Cover reveal for SKY JUMPERS!!!

Ohmygosh, guys. A big part of my sub-conscious never thought this day would come, and that my book would always be a name without a face. My conscious brain knew that my cover team was working on it tirelessly, and not willing to stop until everything came out perfect. Both are happy dancing right now.

Because the day has come. The day where my book gets a face.

And gosh it's a beautiful face.

Are you ready for it?

Here it is!!!

Isn't it amazing?! I love it to pieces! I love the creative direction they took it in, the scenery, and ohmygosh-- the way the light shines on everything! It shows the action, the adventure, the danger, the excitement, and that Hope (the main character) has a daredevil gene set to extra high, all in one image! It was the green bombs that made this story post-apocalyptic; I'm thrilled that the cover pays homage to that with its color. And the fact that they're going through the Bomb's Breath on the cover... :'o)

Want to know more about SKY JUMPERS? Here's what my incredible editor (seriously, guys-- she's so very incredible) has to say about it:

As soon as I read the opening paragraphs to Sky Jumpers, I was hooked! What would it be like to jump into the sky . . . and not fall? I couldn’t get the image out of my head. Sky Jumpers is the story of 12-year-old Hope. Hope lives in a town of inventors struggling to recover from World War III. But Hope is terrible at inventing and would much rather sneak off to dive into the Bomb’s Breath—the deadly band of compressed air left by the bombs—than fail at another invention. When bandits invade, the only way to get help is to go through the Bomb’s Breath, and Hope and her friends may be the only ones who can do it.

Sky Jumpers has everything--action, adventure, bad guys, really cool inventions, family and friendships worth risking everything for, death defying cliff dives, relatable characters, and an unlikely hero named Hope. It also has great themes for discussion-- working with our strengths, the difference individuals can make, whether our history determines our future or if we can change it. And it asks the question what happens when you can't do (or feel like you can’t do) the one thing that matters most?

Shana Corey
Executive Editor
Random House Children's Books

Want to enter a giveaway to possibly win a hardcover of SKY JUMPERS? Here's your chance! There are even extra options to get you extra entries.

(This one is for the US only. I will do an international swag giveaway soon, though!)
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

But this is not the only chance you have to win a copy-- my blog is one part of a three-blog reveal, and you can enter to win A HARDBACK OF SKY JUMPERS AT EACH OF THE OTHER BLOGS. That's right! And not only is there a second and a third giveaway, but there is exclusive content at each. Check them out!

On Literary Rambles, my agent, Sara Crowe, talks about why she fell for SKY JUMPERS, with another giveaway. Click here!

And on Icey Books, my cover artist, Owen Richardson, talks about what it was like to illustrate the cover, with another giveaway. Click here!

Thanks for coming to share the excitement with me today!

Blogs & Websites: The differences, and when to start each

This is a post I've been meaning to write for a very long time. I've heard a lot of questions ranging from "Do I need a website?" "Do I need a blog?" "Do I need both?" to "How are they even different, anyway?" And a ton of others about timing. Now, obviously, there's a lot of different opinions on the matter-- these are mine.

The difference between a website and a blog:

In a nutshell? A blog is aimed toward writers, a website is aimed toward readers. This isn't the case every time, of course, but it's a good rule of thumb. Readers and writers are looking for entirely different content, so it's easier to give them just the content they want if you keep them separate. Readers are looking for extras (think the "special features" you see on a DVD), where writers are looking to get to know you through commiseration, your insight, your sense of humor, your skills, and / or like personalities. Writers know to look for blogs; readers know to look for websites.

What if I don't want to make a website? Can't I just use my blog?

Of course! Some people start off with most of their posts being aimed toward writers, then as they get books coming out, they gradually change their focus to things readers will be interested in. Some people do a combination of both, and have a "For Readers" tab and a "For Writers" tab with content or links to posts that will interest each group. Having a blog is not all that different from having a website that also has a link to your blog, no? The biggest difference is how much flexibility you have for the look and ways to show content.

If I decide to do a website, when should I make it?

My opinion? After you get your book deal (if you're self-publishing, then do it when you decide you're going to go that route). Do you need to make a website before you query? Nope. Agents / editors care how much your manuscript rocks, not about how many publicity things you've already done. This business moves a little slowly--- they know you'll have time to get those kinds of ducks in a row before your book comes out. I've been working on my website, and I can tell you that I have SO much more clear of an idea of what I want as content now than I had back when I was querying. Plus, you won't really know what to include for a lot of your "extras" content before you go through the whole revisions process with your editor. It's a much more efficient use of your time if you wait until you know what you want there.

IMPORTANT: If at all possible, register your domain name now. I'm not kidding. If you ever want to do a website, don't put this off. You can google "Register domain name" to find some places to go, or ask around. I asked around, and got a lot of people highly recommending NameCheap. That's who I went with, and have had a great experience with them. If memory serves, it's less than $10 a year to register your domain name. (And no, you don't have to have a website tied to it anytime soon. I bought mine quite a while ago, and just set it to redirect to my blog until I get my website live.)

