'Book Club Week'

Have you heard? 

In late April (23-29) Terri is running a ‘Book Club Week’ on her blog, with a range of events to help book clubs, reading groups and readers in general get more out of her contemporary fiction title, In Leah’s Wake.  

There is also a dedicated page on Terri’s blog (http://terriglong.com/blog/in-leahs-wake-book-club-week-april-23-29/) that people can visit for updates – they can also enter a competition to win an Amazon voucher worth $100 or one of five signed paperback copies.  In addition, a book club/reading group will have the opportunity to win a set of up to 20 copies of Terri’s next novel, Nowhere to Run.

So I guess you want to know how can clubs/readers get involved?

They can get involved in so many ways!  They can submit a question for Terri, share some of the topics they’ve been discussing about the book, submit a short piece (100-200 words) on their favorite character – any of these activities will give participants an entry into the competition to win an Amazon voucher worth $100.

To enter the Book Club Competition and be in with a chance of winning a set of 20 copies of Nowhere to Run for a  book club or reading group, entrants simply submit a collective summary of what their group or club thought of In Leah’s Wake.  If they haven’t read the book yet, they can also submit their views on why they’ve chosen to add the title to their schedule. 

Here is the schedule for the 'Book Club Week'... 

IN LEAH’S WAKE BOOK CLUB WEEK 23-29TH APRIL 

EVENT LIST

MONDAY 23R D APRIL: WELCOME TO IN LEAH’S WAKE 

Terri shares a candid introduction to the book and her success so far and talks about the role of book bloggers and reviewers in boosting In Leah’s Wake up the charts

TUESDAY 24T H APRIL: THE CHARACTERS OF IN LEAH’S WAKE 

Terri invites readers and bloggers to share their thoughts on their favorite characters within In Leah’s Wake and talk about the moments they loved most

In the evening enjoy a live Q&A session with two pivotal characters from the novel: Zoe and her daughter, Leah.

WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL: THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

An interview with Terri looks into the story behind the story: how Terri came to write In Leah’s Wake and how it came to be the “little indie book that could” selling over 100,000 copies so far!

THURSDAY 26TH APRIL: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Answering questions by submitted book clubs, readers’ groups, readers and bloggers, Terri will share her thoughts on the novel, the writing process and what lies ahead

In the evening enjoy a Q&A session with Terri Giuliano Long and the chance to put forward your questions live

FRIDAY 27TH APRIL – SUNDAY 28TH APRIL: IN LEAH’S WAKE: IN DISCUSSION Share your views on some of the discussion topics raised in the In Leah’s Wake reading guide. We’ll be publishing your thoughts along with any new discussion topics you suggest.

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL: LOOKING AHEAD: NOWHERE TO RUN Terri shares her thoughts on her upcoming novel, Nowhere to Run, and talks about what it’s like to work on a very different kind of story.

*In my e-mail* Strange Chemistry Press Release

Strange Chemistry 

Press Release

4th April 2012 ~ For Immediate Release

Strange Chemistry Signs Julianna Scott and Laura Lam for Two Books Apiece

Strange Chemistry, the YA imprint of Angry Robot Books, is delighted to announce the signing of two more fantastic YA authors for 2013: Julianna Scott and Laura Lam.

Julianna Scott has been signed for a two-book deal - negotiated by Strange Chemistry’s Amanda Rutter and Carly Watters of the P.S. Literary Agency - starting with The Holders. Laura Lam has also signed a two-book deal – negotiated by Amanda Rutter and Juliet Mushens of Peters Fraser and Dunlop – starting with Pantomime.

Both titles will be published in the Spring of 2013.

About The Holders

17-year-old Becca has spent her whole life protecting her brother - from their father leaving and from the people who say the voices in his head are unnatural. When two strangers appear with apparent answers to Ryland’s “problem” and details about a school in Ireland where Ryland will not only fit in, but prosper, Becca is up in arms.

She reluctantly agrees to join Ryland on his journey and what they find at St. Brigid’s is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together information about their family’s heritage and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they’ve been waiting for.

