Kaylie Austen's RAVENS Release Day Interview

I hosted Kaylie Austen on my blog back in March 2012 (here and here). Today she is back again with big news. Her book, RAVENS, has been published! In celebration, I have asked her a question for each letter of her book title. She is also being nice enough to giveaway a signed copy of RAVENS! Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.

Brooke: RAVENS has had two different publishers. How did having to switch publishers make you feel? What do you suggest for other writers who have problems with their publishers?

Kaylie: Having to make a change like that was worrisome and frustrating, but thankfully RAVENS was picked up quickly by another publisher who had also liked the novel from its early days.

When writers have issues with their publishers, they should always evaluate the issue first and get to the root of the problem. Sometimes fault is with the writer and as a writer, you must be humble enough to acknowledge that and make necessary changes. This is a business, not a right, and that goes both ways. Publishers and editors must also be professional and dependable. Make sure it’s a legitimate issue. If the problem is actually your editor or publisher and not you, then approach that person. They should be willing to discuss things and want to work on it with you. The next step is to contact the head of the department or CEO. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, look at your contract carefully and see if you can retract your rights based on the legal qualifications. Sometimes, and thankfully not my experience, a writer may have to take a serious loss or get into a legal battle. After the storm, you just dust yourself off, gather your confidence and know-how, and move on with another lesson under your belt and become a bit wiser.

B: Are there any big events happening to celebrate the release of RAVENS, either online or in real life?

K: There’s a Goodreads giveaway, and I’ll have a giveaway on my blog as well as some interviews around the web. No big event, though. I’m getting my toes wet for now.

B: Vaguely described in your book summary, Ravens play a big part in your story. Could you give us a few more sentences explaining what Ravens are? Do they actually look like the bird or are they something entirely different?

K: I’m a huge fan of the X-Men and Gambit (swoon) is mighty hot. I loosely fashioned Ravens after him. Ravens are children who were teleported into a parallel universe where they’re superhuman and are hunted by humans. The colored part of their eyes are white and the white parts are black. They only emerge at night to remain hidden. They have electromagnetic capabilities, are agile, fast, strong, and many have independent powers. For example, Liam can cause illusions in people, read their minds, and he can communicate with Kendra when she’s in our world using telepathy.

B: Even though releasing RAVENS is extremely exciting, you have other books as well. Do you expect to release HELLHOUND any time soon, with this publisher or another one? Are there any other novels in the works?

K: HELLHOUND (paranormal mystery) will release in 2013, but we don’t have a set date yet. As a surprise that I’m announcing with you, because it seems you’ve been with me for so long, I’m terribly excited to announce that my zombie mermaid novel will also be published, hopefully in late 2013 or 2014. I have a few novels I finished in 2012 that haven’t found a home, yet. I hope to have amazing news about them soon.

B: Novels can be hard to write, which is why many authors also write or start out writing shorter works. Do you have any shorter projects you're working on now? Do you have any published?

K: I had two paranormal romance shorts published in 2010, but they are no longer in circulation. I don’t have any projects going right now, although I do have ideas for a RAVENS sequel that will take the crew to one of the three moons in the parallel universe, the one that’s been terra-formed for prisoners.

B: Saving her sister is Kendra's main goal in RAVENS. What are your goals, both for RAVENS and your writing?

K: Every writer wants to see their baby become a hit. I just hope people like it, even if it remains low key. My goals are simple, though not easily obtainable. I hope to achieve some of these goals in 2013: signing with an agent, signing with a major publisher, and eventually, one day, maybe making it onto a bestseller’s list. I think that’s a generic ballpark for most aspiring authors, but a worthy one and one worth fighting for. Blood, sweat, and tears as they say.

About RAVENS:

What are Ravens, and are they as the world wants us to believe—sinister and without human qualities? When abruptly taken from their world, select humans are transformed into creatures of the night with penetrating eyes and uncanny abilities that most believe are a threat to mankind. Stripped from their mundane and ordinary lives, these creatures have no choice but to stalk the night and fight back in order to survive.

