Once upon a time, I'd have put a link to Amazon here. But in the wake of the bruhahah, I don't think I want to give them free advertising. And so, I give you a link via Goodreads to MY NEW BOOK!!!!!

How to Trap a Zombie, Track a Vampire, and Other Hands-On Activities for Monster Hunters: A Young Wizards Handbook

Basically, it's a scouting guide for wizards. Activities, recipes, shelter ideas, and, of course, tips on hunting monsters. Out September 14, 2010! Mark your calenders!!

It by Stephen King (reread)
Water Street by Patricia Reilly Giff
Need by carriejones (reread)
Trudy by Jessica Lee Anderson
Lady MacBeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein

Wow, is that a pathetic list. This month really hasn't been that productive, reading or writing (ok, other than 4 outlines for possible new work-for-hires). I really need to start reading more and writing/revising more. There's a TEENSY bit of revision I want to do to end chapters of Tapestry, plus I do need to get back to the sequel. Just haven't been very motivated this year. Bleah. I'm in that mode where it's been so long since I wrote new words for a non-contract project I'm worried I've forgotten how. Not feeling so hot today, so that isn't helping with the motivation either. :(

Here are the two best blogs I've found about the Amazon/MacMillan smackdown.

From Scott Westerfeld

From John Scalzi

And an update: Author's Guild commentary

This blog is half a request for advice, half a need to share because this is just too, too absurd.

A friend of mine from PGSA is now a play/musical writer. She adapted Hans Christian Andersan's "The Snow Queen" for a musical for a local independent theater (note: she has since moved and is most decidedly NOT local to the theater anymore; which probably is part of the problem; they know she can't walk in and yell at them). She is listed as the sole writer for the musical.

She recently stumbled on the Facebook page for the production (was not invited to it, btw). Imagine her shock when she finds out that they added 4 characters to the play. Imagine her horror when she sees that the additional 4 characters are...ninjas. Yes, someone added ninjas to "The Snow Queen." They are non-speaking roles. Correction, they aren't ninjas, they're MINJAS (minion-ninjas). What? While I can see ninjas being an interesting addition to "The Snow Queen," if done right, they were NOT authorized by the writer. There are unauthorized ninjas in "The Snow Queen."

Now, I have zero experience with writing plays, adaptations, and the like. But seriously, can a production DO that? Even if the characters are non-speaking, they do change the feel of the play (she wanted specifically to show that The Snow Queen acts on her own). Any know if my friend has any legal recourse?

Given that I don't work around kids and tend to stay at home quite a bit (I avoid bookstores for financial reasons), I don't often overhear kids talking about books, especially my books. However, my husband was in Borders today and overheard a 11-12 year old girl asking if the new Dragon Codex book was available. After making contact with her mom (not wanting to approach a young girl on her own because that's just creepy), he asked her if she'd read all of them. She said yes. He asked her what her favorite was and she said Bronze! Awwww! He told her that his wife wrote that and he gave her my website. Neat!

A couple weeks ago, I contacted the editor on my last book (details forthcoming! Promise! Once it's in a catalog, I can tell you more!) to ask when they'd be accepting proposals on others in the series. She told me to go ahead and send ideas her way. Yikes. So for the past 2 weeks I've been outlining my little heart out. I did 2 ideas that she and I had talked about while working on the first book, 1 idea that she specifically asked for, and now have one that I told her I'd do and she liked the idea, and another that she wasn't so keen on, but I might do anyway just because it keeps nagging at me.

The first 2 went very quickly. 3rd took a little more effort, but the format wasn't as complicated. #4 is really tough. Part of it is a) it's repeating some ideas from the first book, just going into more detail and b) it's a topic(s) that's REALLY big now and I need to agree with the current mythos while keeping it fresh and interesting. Hm. I gave myself yesterday off to re-charge, but today my brain is dead because I woke up way too early and went back to sleep and I'm pretty much useless when that happens. Hence blogging.

I sometimes wonder if this is the "right" way to spend my writing time. Shouldn't I be working on completely original stuff? Stories? This will make more sense once I can talk more about the other book, but it's very different than what I normally write (other than being fantasy related) and somehow feels like I'm not writing. Which is silly. I'm writing, I'm LOVING what I write (seriously, I think I had more fun working on the last book than I ever had writing before), and I got PAID for the last one and have a good chance of getting more projects like that.

