The Apocalypsies

The End (of the week) Is Nigh!

2012-02-23T22:45:00.000-06:00

Hi there, readers! Here's our news of the week:

New release:
THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jessica Rothenberg

Cover reveals (some with contests!):
DEFIANCE by C.J. Redwine
MY HEART BE DAMNED by Chanelle Gray
TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone
THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST by Sarvenaz Tash
FINGERPRINTS OF YOU by Kristen-Paige Madonia
WHAT'S LEFT OF ME by Kat Zhang
SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo
TEN by Gretchen McNeil
THROUGH TO YOU by Emily Hainsworth

Audio rights:
E.M. Kokie's Personal Effects will be released in an audio edition by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, simultaneously with the hardcover release in September 2012

New sites:
Joanne Levy's website

Reviews:
THE WICKED AND THE JUST by J. Anderson Coats has received a starred review from Kirkus

Contests:
Enter to win a copy of SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE in Joanne Levy's Goodreads contest

Other awesomeness:
Anne Greenwood Brown's LIES BENEATH sequel now has a title, DEEP BETRAYAL

Book trailer:
Hilary Weisman Graham's REUNITED

5 Questions* for Alessandra Balzer--Co-Publisher, Balzer+Bray

2012-02-20T09:14:00.006-06:00

*As to said questions: 2/5 Serious; 2/5 Goofy; 1/5 both.

I "e-sat down" with the wonderful Alessandra Balzer to pick her brain about boutique imprints, insider YA series info, and juice cleanses. (But really...)

1. If you’ll allow me to stretch a metaphor beyond recognition: You’ve been co-captain (with Donna Bray) of the HarperCollins housed “boutique” imprint Balzer + Bray since it launched in 2009. First, can you tell us briefly what it means to be a boutique imprint? And then, might you elaborate a bit on the basic ethos of the good people working at Balzer + Bray and also tell us what’s changed or surprised you in your three years at the helm (oh, there’s that metaphor again)?

A boutique imprint is a bit like an indie record label (if you’ll allow me to pretend to be cooler than I am). It’s almost like a small publisher within a larger publishing house. This means that we curate our own select list that reflects our editorial taste and sensibility, but still have the marketing support and distribution of a major publisher.

When Donna [Bray] and I first started the imprint, we assumed it would be just the two of us with an assistant. But before we knew it, we were six! Now we can’t imagine it any other way – one of the highlights of our week is team meeting.

2. A perusal of the Apocalypsies’ roster reveals six debut authors among us (including myself) who are publishing books with Balzer + Bray in 2012. (If I’ve counted correctly, math being decidedly not my strong suit. There could be even more.) What’s remarkable to me is the range of these YA novels—from paranormal romance to horror to contemporary thriller to character-driven coming-of-age. Can you talk a bit about B+B’s commitment to new voices in fiction and to the breadth of work you seek out? Any specific advice for new writers, YA/MG or children’s?

I know--clearly your group is full of brilliant writers! We do love to publish quite a range of projects. A strong, unique, authentic voice is a common thread among the books. We also try to find fresh stories to tell. Our favorite kinds of books are the perfect combination of literary and commercial: high concept ideas executed with great writing and literary novels with a “hook” that helps us to break them out of the pack.

My advice to new writers probably isn’t groundbreaking, but I would advise against writing to trends and to read absolutely everything they can in their category so they know what is already out there and how high the bar is set. Do your research. It’s inspiring.

3. Does Balzer + Bray have a proverbial water cooler (yes, I just wrote proverbial water cooler) or snack table, the office “hangout place,” and if so: what (other than books, authors, publishing trends) gets discussed there on an average day? Any cable programs you’re all obsessed with? Any bands or musicians that come up with frequency? Or exercise fads? Juice cleanses?

We tend to migrate in either Donna’s office or mine. Our group has some obsessions that we all share-and some individual ones too. We all wholeheartedly love Veronica Mars and vow to see it become a movie one day. We love Friday Night Lights--and can’t imagine that those actors are actually real people and not the characters they play. Downton Abbey is another passion-though we are split on season two.

You must have heard about our juice cleanse! We got a discount to try a Harper author’s cleanse here and so three of us did it. It was a pretty funny bonding experiment. This is quite ironic considering that our other “water cooler” is our beloved Burger Heaven across the street.

We have also instituted many team traditions, such as the annual B+B Holiday karaoke in which we belt out some Pat Benatar and drink Japanese beer with our pizza. Making personalized birthday cards has become somewhat of a competitive sport, involving mad design skills and wicked inside jokes.