One such Raven is eighteen-year-old Liam, who uses his telepathy to communicate with Kendra in order to lure her into the transformation. It proves to be a double-edged gambit that turns into a tumultuous journey. Racing against time to save her sister, whom she believed to be dead, Kendra falls through a portal and into a parallel world where humans hunt her. She becomes a Raven with ill-controlled powers, trapped in a torrid affair with Liam, and desperately struggles to find a grip on her new reality.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Find Kayle At: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About Kaylie Austen: I was born during a monsoon in an Indian village that lacked a doctor and a hospital but had many nesting cobras nearby. That’s the most fascinating thing about me. Other than that, I’m a true Texan, and yes, I bleed orange (Longhorns!). Currently, I reside in the Pacific Northwest with my husband. My novels include YA fantasy, YA sci-fi, and paranormal romance/mystery.

I’ve been writing since the age of ten, and completed two novels before high school graduation. I love to learn, my life is rich with culture, and I’m an undercover nerd.

Annie's Special Day by Clarike Bowman-Jahn

Think back to when your love of books first began. Some of you will remember your MG years. Some of you will travel back to high school. But for me, and many others, it started at a very young age with children's books like Toestomper and the Caterpillars and The Funny Little Woman. So I am proud to be hosting a children's book and its author today.

Annie's Special Day -- Children's Book

eTreasures Publishing

In “Annie’s Special Day,” a little girl celebrates her birthday with an adventure every hour. It is a basic concept book about time and clocks.

Kids will love watching the clock with Annie as her special day unfolds and her friends join her for a slumber party that is so much fun she doesn’t want to miss a minute of it. Parents be prepared to read this book over and over as your child delights in the idea of staying up all night while effortlessly learning the basics of how to tell time.

-Barbara Simpson Carducci, Author of Storee Wryter Gets A Dog

Take a delightful romp, hour by hour, through a very special day in
Annie's life. It's her birthday, and every hour brings a new adventure.
Join Annie through a day of celebration into the dark of night and finally
sunrise in the morning. What great fun!

-Suzanne L. Walls, Author of Backyard Birds of the Piedmont

If you think this would be a good book for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, etc., you're in luck because Clarike has been nice enough to offer a free copy of Annie's Special Day for me to give away on my blog. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter then keep reading to learn more about Clarike and her writing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MORE ON CLARIKE BOWMAN-JAHN'S WRITING

Brooke: Why are children's books important to you?

Clarike: Children's books are important to me because they usually explain something complex simply. Often the author tells something very basic and profound in the most simple terms available to the English language. And kids learn complex fundamentals through osmosis.

B: Why did you chose to write children's books?

C: I chose to write this children's book because I wanted to record how birds sound in the early wee morning hours of the day. As I rewrote and edited it, that part got taken out but now I have a published book. I chose to write for children because I have something to tell them and it is a challenge to speak in their own language.

B: What do you believe makes a good children's book?

C: And my answer to what makes a good children's book is in the above answer. Something important said in their own language so they can understand it on a basic level.

Find Clarike At: Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About Clarike Bowman-Jahn: Clara Bowman-Jahn worked as a registered nurse for thirty-two years, finally trading that job for her true love, writing. Clara’s short stories have been published in the anthology Campaigner Challenges 2011.

When Clara is not writing, she does volunteer work for a local elementary school and her church. She also likes taking long walks with her husband, blogging, and reading books. She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Pennwriters, Bethesda Writer’s Center and Round Hill Writer’s Group. She lives in rural Loudoun County, Virginia, with her humorous husband, a senior dog and two cats. And she is the proud mother of two wonderful grown sons and the proud grandmother of one delightful grandson.

Come back on Friday for my review of Annie's Special Day!

YA Interview Vlog Series

I mentioned in one of my previous posts I had an idea for a new vlog series. This series encompasses a number of interviews with my friends about their favorite and least favorite genre, books, characters, etc. I am hoping that this series will be instrumental to YA writers by giving them a special kind of insight into their audience.

Here is the first installment that I posted on my YouTube channel last month. This is Jessica.

Please remember that different people have various personalities which greatly influence their likes and dislikes. Jessica is a very humorous and happy person (in case you couldn't tell) and her opinions reflect that. I plan to interview many different individuals to give everyone the widest spectrum possible. I suggest you subscribe to my channel if you want instant updates on new videos in this series.

Also, please note that Jessica's opinions do not necessarily reflect my own.

