Summertime, and the reading's easy...

So, I've been a reading FOOL lately, especially on my sparklepants new Kindle. It's been AWESOME. I recently finished Solstice by PJ Hoover, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, and Divergent by Veronica Roth. All really different and interesting reads. It's a good time for YA! :D

What are you reading now, and what's in your pile to be read?

YA anthology: The First Time

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it! I'm going to be editing (and participating in) a YA short story ebook anthology called The First Time. NYT Bestselling author Jessica Verday is publishing it. Isn't the cover stunning? And look at that lineup of authors!


The book will come out in October, so stay tuned! Thanks for letting me gush!!

So...whatcha reading?

I've been in a book-buying frenzy lately, haha. Not only have I been buying print books, but I've been stockpiling ebooks like the apocalypse is just around the corner.

Right now I'm in the middle of two books (I'm on an historical kick at the moment): Mistress Shakespeare, and The Boleyn Inheritance.

So, what are you digging into right now? Dish it up!

Are you a reader?

I read pretty voraciously when I'm not writing one of my own books. (It's so hard for me to get my characters out of my head when I'm writing that trying to read something else is almost impossible.) There is always a book on my nightstand, more often two or three, plus whatever's on my Kindle. Then there are the magazines scattered throughout the house, usually folded back to the last article I was looking at.

I've always been a reader. One of my earliest memories is winning a blue ribbon in kindergarten for reading the most books. My parents read, my brother reads...books have always been a part of my life.

So here are my non-scientific questions for you:

Have you always been a reader?
If no, when did you start actively reading for pleasure?
If yes, does the rest of your family read?
Where does your love of reading come from?

Changing things up

You may have noticed that the blog has recently gotten a mini-facelift with a new background. The lockers are gone, replaced by a mosaic of all the Fictionistas bookcovers. And no, they're not all YA books.

See, we had a little 'nista heart to heart and we realized that we're more than just young adult writers and that the YA focus of the blog wasn't fully serving our purpose as cross-genre writers. To be honest, getting a YA book published has moved to the back burner for me at the moment. Not because I don't want to write YA, I do, it's just that my schedule is pretty full with other writing projects.

In case you don't know, next fall (2011) the first three books in my gothic urban fantasy series, Blood Rights, will be coming out from Orbit. I think it's safe to say that's my main focus at the moment as I'm currently writing book 3.

Then there's my steampunk romnace novella coming out from Samhain this October. The other two books I have out right now are All Fired Up (paranormal romance) and Heart Of Fire (fantasy romance). Not young adult by genre definition, but in my eyes, perfectly acceptable books for a younger person to read.

Let's face it, what person under the age of 21 sticks solely to YA books? Did you as a young reader? I know I didn't. I read everything I could get my hands on, regardless of genre or target market.

And so Fictionistas, in respect of that truth, has decided to become a more fully rounded blog. From now on, you'll be hearing about all aspects of the Fictionistas' writing life and our books. Should make for a more lively place to hang out.

coming soon: LOVE SUCKS!

In 6 weeks, the sequel to BITE ME! will hit the shelves.

It seems so surreal to know that I will have 2 books out in the world with my name on the cover. 2 books that I actually wrote. Myself. And that people buy. On purpose.

LOVE SUCKS! is available for pre-order, btw.

Here's the blurb I wrote for the book (which can be found on my book website: Have You Been Bitten?)

AJ Ashe is moving on. Sure she still has not-so-sisterly feelings for Ryan, her ex-boyfriend-turned-step-brother, but there’s a new vampire in town and his name is Alexander Archer. Caught between the desire to move forward with Sexy Lexy and being drawn to her past with Ryan, AJ thinks life couldn’t get anymore complicated. Yeah, right. When her mother’s pregnancy is threatened, it looks like AJ’s long lost father is the only person who can save her. But Dad’s help comes with a price. AJ is forced join the evil side of her family, and a very creepy shape-shifting demon is there to make sure AJ cooperates. All this and she’s still got to plan the prom. Being a teenager is tough, but being a teenage vampire just flat out sucks. Pun totally intended.

I'm working on a very fun contest idea with a super cool prize. 6 weeks doesn't seem that far away--on paper. But in my mind, it may as well be forever.

What Are You Reading?

It's almost summer, so that means summer reading! Laying by the pool, relaxing with a good book, and a nice cold drink...ahhh...

It's been months since I've really read anything other than board books or books on baby development, so I'm looking for some reading suggestions!

I plan to hit up Borders this weekend to buy Rhonda's latest, so I'm looking for some other suggestions.