Our team now: Jordan Brown is our resident music nerd. Sara Sargent is a tennis ringer. Kristin Rens could be a professional baker. Viana Siniscalchi keeps us honest. And Donna Bray knows everything.

4. What brought you to publishing? How early did you begin to pursue it as a career?

I was lucky enough to fall into this business right after college. I was desperate for a job and was considering the fields of publishing or advertising (now I shudder to think what would have happened if I had gone all Mad Men…). I hadn’t thought of children’s books only because I didn’t know any better. When I interviewed, the offers I got were either for accounting books or children’s books-so it was a pretty easy decision to make. My first job was as an editorial assistant at Harper Collins Children’s Books (I left two years later, and returned almost four years ago to launch the imprint). Here I was, working for the house that had published Charlotte’s Web, Julie of the Wolves, Where the Wild Things Are, and Frog and Toad! I felt so incredibly lucky to be in this business-and I still do today.

5. Can you give us any “secret scoop” (we’re a very trustworthy sort) about the forthcoming three-book middle grade series House of Secrets—co-authored by iconic Hollywood director and producer Chris Columbus and acclaimed young adult novelist Ned Vizzini—that you just signed to B+B a few weeks ago? What should we know about the Pagett kids? When can we expect the first book? What do you want to tell us that NO ONE ELSE knows?

If I told you, I’d have to kill you and I really like your book! But seriously, I am so incredibly excited about that series. I love working with Chris and Ned. They are such major talents, brilliant storytellers who are working seamlessly together. After the Oscar nominations were announced I wrote to congratulate Chris on the nods that The Help received. In his typical low-key way, he responded, saying that he had already returned to his office and couldn’t wait to get back to House of Secrets.

The End (of the week) Is Nigh!

2012-02-16T22:29:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Here's our latest update:

New releases:
SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen
THE VANISHING GAME by Kate Kae Myers
ABOVE WORLD by Jenn Reese

Cover reveals:
BUTTER by Erin Jade Lange
SILVER by Talia Vance
YOU CAN'T HAVE MY PLANET, BUT TAKE MY BROTHER, PLEASE by James Mihaley

New sales:
Jennifer Shaw Wolf's next young adult mystery, SHARDS OF GLASS, to Walker
Caroline Starr Rose's picture book, OVER IN THE WETLANDS, to Schwartz & Wade

Audio rights:
Gennifer Albin's CREWEL trilogy to AudioGo

New sites:
James Mihaley's website

Contests:
Win an annotated galley in Gretchen McNeil's 10-Day Countdown to the Cover Release of TEN contest

Other awesomeness:
A few familiar names are on the Spring Indie Next list and on the Huffington Post's "Top Ten Young Adult Fantasy Books You Should Read"!
Check out the map for the world of Leigh Bardugo's SHADOW AND BONE
K.M. Walton announced the title for her second novel
Corrine Jackson appeared in the video "Authors Reveal Literary Crushes" on Huffington Post Books
"Portrait of a Starter," Lissa Price's e-short story prequel to STARTERS, is available now
See Marissa Meyer's TV interview on Studio 4 in Vancouver
Monica Carnesi was selected as a February Featured Author for Girl Scouts Studio

Have a great weekend!

APOCALYPSIES NOW!

2012-02-16T16:50:00.003-06:00

Did you know about the Apocalypsies Youtube Channel? NO? Well here's a clip to introduce you to what's been happening over there...and, well, to me.

Who Do We Love?

2012-02-14T08:00:00.058-06:00

We Apocalypsies have had a whole year of fun, crazy, and sometimes scary "firsts". First book deals. First deadlines. First launches. And on this Valentine's Day, we wanted to honor the very important people who have spent the last year (and much, much longer) cheering for us, reading for us, making sure we don't forget to eat, never giving up on us, inspiring us, and sometimes just flat out putting up with us.

You're about to meet some amazing people: Our Valentines.

HILARY GRAHAM

REUNITED

Simon & Schuster . June 12, 2012

An open letter to my Valentine, Andy Graham.

Hi Honey, remember me? I’m the hunchback at the computer who occasionally yells at you through the floor vent for turning the TV on too loud. Perhaps you recall one of our brief interactions in the kitchen last week, such as, “Defrosted Trader Joe’s Dinner #3” or “Can You Pick The Boy Up After Ski Club Tomorrow?”

Still not ringing a bell? I’m the one who’s so focused on my writing that I let the wood stove burn out every day, even though sticking a stupid log on the fire every couple of hours shouldn’t really be all that much to ask.

Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I love you, and how much I appreciate your support, not only in my career, but also as my friend, co-parent, and husband. Hope to run into you in the kitchen one of these days. Or even in other rooms of the house (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) just as long as it’s after Reunited’s release date.

Your loving wife, Hilary

Emily Danforth

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST

Balzer + Bray . Available Now!

Warning: Extreme Amounts of Sappiness Ahead.

Erica Edsell and I have been E2 (E-squared) since our junior year of college. (I won't tell you just how long that's been, exactly, but awhile. Definitely awhile). During the entirety of this time she has been UNBELIEVABLY supportive of me "making-a-go at this writing thing," even though I'm not sure that such dedicated support has been, frankly, always warranted on my part.

Emily & Erica (a.k.a. E-squared)

Shortly after college she packed-up and moved across country with me to the mountain town of Missoula, Montana (some 2500 miles away from her family in Pennsylvania) so I could enroll in the MFA in fiction program at the university there.

Luckily: we both loved Missoula--it's a beautiful, vibrant place. (And, hello individual glazed lemon poppyseed Bundt cakes from the Good Food Store: we'll take twelve.) Then, two years later we moved to Lincoln, Nebraska so that I could get my Ph.D in English from UNL--despite that neither of us a knew a soul in Cornhusker country before moving there. We bough a money-pit of a fixer-upper house from 1900--a place with a--unbeknownst to us--severe snake infestation--and stayed for five years, during which time I completed and sold my first novel. I should mention, here, that Erica has a job that requires her to travel 225+ days a year. And that she's had this job for seven years, mostly to help support her poor-grad-student, struggling-writer-partner. AKA: me.

But it's not just life-changing moves and taking on a mortgage that show Erica's support and love, it's things like the notes of encouragement she leaves around the house for me to find while she's away. Or the treats she hauls home from our favorite bakery in the Minneapolis airport--just because. Or that she'll say, frequently (and mean it), "I really, really wish that you had more time just to write," even though the two of us have just spent 3 hours catching-up on our DVR queue of crappy cable programming.

A good friend of mine who's also an author recently said to me "You can have blah, blah (his boyfriend) and I'll take Erica. Let's trade." He was joking, of course, but my response wasn't: "No way," I told him. "Go find your own Erica. And good luck with that, because there aren't anymore out there."

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

ONE FOR THE MURPHYS

Penguin . May 10, 2012

Greg and I were high school sweethearts. At 15, we were just friends for a while, but we ended up dating about six months after we met. He never actually asked me out; we just sort of “grew together.” A friendship that had caught fire I used to say.

Greg and Lynda

To be practical, we went to separate colleges and agreed to date others if we wanted, but neither of us really did. He rarely brought me flowers like my friends’ boyfriends did. However, one snowy night at UConn when I was praying that my feeble car with even worse tires would get me to student teaching the following day, someone told me that he was in the parking lot. Since his college was over an hour away, I thought it must have been a mistake, but I headed out to the lot to see for myself.

And there he was. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, taking off my old tires and replacing them with four new snow tires. I think it was that night when the meaning of real love crystallized in my mind. Those tires were far better than long-stemmed roses because of what they meant. That he worried about me on the roads. That he wanted to protect me. And in typical Greg fashion, he treated it like it was no big deal.

After 21 years of marriage, I love him even more than I did then. And I still never drive in the snow without snow tires.

Barry Wolverton

NEVERSINK

Walden Pond Press . March 27, 2012

Jen and Barry

This literary valentine goes to my agent, Jen Rofé, of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, which as best I can tell is some sort of Paradise Island of Wonder Women Agents.

If you’ve met Jen or been in proximity to her vibrant hum of boundless energy, you’ll know why I associate her with the hummingbird character in my book: her tenacity-to-weight ratio is incredible.

My book was not an easy sell, and in the three-plus years it took I was closer to giving up than she ever was. How lucky I am to have found the perfect agent for me, who found me the perfect editor and house, and who made sure I didn’t screw it up between sale and publication.

If this were third grade I would give you a card with a comical train on it that says “Thanks for Choo-Choo-Choosing to Represent Me!”

Nikki Loftin

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY

Razorbill/Penguin . August 21, 2012

Nikki, Cameron, and Drew

Who knew that writing a children's book would take so much of an author's time away... from her children?

When my first book sold last February, I knew it would mean a lot of changes. What I didn't realize is the constant, quick deadlines, the nervous press to write another manuscript (or two, or three!) to fulfill the contract, and the ramping up of publicity and "buzz" would take the same time my kids and I used to spend hanging out, riding bikes, and reading together. But my boys have been amazingly supportive.