Zombie Love #2 (Wanted: Dead or Undead by Angela Scott)

Today I am showcasing one of two books that have just been released this month. They are very different, but they do have one thing in common. The Undead. -dun dun dun-

Wanted: Dead or Undead -- YA Western Zombie Romance

Goodreads | Amazon

Trace Monroe doesn’t believe in luck. He never has. But when a fiery-headed cowgirl saunters through the saloon doors, wielding shotguns and a know-how for killing the living dead, he believes he just may be the luckiest man alive.

Trace wants to join "Red’s" posse, but she prefers to work alone—less messy that way. To become her traveling companion, Trace has to agree to her terms: no names, no questions, and if he gets bit, he can’t beg for mercy when she severs his brain stem. He agrees, knowing only that Red is the sharpest shooter he’s ever encountered. The fact she’s stunning hasn’t escaped his attention either.

What he doesn’t know, is that Red has a very good reason to be on top of her game. She not only has the answer for how they can all outlive the plague taking over the wild, wild west, she is the answer.

And, not only is Angela giving away some awesome zombie swag over at her blog, she has also agreed to give away a free copy of Wanted: Dead or Undead right here. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Extra entries can be earned by a) posting comments on the other posts related to this month's theme on my blog or b) posting, tweeting, or in any way sharing Wanted: Dead or Undead. If you share, be sure to leave accurate links. Everyone, be sure I have your email address.

Bonus Question: I know you wrote this book in response to a challenge to step outside your comfort zone. But why zombies? And why the west?

Angela: Why zombies and why the west? I say, why the heck not? Just kidding. I think because zombies and cowboys in a wild west setting was so far from anything I had ever written, I latched onto the idea and wondered if someone like myself--Utah mother of three--could pull it off. My critique group had issued the challenge, and I ran with it. I had always called myself a YA Contemporary Author. All my work, up that point, had a contemporary feel to it. No werewolves. No vampires. No magic. Just teens living life and dealing with their various struggles. Writing a book about cowboys and zombies pushed me out of my comfort zone in a big way. Not only did I write about zombies, but I also wrote this book in 3rd person and from the POV of a male for several of the chapters. I'd never done any of those things before. Was I successful? I hope so. All I know is that I've never had so much fun writing a book in all my life.


Find Angela At: Blog | Facebook | Twitter 
About Angela Scott: For the most part, I write contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, I found myself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West—and loving it. I live on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. I graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of my love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn’t require math. I can’t spell, and grammar is my arch nemesis. But they gave me the degree, and there are no take backs.

Zombie Love #1 (My Zombie Dog by Charmaine Clancy)

Today I am showcasing one of two books that have just been released this month. They are very different, but they do have one thing in common. The Undead. -dun dun dun-

My Zombie Dog -- MG Horror

Amazon | Goodreads

Zane had the worst birthday ever. He spent it arguing with his Mum and burying a dead dog. Things just get worse. The next day Zane wakes to find the dog in his room, covered in dirt and… wagging its tail.

This is not Zane’s idea of the perfect dog. It’s shaggy, smells undead and bites people. And why do its victims all turn sluggish and keep asking for brains?

Can Zane find the solution to save his neighbourhood from a zombie plague?

This is a cool zombie story for children and young teens. It's funny, a little creepy without ever getting too scary, and the tone is perfect for its target market. Zane is a likeable narrator, and poor little Fossil is endearing, even as she decomposes. Charmaine Clancy writes well and is definitely a natural born storyteller. (And how perfect is that cover?)

-Paula Weston, author of Shadows (taken from Goodreads)

Charmaine is also hosting a majorly awesome, majorly generous giveaway of either a Kindle Fire (United States only) or a Kindle 3G. To enter you must a) buy a copy of My Zombie Dog for $2.99 or b) blog about My Zombie Dog (this includes reviews and interviews of Charmaine) or the giveaway. Bonus points are given for tweeting. Giveaway ends March 31st. Remember, you must fill out the entry form at the above link to be in the running.

Bonus Question: What inspired you to make your initial zombie an animal instead of a person?

Charmaine: The zombie creature in My Zombie Dog was inspired by... my zombie dog. No really. We had this little dog that would go totally whacko without warning and lunge and attack everything. This dog got into so many fights with much bigger dogs and during the attacks it would flop down and act dead. I thought it was many times. Then it would 'rise' again a few minutes later. This is the real 'Fossil,' who now lives with my mother where she is rewarded for keeping terrorists away from the front door. We still have our other two dogs, and they still suffer nightmares about the zombie dog.

