It's starting to feel like spring in our world so we got outside yesterday. The kids were bare-armed, smiling, sticky-fingered and squinting back the sun. And then, after baths and showers, one more book, a favorite song and sheets tucked up under chins, we settled in for our usual Internet shenanigans. It looks something like:
1. Check Sunday's PostSecrets
2. Check Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr
3. Read updated When Parents Text
4. Check stock on Barnes and Noble
Shortly after Lisa completed number 4, I received the following text: "Um...check b and n for our zip code. Did grandma harrass every store?" Our Grandmother has been known to call every Barnes and Nobles near her just to be sure they are stocking our book. So really, we wouldn't put it past her. But not only is our book carried in all of the B&Ns near us, but most of the B&Ns in other zip codes we plugged in. We're kind of thinking we're stocked in most of the Barnes and Noble stores across the United States!
Now, for many authors, this might not be a big deal. But for us???? This is a HUGE victory! Throughout the course of our release month, our book could be found at one or two stores in most major cities. But now it appears as though we're stocked more widely. We've learned a lot throughout this book publishing process, but one of the most important lessons we've learned is to celebrate victories. So...woohoo!
Granted, we have no idea what this means (if anything). We also understand that this might be a computer error or perhaps a mistake, but we'll take it. (Note to blog readers: If you visit B&N and don't find a copy of Liar Society, don't tell us. Probably best that we don't know.) In the meantime, flowers are blooming, we've packed away our winter coats and we're stocked in B&N, baby.
Happy Monday!
P.S.
In even BETTER news, Part 1 of Kimberly Derting's iClue is UP! Check it!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
iClue in 4 Simple Steps
OK, so we can't help but notice that a lot of people are confused or intimidated by the big iClue promotion we have going on and today we're going to maneuver you out of the fetal position and show you how EASY it is to participate.
So...without further ado, here's how you can join in the fun:
1. Writers you adore have written 6 fantastic mysteries for YOU. That's right, YOU. Beth Revis kicked things off this week with her Across the Universe
themed mystery and it's nothing short of awesome. You can read follow the links to all of the clues HERE at The Reading Room.2. So, now you've read the mystery and the clues and because you're crazy smart, you probably have it all figured out. Now all you have to do is click here, enter your personal information and the solution to the mystery. And VOILA, you now officially have one entry to win an iTouch loaded with 6 fabulous books.
3. Next week the fantabulous Kimberly Derting will be sharing her mystery based on her smashing Body Finder
series. Check her blog on Monday for all the details and repeat steps 1 and 2 to get ANOTHER entry to win an iTouch.4. Still confused??? Email us! We want you to enter (and win!) this contest. Let us help you help yourselves. Or something like that.
Strap on your WWNDD (What Would Nancy Drew Do) bracelet and solve a mystery (or 6). We promise it's fun AND easy.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Bookanistas Give Back (And YOU win!)
Charitable donations are a very personal thing. There are so many ways our hard earned money can help others, and lately our world seems to be breaking into pieces around us. Needs are many and great. The Bookanistas want to give back, so in the coming months, we're going to be looking for ways to pour into communities, both bookish and worldwide.
For the month of April, we've chose to spotlight Run For Your Life an event that's raising money for a cancer hospital, largely because the framework is already set up (we'd like to keep it simple our first time out), and also because of personal connections to the cause. Most everyone has lost a loved one to cancer or knows someone who has.
*To encourage you to donate, we're going to give away some sweet prizes!
Here's how it will work:*
1. Go to the Run For Your Life page
.
2. Make a donation. $5 is suggested, but lower or higher is fine. (Also know
that for every dollar you donate, you'll be entered to win a private, advance screening for twenty people for Breaking Dawn. The Bookanistas have NOTHING to do with that part - that's all Charlie Bewley and Summit Entertainment.)
3. Come back and fill out the entry form on this page. We're *trusting you* to be honest about giving, and about the amount you give. Don't be a mamby pamby. Keep up our faith in mankind.