But they are all, especially Becca, in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

About Julianna Scott

Julianna was born In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and spent the majority of her educational career convinced she would be a musician.

However, after receiving her music degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she realized that she'd been born in the wrong era for her dreams of singing jazz to adoring fans clad in zoot-suits and flapper dresses to come true, and began to wonder if her true calling might be elsewhere.

While Julianna had always excelled in writing throughout school, she'd never considered it a career possibility until about three years ago, when she came up with her first story idea and decided to go for it. She grabbed her laptop, started typing away, and has never looked back.

You can visit Julianna’s website at http://juliannascottauthor.com.

Amanda said: “The Holders showcases an utterly engaging new voice in YA fiction – with supernatural powers and a gripping love story set against the stunning backdrop of Ireland. I was enthralled and know you will be too.”

Julianna said: “I am so excited to be a Strange Chemistry author! It is truly a dream come true!”

About Pantomime

R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass – remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone - are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimeras is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist's apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

About Laura Lam

Laura was raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies. Both of them encouraged her to finger-paint to her heart’s desire, colour outside of the lines, and consider the library a second home. This led to an overabundance of daydreams.

She relocated to Scotland to be with her husband, whom she met on the internet when he insulted her taste in books. She almost blocked him but is glad she didn’t. At times she misses the sunshine.

You can find Laura’s website at http://staticsplit.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LR_Lam [@LR_Lam].

Laura says: “I originally subbed to Angry Robot Books’ Open Door Month a year ago, thinking I’d get a form rejection, shed a tear or two, and continue to write. It was a long year with much refreshing of my inbox, but I’ve learned so much and am grateful Amanda plucked me from the slush and gave me a chance to make Pantomime shine. I’m beyond excited to be a Strange Chemist.”

Amanda says: “I was Laura’s original reader during the Angry Robot Open Door Month and passed her MS along to the AR editors – even knowing that it was close to a first draft, because I saw the promise in this novel. After revising and improving, Pantomime is now an incredibly rich novel with the tone of Robin Hobb and the adventure of Tamora Pierce – it is a new must-read in the realms of YA fantasy!”

More information can be found at strangechemistrybooks.com and angryrobotbooks.com.

Angry Robot is a genre publisher that brings readers the best in new SF, F and WTF?! Strange Chemistry is Angry Robot’s YA imprint. All titles are released as paperbacks and in all major eBook formats. Distribution is through Random House (North America) and GBS (UK). Angry Robot is part of the Osprey Group.

For more information or to place requests for review copies, interviews and features, please contact our Marketing Manager, Darren Turpin at darren.turpin@angryrobotbooks.com or by phone on +44 (0) 7584 355911 [during UK Office Hours]

Angry Robot & Strange Chemistry Online

http://angryrobotbooks.com http://strangechemistrybooks.com http://www.twitter.com/angryrobotbooks [@angryrobotbooks] http://www.twitter.com/strangechem [@strangechem] http://www.facebook.com/angryrobotbooks

Hi bloggers. *TEAM ERUDITE UK*

Why haven't I been around?

So I haven't posted in a while, I apologise for that. I have been crazy busy with college (I can't believe my first year is almost over, I'll be a uni before I know it!), work and you know well I am a teen. I've barely read or wrote in months.. I feel so bad for that. But I have been receiving the odd (amazing) books here and there to review... so look forward to those! Summer is fast approaching, so hopefully during summer this blog will be buzzing with life again!

Ohh and.. guess what.

I get to review INSURGENT (crazy excited) ok so I admit I started reading Divergent at the start of the year and got waylaid but.. I'll get there and you'll get the reviews on time :P after all I am part of Team Erudite UK and we is so gonna win. If you're part of another team... hi there.. good luck ;)

What's going on with me?