Find Charmaine At: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ 
About Charmaine Clancy: Aussie writer Charmaine Clancy loves to create characters for mystery, fantasy and adventure. All her stories are fictional, except maybe MY ZOMBIE DOG (some say to this day you can hear her dog softly moan the plea 'braaaains').

Hellhound + Silver Waters by Kaylie Austen

Continuing with my March theme, author Kaylie Austen is here to tell you about the two books she is releasing this year; one with World Castle Publishing and one with kNight Romance Publishing. Exact release dates are to be announced.

Hellhound -- Paranormal Romantic Mystery:

Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendent of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

Silver Waters (Book One) -- YA fantasy:

After centuries of human tolerance, mythical creatures band together to liberate themselves by destroying mankind with torrents, storms, and earthquakes. Loral is the last surviving human girl. When the king’s guards drag her into the water anomaly, she transforms into a mermaid, kept as the last surviving artifact from the lost world.

After treason occurs against her prince captor (Trent), Loral flees for her life only to stumble from one deadly situation into another. Mistaking her for being a part of the propaganda against humans, the rebel prince (Tripp) kidnaps her. When he realizes her innocence, his feelings for her change, and his love for her ignites an old rivalry against Trent.

Except, Trent isn’t the biggest obstacle underwater. An insidious council of sea elves, an army of water dragons, and an untamed species of sea serpents threaten the love between the last human female and her prince.

MORE ON KAYLIE AUSTEN'S WRITING

Brooke: You have another manuscript, RAVENS, that has also been picked up by kNight Romance Publishing. From your blog I have gathered that there have been some issues with getting it ready for publication. What is the current status for this novel?

Kaylie: RAVENS hit a few snags and required major revisions. I received a good word about RAVENS. It’s been “resurrected” and will hit editing this week. RAVENS is YA Urban Fantasy, inspired by the X-Men, and involves a romance with a bad boy, a girl transformed into a Raven and hunted by humans, and a reunion with a younger sister thought to have died 10 years ago. Ravens aren't as the world wants us to believe, sinister and without human

B: In this post, you mentioned that you recently wrote a novelette length contemporary romance. From what I can gather, this is very off from your normal genres. How did it feel to write something lighter?

K: This isn’t my usual cup of tea, but sprang from a dream. It’s weird to write contemporary. I’m always tempted to throw in something supernatural or sci-fi. This turned out to be a light comedy with some big, romantic sparks. It was fun, but I don’t foresee writing a novel from it, perhaps not even another contemporary short story.

B: From your blog and website I have gathered that you are not entirely unpublished. Give us a list of all your published works (shorts, novelettes, etc.) and where we can buy them.

K: I had a series of paranormal romance novellas appear in the Weres in the City digests from Midnight Showcase in 2010. This small publisher closed its doors, so the novellas are no longer available. However, since the rights reverted to me and I’ve made significant changes, the novellas turned into an accidental novel (if that’s possible). I didn’t intend on revisiting the stories, but they beckoned and turned into a full-length novel…which turned into a five book series (in my head at least). Perhaps readers will see this series in a couple of years.

Find Kayle At: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About Kaylie Austen: I was born during a monsoon in an Indian village that lacked a doctor and a hospital but had many nesting cobras nearby. That’s the most fascinating thing about me. Other than that, I’m a true Texan, and yes, I bleed orange (Longhorns!). Currently, I reside in the Pacific Northwest with my husband. My novels include YA fantasy, YA sci-fi, and paranormal romance/mystery.

I’ve been writing since the age of ten, and completed two novels before high school graduation. I love to learn, my life is rich with culture, and I’m an undercover nerd.

Kaylie will return on Friday with a guest post on writing in multiple genres. Be sure to come back by!

21 Minus Blog Tour - Kate Coursey Interview

As you may or may not know, I turned fifteen at the beginning of February. My age is not something I usually advertise, though I don't try to hide it. However, when Anna Waggener* approached me with the 21 Minus Blog Tour, how could I resist?

The 21 Minus Blog Tour is, as suggested by the title, made up of writers under the age of twenty-one. Today, March 2, the twelve of us are posting interviews with one another. However, no one knows who interviewed them because all questions were sent anonymously through Anna.