4. The Bookanistas will be giving away a selection of prizes (see list below). You will be entered *one time *for* each dollar* you donate ($5 = 5 entries). If you wish to be entered to win a specific prize, let us know in the designated section of the entry form.
5. We're following the guidelines set forth by Run for Your Life, which means this particular event will only be open to those in North America. Entries will be closed on April 30th, and we will contact randomly selected winners shortly thereafter.
6. Spread the word. Tweet, post the Run For Your Life logo (above) with a link to Charlie's site on your blog, or Facebook about the event, and receive an entry (one entry TOTAL for doing all or one of these things). Place a link/links in the place provided on the entry form.
HERE'S THE LIST OF BOOKANISTA PRIZES (this list WILL be added to, so check back):
JUST ADDED by an anonymous donor!:
A signed copy of CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassie Clare
From Veronica Rossi:
A fifty page manuscript critique
Signed copies of BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton, XVI by Julia Karr and RIVAL by Sarah Bennet Wealer
From Shannon Messenger:
A signed copy of WHITE CAT and a signed copy of RED GLOVE by Holly Black
From Carrie Harris:
A 50 page manuscript critique
From Jessi Kirby:
A signed copy of MOONGLASS
From Gretchen McNeil:
A swag pack of POSSESS goodies, a signed copy of A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford and a query critique
A 50 page manuscript critique
From Stasia Kehoe:
A signed copy of AUDITION
From Shana Silver:
A query and first chapter critique
A signed copy of LIAR SOCIETY and bookmarks
A box of ten mystery advance reader copies
From Elana Johnson:
A Dystopian Trifecta of Awesome - a signed copy of DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES by Carrie Ryan, a signed copy of MATCHED by Ally Condie, and a signed ARC of Elena's own POSSESSION
From Christine Fonseca:
Signed copies of EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS and 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS
From Myra McEntire:
A signed copy of DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins (AND Rachel is throwing in a signed Demonglass totebag), a signed copy of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis, a signed copy of TORMENT by Lauren Kate, a unicorn, and a signed, annotated HOURGLASS.
So, what are you waiting for???? Click here to enter!
And don't forget to check out what the rest of The Bookanistas are up to this week!
Elana Johnson counts down to Possession with a "Tag, You're It" contest!
Christine Fonseca Fangirls Cassie Clare
Christine Fonseca Fangirls Cassie Clare
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
On Writing
Writing is hard. Sure, we have lots of ideas, can plot out a story like nobody's business and have voice pretty much covered, BUT we're falling a wee bit short in some...uh other rather important areas. Mainly character development and pacing.
But who needs character development? Who cares about the pace of a story?
Turns out readers do. Who knew?
When we actually sat down to analyze our shortcomings, we realized something. Because we write together, there's a whole lot of dialogue back and forth about all aspects of a WIP. We know the characters inside and out, understand their backstory, know what makes them tick. The problem is translating this onto the page--showing the reader (ah, showing versus telling, how you haunt us), investing the reader, getting the reader to understand. A few quirks is not enough. Readers want emotional investment. They want to pull for characters, root them on, CARE. By the millionth draft of The Liar Society
, we like to think we were able to tap into that, but we want to learn how to do that in the first or second draft! We want to learn how to write more efficiently.
In terms of pacing, we've gotten greedy since reading primarily YA. We love being thrown into a story, like the feeling of whiplash, of action, the go-go-go. But, as always, there's a fine line. A plot can definitely move too quickly, leaving a reader feeling annoyed and uninterested. We want to learn the art of unfolding a story, luring our readers along. And we want to learn it NOW.
So...we're in research mode. We're reading and learning and talking and practicing. Because we want to get it right. We're determined to get it right. We have to get it right.
For the love of God, please tell us we're not the only ones. Leave your writing-related Achilles' heels in the comments.
But who needs character development? Who cares about the pace of a story?
