Contest Winner

Thank you, all, for the amazing responses to the Countdown: August! Contest. There were some great books mentioned--some I've read, some I've been meaning to. Plus a few I've not heard of. Yay!

Reminder of the prize: choice of 3 mass market paperbacks that are available in stock at either Amazon or BN (nothing out of print, nothing not yet in print).

And the winnah is....

faerywitch!

Please email me your book choices by Wednesday of this week, if you can, because I'm leaving for Dragon*Con on Thursday. If I don't hear from you before I go, I won't be able to get them out to you until I get back early next week. :)

My email: mail (at) kellymeding.com

Thanks for playing, everyone!

Anthology Q at FFF

Wow, you guys! Such amazing responses so far on the Countdown: August! Contest. Just a reminder, it's open for comments until Sunday, 8/30.

Today, I asked a question about Anthologies, over at Fangs, Fur & Fey. Stop by and weigh in!

Countdown: August! Contest

No worries, I didn't forget this month! I just haven't been online much this week. I've given myself a break from writing and decided to immerse in reading. Which has been fun, because I've read three books since Sunday--usually the max I can manage in a week, and it's only Thursday!

So far, I've read:

Red-Headed Stepchild, by Jaye Wells. I'm ashamed it took me this long to read my agency-sib's book, and feel equally dumb for putting it off because I enjoyed it so much. Hairless cats rule! So if you haven't read Jaye's book, what are you waiting for?

Stray, by Rachel Vincent. I'm equally ashamed to admit I bought this when it was first released. Why the wait? No idea. I've only heard good things about this series. But I finally read it (started it while waiting at the vet's with a cat, LOL!) and it was awesome. I was very annoyed my local bookstore didn't have any of the others in stock. I hate waiting!

The Darkest Whisper, by Gena Showalter. Devoured this, as with all the other Lords of the Underworld books. I can't get enough of this series. The side stories and subplots are continually as intriguing as the main couple's story, and the world continues to expand with each installment.

EDIT: CONTEST CLOSED!!!

THE CONTEST

This one is simple. Tell me about the last three books you read, and you're entered in the drawing. Contest is open until Sunday evening, at which time I'll draw the winner.

THE PRIZE

Prize is three In-Stock Mass-Market paperbacks of your choice. Mass-market means the small books, usually priced between $6.99-7.99 retail. They must be current releases (I can't get not-yet-published or out-of-print books, sorry) and available in-stock from either Amazon or B&N.

And....GO!

First Chapter Online

I always stumble across this stuff and get all *SQUEE!* when I see it.

The first chapter of THREE DAYS TO DEAD is up at Barnes & Noble.com. So run on over if you want a sneak peek at what's coming soon!

Three more months. Ack!

It's Amazing What You Find...

...when you randomly Google yourself.



The German translation of THREE DAYS TO DEAD, also known as "In drei Tagen bist du wieder tot," is available on the German/Europe version of eBay. Five copies. It makes me wonder, though, since it isn't scheduled for official release until 10/5.

Huh.

After lack of sleep and a rousing morning with the plumbers pulling dryer sheets (yes, I said dryer sheets, and I blame the previous tenants) out of the main line, my day of oddball amusements continues.

New Review & Other News

Wendy, at The Book Lush, has posted a terrific advance review of THREE DAYS TO DEAD. She has some wonderful things to say, and I am absolutely thrilled at the response TDTD has been getting.

Thanks, Wendy!

In other book news, work has begun on cover copy for AS LIE THE DEAD. Cover copy is the written stuff--all of the words you see and where they are placed, from the title and author's name, to back cover summary and blurbs. It's fun to see what they're using and where.

I also have a tentative release date for ALtD. I'll post it soon, but it's definitely Summer '10.