I was chosen to interview Kate Coursey. Hi, Kate! -waves-

Brooke: All of your previous novels have been YA/MG fantasy, sometimes coupled with historical fiction. From your blog, I have gathered that your newest project is contemporary. How does it feel to be working on a new genre? How do these two genres differ and how are they alike, as in content and your writing process?

Kate: Although I’m now writing stories in a contemporary setting, my work is still fantasy. I absolutely love the change. Contemporary is nice for me, as a teenager, because it’s very easy to slip into the protagonist’s voice, and I don’t have to do quite as much research regarding historical dialects and customs. The ease of world-building in contemporary fantasy is truly a relief for someone so used to historical. However, the essence of the characters remains the same. Emotions and relationships are universal, so in that sense the two genres don’t differ. It’s the main character’s internal journey that really brings a story to life.

B: You obtained an agent at the age of seventeen. How did you inform him and other agents that offered representation that you were underage? Did you mention it in your query letter or after the fact? Is this the method you suggest for other underage aspiring authors?

K: I personally decided not to reveal my age in query letters. Age can bias an agent against you before they even read sample pages, and I wanted my writing to stand on its own, without the agents’ preconceived notions about teenage writers.  That being said, two of the six agents who offered representation already knew I was 17 (Edward, because I came to him through a referral, and a second agent who I’d met in person). When I informed offering agents of my age, most of them were surprised but not put off. I would definitely recommend this route to other young aspiring authors. You don’t want agents to make snap judgements based on an ultimately insignificant number.

B: You are represented by Edward Necarsulmer IV, an agent who you heard about through a referral. Tell us about him. How is working with him? Is he helpful in your creative process? Would you recommend him to others?

K: Yes, I came to Edward through a referral from client Alane Ferguson. Edward is absolutely wonderful. He’s very well-established, business-savvy, smart, and fully dedicated to his clients. Working with him is a dream come true. Over the past eight months we’ve collaborated to revise AILLEA’S CARDS, and the notes he’s given me have been spot-on. Rather than simply asking me to change parts of my manuscript, he encourages me to delve deeper, to discover solutions that fit within my creative vision for the story as a whole. I think a big part of it is finding an agent with that same creative vision. Edward and I make a very good team, and I would certainly recommend him to any and all aspiring YA authors.

B: Teen Eyes is an editing business you run with your friend, Taryn. What do you edit and what are your fees? Why do you think being teen editors gives you an edge?

K: Taryn and I started Teen Eyes back in August. We focus on YA novels, although I also do some MG editing as well. You can find a list of our fees and services at http://teeneyeseditorial.blogspot.com (I don’t want to bore you with a list of prices). I think being teen editors gives us an edge because we have a better and more involved understanding of what modern teenagers go through. Considering rapid technology changes over the past decade, high school is very different now than it was 10, 20, 30 years ago. Obviously I can’t speak for all our clients, but I believe many of them appreciate the fresh, younger perspective we bring to the table, since YA fiction is aimed at teenagers.

B: You are also part of a teen blog, Noveltee(n), which is currently on hiatus until it can find more contributors. What are you looking for in prospective contributors? Why do you think people should become part of this endeavor?

K: Noveltee(n) is currently on hiatus due to lack of contributors as well as time constraints. Taryn and I are very busy, what with college, work, writing, editing, sports, and volunteering. We are hopeful, however, that Noveltee(n) will be revived with brand new contributors, perhaps sometime next year. Noveltee(n) started as a way to connect teenage novelists. I think it’s a great site for teens who want to network, and if we do decide to put out a call for contributors we’ll be looking for dedicated, eloquent teen bloggers who are willing to fully commit to the blog.

B: One of your biggest beliefs as a teen writer revolves around the way older writers see you. You do not want to be looked down upon because of your age. Yet, sometimes it happens. How do you think your writing career would have gone if you had waited until you were older to start writing? Do you feel you would have been less successful, more, the same?

K: There are certainly prejudices surrounding teen writers. Industry professionals don’t take young people as seriously, and mentioning age can have a negative effect during the querying process. Personally, I think age has been an asset to my career, mainly due to the PUSH Novel Contest. Working with Scholastic opened so many doors for me and I will be eternally grateful. Once published, I know my book will benefit from the marketing angle of being a young author. It’s difficult to deal with those people who look down upon me, or treat me as a child, but in the end I’m so glad to have discovered my passion at a young age.