So maybe I don't read to them every night before bed anymore. Instead, they jump off the bus and race home with me, excited to hear me read my own newest chapters out loud all afternoon. They've learned to make wonderful omelets when Mom's forgotten dinner (again), and how to do the laundry, take care of the chickens and dogs, sign their own school permission slips... wait. I don't think it's gotten that bad... yet.

Happy Valentine's Day to my dear little editors, Cameron and Drew. You are my heart!

Kimberly Sabatini

TOUCHING THE SURFACE

Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster . September 21, 2012

John, captivated by So You Think You Can Dance.

I had to send two pictures so you wouldn't only see him snoozing at the So You Think You Can Dance live show at Radio City. If you haven't guessed, this is my hubby John and he likes to spoil me... even when it means staying out late on a work night. Luckily for him, not much gets me out of the house on a school night... but SYTYCD is a favorite of mine.

John's also my biggest fan and the hardest working guy I know. He NEVER gets enough sleep, (as you might have guessed.) I can't stress enough what a wonderful and dedicated husband and father he is. He commutes 2.5 hours to work each way--each day--so we can live in the community we grew up in and be near family. He does this for me and the kids and we appreciate it more than we could ever express.

Kimberly & John

But that's not all, his hard work also allows me the ability to go to conferences aka "Daddy Party Weekends." He's been having these special weekends with the boys for years now and it allows me to go off and see my friends, learn about writing and be inspired. And if that wasn't enough--the best part is that there is no one more excited for me when I have good news to share--he always hears it first.

Thanks for everything, Johnny... I love you.

Marissa Meyer

CINDER: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles

Feiwel & Friends . Available Now!

Marissa & Jessee

My nominee is my husband, Jesse. This past year, he's in turns been my event photographer, phone-call maker, swag orderer, travel companion, and presentation tech guy.

He brings me coffee in bed every morning and always seems to know when to tell me to stop slacking and get back to work or when to take the night off and just relax.

Between the book release and getting married last October, it's been an insane year, and he's been awesome for every moment of it. <3

Side note: I'd also love to give a shout-out to my parents who at times seemed even more excited than I was about my book coming out. Their over-the-top pride made even the smallest accomplishment feel spectacular!

Tamara Ireland Stone
TIME BETWEEN US
Hyperion . October 9, 2012

Mike and I met through a mutual friend at a San Francisco Giants game. We started talking. He seemed nice. I thought his dark hair and bright blue eyes made a stunning combo. But then he made me laugh, and that was pretty much the end of me. Nineteen years and two kids later, his eyes still knock me out and we have two decades of inside jokes no one else would ever find funny. But after the last few years, I have a whole bunch of new reasons to appreciate this amazing person I got to marry.

Mike could have told me I was crazy to write a book when I already had a busy career and two small kids, but instead he told me I was an “author” and strategized with me to find an agent. He became my first editor, and my story became better because of him. He never got tired of talking about time travel. He sent me songs to add to my playlist.

After it sold and I entered the world of deadlines, he became the family chef, the guy who does laundry, and the one who makes sure we don’t run out of milk. He picks up the kids when I “just have to get this one last scene down” and helps them with their homework. He brings me water so I stay hydrated and tells me he's proud of me. When I'm stressed, he makes me laugh. And he does all of this while working an intense job and being the world’s most loving and supportive dad to our kids. He rarely complains, even though I think he deserves to.

My adorable, Michael, "love" is too weak a word for what I feel. I luuurve you, I loave you, I luff you. And I'm so glad I went to that Giants game.

Tiffany Schmidt

SEND ME A SIGN

Walker-Bloomsbury . October 2, 2012

Tiffany & St. Matt

St. Matt Schmidt. Anyone married to me deserves to be sainted. I know obtaining sainthood is a lengthy and complicated process, so I've gone right ahead and dubbed him St. Matt without all the rigamarole.

Just look at him, can't you see his halo peeking out from behind his angelic head? Meanwhile, I'm clearly plotting impish hijinks. And he puts up with my anyway. Makes me smile and laugh -- and makes me coffee after up-all-night writing sprints. I've yet to create a hero nearly as swoony as my saint, but I'll keep trying. He's perfect inspiration.

Jennifer Bosworth
STRUCK
Farrar, Straus and Giroux . May 8, 2012

Jennifer & Ryan

My husband, Ryan Bosworth, claims he knew the moment he set eyes on me that I was destined to do accomplish something great. But everything I've achieved that I'm proud of, I know I would never have managed without his support. Ryan believed in me before I ever did, and he never stopped, even when he read my first book, which he claims to love, but which I know in my heart was an awful mess. Even when he read my second book, which might have been even worse than the first. Even through the endless revisions on my novel that eventually sold. His faith in me was unflagging.