I have other ideas, ideas that I do want to get to ("The White Doe" is first in line). But for now, I think I want to chase these projects, if for no other reason than they were FUN!

And I'm sorry to hear that the "Poe Toaster" may be nevermore.

If you are submitting to a scholarly conference, DO NOT

1) Address someone with a fairly obvious feminine name (as far as I know, "Amie" is not a common male name in any language; please correct me if I'm wrong!) as "Sir" and no last name (obviously you are mass mailing this)

2) Submit WAY after deadline for this year is past but way before next year's

3) Paper topic has nothing to do with a specific division (i.e., an obviously adult fiction topic submitted to Children's and Young Adult. There are some authors that overlap, and some that obviously DO NOT!)

4) Submit an 80+ page paper when CFP specifies 250 word abstract

5) Have this "submission" accompanied by a request for my input and emails of people I know interested in similar scholarship

kathleenfoucart!!! May your characters bless you with good behavior today!!

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Watersmeet by Ellen Jenson Abbott
No Place for Magic by E.D. Baker
Practical Guide to Dragon Riding
Practical Guide to Fairies
Practical Guide to Vampires
Wings & Fangs by kathleenfoucart (I know, I know, I owe you comments!)
The Lovely Bones by Alice Seibold
Pony Island by candice_ransom
Finding Days Bottom by candice_ransom
A House of Tailors by Patrica Reilly Giff
Carrie by Stephen King
Pet Semetary by Stephen King
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimon (and yes, I too am amused by those two books listed together)
The Luxe: Splendor by Anna Godberson

Brian and I have always gone to lots of movies, but I think 2009 was a banner year. Here's what we saw in theaters and my quick thoughts on them

My Bloody Valentine 3D: My first 3D movie ever. Fun mindless slasher film that never skipped an opportunity to use the 3dD

Inkheart: one of the best book adaptations I've ever seen. A shame they bumped its release date and then barely promoted it.

Underworld: Evolution: GREAT prequel! And lots of Michael Sheen, which is never a bad thing.

Pink Panther 2: Liked that even better than the first re-make. I think Steve Martin is doing an EXCELLENT job with walking the line between honoring the originals and bringing his own humor

Coraline 3D: good movie, annoyed that they had her rescued by a boy at the end. Convinced me that 3D adds nothing whatsoever to my enjoyment of movies

Friday the 13th: the only slasher film I've ever seen that did NOT use a wood chipper to it's full potential

Gran Torino: wow, amazing drama! Sorry it didn't garner more awards or attention

Watchmen: wasn't familiar with the comic, Brian was. We both were "meh."

X-Men Origins: A lot of people trashed this. I liked it!

Star Trek: Wow. Wow wow wow. Only complaint was not enough Simon Pegg, but I'm sure that will be remedied in future movies.

Angels & Demons: Actually not too bad, as long as you turn your brain off. Liked more than The DaVinci Code movie, but that doesn't say a lot

Terminator: Salvation: Lot of build up, not much delivery. Felt more like an episode in the Terminator TV series than an actual movie.

Drag Me to Hell: Surprised at how smart and well-crafted this was. Also genuinely creepy; only movie I saw in theater that made me look away at times.

UP: This may be the most beautiful, amazing cartoon ever done. Is it my favorite cartoon ever? No, but then I don't care for cartoons that have human protagonists. I did bawl through the first 20 minutes, though

Transformers: Didn't suck. That's probably as good as it gets

Public Enemies: VERY well done. Rather weird to hear Johnny Depp using an American accent.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: while this movie probably made little sense if you hadn't read the books, it was the first one I really liked since Azkaban. But then, I hated the books Goblet and Phoenix.

District 9: Did a decent job with a very old plot (unlike OTHER films I could name!)

Inglorious Basterds: great revisionist history, hilarious at times. Especially Brad Pitt's Southern drawl of "BONGERNO!"

Halloween 2: Not as good as the first re-make. I'm hoping Rob Zombie can get back to doing some of his original stories soon.

Julie & Julia: ok, brace yourselves people. This is probably my favorite movie of the year (gasp! Not fantasy or horror?). It was so smart and funny and had so many good messages for writers. I also saw it when I was smack in the middle of revising and testing recipes and crafts for my own book, so it had special resonance for me.

Pandorum: Meh. Click here for review.