Speaking of Rhonda, the last installment of the STUPID CUPID trilogy hit the stores yesterday. Go pick up your copy!



And Mel's new book will be available in July.



If it's ebooks you want, be sure to check out Kristen's and Gwen's latest!





Other than these awesome titles by our Nistas, what is on your summer reading list?

Book themes

When I read, I find I'm drawn to certain kinds of themes in books. For example, I looooove stories about redemption...seeing someone who makes things right just fills me with a happy glow. I also love books where people have to learn how to trust and let go in order to grow as a character.

I think that because both of these are issues with me in my life, it's good to see how people overcome them, even if in a fictional setting. Real life doesn't always get resolved as nicely, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't try to keep improving ourselves and getting past our road blocks.

What about you? What book themes do you find yourself particularly drawn to, and why?

What's your personal shark?

The phrase "jumped the shark" is used to talk about tv shows that have gone past the point of interest and it refers to the episode of Happy Days when Fonzie jumped the shark. At that moment, Happy Days was a shell of it's former self, lost in ridiculous, gimicky plots.

Having said that, I think House is about to jump my personal shark. I tried to watch it last night, but found that for the most part, I just don't care. House is cranky, Wilson continues to pacify him, Cuddy sighs a lot, patients get cured in the last five minutes thanks to some amazing revelation. It's just a little boring and predictable.

I stopped watching Grey's Anatomy about the time Katherine Heigl's character was having visions of her dead fiance. I stopped watching Heroes around the end of season two when you couldn't tell who was good, who was bad, or what year you were in. Ugly Betty lost me when the writers seemed to be pulling plotlines from bad '80's soap operas.

Book series are like that for me too. After a certain point, some series just lose me. I've stopped reading at least three that just got so bloated and convoluted, I couldn't keep from rolling my eyes.

How about you? How long do you stick with a book or tv series? Any shows you've given up on recently?

How long will you give a book?

When I was younger, I would usually read a book completely through, whether I liked it or not. Of course, if I didn't like it, I'd gripe forever about wasting all that time on it. haha

However, I find that over the last few years, I have less patience for a book that doesn't draw me in within, say, the first 3 chapters or so. When that happens, I'll usually put it down and never read it again. I'm not sure if this is a result of being older, or because of being a writer. Or maybe a deadly combo of both. haha

What about you? Will you read a book from start to finish, even if you don't like it that much (or hate it completely)? If not, how far will you read before you close it?

(*Interesting side note: the same applies with my TV and movie-watching habits. If a show or movie doesn't have me hooked within approx. 15 minutes or has wretched pacing or dialogue or something, I find I'm too impatient to sit and watch it all and will usually stop.)

eeek! It's REAL

I have a book. A REAL FREAKING BOOK.

With my name on it and everything.
See, I have a blurry self photo of my book to prove that it exists. It's real. And it's mine. (and if you still don't believe that it's mine, you can open up the back cover to see my picture. so there. I win. :p)

What a thrill it was to get this in the mail the other day! What a lovely thing for my awesome editor to do. My entire weekend was made when I opened up my final revision package to find a pretty wrapped present inside.

And when I ripped off the tissue (which, coincidentally (or not) matched the blue on my cover) I nearly peed my pants when I saw the REAL THING staring back at me. (okay, maybe I did pee a little. But don't tell anyone, mkay?)

I'm a published author. I have an awesome book (duh) that YOU will be able to buy off the shelves at a bookstore in 22 days.

In 22 freaking days!

Holy smokes!!!!!

It's finally starting to sink in. It's real. And I have proof because I'm holding a real copy of my dream.

And I hope you will be holding a real copy of my dream as well. :D And for a good dose of Karma, I strongly suggest you buy two or more copies.

I Love Books

I suppose if you're here, reading a blog dedicated to the joys of Young Adult fiction, you love books. I love books. My obsession started before I could even read them. As a little child I liked touching the spines, turning the pages, staring at the letters and wondering what they would say to me if I could read them. Needless to say I started reading early. I never stopped.

I've always had a deep suspicion of anyone who claims they "don't have time to read." Why is that always the excuse? Nobody ever says "I don't like books." I've begun to think we have created a culture of "stress addiction" that's really just "excuse addiction." Almost every excuse I hear these days involves a lack of time. We live in an age of ultra-portability and technological amazements, but nobody seems to have time. Microwave your dinner, take the fast lane down the highway, get your appointments sent to your Blackberry, text your kids. But finding an hour a night to enjoy a novel? Impossible!