Ryan is the most generous, encouraging, and reassuring husband I could ever ask for and ever want. He gives me a reason to succeed. If writing were only for me, it wouldn't be enough. It's for both of us.

And, Ryan, it goes both ways. I've always known you were meant to create something amazing. I always have and always will believe in you.

EUGENE MYERS

FAIR COIN

Pyr . March 6, 2012

Eugene & Carrie

If it weren't for Carrie, I might never have written Fair Coin. Back when I first told her about the book, not long after we had begun dating, she not only listened attentively to my rambling, disjointed ideas, but she gave me some key plot suggestions, helped me rediscover YA fiction, and encouraged me not to wait until I felt "ready" to write it--to just start it.

Then when I finished the first draft, she read it and not only didn't dump me, but she gave me my first editorial letter--13 pages of amazing feedback--and line-edited later drafts.

As a former children's book editor, her critical eye has been indispensable in shaping the book. (You also can thank her for Fair Coin having about 75% fewer puns.) And she has just been so supportive of my writing in general, encouraging through the agent querying and submission process, and understanding when I need more time to write. She's been a partner in developing my writing skills and career every step of the way, and I'm so happy I can now share its publication with her.

Sarvenaz Tash
THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST
Walker Childrens . Aprile 24, 2012

I have to be honest: Valentine's Day as a holiday is not really my thing and I'm also not terribly into PDA either. But the truth is I couldn't pass up this opportunity to gush about my fiancé, especially when it comes to how supportive he's been when it comes to "THE WRITING."

Sarvenaz & Graig

Over the past 5 years, Graig has listened to me cry, laugh, scream and do an awful lot of babbling as we went through everything from rejections to a book deal, the perilous world of first drafts to the anxiety of cover art.

A huge part of being a writer and being in this business is centered on uncertainty. But one thing I am certain about is that Graig is the Goose to my Maverick, the Fred to my George and the Dean Proffitt to my Annie Goolahee. I love you, Graig. I'd be a terrible writer and a terrible person to be around without you.

Elisa Ludwig

PRETTY CROOKED

Katherine Tegan Books . March 13, 2012

My husband Jesse is kind of supernaturally awesome, and I’m not sure I could do this writer thing without him.

Every day he bravely ventures into my office, never knowing what he’s going to find—I could be elated and giddy with the day’s work, or completely despondent. Now, keep in mind, this is a man who loves David Foster Wallace, 1970s video art and avant garde jazz. Teen fiction is not exactly his preferred genre. Still, he has dutifully read everything I’ve written and offered comments.

He was an early champion of my novel June of Rock (now self-published as an ebook), encouraging me to query agents with it. (His record collection was also an inspiration for the love interest’s music taste. And even though I have stolen many Jesse-isms for use in my characters’ dialogue, he has never once complained.) Lo and behold, June of Rock was the book that landed me an agent. He was there to jump and down with me. And when it didn’t sell he was there with appropriately supportive comments: “Someone will get this book” and “You can’t give up.”

These days, when I get stuck with a tricky plot twist or logistical challenge, he patiently helps me talk through it out loud, and usually comes up with some amazing suggestions for solving the problem. He also stocks my iTunes with inspiring music for my WIP. So what can you glean from all of this about Jesse? He’s brilliant, funny, caring, intuitive, emotionally generous, and pretty hot to boot. Basically, if I were to invent a fictional love interest, he wouldn’t even hold a candle to my real life man.

Thank you and Happy Valentine’s Day, love!

We'd love to meet your Valentines! Who cheers you on and inspires you?

The End (of the week) Is Nigh!

2012-02-09T22:46:00.000-06:00

Another week, another round of good news!

New releases:
THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth
BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood

...and both books are Publishers Weekly Picks of the Week!

Cover reveals:
Carrie Arcos' OUT OF REACH
Nikki Loftin's THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY

Foreign sales:
Miranda Kenneally's CATCHING JORDAN - Indonesia
Leanna Renee Hieber's DARKER STILL - Turkey

New sites:
E.C. Myers' FAIR COIN Facebook page with excerpt and trailer

Reviews:
Jessica Spotswood's BORN WICKED received a 4-star review from Romantic Times
Ame Dyckman's BOY + BOT, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, has starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
Lizzie K. Foley's REMARKABLE received a starred review from Kirkus
Leanna Renee Hieber's DARKER STILL received a rave mention in The Chicago Tribune

Contests:
Win a THE ROCK OF IVANORE promo pack from Laurisa White Reyes
See Leanna Renee HIEBER'S blog to find out how to win an advance copy of the DARKER STILL sequel, THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART, due out in November

Other awesomeness:
Emily Danforths' THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST is one of Amazon's Best Books of the Month
Leanna Renee Hieber's DARKER STILL will be featured in Scholastic's "Book Beat" clubs
Check out our new YouTube channel for vlogs and book trailers from our members!