Zombieland: wow, was this funny. It truly is the American Shaun of the Dead. Is it similar in tone to Shaun? Not at all. This is what Shaun of the Dead would have been if made by Americans. Shaun is still a shining star in my favorite movie list, but this was rather good.

Saw VI: Better than the last one, still not nearly as good as the first. I'm still willing to see where they're going.

The Men Who Stare at Goats: this was surprisingly funny and thought-provoking at times. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

Twilight: New Moon. I can't believe I forgot this one, had to come back and add it. No, actually, I can believe I forgot. Slightly better than Twilight, mainly because of less Edward, but still very cringe-inducing.

Brothers: very intense drama, great to see Portman, McGuire, and Gyllenhall act together as adults. I just wish that woman hadn't brought her fussy baby to the theater.

Avatar: Ugh. By far my least favorite of the year. Plenty of people have already said lots about it better than I can, so I'll leave this one alone for now.

Sherlock Holmes: Went to this with mixed expectations, and was very pleased! This movie closed out the year for us with a bang!

Sooo, my favorites for 2009:

1) Julie & Julia
2) Sherlock Holmes (this is a VERY close 2nd)
3) Up
4) Star Trek
5) Inkheart

However, if we include rentals, the best movie for me of 2009, hands down: Repo: The Genetic Opera.

Yes, this is a very original post. :)

1) Finish the final brush-up on Tapestry Threads

2) Resume work on The White Doe, hopefully finish

3) Continue to NOT be addicted to caffeine (I went through withdrawal during a really bad cold back in March and didn't notice! By the time I was well, I was no longer an addict! I still drink caffeine but no longer every day and I don't feel tired or sick if I don't have it.)

4) Continue to shift towards more healthy eating habits. I've improved this year, but want to continue. Brian and I now almost never get fast food for dinner, which we did quite often a year ago.

5) Start an exercise program. Either buy an exercise bike or join a gym that has water aerobics (literally the only gym activity I like and will do)

6) Continue to market Tapestry Threads

7) Try to get more work-for-hire writing projects (hopefully another Young Wizard's Handbook!!!)

8) Re-organize, strip wallpaper, and paint office. I'm tired of being surrounded by golf-themed wallpaper.

9) Finish library (ok, Brian needs do to some of that, but some of it's on me)

10) Start and complete wedding scrapbook

11) Remodel dollhouse, including electricity, siding, and real glass windows

12) Blog at least once a week. Facebook and Twitter have more of my attention, but I want to get back to this journal more. I miss it!

13) Set aside time for JUST reading every day, even if just 15 minutes. I do read a lot, but usually the tv is on. I want to hear the voices more.

Hm, I just realized one of my new years resolution is to hear voices. Only if you're a writer is this good! :)

I've been interviewed again, this time by the Children's Literature Database. If this keeps up I might start thinking I'm somebody. ;)

I don't think candice_ransom posted this as a meme, but I'm stealing it from her anyway:


1. Packing
2. Folding the blankets in the upstairs closet
3. Walking Lucy

What I Did Yesterday:
1. Met with financial adviser
2. Visited with parents
3. Returned kennel to Petsmart

What I Wish I Didn't Have to Do:
1. Drive home in a different vehicle than Brian (taking my parent's van home until my new car arrives)
2. Wait until tomorrow to go home
3. Wait for my new car

What I Just Did:
1. Typed "wait for my new car"
2. Looked at Lucy asleep on the sofa beside me
3. Helped my mom with some computer stuff

What I Wish I Could Do:
1. Head home this minute
2. See Jessica tonight
3. Eat more homemade gingerbread and peanut brittle without worrying about the extra poundage

What I'm Reading Now:
1. Pet Semetary by Stephen King
2. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimon
3. The Luxe: Splendor by Anna Godberson

What I'm Going to Do Next:
1. Talk to Brian (he just came in from shoveling the walk)
2. Shove Lucy away (she's moved right next to me and makes it impossible to use the mouse
3. Plan what to do with my lovely 4 day weekend at home

Even though it felt, well, wrong, I decided to take December off from writing. I really felt overwhelmed by Christmas and just felt I needed some time to recharge my brain. Some writers can write every day. I can't, as much as I wish I could. I really need time to re-charge my batteries.

That's not to say my month has been without any writing work. I sent out another batch of queries to agents, and already had one agent first request 50 pages, then the whole manuscript. Fingers crossed on that one! I also had an interview with the Children's Literature Database; they're doing a feature on me. Link forthcoming!