21 Minus Bonus Question: If you had to describe your latest WIP in one word, what would it be?

K: Effervescent.

If you enjoyed Kate's answers, be sure to come back later in the month. She will be guest posting on my blog. Exact date to be announced.

*Don't forget to stop by Anna's blog to check out the book giveaway and other participants. Remember, one of them interviewed me!

Michael - Illustrating Author

After fifteen years of modeling in New York, I spent the past six years as an interior designer in Chicago. I decided to take my creative talents and write/illustrate my first y/a novel, AMBER AND THE WHISPERING WILLOWS. I've been editing for the past year and have started the second in the series. I never knew how wonderful it could be to write a novel ... I'm addicted.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

In my first novel I did make up an entire fairy world inside a willow tree grove which so happened to be on the outskirts of a NYC suburb.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?


Yes. After I finished AMBER AND THE WHISPERING WILLOWS, which is the first in a series, I decided to write something else. I wrote an edgy Y/A contemporary.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I don't sit generally. I stretch out on a bed or sofa, with my laptop on a computer table that adjusts. So I work between the bedroom (usually at night) and the living room during the day. The only time I jot things down is when there are many characters so I'm able to keep them straight.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, that's a tough one. I have several I really love. Critique Sister Corner... they give excellent advice on writing and the publishing industry. Nathan Branford for the same reasons, erica and christy, because they are funny and good friends. There are so many more. I hit at least fifty a day.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I would have to say fairies.

Meredith - Client of Rubin Pfeffer

I was born on a cold spring night in Michigan. Well, never mind, I won’t go back that far, but I will say that I was definitely born a creative spirit. If I wasn’t dancing, acting or drawing (even though I was pretty much crap at all of those things), I was thinking up stories in my head and writing down the good ones. I majored in magazine journalism at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) but decided my senior year that journalism wasn’t my passion and that I wanted to pursue something a tad more creative.
 
So naturally I went to law school. I chose Boston University and then chose to move back to Florida after I graduated because Boston is very, very cold. I embarked on a career as a commercial litigator, a career which I discovered involves a lot less making impassioned pleas before a jury while wearing designer Italian stilettos, and a lot more sitting in an office for months at a time reviewing tens of thousands of documents. True story.

I took a hiatus from my legal career in late 2009 when my daughter was born. I’m very grateful to be able to stay at home with her full-time and squeeze in as much writing as I can when she naps. I’ve always been something of a history buff, and my favorite books are those that take place at some point in the past but have a twist, be it a supernatural element or a dash of fantasy. I eat those up! Not surprisingly, those are my favorite kinds of stories to write too.

I live in South Florida with my amazingly supportive husband, my lovely daughter, and my hyperactive wheaten terrier. I’m represented by Rubin Pfeffer of East/West Literary Agency.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

Nope! Everything I write is firmly entrenched in the real world. I love playing with the idea that magic could happen all around us and at any given point in history.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

I have several contemporary ideas floating around in my brain, but everything I've written so far has been historical fantasy.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

Computer. I tend to think in rapid fire, and I can type a lot faster than I can write by hand

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, man, there are too many to name. I have a whole list if my favorite blogs and websites on my site.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Hmmm...I must admit I've never written about standard fantasy characters. So I'll just pick one I like. Unicorns!

Misha - A Mixture

I'm a lot of things.
 
I'm a writer.

I'm a fencer.
 
Sometimes I'm a poet.

Other times I'm a philosopher.

I'm a mixture of very nice and deeply evil. (Insert maniacal laughter here.) But mostly I'm nice.

I'm also a lost little girl in a twenty-two year old body.
 
I'm my mother's daughter.
 
But above all:

I. Am. Me...

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

DOORWAYS is set in a separate world, although it is quite close to this world.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes, I do. I write historical romance and what might become either a YA dystopian or a YA paranormal... But I've postponed them until my rewrite is finished.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use a computer or regular old pen and paper?

I don't really have a specific place to write. I wrote the entire first draft of DOORWAYS pen and paper. Now I'm rewriting it on my laptop. So my preferred spots have some sort of power outlet nearby. My mood music takes a lot of battery power.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh no. I can't pick a single one. Everyone has something special to offer.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Elves, werewolves and a nation of badasses that I created for my fantasy series.