Book trailers:
Elisa Ludwig's PRETTY CROOKED

Have a great weekend, and join us this Sunday at 9PM Eastern Time for our #2012debuts Twitter chat!

A cover reveal

2012-02-09T14:19:00.000-06:00

You're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, right? Someone said that once. But I do it all the time. I could be missing out on some great reads, but honestly if the cover doesn't grab me, I'm moving on. With so many books out there and not enough time to read all of them, I have to have some kind of selection system.

I saw the cover for OUT OF REACH for the first time this week. Now I was nervous to open the attachment from my editor, because, well, what if I hated it? But as soon as I opened it, I was like, "That's it!" I could never have articulated this cover to the designer, but she captured everything so well--the feel, the story, the emotional tone. I love it. I hope you love it to.

Please take some time to check out all the amazing covers on the sidebar. 2012 is looking like a great year.

5 questions with editor Aimee Friedman

2012-02-07T06:22:00.006-06:00

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it’d be a great time to interview my fabulous editor, Aimee Friedman, for the Apocalypsies blog. Not only is Aimee a Senior Editor at Scholastic, but she is also an author of books for teens – all with romantic themes. Thank you Aimee for sharing your thoughts with us!

How important is setting in a romantic novel? What is your favorite setting from one of your books and how did it help your novel?

Setting can really help enhance a novel’s romantic tone and background, but it won’t make or break it. It’s ultimately about the characters, and how they banter and flirt and engage —if the love story between these two people jumps off the pages, it shouldn’t matter if they’re kissing in Paris or in the parking lot of a Dunkin Donuts. However, in the case of my book, Sea Change, the setting—a fictitious, mysterious island off the coast of Georgia-was almost like another character. I wanted the romance in that book to blossom quickly in part because of the dramatic setting—misty beaches, Spanish moss, the dark, unknowable ocean.

As an editor, are there any “taboo” things that writers of romance or romantic scenes should avoid, like things you see too frequently, or things that just don’t seem to work?

I’m a sucker for a good romance—I think most readers are. A romance doesn’t work for me when I’m not invested in the characters, when either or both of the parties aren’t fully fleshed-out or developed, but instead come off as flat vehicles for the plot. My heart isn’t going to race if the romantic hero isn’t witty and smart—if he’s just handsome, that’s not enough—and I’m not going to root for the heroine if I don’t have a strong sense of her and what makes her tick. I’d advise authors to really make sure your characters are fully rounded before they fall in love---so we can see why they love each other!

My book, THE BOY PROJECT, has a romantic theme, but it’s light and humorous. What do humor writers need to remember when they are combining humor with romance?

I definitely think humor and romance can go together, but it’s important to let the romantic moments have their due, and not allow the humor to completely override any potential swooning. I think THE BOY PROJECT does a terrific job of weaving in hilarious, relatable moments while also giving us a couple brief but very resonant scenes of early romance! I think the key is to let the protagonist endure her share of funny foibles, but in the end, let’s see her win that kiss from the great guy in a pure, unironic way.

Are there any types of books, romantic or otherwise, that you are hoping to acquire this year?

I would love a great, romantic historical novel, either YA or MG. It’s very challenging to get historical fiction to read as fresh, sexy, and relevant for today’s readers. I think Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle Trilogy does a wonderful job of this, for example. It would be great fun to get something sweeping and dramatic, with lots of luxurious gowns and treacherous plotting and stolen kisses.

Thanks for all of the insights into writing and acquiring romances! I want to leave our readers with a positive word about publishing, because it seems like we hear a lot of bad news about the industry these days. Can you share something that you see as positive about publishing today?

I think children’s publishing in particular is having something of a golden age right now. The Hunger Games is probably the biggest, zeitgeisty book of the moment, and it’s YA (you could argue that two other biggest books of the last 10 or so years were Harry Potter and Twilight—also kidlit). There is such a wealth of wonderful novels out there now for YA and MG readers. As a result, the marketplace is more crowded than ever, which is challenging for authors, especially in the wake of Border’s dissolution and Amazon’s dominance. But the creative opportunities are there, and most of all, the passionate, devoted readers are there. With the advent of Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads and more, there are so many chances for readers of kidlit to really share their enthusiasm and generate even more love for books and reading. It’s exciting to be a part of it all.