And I can't believe Dragon*Con is in two weeks!!!! Eep! I'm so excited to go and see so many fabulous authors (oh yeah, and actors and stuff). I don't remember if I mentioned it before, but I'm on a panel. Friday, 11:30 am, and I believe it's called "New Blood." I've already told Nicole Peeler that she's doing all my talking for me. Public speaking scares the crap out of me. *wibbles*

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was didn't make a 5-star book for me because of the slow beginning. I started it six days ago, got about seventy pages in, and put it down. It took me five days to pick it back up. I was having a hard time seeing what was so special (other than the hook).

Doing my duty as an aunt and babysitting my infant niece last night, I had a block of four hours to sit down and read, so I took this book. And couldn't put it down. Once Katniss begins the steps that take her to the playing field, the story really kicks into high gear, and I was sucked back in.

And wow. I sobbed at least three times. It was impossible to forget that these were KIDS! which just added to the tragedy. The tension was wonderfully done throughout Parts 2 and 3, and the final solution to the Games was perfect.

Now that I've given the book a chance, I'm very eager for the sequel next month.

View all my reviews >>

FOX's Peter Pan and the Pirates

Every once in a while, I'll go browsing around YouTube. It's amazing what you can find on it, and somehow I found myself watching the opening themes to half a dozen different cartoons I loved as a child (My Little Ponies, Jem, Gummi Bears, She-Ra, to name a few).

Then I thought about a show I adored during its first run: Peter Pan and the Pirates. I was completely in love with this show, as it came on right around the time I was really discovering Peter Pan--the Disney film, the novel, and a few of the other novels that have come out since.

I remember loving the opening theme music, and after hearing it again, I still do.



And apparently all 65 episodes are available online.

Must. Resist. Time. Sink.

What old shows do you find yourself wanting to go back and re-experience?

Oh, For Frak's Sake!

Anyone who dares to tackle yet another re-imagining of "Battlestar Galactica" has either got a pair of brass ones, or he's a lunatic. Stark raving mad.



After the critically acclaimed run of Ron Moore's BSG on the SciFi Channel (I refuse to admit to such a thing as SyFy), the need to succeed at bringing the franchise to the big screen is enormous. There are millions of dedicated fans to not impress, but blow away. Oh yes, this film Bryan Singer is developing will have to be something extra special good to appeal to the fans of the new show.

Granted, there are fans of the original 1978 series who thumbed their noses at Moore's vision, and who've yet to give the new series a chance. Perhaps Singer hopes to appeal to those fans? I dunno. Maybe.



The SciFi series had it's flaws, to be sure, but those flaws were far overshadowed by a series rife with excellent narrative, superb acting, amazing special effects, and moving, emotional storylines. I'm sure some folks will argue with this assessment, but to me, as far as television shows go, BSG was pretty darn close to perfect.

I'll be keeping an eye on this as it develops, trust me.

One Week as Lovers by Victoria Dahl


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This one is definitely going into my Top 10 So Far list.

I admit, it's my first foray into historical romance in at least a decade. I was inspired to pick it up by a review from the Book Smugglers blog, and I am so grateful.

(MINOR SPOILERS)

It was beautifully written, and had a sweet and satisfying love story that, while ending with the promise of an HEA, didn't tie it up in a neat little bow. They had to work for it.

I'll also admit to a weakness for damaged heroes (as my best friend, who's read all of my unpublished books, can attest to), and Nick certainly fit the bill, hurting hard beneath a jovial exterior.

Definitely recommend.

View all my reviews >>

Song Specific

When I was writing THREE DAYS TO DEAD, I had a specific compilation of music I played over and over. It's a mix of songs with lyrics and scores. Songs often popped up that remind of situations and themes. There are songs that remind me of Evy, and songs that make me think of specific scenes in the novel. But I never had one that, to me, screamed WYATT!

Wyatt Truman, the hero of TDTD, is such a complicated, reticent guy, that I didn't really get a handle on him until writing AS LIE THE DEAD. He was finally forced to face some metaphorical demons and, as goofy as this always sounds to non-writers, I finally learned more about him.

The other day, I was stuck in a traffic detour around a 2-lane accident (my third, accident-related detour in 2.5 weeks, no less). I was flipping stations, trying to get a traffic report, and hit on a song that stopped me cold. It was the chorus that hit a chord in me. I know I'd heard the song before, but I couldn't place it. As soon as I got home (an hour and a half later), I Googled.