Ciara Knight - Mother of Four (And That's Just Counting the Books!)

I'm happily married to my husband, Chris. We have three amazing boys aged 4, 6, and 13. Life is never boring with three sons.

I write Paranormal and Fantasy fiction for Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade. I’m actively involved in Romance Writers of America (RWA), my local chapter Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), and a specialty group of RWA, Futuristic, Fantasy, & Paranormal (FF&P).

For more information on what I write go to the Books section of my blog.

1.  In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My young adult paranormal, RISE FROM DARKNESS who I just sold to Turquoise Morning Press, is set in our world, but altered with paranormal elements. Most of the stories I write I create all new worlds.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes, I write adult fantasy, YA paranormal/fantasy/Steampunk, and MG.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I write in carpool line, at sports practices, and music lessons. :) Anywhere I can take my laptop. I’ll take notes on paper, but I always write manuscripts on my computer.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, so many of them. That is difficult. :) McQueen Knights, Lynn Rush, Laura Diamond, Julia Rachel Barrett, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Hart Johnson.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I love them all! :)

Sari Webb - WriterBelle

My name is Sari and my dream is to work with books, whether it be to publish one of my own or to help others publish theirs. I am currently doing a post-graduate diploma in publishing and editing, and have completed the first draft of my first novel, a YA fantasy.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

I've done both. The story I'm currently revising starts off in the real world, although I never name where, and then moves into a fantasy world. The majority of the story is set in the fantasy world. The story I've just started writing is paranormal and is based in the real world. It's been fun researching places I've never been to create the setting.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Nope. Unless you count paranormal. But that's a sub-genre of fantasy. I've always read mostly fantasy, and now it's what I write.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I sit in our home office. My partner built me a nice big table to work at, great for the sprawl that is my mess. It's less distracting in the office than anywhere else in the house, although I still have access to the interwebs . I write on the laptop, but when I'm coming up with new ideas or plotting I like to write with pen and paper.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

I have two awesome critique partners: Maggie at Words, Wine & Wanderlust, and Barbara at Scribbles & Jots. I also love Nathan Bransford, BookEnds, Miss Snark's First Victim and Query Shark.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I loved Solembum in Eragon, and werecats in general I guess. I'm a cat person. And dragons. Gotta love the dragons!

Bess Weatherby - Closet Novelist

I'm a New York nanny and closet-novelist. No seriously. I live in a closet. My life is extremely fancy.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

I won’t set something in our current world because it’s just far too complicated with all the mass communication. I don’t know how Gossip Girl does it. But I also don’t know how Tolkien did the opposite, creating an entire world of his own. That would take a lifetime. Oh wait, it did. My third book was historical fiction...ish. Let's just say I like to embellish. Now I’m somewhere in-between; my characters have cars and crossbows. They ride horses and bomb people with fireworks. Let's just say the Fourth of July is going to be a whole different holiday.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes. I’m writing a book about my grandparent’s life. Muz – she’s fabulous. And Art – he’s hilarious. Especially when we call him Fart. Which I think he likes . . .

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I used to strictly compose on my computer, but that's difficult to lug around the city. I keep imagining writing a blog post to tell everyone that my computer has been stolen and I've lost everything. So I have gone back to straight old moleskin notebook and sharpie. This is especially difficult on the subway. I got yelled at the other day by this old lady who said my pen smelled bad. Harsh?

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh boy. Here we go.

• Meredith at “Fairy Tales and Cappuccino”
• Linda at “Visiting Reality”
• Elena Solodow at "You're Write. Except When You're Rong"
  
• Sari Webb at "Confessions of An Aspiring Author"
• And, of course, Rachel Harrie!

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Elves. No question. I still want to be one when I grow up.