Turns out readers do. Who knew?
When we actually sat down to analyze our shortcomings, we realized something. Because we write together, there's a whole lot of dialogue back and forth about all aspects of a WIP. We know the characters inside and out, understand their backstory, know what makes them tick. The problem is translating this onto the page--showing the reader (ah, showing versus telling, how you haunt us), investing the reader, getting the reader to understand. A few quirks is not enough. Readers want emotional investment. They want to pull for characters, root them on, CARE. By the millionth draft of The Liar Society
, we like to think we were able to tap into that, but we want to learn how to do that in the first or second draft! We want to learn how to write more efficiently.In terms of pacing, we've gotten greedy since reading primarily YA. We love being thrown into a story, like the feeling of whiplash, of action, the go-go-go. But, as always, there's a fine line. A plot can definitely move too quickly, leaving a reader feeling annoyed and uninterested. We want to learn the art of unfolding a story, luring our readers along. And we want to learn it NOW.
So...we're in research mode. We're reading and learning and talking and practicing. Because we want to get it right. We're determined to get it right. We have to get it right.
For the love of God, please tell us we're not the only ones. Leave your writing-related Achilles' heels in the comments.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
How Big is Your R.A.K?
A couple of weeks ago we got the most amazing Tweet that someone had received a copy of The Liar Society as a Random Act of Kindness. We were intrigued and we did a little research and found out that there are two AMAZING bloggers who have created a monthly challenge that allows people to randomly fulfill book wishes. And of course once we found them we absolutely HAD to talk them into a guest post convincing all of our amazing readers to join up, so without further ado, meet Isalys and Vanessa!
We are Isalys & Vanessa and we are Book ♥ Soulmates. We were so EXCITED to be asked to make a guest appearance on Lisa & Laura's blog and tell you a little more about our feature called "Random Acts of Kindness: How Big is Your R.A.K.?"
How was RAK born?RAK is actually the brainchild of Vanessa. You see, we're always buying books or little knick-knacks for each other because we really are best friends. Sometimes we'll be out shopping and we'd think "Ooh, Vanessa would love this!" or "This is so Isalys!" and then we'd get it, just because. Then Vanessa (she's the creative genius) got to thinking about how we could apply this to the book blogging community. If WE love gifting so much, just because, well then maybe the rest of the world does too.
We launched RAK with high hopes, but these last couple of months have surpassed those hopes. We really learned how kind-hearted and appreciative book bloggers are. And then, because all that isn't cool enough, the FABULOUS Lisa & Laura decided to join us. How insanely cool is it that authors, real live AUTHORS wanted to share a little book love too!!
as a Random Act of Kindness. We were intrigued and we did a little research and found out that there are two AMAZING bloggers who have created a monthly challenge that allows people to randomly fulfill book wishes. And of course once we found them we absolutely HAD to talk them into a guest post convincing all of our amazing readers to join up, so without further ado, meet Isalys and Vanessa!How was RAK born?RAK is actually the brainchild of Vanessa. You see, we're always buying books or little knick-knacks for each other because we really are best friends. Sometimes we'll be out shopping and we'd think "Ooh, Vanessa would love this!" or "This is so Isalys!" and then we'd get it, just because. Then Vanessa (she's the creative genius) got to thinking about how we could apply this to the book blogging community. If WE love gifting so much, just because, well then maybe the rest of the world does too.
We launched RAK with high hopes, but these last couple of months have surpassed those hopes. We really learned how kind-hearted and appreciative book bloggers are. And then, because all that isn't cool enough, the FABULOUS Lisa & Laura decided to join us. How insanely cool is it that authors, real live AUTHORS wanted to share a little book love too!!
RAK is open to anyone and everyone. It is a simple way of sharing the love of books and reading with others who love it as much as we do. We know that times are tough and the downturn in the economy has affected everyone differently. RAK has allowed those who are not able to shop for books right now to still get some of their favorite titles. We've also had many international participants who don't have access to the same titles as we do, here in the States. RAK has changed that for them too.