So what have I been doing? I'm still creating. I love making things for Christmas, so I've been crocheting almost every free moment. This year I've made 3 afghans, 3 scarves, at least 5 doilies, a few stuffed animals, ornaments, and, my personal favorite, an adapted pattern for animal purses. My cousin's daughter loves goats (small wonder; her granddad keeps them!) and I tweaked patterns for a cow, bear, and dog purse and somehow created a goat purse. I'll have to post a pic later.

I feel guilty for not writing. But I try not to feel guilty. I think about all the writers who have other hobbies, in particular Lucy Boston. We visited her home on an abroad trip and I was utterly fascinated by her elaborate quilts. Here was a woman who created some wonderful books, but also found time to create other things. I try to remind myself that any time spent creating something is valuable and can only help me as a writer.

And now I'm off to finish another scarf...

This blog is really neglected these days. :( BUT, good new is part of the reason is I'm busy submitting "Tapestry Threads" again! Got a bunch of leads from the two SCBWI conferences, so pursuing those while there's still time.

Anyway, here's what I burned through in November. Can you tell I have an addiction now?

Life on the Dirt Circuit by Mark Sieve
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
My Life in France by Julia Child
The Other Side of Blue by Valerie O. Patterson
Night Shift by Stephen King
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (reread)
Far from You by lisa_schroeder
Wintergirls by halseanderson
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Once Upon a Curse by E. D. Baker

Charlaine Harris:
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
Dead to Worse

slwhitman is trying to get a new publishing house, Tu Publishing off the ground. Focus is going to be multi-cultural children's fantasy and science fiction. As Stacy was the editor of my first book, Bronze Dragon Codex, I'm honored to have a chance to help her and Tu Publishing.

I'm auctioning an Alice in Wonderland doll, crocheted by yours truly. The doll is about 5" in height and one I made can be pictured here.



Now, once the winner is announced, there will be a delay in delivery. This is because I need to make the doll. Why am I not making the doll beforehand? Well, in the spirit of Tu Publishing's multi-cultural bent, this Alice will be made to YOUR specification. So if you ever wanted an Alice of another color, here's your chance! You can specify eye, hair, and skin color (dress too, if you don't care for Alice in blue). I am, of course, limited by the color availability of crochet thread, but I'll come as close as possible.

Bidding starts at $10 and closes at Midnight PST December 9, 2009. Go here and comment to bid (NOT on this journal, it will be too hard to keep track of).

And if you don't want a doll but want to help Tu get off the ground, check out the Kickstarter site:



cross posted to kickstart_tu

So, I've been absent from LJ for a while because things have been nutty with finishing up the book and all the fall conferences. Two weekends ago I went to SCBWI Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. My mom and I stayed in the hotel overnight and had a wonderful time. Also got to see lizjonesbooks briefly, as well as Pat Easton, my very first writing teacher and the regional adviser.

Keynote speaker Bruce Coville was absolutely amazing! He gave a very fun speech over lunch, and also a smaller breakout session on children's fantasy. Got to hear him telling (not reading, telling) the story of "The Monster's Ring" and it was enthralling! Funniest moment was when the phone in the conference room rang and he asked someone to answer it. Alas, the person on the other end hung up before they got to talk to Bruce Coville, a shame for both them and us.

Also got to hear Michael Stearns of Upstart Crow Literary (agent of the amazing jeffsampson talk about query letters and submissions, which is always good. There were some interesting sessions that aren't always part of SCBWI conferences, such as a session on professional grants and one on school visits, which I REALLY took notes on. One of these days I should start doing that. Probably be good when the 2nd book comes out, as there's crafts and activities I can do with the kids.

Then SCBWI Mid-Atlantic this past weekend. I must admit, that conference is my least favorite, mainly because I hate driving into DC. It wasn't as bad this weekend, though, because I stayed downtown with one of the women in my writing group, so I wasn't tired and ticked off when I walked through the door. Keynote speaker Patricia Reilly Giff was also amazing, especially all the stories she told about going to Ireland for research. Heard some other good speakers too, including one on book packaging which was quite interesting.