Well college mostly.. I passed my first AS exam in Psychology with an A (74/80) which I almost died when I heard so that was a good day.. I am learning to drive (watch out UK) just got to pass that damn theory test.. I have more exams after this easter break :( (I should be revising but hey)... I miss writing (*current thinking* do I still want to be an author?).. I'm starting to look into Universities and what courses I want to do (I know English would be a great degree to get, but I'd only do a creative writing degree, but I'm not sure if I'll miss art, wouldn't art be fun to do at Uni though?).. I know a Uni not that far from where I live to be honest does a joint of the two.. so maybe that.. got another year of college to survive first, but to be honest it's flying.

Ohh I miss the summer days I blogged everyday.

I'll be back.. soon I promise.

With loads of amazing books to review, I got a box of awesome books at christmas and haven't had the chance to read them yet.

Also might hold some giveaways to make up for my absence and all that!

Hope all is good in the blogging world and with all of you.

Love Mazz
xoxox

Review: The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T.Nelson

Name of Author: O.T.Nelson 

Publisher Name: Lerner Publishing Group

Publication Date: April 01, 2012

Imprint: Graphic Universe 

Review copy: Net Galley

Book blurb:  

A deadly virus killed every adult on Earth, leaving only the kids behind. With her parents gone, Lisa is responsible for her little brother, Todd. She has to make sure they stay alive. Many kids are sick or starving, and fierce gangs are stealing and destroying everything they find. Lots of people have given up, but on Grand Avenue, some kids are surviving. Because of Lisa.

Lisa figured out how to give the kids on Grand Avenue food, homes, and protection against the gangs. But Tom Logan and his army are determined to take that away and rule the streets themselves. How long can Lisa's group keep fighting them off? They need to find a place to live safely. A strong place. A secret place.

In a world like this, someone has to take charge. But does Lisa have the strength to take charge of a whole city?

This title is scheduled to be archived on February 1, 2012

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, when I first requested it I thought that sounds like a great dystopian novel, not realising it was actually a graphic novel at the time, however I wasn't disappointed. I'm not entirely sure what age group this book is aimed at but I think it's younger than me and for a seventeen year old girl I still have to admit this book had me hooked. Yes you could say I'm artistic and therefore found all the graphic pictures interesting- which they were, amazing, but I'm honest when I say I actually sat down and was glued to my laptop. 

I love the whole concept of this book, to teach children to think for themselves and to stand by one another in times of need and not fight for no reason. I think it's not something that only needs to be learnt by children, maybe this novel should be read by everyone worldwide and learn these lessons too. 

The story line was thrilling, I feel silly saying it, but I really enjoyed it I am still a big kid at heart I guess, or maybe it just goes to show teenagers and young adults will enjoy this book too. The beautiful illustrations just add to the tension of the story, they are beautiful and arty, which I adore and I think many others will too; however I did think a couple of the older kids looked older than twelve but they're cartoon pictures how can you tell right?  

Throughout the story there are a lot of things children and other readers will be able to relate to such as bullying, the relationship and bond between siblings and they'll recognize that usually people who bully are vulnerable themselves.

The whole idea the book is based on I think could be elaborated into much more of a story, maybe not a children’s story, but the base idea that all adults have gone, if when the remaining children turn into adults will go too is just brilliant and has real potential but that's getting off the point.

The Girl Who Owned a City will teach children (or other readers) that it's ok to think for yourself, that your gender doesn't make you weak or strong in Tom's case. It's a great story/graphic novel that will make you wonder what you would do if all the older responsible people who ran the world was gone. 

Words on the shelf gives 5/5 to The Girl Who Owned a City: Graphic Novel by O.T Nelson  

*WAVES*

Hey guys,

I just want to take the time to apologise for not posting much lately, it seems college has proved a lot more demanding than I expected. However I refuse to let this blog die out and I have been receiving books to review and have been setting up guest posts/interviews and everything for you guys, just bare with me.

I haven't read one book this year *weeps* but it is half term and I am determined to finish Divergent at least and so there will be reviews to come!

So stay tuned and I hope you are all having a wonderful and less stressful 2012 than I am ;)

Mazz
xoxo

Guest Post: Terri Long author of In Leah's Wake

An Ode to Bloggers

Last May, a month or so after I began marketing my novel, In Leah’s Wake, a former agent told me that I would never sell 500 books. A rookie, I had no idea what to expect. When I published the novel, I’d dreamed of selling a 3,000 – 5,000 books, hoping healthy sales numbers would attract the attention of an agent or traditional publishing house for my next novel.