We can both attest to the simple joy of getting home after a long day of work to find a package on our front porch with something from our wishlist inside. What a simple way to bring a smile to someone's face. Amazon and Book Depository have made it so easy to do just that.
We highly encourage ALL lovers of books, readers and authors alike, to participate. There is NO OBLIGATION to give...you give when you can. However, you MUST be open to receiving =D
To get involved, just click on the button above to be re-directed to our April Sign-Up Form. Just supply your info and voila! On the post itself, you'll also find the link for the April Sign-Up Google Doc. You can browse through the wishlists of some of your favorite bloggers and decide who you would like to send a Random Act of Kindness to.
We've had an amazing blog journey these past two years, but next to creating Book ♥ Soulmates in the first place, we are most proud of the success of "RAK”. It has been a testament to what big hearts book bloggers really have!!
Thank you again and a big bear {HUG} from us to Lisa & Laura for having us on here! We really hope that everyone’s book wishes come true!
♥ Vanessa & Isalys ♥P.S.
Beth Revis is being featured on iClue this week and holy cannoli, wait until you read the mystery she's cooked up for you. If you loved Across the Universe be sure to check out Beth's companion mystery and a chance to win an iTouch!
be sure to check out Beth's companion mystery and a chance to win an iTouch!Friday, April 1, 2011
EPIC, HUGE, CRAZY, INSANE Contest: Introducing iClue
Do You iClue?
The authors are working with The Reading Room (an awesome new reader networking and book review site) and a slew of amazing book bloggers to bring you an exciting new contest that will be running over the next 6 weeks. For each mystery you solve, you get another entry into the contest. The grand prize is an iTouch loaded with 6 AMAZING eBooks from the participating authors.
Here's how it works:
Meanwhile...we want to make sure to get the word out on this exciting 6-week event! And that's where you come in...you, and six autographed books...
Help us spread the word, and you'll be entered for a prize to win six autographed books, one from each of us! There are lots of ways to enter!
You can tweet!
You can blog!
(If you past the html code under the banner into your blog, it will automatically show up, all linked directly to the contest. If you put it into the post, be sure you're on the "edit html" tab of Blogger.)
You can spread the word however you like! And for every way you spread the word, we're going to enter you in a contest for a grand prize pack of all six of our books, signed! And don't forget to come back to the actual event for your chance to solve fun mysteries and win an iPod Touch!! (And yes--before you ask, the contest IS open internationally--both prizes!)
So...the real question is: Will you iClue????
- 6 Authors
- 6 Mysteries
- 6 Chances to Win an iTouch
The authors are working with The Reading Room (an awesome new reader networking and book review site) and a slew of amazing book bloggers to bring you an exciting new contest that will be running over the next 6 weeks. For each mystery you solve, you get another entry into the contest. The grand prize is an iTouch loaded with 6 AMAZING eBooks from the participating authors.
Here's how it works:
- Starting on April 4th a new author will be featured on the iClue Site each week.
- The author will post their mystery on the site on Monday.
- On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will post links to The Reading Room and two awesomesauce book bloggers who will be posting a special clue to help you solve the mystery.
- Once you've solved the mystery you send us the correct solution using a form on the website.
- If you enter the correct solution you get one entry into the contest.
- Solve all 6 mysteries you get 6 entries to win the iTouch.
Meanwhile...we want to make sure to get the word out on this exciting 6-week event! And that's where you come in...you, and six autographed books...
Help us spread the word, and you'll be entered for a prize to win six autographed books, one from each of us! There are lots of ways to enter!
You can tweet!
You can blog!
(If you past the html code under the banner into your blog, it will automatically show up, all linked directly to the contest. If you put it into the post, be sure you're on the "edit html" tab of Blogger.)
