck!

RULES:

Just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered in the giveaway and give your email address, using (at) and (com) as follows so the spam bots don't find you. 

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner who will receive a query critique through email. NOTE: If your query involves space monkeys, I might make an exception and do an extra critique!

Query Critique Winner

The Random Number Generator has spoken. The winning number is #1--congrats to Lady Lee! I'll email instructions regarding your query critique. Thanks to everyone who entered, and check back next Wednesday for another chance to win! :)

Query Critique Giveaway

It's Wednesday Query Critique time! Remember to enter by midnight EST in order for your chance to win the weekly query critique.

REMINDERS: These critiques are for those who prefer a private critique versus a public one. Please read my prior post on Query Tips before entering. Also, as mentioned in my big giveaway, I tend to be very direct and picky, but my goal is to get your query in the best shape possible. Finally, the query is only the first step--make sure the entire book is as good as the query before you hit "Send." To enter the weekly query critique giveaway, simply follow the directions below. Good luck!

RULES:

Just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered in the giveaway and give your email address, using (at) and (com) as follows so the spam bots don't find you. 

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner who will receive a query critique through email. NOTE: If your query involves space monkeys, I might make an exception and do an extra critique!