I'm the first to admit I love television. I love movies. I love spending time with my friends. But if I had a choice between any of those things and books... no contest. Books would win every time. They are my favorite, most treasured indulgence. I probably buy three novels a week at minimum. I do not have a "to be read" pile. TBR? If you count waiting until I'm done with the one in my hand, maybe. And with summer coming, most of the good stuff on tv is going on hiatus, anyway. Most nights I turn on the tv, true, but I also only glance up when I hear something interesting. Or Ahmed bumps my shoulder and grunts. What? Oh. They're doing fiddleheads on Iron Chef. Cool.

Back to my book...

I was thinking about this last night because I had food poisoning, but wouldn't put my book down. Every time I needed to run for the bathroom I stuffed a bookmark in, dropped, and scurried... but I also came right back. This morning Ahmed asked me how the heck I retained any of it. You know, he has a point. But I tend to blow through a novel in one evening, so I'm not worried. I can re-read it. (For those planning to ask, the book is Darkborn by Alison Sinclair.)

Bottom line? If you don't love books, you can't take a prominent place in my life. We can be acquaintances, but we can never be true friends. Sorry. I mean... what on earth would we talk about?

African American novels--I need suggestions!

You know, I pride myself on being fairly well-read. I try to pick up a wide scope of stories dealing with a variety of cultures, attitudes, people, values, etc. But one area I'm sorely lacking in is African American literature.

Why is that? I mean, it's not that I don't want to read AA novels--I've read some fantastic stories in the past (Kindred by Octavia Butler is one of my all-time fav novels, actually). And it's not that I think the experience is just too far removed from my own as a white woman--I read Asian literature all the time, as well as historicals and futuristics, and those are quite decidedly different than my life.

To be honest, I think part of it is I'm not exposed to a lot of AA novels. And the other part is, I don't think to look specifically for it when I'm in a bookstore. It makes me sad to admit that, because I know I'm missing out on some stellar reads.

A few African American novels I've read in the past are:

Beloved by Toni Morrison
Native Son by Richard Wright
Kindred by Octavia Butler (this novel is AMAZING)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (this is set in Africa, actually)
The Chaneysville Incident by David Bradley
The Conjure Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher

There are some others I can't remember off the top of my head (and actually, most of these I read in undergrad).

A couple of days ago, it hit me--it's been years since I've read an AA novel. That's far too long. And while the novels above are stellar examples of classic reads, I'm sure AA literature has evolved over time, and I'd love to read a few contemporary AA novels.

So, I've decided I'm going to take a trip to my local bookstore today and pick a few up.

Can anyone give me recommendations on AA novels you've read and loved? I'd especially love to get some recommendations for African American YA (Paula Chase Hyman is already on my to-buy list--I'm going to snag her novel So Not the Drama).

Thank you for your help!!

Because I'm lame...

I couldn't think of a topic for today, so I decided to steal my friend Sela Carsen's topic.

http://selacarsen.com/?p=1570

If you received a $20 Borders gift card (like she did), how would you spend it?

The rule is that you must not spend more than $20, including the tax.

So go forth and find some books, then report back here!

_____________________________________

Speaking of books, reticent lass, Julie Wright and Phyllis Towzey really need to contact us so we can mail them their copies of THE GIFT OF FEAR. Email me at amandabrice (at) myway (dot) com with your mailing address.

What Are You Reading?

I'm looking for some book suggestions!!!! Let me have 'em!

Right now, I'm re-reading "Pride & Prejudice", which is something I haven't done in about 10 years. I read it in high school, and then again in college, but in the interim, I've only watched the movies...several (many) times.

This is the first time I've read it as a writer, and it's really interesting to notice things I've never noticed before. I'm really studying Austen's narrative technique and especially her understated witty snark. Love it!

I also need to get back to the second Lady Julia Grey mystery "Silent in the Sanctuary" by Deanna Raybourn. I left it hanging while I decided to parse Austen's prose, but it's so good, so I'll be happy to get to it. I don't normally leave a book unread in the middle...particularly a good book.

After that, I think next up is "Envy" by Anna Godbersen, the third in her deliciously scandalous "The Luxe" series about rich teenagers in New York's Gilded Age. Think "Gossip Girl" meets "The Age of Innocence." It's like a trainwreck. You can't look away. LOVE IT!

So what should I read after that? I'm open to any and all suggestions!

The other side of the story

I've always been drawn to novels about minor characters who finally get their own story.