Here's why it's important: I don't mean to freak you out-- just to warn you of a possibility that could happen (but definitely doesn't happen all the time or even most of the time). I've heard that there are sketchy people out there who watch Publisher's Marketplace for deals. If they see that Billy Bob Jones got a book deal, they'll go register BillyBobJones.com, then when Billy gets around to buying his domain name, it'll be gone, and sketchy person will help Billy out by offering to sell him the domain name for hundreds of dollars. (A second buyer-beware tip: Don't search to see if your domain name is available until you are ready to buy it. Sometimes hackers can see what you searched for, assume you're going to be back, and then buy it quickly so they can sell it to you when you come back.) No sense whining about it-- just work with it. If you want one, buy it early, and don't search ahead of time.

If you decide to blog (which you totally don't have to do), when should you start?

That's a much harder question to answer, because the answer is different for everyone. And no, you don't HAVE to blog. It's good to have an online social media presence, but choose the one (or two, or three ;)) that you LOVE. Forget doing any that feel like a chore. But instead of talking about the ifs and whens of blogging, let's talk pros and cons.

Pros to blogging:

True fact: Writers need writing friends, and blogging is a fabulous way to get to know other writers. They comment on your blog, you go back and comment on theirs... repeat... and you get to know each other! I waited a long time to start my blog. I couldn't believe how much more I felt a part of the writing world once I started blogging.

It can help you find critique partners. Since blogging uses more words than other social media, so you get to know people better. And once you get to know them, you can get a good sense of whether or not you'd likely be good critique partners. I wrote a post once about finding critique partners (you can find it here), and so many people mentioned in the comments that they found their critique partners through blogging.

It gives you a great creative outlet with less pressure on what you write, with a hugely wide open field of possibilities to write about.

It improves your writing.

Cons to blogging:

It takes a LOT of time. It takes time to think about / write / find images for each and every post. And if you don't spend much time on your posts, people are less likely to keep coming back.

It also takes a LOT of time to build followers. When you first start blogging, the world doesn't automatically know that you just started a blog and that it rocks. You have to go out and search for other blogs that you love, follow them and comment on them so that they'll wonder about you and follow you back to your blog. It takes time to pay it forward with comments, and to build those relationships with other bloggers. It may be totally and completely worth it, but it does take huge amounts of time.

All the time you spend on blogging is that much less time you have to spend on writing.

Other things to consider: 

If you do decide to blog, it takes a while to find your blogging voice. It's different from your writing voice, and it's different from your talking voice. It's all it's own, and you'll develop it as you blog.

It also takes a while to come up with a plan / focus for your blog. It takes a while to try out things to see if they work, and to adjust accordingly based on the reactions of your blog readers.

So if you want your blog going strong when you query / when your book comes out, don't wait until the month before to start.

If you're already blogging, or you've already made your website, when did you start, and why? Do you wish you'd started at a different time? If you're not a blogger, do you ever plan to be?

The Hardest Part So Far

Hi, guys! I'm over at The Lucky 13s today, talking about what's been the hardest part of this publication road so far. Come join me!

From "I can't wait!" to "No. I can't wait..."

The secret to getting a book deal

Want to know what the secret is to getting a book deal (or to selling lots of copies if you decide to self-publish)? What the number one thing is that you have to have?

A lot of people will tell you it's persistence. I'll agree that you most certainly have to have that! It's a solid #2. Especially when you send out query after query and get rejection after rejection, and you think your book must be a pile of crap. That definitely takes persistence!

But I don't think it's the number one thing. Hands down, I think the number one thing is.... are you ready? It's...

Being teachable

After all, if you persistently do something wrong, that's not going to get you where you need to go, is it? And the only way to make persistence work is if you're teachable every step of the way.

Even when your critique partner tells you something you don't want to hear.
Even when it comes from someone "behind" you on this road we're all traveling.
Even when it's constructive criticism.
Even when you think you have it made.
Even when it comes along with a rejection from an agent / editor.
Even when you're a NYT bestseller.
Even when it means a major overhaul of your manuscript.
Even when it hurts your pride.
Even when it is ohmygosh so. very. hard. Because really, sometimes it just is.
ESPECIALLY when it's so. very. hard.

If you can stay teachable every step of the way, YOU WILL MAKE IT. You will reach your goals. And when you do reach your goals, it'll help you reach the next ones. And the next, and the next....

The League and food

Do you guys read The League of Extraordinary Writers blog? Oh my gosh. I'm so excited to be guest posting over there today! I compare writing to food. And I may or may not have had a lot of fun editing several different graphics "ingredients" to make an unusual (yet strangely, kind of pretty) food item. Come hang out with me!

 The League of Extraordinary Writers

I have found the query writing experts!

credit*

I've taught a How To Write a Query Letter class to several groups of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I've got to say, middle grade-aged kids are SO much smarter than I was at those ages! Be worried. Be very worried. These kids have got it going on, and they're not that far from stealing the book deals from us. Check out a few of my favorites from the most recent school I went to:

(And don't worry-- each of the kids made up a name for themselves. None of the names are their real names.)