Best of all, I got to see Valerie Patterson talk about her debut novel, "The Other Side of Blue" and I got signed copies for both melissajoyadams and myself. I'm reading that very slowly, unusual for me. Main reason is I'm savoring Val's words and enjoying the first book written by a friend. I've read plenty by acquaintances and plenty by authors who then became friends, but this is the first book published by someone already a friend. I also got to hear Val's editor read her letter to her higher-ups about the book, saying it was "a pretty perfect novel!" Go Val!

Went out to lunch with a friend from Hollins and some other writers. Saw annemariepace for about a split second, and another friend from Hollins. Problem with going to Mid-Atlantic is while I know a lot of people there, all of them volunteer so not a large group to go to lunch with! Driving home was an adventure as I missed the turn off 66 for 495 and had to drive all the way to Dulles airport and back to get back on track (seriously 15 miles without an exit? Really?). Other than that, though, a really good day.

OH! And it looks like I might be speaking at the summer conference for SCBWI MD/DE/WV! They want me to both talk about fantasy and appear on a panel about MFA programs (I'll be singing Hollins' praises, of course!). More details to follow. I'm really, really flattered by this!

And now, back to marketing "Tapestry Threads." I'm currently working on a synopsis, the bane of pretty much every writer. Critique group went over it yesterday and it needs a LOT of work. So off I go to synopsize!

Way behind on listing the books read, but this week was insane with book deadline and reading proposals and emailing people about ICFA. But here it is!

Sweetwater by Lawrence Yep
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlain Harris
The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker
Midnight in the Dollhouse by Marjorie Stover
When the Dolls Woke by Margorie Stover
The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson & Kathryn Hewitt

I also just started reading "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan last night. Wow. I'm completely blown away. I read lots of books I like, but that's one I wish I'd written myself. It's so well-constructed and gorgeously written.

Final draft of the book is due November 11. As I'm leaving tomorrow to go to PA to attend the SCBWI conference in Pittsburgh, I wanted to get it done today. Here's a day in the life of a work-for-hire writer.

Wake up, shower, dress, breakfast, turn on computer

Re-pot plant that somehow seemed to snap at stem when I watered it this morning. Weird.

Do some werk (as kathleenfoucart calls it)

Give thanks that there's no werk emergencies today, leaving me free to revise

Check email regarding ICFA

Give thanks that there's no emails to answer regarding ICFA today, leaving me free to revise

Check out Facebook (oooh, Farmville has limited edition space cows and crop circles!)

Realize that I can't revise while watching Hostel on Fear.net. Mute TV.

Read aloud about 20 pages, revising as I go and shredding each page as I finish

Email editor to ask if they want me to put page #s in where we previously put ??s (since we kept shuffling the order). Get answer yes, as we're mapped the book so carefully it's unlikely to change. Yay!

Look out window. Notice that our leaf-obsessed neighbor has now created a ten foot wide leaf-free zone between our properties. As it's fall in the mountains of Maryland, that will last, oh, about 5 minutes. Which is why he's been running the leaf blower all day without pause. Sigh.

Read aloud about 10 more pages

Have lunch (2 mini-boxes of Frosted Flakes left over from this weekend's party)

Check to see if the dog needs to go out. She's still passed out on the sofa.

Facebook. Why does Happy Aquarium make you go back about 5 times a day to keep your fishies healthy?

Play with new Scent Bug, mixing Baker's Spice and Peppermint oils. Yummy!

Realize that TV is now showing the Bernie Mac show, still muted. Switch to Batman on AMC, still muted (why this makes a difference to me I have no idea, but it does, ok??)

Email editor to ask if she really meant to remove those oh-so-clever captions I gave some of the artwork. Yes. Ah well.

Read aloud rest of book and revise

Check out Hack and Slash Christmas Show video sent by friend who just bought us tickets. Can't wait! And melissajoyadams will be joining us this year too!

Answer werk emails and other werk items. Werk werk werk.

Give thanks that there still is no ICFA communication required (today anyway)

Print out index page because I shredded it earlier today. Oops.

Curse at printer that printed out over 80 pages, illustrations included, yesterday without a hiccup but now thinks a 2 page index with no pictures is just too much to handle

Using index page when it finally prints, do a search on ??s and replace with appropriate page number

Save as a .doc file and email editor

Decide that it's time for Lego Star Wars and leftover Halloween candy to celebrate!

Wonder what I can sacrifice to the writing gods that will land me another contract like this because I LOVE THIS JOB!!!!!