Theresa Milstein - Substitute Teacher

I have a BA and MA in History and am an extended term substitute, teaching 7th and 8th-grade Social Studies. I write children's books. My current pieces are YA fantasy/paranormal romance. If you want to read about my teaching and writing sagas, go to Substitute Teacher's Saga. If you want to read excerpts of queries and beginnings of manuscripts (especially if you're an agent or editor), visit Earnest Writer's Excerpts. My short story is going to be in 100 Stories for Queensland coming out soon.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My first manuscript, which was Harry Potter inspired, did create a new world, though it did exist hidden alongside the real world.  Since then, my stories are all our world with magical elements

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

My first two buried manuscripts were middle grade fantasy.  And my short story “Daisy” about to be published in 100 Stories for Queensland is an adult realistic story.  Though it does have an interesting twist.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

Have a laptop, will travel.  Most of my writing takes place with my laptop propped up on the wooden arm of my love seat in my living room.  If I’m alone, with my cat on my lap and the sun streaming through the bay window through the plants onto me, then I’m at my happiest. (Especially if a cup of coffee is by my side.) But sometimes my son is on the couch playing video games so I write while listening to death grunts.  And I’ll take my laptop to school and the children’s lessons.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Missed Periods and Other Grammar Scares has me laughing while I learn about grammar.  And I do love Query Shark, which also makes me laugh while I learn how to write better queries.  I have many favorite blogs that I visit regularly, and I have made many blogging friends.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Because I usually write stories about people who perform magic in realistic situations, I often shy away from stories with creatures.  I did write a vampire short story and a novel-length YA, so I get their appeal.  As far as reading about creatures, it depends on how it’s written.  Paranormalcy by Kiersten White created an interesting world full of magical creatures. And since Harry Potter is my favorite series, I’m partial to house elves and phoenixes.

Alexis - Maiden of the Underworld

I like to think of myself as creative and spontaneous but more than likely come off as crazy and boring. I have my hand in many different pots including writing, hair design, photography, wedding planning, and home decorating. Currently I have a book I am working on while saving money to be able to afford to go to cosmetology school and then a real ‘adult’ job. I’m recently engaged and moved into my first real apartment with Boyfriend. Mostly, when I am not working, I am sitting at home getting lost in the internet, drinking massive amounts of RedBull and ruining my hair with massive amounts of chemicals while watching unnecessary amounts of TV.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My worlds are a definite blend; my world is a future Earth but it is a world where gods exist and with them, magic. It’s a defiant balancing act trying to mix them properly. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just invent my own world but ultimately I need earth and I need my magic/fantasy to be real. That’s just how I roll.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

I sure do, with a friend of mine. We are working (very slowly, both being in school all the time and working on our own WIPs, and also being 2000 miles apart) together on a project that is basically a historical fiction blend of Tudor England and Greek Mythology. What can I say, they are both passions of ours and actually bled together amazingly well. Oh… and we are crazy, but that seems besides the point lol.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I usually sit on my couch, and I use both pen and paper and computer. A system that has worked really well for me so far is to write everything down on paper first, that way when I put it into the computer I can edit and fix things a bit so it is not so much word vomit as it usually tends to be when I put it out on paper. I also like writing on paper first because I’m very bad at grammar and spelling and on paper there are no little evil red or green lines derailing my train of thought and calling me to fix them. On paper I can just write, get everything out in a better flow and then go back and fix it once I’ve had a little distance from it.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

• http://lindzpagel.blogspot.com -  Lindz is my IRL BFF but her blog is just great and full of wonderful writing tips
• http://stickynotestories.wordpress.com/ Rebecca’s blog is great but also she is just awesome ^.^ so has such great insight
• http://writerbelle.blogspot.com/ - I just love Sari’s blog, she has a great voice and is just a joy to read, not to mention that she is also an aspiring author so her blog tends to be very relevant to me
• http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/ - Hilarious and not to far from my truth
• http://www.insertliteraryblognamehere.com/ - informative and helpful
• http://dirtysexybooks.com/ - one of the best book reviewer blogs I have ever read, it also doesn’t hurt that she seems to have the same taste as me.
• http://tattoolit.com/  - fun and interesting to see what books people have chosen to immortalize on their bodies

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Hummm do Tieflings count? Or do they not count  because they are from DnD? (Yes I AM that sort of geek, don’t judge.) I do love me some Tieflings. But for a more mainstream answer I would have to say a Phoenix. I’ve always found the imagery of the Phoenix to be beautiful and stunning. Also I cannot help but love the idea of being reborn from the ashes.

Alexis's current WIP is a NA/Dystopian/Fantasy/Elemental novel temporarily entitled BORN FOR THIS. She is co-hosting the Now Starring Blogfest on April 25th. Visit her at her blog, Kore Averna.