And found it. Wyatt's song.

Three Days to Dead - First Review!

Remember how I said knowing review copies were going out, that it made the whole process feel more real? Wanna know how it feels to see the first review of your book show up online?

Frakkin unreal! And fantastic!

The very generous Rachael, from Enchanted by Books, has posted her thoughts on THREE DAYS TO DEAD, and I couldn't be more ecstatic.

Check it out!

In Two Months....

...my book will be for sale in Germany.

Thinking about this continues to crack me up. The (mis)adventures of Evy Stone and Company will available across the pond a full month and 19 days before it releases here in the States (and Canada and the UK). And it's fitting, in a way, me being a little more than a quarter German (my dad's half, and there's some on my mom's side, too).



So YAY! for the Germany release countdown!

Posting at the League

Today I have a discussion post up at the League of Reluctant Adults, called Twisting the Classics.

Please stop by and weigh in!

A Present in the Mail

Last week, a good friend who works in a Calgary library emailed and said she'd found something on her desk. It was a cover flat for THREE DAYS TO DEAD that had been sent to her library, and did I want it?

Um, YES!

It arrived this morning, and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's hard to photograph something with a shiny finish, so the colors aren't as vivid in the photo as they are on the cover. The details of the background are amazing. I'm tempted to wrap it around another paperback just TO SEE, but I don't want to bend its loveliness.



The back has a little ad for the second book, as well as book/ordering information, marketing, and notes about already selling German rights. SQUEE!

After fighting with the internet all morning, this was a great way to get rid of the Monday blahs. Thanks so much, Marie-Anne! You are the best!

Closer to Real

There are many, many steps on the path from contract to publication, and each one makes the entire thing feel more real. And I think I've stumbled into the next-to-last step right before holding the book in my eager little hands: reviews and promo.

One of the awesome reviewers who'd requested an ARC of THREE DAYS TO DEAD emailed me yesterday to say she'd received the manuscript. I had a brief moment of WAAHOO!!! followed by sudden terror.

It's one thing to convince an agent and editor your book is worth their time and investment. It's another thing to get wonderful cover blurbs from authors you adore. It's a fantastic feeling for folks to love your cover art as much as you do.

But hearing that a complete stranger will now be reading and reviewing this book I've lived with for the better part of two years? Terrifying.

It makes the entire thing seem closer to real. I didn't just imagine this book deal, or hallucinate the cover. Copies are going out. Strangers will be deciding whether or not they like it. Gak! I'm as scared of this step as I am excited by it.

So in the interest of not appearing too wussy about the whole thing: Bring it on!

*g*

July Contest Winner and Another (Not Mine) Contest

And the randomized winner of the Countdown: July! Contest is:

RKCharron!

Congrats! Be sure to email me [ mail(at)kellymeding.com ] with your mailing address, and I'll get your books out to you!

#

Also!

Over at Literary Escapism, Jackie is holding a contest that is very dear to my heart. Her Devil Speak Contest is an answer to the recent way that covers for UF and PNR novels have come under fire. These are the questions she asks:

What other novels have been grossly underappreciated due to the Tramp Stamping trend? For all those “meh cover, story not worth it” attitudes, what have they missed out on?

So run over and speak your mind. There are even prizes involved. *G*

Countdown: July! Contest

(side note: I just realized this is my blog's 300th post!)

EDIT: CONTEST CLOSED!!!

This month's Countdown Contest is a simple one, inspired by an email conversation I had last week with my crit partner, Nancy. I couldn't decide on which book from my massive TBR pile was next for consumption. So many choices, so little time, and I didn't know what I was in the mood for.

She emails me back: start from the left and count over five books. Read the sixth.

To which I promptly replied: which shelf? There are three.

Her answer: Third shelf (damn woman!)

Ha!