The agent had left New York, but she’d been in the business for a long time, and her words stung. I hung up the phone, heartbroken, depressed. Had I not been in the midst of my first blog tour, I might have pulled my novel off the market that day.

Determined to see the tour through, I soldiered on.  On the tour, I met wonderful, caring people, book bloggers, whose kindness buoyed and sustained me. 

Over the next few months, In Leah’s Wake appeared on hundreds of blogs. Bloggers opened their hearts and spread the word about this quiet literary novel. In August, In Leah’s Wake hit the Barnes & Noble and Amazon charts. Now, seven months after my talk with that agent, the book has been in the Amazon top 200 for over five months, and we’ve sold just shy of 80,000 copies.

Book bloggers rock! I don’t know how to say it any better. Book bloggers are the fairy godmothers and godfathers of the literary world. They invest their talent, their energy, and their time into reviewing and promoting books – and keeping dreams alive.

Even today, traditional media refuse to recognize or review indie books. In this very real sense, book bloggers are the heart and soul of the indie revolution.  Their vision, their energy, and their determination have enabled this amazing populist movement to take hold.

Today, we have the great good fortune of hearing the funny, poignant, intelligent voices of new authors from around the world - voices that, just a few years ago, might have been silenced by the gatekeepers of the old guard. These voices reach into hearts and minds, forging connections, uniting us in a community of readers and writers, searching for and finding, through words, the better part of ourselves. Because, truly, at heart, this is what reading and writing is all about.

Here’s to you, book bloggers! You are and always will be my heroes!

AUTHOR BIO

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel.

Website: www.tglong.com

Blog: www.tglong.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tglong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites

This week, Terri and Inspired Quill Press (paperback edition), launch a newly edited edition of In Leah’s Wake. The newly edited novel features a new chapter and several new scenes, adding new connections and insights, and tightens the book, cutting 60 pages – all while maintaining the integrity of the original edition.

For more information, please visit her website: www.tglong.com/blog or any of these retailer sales. (Your local library or bookstore can also order the book through major distribution channels.)

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306533515&sr=8-3

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Wake-Terri-Giuliano-Long/dp/1456310542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318690782&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Leahs-Wake/Terri-Giuliano-Long/e/2940011264566?itm=1&USRI=In%2BLeah27s%2BWake

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780975453391

BOOK INFORMATION

IN LEAH’S WAKE

Terri Giuliano Long

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback, Kindle

ISBN: 1456310542

Publisher: CreateSpace/Inspired Quill Press

Website: www.tglong.com

***Newly edited by Sara-Jayne Slack, Inspired Quill Press***

The Tylers have a perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine—more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years—just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly “together” kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life…until everything goes wrong. Can this family survive in Leah’s wake? 

Margot Livesey, award-winning author of Banishing Verona, calls In Leah's Wake "a beautifully written and absorbing novel." 

When happens when love just isn't enough?

Recipient of the CTRR Award for excellence

2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick

Book Bundlz 2011 Favorites, First Place

Praise for In Leah’s Wake

"Sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender."

Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room

"In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

Margot Livesey, Award-winning author of Banishing Verona

“Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”

Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blog

“An incredibly strong debut, this book is fantastic on many fronts.”

Naomi Blackburn, Founder Sisterhood of the Traveling Book

TRAILER LINK AND VIDEO EMBED CODE

link:  http://youtu.be/Yyfp5tIU_U4

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Guest Post: Elle Casey author of Wrecked

Title: Wrecked
Author: Elle Casey
Description: 
If you liked The Breakfast Club and The Swiss Family Robinson, you'll love WRECKED! An ill-fated Caribbean cruise and four teenagers: a nerd, a jock, a mouse, and a beauty queen…an island, a treehouse, some nefarious interlopers…life and death…fear and loathing…love and laughter. Follow Jonathan, Kevin, Candi and Sarah as they find their typical high school lives and their worlds totally WRECKED. 