Dear Oh. Z. Osborne,

I saw your blog and found out you have an interest in aliens and wizards, so I wrote a middle grade novel called THE NEW NEIGHBORS. I think you'll like it. I know I do.

Wizard is living the life most sorcerers do, with one exception.... THE NEW NEIGHBORS. The new neighbors moved into the volcano next door. At first he didn't think that anything was wrong with them, until he went over to welcome them to the town. When he was done welcoming them, he had suspicions that his welcome was to the planet-- not the town! Were they brain eating aliens? Have they come to take over the world? Find out in my new middle grade novel, THE NEW NEIGHBORS.

I have read many wizard books, such as HARRY POTTER and FABLEHAVEN. I also have a degree in sorcery, so I am a wizard. Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

los macho amigo
wizardfanatic@alienvolcanoes.com

***

Dear Mr. McNutt,

I've heard that you liked stories that have animals take over. I think you might be interested in my middle grade realistic fiction TRAPPED, complete at 200 pages.

Obama and family are camping on the desert island of Velk-A-Bomba, and they got dropped off with no way to leave for five days. When a team of highly organized raccoons threaten to steal all of their food, Obama and family must make a plan to outwit the raccoons or starve.

I am a highly qualified writer. I have a PHD in writing. I'm president of the High Society Book Club, and for the last eighteen months, I've been stranded on an island with no food or water except the ocean. I invite you to look a little closer into my book. Thank you for your time.

Cassandra Day
cassandra.d@yahooe.com

***

Dear Mr. Beus,

I read in a magazine that you like stories about the future. So I think you would be interested in my middle grade novel, THE DISASTER, complete at 250 pages.

My book is about a 15 year old boy named Zach. Zach lives in an army camp, and they get attacked by villains from Uple. One of the villains, a shape shifter, gets in to the base where Zack is using a laser to shoot down the villains in their flying saucers. But the shape shifter gets a hold of the gun and aims it at earth instead.

I have a major in college for Inventions and the Future from U of U. I also have a minor writing degree from BYU. If you would like to read my book, let me know. Thank you for your time, and have a good day.

Hunter Hanson
[phone numbers]

***

Dear Mrs. Hancock,

I heard that you like monkeys. My book is a mystery / adventure, called THE KILLER FORTUNE. This book has 350 pages, and is also middle grade.

The main character is Monaca. She is a half flying monkey and half human, and lives in the desert. She finds a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. They give her a fortune cookie, then a minute later, the fortune comes true. Now she goes there every day, but today was different. She got this one fortune that said You will be hunted. Now can she escape, or will she be hunted?

I am an expert on monkeys and the desert and fortune cookies. I study them so I know I am an expert. So if you are interested, give me a call. Thank you for your time.

Ginger Fault

www.monkeys.com

Moral of the post: If you're having troubles writing your query letter, look into hiring one of the kids at your local elementary school. They're geniuses.



*credit: By Everaldo Coelho and YellowIcon [LGPL], via Wikimedia Commons

The "Are You Published?" Question

You know how it is. You're at the grocery store, the gym, your kid's soccer game, a family reunion, and you run into someone you haven't seen for a bit. They start asking about you, and you mention that you're a writer. And then they say, "Oh! Very nice." And then the dreaded question. "Have you been published?"

And if you say anything other than, "Why yes, actually, I have. My most recent book was [name of book everyone's heard of]," you get that look. The same one you figure you'd get if you had said, "I decided to change careers. I think I'm going to make it big as a hoola-hooping juggler."

And you want to somehow convey that you are serious about this thing! This isn't some hobby. This is something you work hard at! (Side note: If it IS just a hobby, that's so totally cool. It just usually means you won't say "I'm a writer" so much as "I like to write," which tends to keep people from asking the Dreaded Question. Which is also cool. ;))

Chances are, they aren't a writer, so they don't get it. They don't get the time and sacrifices and work that has to happen before you can be published. They don't get that everyone has to go through that work. So how do you answer?

My favorites were, "Not yet. Just give me some more time." Or "When I'm ready, I hope to be." Or "I'm working toward it."

Sometimes, it helps convey that it is hard work, and you're putting in the work. Sometimes it works and that look disappears a little.

Of course, sometimes it works TOO WELL, in which case you get Dreaded Question #2: "So, you're going to be the next J.K. Rowling?" (Am I right? Raise your hand if you've told someone you're a writer, and they've asked you if you're the next JK.) I don't know about you guys, but Dreaded Question #2 usually elicits a snort from me, and that's never pretty. Hm. I'm beginning to thing that people who say "I like to write," really know what they're talking about.

How do you answer that question?



P.S. Huge thanks to Eve at Functioning Insanity for the Sunshine Award and to Susan Kane at The Contemplative Cat for the Liebster Award!
P.P.S. I am immersing myself into edits on THROUGH THE BOMB'S BREATH so thoroughly and deeply that I'm only going to post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the month of March. There. I've announced it, so I won't feel the need to do some crazy post explaining why I missed a day. Oh, wait. I had fun doing that post.... I might have to explain myself again sometime.