You can spread the word however you like! And for every way you spread the word, we're going to enter you in a contest for a grand prize pack of all six of our books, signed! And don't forget to come back to the actual event for your chance to solve fun mysteries and win an iPod Touch!! (And yes--before you ask, the contest IS open internationally--both prizes!)
So...the real question is: Will you iClue????
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome WINNNERS!!!
Holy cannoli March has been AMAZING! Thank you all so much for your support and for helping us get word out about The Liar Society! If you've missed any of the stops on our blog tour, you can click here to find all of the amazing blogs who hosted us over the course of the month. We had an absolute blast writing all of the guest posts and answering all of your questions.
We're thrilled to announce that we had over 2,000 entries into our Blog Tour of Awesome Contest and random.org picked two VERY lucky winners today!
HUGE congratulations to our Grande Prize Winner Jackie Hagman!
Jackie will be receiving:
and...
Congratulations to our our runner up, Harmony Beaufort!
Harmony will be receiving:
And as if that wasn't awesome enough, the AMAZING Kim Harrington sent us a link to this incredible book trailer created by Adriana Melgoza, Teen Librarian at the Alhambra Library.
How cool is that? If you liked the trailer for Liar Society be sure to check out the other amazing book trailers on their YouTube Channel. We especially loved the trailer for Clarity
! What a creative way to engage young readers!
And because we had so much fun in March we just had to try to plan something even more exciting and MORE amazing for April and May, so please, please, PLEASE check back tomorrow for details on a crazy amazing contest we've dreamed up with some pretty amazing (best selling-ish, award winning-ish) authors. You will not be disappointed. Pinky swear promise.
! If you've missed any of the stops on our blog tour, you can click here to find all of the amazing blogs who hosted us over the course of the month. We had an absolute blast writing all of the guest posts and answering all of your questions.We're thrilled to announce that we had over 2,000 entries into our Blog Tour of Awesome Contest and random.org picked two VERY lucky winners today!
HUGE congratulations to our Grande Prize Winner Jackie Hagman!
Jackie will be receiving:
- A $100 Amazon Gift Card;
- An insider Copy of The Liar Society with Special Commentary from Lisa and Laura;
- Twizzlers; and
- J. Crew Pearl Bracelet
and...
Congratulations to our our runner up, Harmony Beaufort!
Harmony will be receiving:
- A signed copy of The Liar Society;
- Twizzlers; and
- J. Crew Pearl Bracelet
And as if that wasn't awesome enough, the AMAZING Kim Harrington sent us a link to this incredible book trailer created by Adriana Melgoza, Teen Librarian at the Alhambra Library.
How cool is that? If you liked the trailer for Liar Society
be sure to check out the other amazing book trailers on their YouTube Channel. We especially loved the trailer for Clarity! What a creative way to engage young readers!And because we had so much fun in March we just had to try to plan something even more exciting and MORE amazing for April and May, so please, please, PLEASE check back tomorrow for details on a crazy amazing contest we've dreamed up with some pretty amazing (best selling-ish, award winning-ish) authors. You will not be disappointed. Pinky swear promise.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
WTF Wednesday: Someone Buy the Biebs a Burger
The Biebs is looking manarexic. We're concerned his momager is working him to the bone.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tell the Truth Tuesday
1. I'm scared to talk to other authors. We're trying to schedule a group signing in Chicago sometime in May and asking other authors to join scares the crap out of me. I'm always terrified people are going to see our name and think, "Those losers? No WAY am I associating with them in public."
2. I just watched a commercial for Sonic Hotdogs and thought "YUM."
3. On Saturday the only thing I ingested all day was an enormous burrito bowl from Chipotle.
4. I'm pretty sure if I had to battle someone for a sleeve of Thin Mints Hunger Games style right now, I'd win.
5. I feel bad that almost all of our truths this week are food related which is ironic because I haven't lost a freaking POUND.
6. Sometimes the definition of irony still confuses me a little. Seems like a lot of things I consider ironic aren't technically ironic.