I will be reviewing this book soon, so keep your eye out!




Elle Casey 

What inspired me to write Wrecked?

To answer this question, I have to give you a bit of history ...

So – about me – I’ve been an avid reader since I was really young.  The first books I remember loving were Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Pinocchio.  My Uncle Jeff gave me these big, colorful Disney books for my fourth birthday and my mom would read them to me every night before bed.  The colorful pictures really brought the stories to life.  Later of course I didn’t need the pictures – preferring instead to create my own scenes in my head.  The fantasy present in those books inspired me to read more.

From the time I was around seven or so, my grandfather worked at a publishing house in the printing department, and he’d get boxes of books that weren’t going to be sold, destined for the garbage dump.  I’m not sure if they were bad prints or what, but it meant a lot of free books for me.  I read everything from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court to Treasure Island.  All of these longer books were abridged versions for kids.  Because I read so much in the next few years, I became a very fast reader.  I practically swallowed books whole.  I could read at least one a day after school.  I spent a lot of time in a comfy chair or sitting up in bed reading, especially on weekends.  I got regularly busted with a flashlight under the covers when I was supposed to be sleeping.  I was tired at school a lot.  I preferred my fiction to school textbooks.  I moved up from abridged versions to full versions of a lot of American classics, both older and modern.

I found myself drawn to books that featured kids who were somehow thrust into adult situations without adults around to help or guide or even provide for them.  Three books that really stick out in my mind are Children In Hiding, The Girl Who Owned a City, and Baby Island.  I’ve re-read them as an adult and I still enjoy them, although I realize I missed some of the underlying messages that were there.  That wasn’t important to me as a kid and actually I’m kind of glad I ignored the bigger issues and latched onto the ‘independent kid’ theme.  I think it helped shape my personality to be one of a very self-sufficient, ‘never say never’ type of person. 

So now you know the type of stories I was attracted to as a kid.  Fast forward to an ugly divorce between my parents and the corresponding difficult, angry teen years – and you’ll see that I had even more reason to bury my nose in a book.  I found solace there.  I was struggling to identify myself, figure out who I was.  I didn’t fit into the molds my parents had planned for me.  In books I met characters who weren’t fitting into molds either, but they were having adventures and discovering that they were okay, even if they were different.  Again, I loved it when young characters took charge and did what needed to be done, damn the consequences (or adults getting in the way!)  What can I say?  I was a rebel at heart.

My first novel is Wrecked which I’ve likened to a cross between The Breakfast Club and The Swiss Family Robinson.  When you read it, you will see that I was inspired by stories like Baby Island, Treasure Island, and the film Castaway.  You can see my history throughout this book too.  There are kids who don’t fit in, but want to.  You see kids who have to survive without adults.  You see kids getting a new perspective on life, showing them that maybe there’s more than one way to be – that fitting into a mold may not be the best choice.

I actually had to write this book.  It has been in my head, floating around, nagging me, basically haunting me for many years.  But writing it was like therapy in a way.  I created a world and a group of people who needed to have their stories told.  It’s like I just took dictation of what really happened to these kids – Sarah, Kevin, Jonathan and Candi.  These characters are real for me, and my sincerest hope is that someone out there will read Wrecked and identify with them and care about them too ... and maybe even find inspiration in their adventures.

So, in a nutshell, I wrote Wrecked because it was the only way to get any sleep at night (and of course, its underlying themes were so important to me as a kid).  Now my innermost hopes, worries, and realizations are out there on paper and I can not only sleep at night but also move on to other exciting projects.  Speaking of which... my next love, after the idea of kids surviving alone, is the world of Young Adult Fantasy.  So now my nights are filled with the War of the Fae, my new series.  The characters are independent kids, extraordinary kids – they don’t fit in but there’s a very good reason for that.  I’m super excited about it.  You can read a quick summary of the story on my website www.ElleCasey.com. 

Thanks to Mazz at Words on the Shelf for having me as a guest blogger.  Happy reading everyone!