One of my favorite novels is by Jean Rhys called Wide Sargasso Sea, which shows the tale of the crazy wife in the attic from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I love how the author breathed life into this character and really gave her an existence of her own.

Just a few days ago, I picked up a YA novel by Lisa Klein called Ophelia, which is from the POV of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet. I'm eager to dig into this story...it looks fantastic! I've always wanted to know more about this mysterious character.

What about you--any good stories you've picked up lately that show the POV of a character from another book?

Also, what minor or little-known characters from books would you love to see featured in their own stories?

Hardcover, trade paperback, or mass market?

When it comes to buying novels, what size/type do you prefer to purchase? Do you go for the hardcover version? Do you like trade paperbacks? Or do you prefer mass market paperback books?

What influences your book-type purchase--durability? Cost? Size? Type of book? Who the author is?

As for me, I rarely buy books in hardcover due to the high cost. It has to be something absolutely spectacular for me to do so. I actually don't remember the last hardcover novel I've purchased.

My favorite book size tends to be trade paperback (and luckily for me, there are tons of YA novels that come out in this size). I'll typically wait until a hardcover book comes out in this size before buying it, even though that usually means waiting a while--the prices for YA trade paperback are usually very reasonable, and that's a hard allure to resist, because that means I can buy more. LOL.

If, however, given a choice with the same book between trade and mass market, I may buy the mass market version, since it's sometimes much cheaper. But if it's only a marginal difference, I'll still buy the trade paperback size, since I prefer that one.

How about you?

book to tv (or movie)

Every writer dreams of selling the tv or movie rights to their book. When I first started writing Bite Me! I imagined HBO picking it up as their first edgy teen vampire show. Too bad fellow Arkansan Charlaine Harris beat me to it.

I happen to be addicted to TRUE BLOOD, the HBO series based on Charlaine's Sookie Stackhouse books. I'm sad because next week is the last episode of the season. And now I'm fighting the urge to read the books.

But not for the reason you think.

I've heard from several people who've read the books, that they don't like the show. I adore the show and I don't want anything to change that. (I will say, I'm tired of Bill the Vampire though and ready for Sookie to hook up with that hot blond vamp, Eric. I've been told to read book 5 for that...so I might just have to go there....)

As a writer, my desire not to read the books disappoints me. I would want people who watch and love Bite Me! to run out and buy my books. (I mean, DUH!) so why am I so resistant to purchase/read Harris's books?

I dunno. Because I love to be surprised, I guess. It's very rare that I love a movie/tv show more than the book. And if I read the books, I'll probably stop watching the show. And I don't want to do that.

What about you guys? Can y'all enjoy a movie/tv series after you've read and loved the book? Or are you so die hard about the books that you can't enjoy the show with all the 'creative licenses' the directors take?

And do you think I should suck it up and read the books? Or just sit back and enjoy the show?

My turn to drink the kool-aid

Okay, since we're on a "deserted island" kick here at Fictionistas, I'll play. If you could only bring 3 books with you onto this mythical island (which now also has your DVD player and iPod, LOL), what books would you take, and how would that differ from your high school list?

Here's the list from high school:

--Jane Eyre (I ADORE this story. Mr. Rochester--so mean! yet so dreamy!)
--Pride and Prejudice (I've been loving this for a long time)
--The Canterbury Tales (NERRRRRD! LOL)

And here's where it gets really hard, LOL. My present-day list (I'd be losing so much, though! *cries*):

--Jane Eyre (yeah, I'm still a big fan of this story, LOL)
--Collected Works of William Shakespeare (this will take care of many needs, including poetry)
--The Samurai's Garden (to get my Japanese fix--fantastic novel with beautiful prose)

Ask me this evening, though, and this list may be different. haha.

And now it's your turn to play!!

Rating your own books 5 stars--yay, or nay?

There's been a bit of a buzz lately on one of the writing loops I belong to about this very topic.

Some people say they've given their own novels 5 stars on various places, because they love their work and feel they have a right to cast their vote like anyone else.

Me? I won't be doing this when my books come out. Here's why:

1--I wrote the book. I'm naturally biased, because I think I'm brilliant. LOL. So where's my fairness in rating my own stuff? Sorry, but of course I want my book to have the highest ratings possible. (Hey, at least I freely admit it. Don't judge me!)

2--It smacks of desperation (and tackiness, if I can be honest), even if that's not your intent. If you need to rate your own material to help boost your ratings, perhaps send it out to more reviewers instead of "skewing" the results to your favor.

I'd love to hear arguments for both sides, so what do you guys think? Rating your own books--good or bad idea? Dish it, yo!