7. My new goal in life is to bring PSYCHE! back into popularity. As in, "Guess what? I decided to make all of Ben's baby food from scratch....PSYCHE!"
Ok, so what's your truth this Tuesday? Spill it in the comments. Actually, don't bother. We're so not interested....PSYCHE!
2. I just watched a commercial for Sonic Hotdogs and thought "YUM."
3. On Saturday the only thing I ingested all day was an enormous burrito bowl from Chipotle.
4. I'm pretty sure if I had to battle someone for a sleeve of Thin Mints Hunger Games style right now, I'd win.
5. I feel bad that almost all of our truths this week are food related which is ironic because I haven't lost a freaking POUND.
6. Sometimes the definition of irony still confuses me a little. Seems like a lot of things I consider ironic aren't technically ironic.
7. My new goal in life is to bring PSYCHE! back into popularity. As in, "Guess what? I decided to make all of Ben's baby food from scratch....PSYCHE!"
Ok, so what's your truth this Tuesday? Spill it in the comments. Actually, don't bother. We're so not interested....PSYCHE!
Monday, March 28, 2011
You ARE the Weakest Link
Laura: Did you read my chapter yet?
Lisa: No, I'm still editing the old stuff.
Laura: Great. You're probably going to hate it.
Lisa: Probably. I'm really hungry and hunger makes me angry.
Laura: Just eat something.
Lisa: No. I'm going to lose the last of this baby weight before May.
Laura: Will you please eat something before you read my chapter? I don't want to be the weak link.
Lisa: Whatever. I'm the weak link. You had to completely rewrite my lame first chapter. Remember?
Laura: True.
Lisa: sjhskgjiuofnsfkjosighfski
Laura: Huh?
Lisa: sksjvkm akjfgviogjioindgjdfkv dkvsdvmoi
Laura: What's going on over there?
Lisa: Oops, sorry. Just passed out due to hunger.
Laura: Awesome. So glad you own the WIP document right now. That's just great.
Lisa: Don't mess with me. I'll eat your face. Seriously.
Laura: Dare I even ask if you've thought of anything for the blog tomorrow?
Lisa: I'm too hungry to think.
Laura: I'm just posting this convo, ok?
Lisa: kgdjgdojcnoifnjgvbjjvaiofijmkvd jsijga v9i4r90wi m
Laura: I'll take that as a yes.
Lisa: No, I'm still editing the old stuff.
Laura: Great. You're probably going to hate it.
Lisa: Probably. I'm really hungry and hunger makes me angry.
Laura: Just eat something.
Lisa: No. I'm going to lose the last of this baby weight before May.
Laura: Will you please eat something before you read my chapter? I don't want to be the weak link.
Lisa: Whatever. I'm the weak link. You had to completely rewrite my lame first chapter. Remember?
Laura: True.
Lisa: sjhskgjiuofnsfkjosighfski
Laura: Huh?
Lisa: sksjvkm akjfgviogjioindgjdfkv dkvsdvmoi
Laura: What's going on over there?
Lisa: Oops, sorry. Just passed out due to hunger.
Laura: Awesome. So glad you own the WIP document right now. That's just great.
Lisa: Don't mess with me. I'll eat your face. Seriously.
Laura: Dare I even ask if you've thought of anything for the blog tomorrow?
Lisa: I'm too hungry to think.
Laura: I'm just posting this convo, ok?
Lisa: kgdjgdojcnoifnjgvbjjvaiofijmkvd jsijga v9i4r90wi m
Laura: I'll take that as a yes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Don't call this a comeback
So it’s been a minute. Or 10. Or truthfully more like 2,102,400. At least we think that’s how many minutes there are in 3 years, but let...
-
Since I am the worst tweeter ever, Lisa informed me of the #Speakloudly Twitter campaign that's happening as we speak. It brought b... -
1. I have 10 minutes before the kids come home after their last day of school and instead of showering, I'm blogging. This is a terrible...