Usually, it doesn't take three emails for me to pick a book. If I just bought something new I've been waiting for, it gets read. If I'm in the mood for a particular type of story (romance, werewolves, vamps, other...), I pick one of those.

What does this have to do with the contest? The contest is a simple drawing from the comments section. In order to enter, please Comment and tell me how you usually decide what to read next. Do you keep all new purchases in order and read them that way? Do you close your eyes and pluck a book off the shelf?

How do you choose?

The prizes for this contest are two books releasing this week that I'm eager to read:

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE, Jeaniene Frost (okay, so eager isn't quite a powerful enough word for how much I want to read this)

THE THORN QUEEN, Richelle Mead (2nd Dark Swan book)

Contest is open until Wednesday 7/29, Noon EST.

Not Really Gone

Yes, I am alive. Sorry for the extended absence.

Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like the needle has fallen off your compass, so you can't tell if you're going around in circles or making progress? That's been me. I can't say for sure if the needle is firmly attached yet. We'll see.

News that has nothing to do with anything important: I have a tan for the first time in several years. Okay, so it's a farmer's tan (shorts and sneaker lines), but my arms and face are a lovely shade of honey brown now. And the weather is holding steady in the mid-eighties. I wonder if we can make it all the way to August without turning on the air conditioning....

We went to the Delaware State Fair last night. First time in several years that I've been here and able to go. I have so many memories of the Fair. Attending with my grandparents and walking through each and every barn (horses, cows, and goats, oh my!). Going on the midway rides on coupon day with my sister and dad (and nearly having a sun stroke one year). Eating fried chicken at the Grange. Fresh kettle corn. The World's Smallest Horse. Vendors and freebies and shows...

It was my niece's first year at the Fair, and she just had a blast. She pet her first goat and her first horse. *g*

And yes, there will be a Countdown: July! contest. I'll either do it tomorrow or Monday, I haven't decided. So stay tuned!!!

An Experiment in Writing

As promised, a bit more about the manuscript I mentioned having finished over the weekend. Normally, I don't try to get any real work done while I'm attending a convention, but I was in the middle of the final chapter and I knew the ending. I was thinking about it for the entire 3-hour drive to Baltimore. Not finishing it was impossible.

So what's this one about? Four words: djinn, vampires, Necromancy, hostages. (Oh my!)

Yeah, I know, it doesn't tell you much. Writing this one (and I'll call it DVNH, because I can't come up with a title I like yet) was a bit of an experiment for me. I brainstormed the initial idea in the wee hours of a Friday night sangria-and-movie fest with my best friend. Ever seen the movie Feast? It's an awesome horror film, so go out and rent it (but avoid the sequels, they kind of sucked....no, they really sucked). There's a line in the film, in which a character says, "We're being held hostage." Something about it clicked--monsters holding people hostage.

No, wait, vampires holding people hostage! But where? And why? And who would deal with such a crisis?

That's how it started.

I woke up Saturday morning (May 2, as a matter of fact) amazingly not hung over, spent about three hours doing some basic research on a few things and coming up with a handful of characters. Then I started writing it. I wrote almost every day for the entire month of May and banged out 50k words (it was like my own NaNoWriMo). In June, I put it aside for a while to do some revisions on other things, and came back to writing it again around the middle/end of June. It was hard getting back into the story, but once I did the last 35k poured out.

Granted, it needs some work, because I allowed myself to do something a little different while writing this draft--I used placeholders. If I didn't know a location, I wrote PLACE or TOWN. If I wasn't sure about a specific detail, I left RESEARCH in the paragraph. So the draft is littered with little roadsigns, places I need to return to and expand on. I need to expand on the world building quite a bit, and add tidbits of backstory now that I know my characters better.

I have a different book with my agent right now, so I don't have any immediate plans for DVNH, beyond shaping it up and coming up with a title that actually stands for something. Fortunately, I have an awesome crit partner (*waves at Nancy*) who's listened to me blather on about this book since I started it, so knowing she'd waiting to read it makes me happy.

So I chalk this up as an experiment gone right. We'll see what the end results bear in the future.