The Apocalypsies are definitely excited to be a part of it! I love the way you said that! With so many great children's books out there, and more coming out this year, it does seem like a golden age. Thank you, Aimee, for joining us!

To find out more about Aimee and her books, visit her WEBSITE. And to see another side of her personality, check out her interview from Nerdy Chicks Rule.

Post by Kami Kinard

Kami Kinard's debut novel, The Boy Project, was published in January 2012 by Scholastic. Aimee Friedman is her editor.

The End (of the week) Is Nigh!

2012-02-02T23:13:00.000-06:00

It's a new month, but we already have plenty of good news to share! Here's what we've been up to this week:

New releases:
ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons
INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows
HARBINGER by Sara Wilson Etienne

New deals:
Shannon Messenger's young adult novel, LET THE SKY FALL, and its sequel, sold to Simon & Schuster
Tom Ryan's young adult novel, TAG ALONG, sold to Orca Book Publishers

Foreign sales:
Lissa Price's STARTERS - Russia

Reviews:
Congratulations to J. Anderson Coats for her starred review in Horn Book for THE WICKED AND THE JUST
Monica Carnesi's LITTLE DOG LOST received its second starred review, this time from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Contests:
Enter to win an e-reader with the first chapter of CREWEL in Gennifer Albin's Secret Cover Contest and Sitewarming Party
Win a copy of Kami Kinard's THE BOY PROJECT in the I Am a Reader, Not a Writer interview

Blog tours:
Here's Day 1 of the blog tour for Susanne Winnacker's THE OTHER LIFE, (out now in the U.K.) with exclusive diary entries from Josh's point of view; check out the link at the bottom of the post to continue following the tour

Other awesomeness:
The CW network picked up Kiera Cass' THE SELECTION for a TV series pilot
Kami Kinard's THE BOY PROJECT was selected as a "Must Read" in the February/ March issue of Girl's Life Magazine
Monica Carnesi's LITTLE DOG LOST is featured on We Give Books: a free website and literacy initiative "that combines the power of reading with the joy of giving books to those who need them."

Book trailers:
See James Mihaley's search for the perfect parking meter to star in the movie version of YOU CAN'T HAVE MY PLANET, BUT TAKE MY BROTHER, PLEASE:

Speaking of book trailers, you can find ours in one handy place on our YouTube channel! Thanks to E.C. Myers for setting up the channel.

Day in the Life, or Living the Dream

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

My YA novel Pretty Crooked (Katherine Tegen) is out in about six weeks (!!!). I don’t know how typical or non-typical my writing life is, but I am seriously loving every minute of every day I spend as an author. Now, I’m not a fulltime author, mind you. I’m kind of a part timer/shift worker. It’s taking some time management, some weekend hours and a little bit less sleep to stay on top of writing, revising and promotional activities on top of a 40-hour workweek at my day job, which is freelance writing. An average day, when I’m not on a big deadline to finish something, usually looks something like this:

6:00-6:30 am: Wake up, attempt to wake up or lie in bed thinking about the ways to trick myself out of bed. The crying cat sometimes helps. As does the thought of coffee.

7:00 am: Feed cat. Make coffee. Caffeinate. Eat breakfast. Check email, answer email. Waste time on daily itinerary of websites.

7:30 am: Greet eye-rubbing husband in the doorway of my office.

7:32 am: Put on author hat. I like to think it looks like this:

On to work on current WIP, revisions or anything requiring Smart Morning Brain.

8:15 am: Take a break to answer emails, look up a recipe for dinner, and/or sign up for my Crossfit workout.

8:30 am: Back to work.

9:30 am: Husband comes into office to medicate cat and chat. If I’m on a roll, he gets a vacant stare. But usually he and the cat, pictured here with Jodi Meadows' Incarnate, are a welcome distraction.

10:00 am: Author hat comes off. Time to start freelance work—making calls, writing up copy, answering more emails.

11:45 am: Leave for the gym.

12:00 pm-1:00 p.m.: Sweat, grunt and temporarily forget everything that goes on between me and my keyboard.

1:15 p.m.: Lunch time at my desk—as long as my meal lasts is as long as I’m allowed to screw around on the internet.

2:00 p.m.: Back to work. More coffee may be needed. C’mon brain.

3:30 p.m.: Time to attend to promotional business. Manage ARC requests, update blog(s), work on interviews, plan events, contact stores, libraries, etc. Think up fun swag ideas.

5:00 p.m.: Start cooking dinner. Attempt to stay off internet for remainder of evening. [Umm, good luck, me]

11:00 p.m.: Sneak in one more peek at email, etc. Sleep, sweet sleep.

Friendship and Writing through Stress

2012-01-31T07:56:00.002-06:00

Writing can be a solitary. We sit in front of our computers. Stare at it. Smirk at it. Stick out tongue out at it. Cry at it. Curse at it. And eventually, sometimes, we pound out a scene.

What keeps me sane between trips into the kitchen?

Kristen Simmons.

I met Kristen Simmons in the winter of 2011 and we quickly became friends. Our joint love of Panera, YA fiction, and well written kissing scenes made us inseparable.

Today, Kristen’s fabulous book, Article 5, is launching into the YA world! Here is a description of the book:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials and maybe worse. People who get arrested don’t usually come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.

In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs—like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes—and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Wow! Makes you want to run out and read it, right? But before you do why don’t you check out the below and see what also keeps Kristen sane while writing.

What’s your favorite thing to do other than reading/writing?

Kristen: I like exercising, which is a really good thing because my other favorite activity is eating.

What’s your favorite stress out food?

Kristen: I currently have a bag of peanut m&m’s sitting beside my laptop. Does that count?

When you feel like your creative tank is low, what do you do to fill it up?

Kristen: Bake. A lot. I like to try new recipes when I’m stuck – usually things with chocolate. Chocolate always helps me think.

What’s your favorite stress reducing music?

Kristen: Something groovy, because if it’s groovy, I’m dancing, and if I’m dancing, I’m not stressing!

When all else fails, what do you do?

Kristen: CALL KATIE MCGARRY. (Not joking.)

Just for kicks, what would Chase and Ember’s stress reducing music be?

You know, a super sweet blogger sent me a song that reminded her of Chase and Ember and I really like it! The music on the A5 Soundtrack mirrors their journey, which is not always relaxing, but this song certainly is: Ron Pope, “Reason to Hope.” LOVE it!

The End (of the month) Is Nigh!

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Time for another good news update!

Congratulations to the YAmazing Race With MGnificent Prizes winners, and thanks to everyone who played! We had a lot of fun with the blog hop and hope you did too. A huge thank you to Gina Damico for coordinating it all!

We'll be starting our weekly updates on Friday, but for now, here's what happened to us during the last half of January. (See the news from the first part of the month here if you missed it.)

New releases:
NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda
THE BOOK OF WONDERS by Jasmine Richards
EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

Cover reveals:
J.A. Souders' RENEGADE
Shannon Dittemore's ANGEL EYES
Laura Ellen's BLIND SPOT
Shannon Messenger's KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES
Donna Cooner's SKINNY
Joanne Levy's SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE

Foreign sales:
J.A. Souders' RENEGADE - Germany
Lenore Appelhans' LEVEL TWO - Poland and Taiwan
Robin Bridges' THE GATHERING STORM - Poland
Megan Miranda's FRACTURE - Brazil
Gina Rosati's AURACLE - Germany and Brazil

New sites:
Kimberly Sabatini's website
Lissa Price's Facebook page and STARTERS website
Kat Zhang's website
Tracy Bilen's website

Contests:
Win STARTERS bookmarks, chapter sampler, and a dragon necklace from Lissa Price
Classrooms and reading groups can enter Lynne Kelly's CHAINED book club kit giveaway

Other awesomeness:
Congratulations to CINDER author Marissa Meyer, who can now add "New York Times Bestseller" to her name!
Monica Carnesi's LITTLE DOG LOST launch party appeared in Publishers Weekly's In Brief column.

Book trailers:
Lissa Price's STARTERS:

Jodi Meadows' INCARNATE:

YAmazing Race Winners

2012-01-24T11:03:00.003-06:00

First of all, thank you SO much to all who participated! If we could give out commemorative water bottles to everyone who raced, we totally would. We got a great turnout, and many of you even got every answer correct! So without further ado, congratulations to the winners of the MGnificent prize packs, chosen at random from the 100% correct entries:

Lauryn W.

Deni of Small Review

Sara Richards-Oliver

Lisa Walker

Jennifer H.

Winners, you have been contacted by email - be sure to respond if you haven't already, or we can't send you the goodies!

We hope you had a great time on the race, got to know us Apocalypsies, and hopefully added a whole new pile of books to your reading mountain. While you're here, check out the other authors in our group, and keep your eyes out for more YAmazing Races in the future - we promise there will be more. And be sure to follow us at @apocalypsies, like us on Facebook, or follow our blog for updates on what we're all up to. Happy reading!