For today’s two for Tuesday, I have an announcement about 2 pretty amazing contests. Either would be awesome to win, so go sign up!

1. Kick-off contest

One lucky winner will win a dozen (that’s right – 12!) YA books. There are hardcovers and ARCs, spanning all genres. The contest ends Friday, so be sure to enter right away.

2. LINGER and MATCHED ARC giveaway

Two of the most anticipated YA books of the year – how exciting?! Linger, of course, is the sequel to Shiver (which is just fabulous – read it if you haven’t). Matched is the big publisher debut from Ally Condie, who has published many titles with smaller publishers. Matched has been drawing quite a lot of attention since Penguin dropped 7 figures on it at auction. People are calling it “the dystopic Twilight“.

This contest ends June 16th, so hurry your way over to sign up.

Thank you all for participating in Beach Scene Blogfest. I am having such a fun time reading over the entries. I haven’t gotten to everyone yet, as the last few days have been unexpectedly hectic, but I expect to finish reading entries tonight or tomorrow.

2. Prize!!

I decided sometime last week what the participation prize will be. You ready?

…drumroll…

Full manuscript critique!!

The crit will cover both a general overview of characters, plot, pacing, etc. and an more specific line edit.

If I draw your name and you don’t have a manuscript ready for critique, or you just don’t want to send that baby over, just let me know – we can work out an alternative prize. I am easy like that.

Okay, drawing a name now…

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

And our winner is:

Abby Stevens!!!

The drawing was totally random, but I am very excited Abby won because:

1) Abby has been reading and commenting on my blog for a while now. I like when people I know (in the sense that we have actually conversed online before) win things.

2) I won Abby’s very first blog contest. This is kinda fun turnaround.

3) When I first suggested maybe making a manuscript critique a prize, Abby commented that she thought it was a great idea.

So, Abby: get in touch and we will figure things out!

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

And thus concludes another episode of Two For Tuesday. Tune in next time: same bad time, same bad channel.

That gives you a couple days to whip your beachiest beach scene into shape before Saturday! So far we only have 15 people signed up to play along, and I know a lot of people think a blogfest with only 15 entries is an unsuccessful blogfest. But you know what? I always preferred small gatherings to big parties, so I think 15 is perfectly fine. And fun!

Here’s the list so far. Feel free to add your name if you were on the fence before and have decided to join in on the festivities. I think I have figured out what the fabulous prize(s) will be, so be excited.

I am excited to read all your fabulous entries on Saturday!

Anyway, today I have two radical things for Two For Tuesday.

1. Writers’ Blok by Ja¢kson Pearce

2. Abby is holding a contest!

To celebrate 50 followers, Abby Stevens is holding a fabulous contest. Prizes include signed books by Lauren Willeg and Carrie Ryan (if you didn’t win my contest, be sure to check Abby’s out for another chance at a signed Forest of Hands and Teeth) and query critiques. Pretty radical, if I do say so myself. Be sure to visit Abby’s blog and enter!

I love, love, love blogfests. I think I may be addicted to them; I wonder if there is some sort of 12-step program for BlogFest Addicts. BAA or something (which, let’s face it, would be an awesome group to start just for the fact that when people told others they were in BAA they would sound like sheep).

So, given my love of blogfests, it is only fitting that today’s Two For Tuesday is all about blogfest fun!

1. Announcing my first blogfest: Beach Scene BlogFest!

That’s right, I am taking the plunge. After participating in a few blogfests (and eagerly anticipating a few more), I have decided that it is time to host my own. So, in keeping with my theme of holycrapisitsummeryet–whyohwhydoIliveinthelandofeternalwinter? I am launching:

On June 5th, I will be hosting the Beach Scene BlogFest. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up in the form below.
2. On June 5th, post a beach scene on your blog.
3. Come back to the original sign-up form and read everyone’s entries!

Easy peasy.

Your beach scene can be from one of your works-in-progress or it can be something brand-spankin’-new you wrote just for the fest. The only requirement is the beach! Personally, I would try to keep your entry under 1,000 words, but no one will send the Word Count Police after you if you post more than that.

But wait! There’s more…

Because I like prizes, and I like giving out prizes, there will be prizes!!!

I don’t know what the prizes will be yet, but they will be fun. Perhaps a new book (Sisters Red comes out that week–just sayin’), some fun little craft (perhaps you should see the origami swan I made for a wedding cake topper), baked goods, or maybe some of my time (for manuscript critiques or whatever). Whatever it is: it is a prize. And really, when it is free, can it be bad?

Here’s how the prize selection will work:

• Everyone who signs up below gets one entry in the drawing. Yes, you have to actually post your scene–no points for signing up and not following through.
• Spreading the news earns more entries! You can earn extra entries by:
  • Putting my BlogFest Banner on your blog (+5)
  • Butting my BlogFest Button in your sidebar (+2)

To make things easy for you, I have provided the code for the banner (above) and the button:

get banner code

get button code

(Banners and buttons must go up before and stay up through June 5th for them to count for extra entries–I will be checking. Also…I have been informed that this code doesn’t play well with Blogger. I don’t know what the problem is, as it is written in W3C compliant code. Sorry if this makes things harder for you.)

Now, finally! On to the sign-up:

(oh right…this is a Two For Tuesday…okay)

2. ABC

I used to link to blogfests and contests in my sidebar, but there I are just so many these days that I can’t keep up with them over here. So I gave them their very own page! You can view upcoming blogfests and contests (along with links to my previous blogfest entries) on my Anticipated Blogfests & Contests page.

Happy BlogFesting everyone!

Drawn from the comments:

RANI!!! (yes, she is my sister. no, that didn’t affect the drawing–I used Random.org.)

Drawn from the sign-up form:

KATE!!! and ELIZABETH!!!

Congrats, winners. I have emailed all three of you–remember, books are on a first-come, first-served basis, so be quick! If I don’t hear back this week, I will draw a new winner next Monday.

Thanks to everyone for entering and making my first contest a success.

Jackson Pearce is twenty-five years old and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy. She auditioned for the circus once, but didn’t make it; other jobs she’s had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist. In addition, Jackson coaches both colorguard and winterguard at a local high school.

Jackson began writing when she got angry that the school librarian couldn’t tell her of a book that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself when she was twelve. Her parents thought it was cute at first, but have grown steadily more concerned for her ever since.

And now, the interview!

1. You coach a high school color/winterguard, which I think is AWESOME. Can you explain a little about what winterguard is and how you got into coaching? Also, does your coaching job help you with your writing?

Winterguard is similar to fall colorguard, only instead of performing with a marching band on the field we perform indoors and to a soundtrack. I was involved in winterguard and colorguard all throughout high school, and the year after I graduated had a chance to work with a group. I’ve been doing it ever since! I think coaching definitely helps with writing because it keeps me honest and in touch with my audience. I don’t necessarily get ideas from my students, but they remind me what being a young adult is about when I start to become a jaded grownup

(Pssst…check out the Winterguard Jackson Coaches. They are awesome!)

2.Your vlogs are really fun, opinionated, and informational (or sometimes just FUN). On Twitter last week, someone even referred to you as the Vlog Queen. What made you decide to get started on vlogging?

I thought it would just be fun one night, so I made one! It got such a positive response that I kept it up. I try to make them interesting/fun/funny, and tend to just not do videos if I don’t have anything exciting to video about. I’ve got one coming up I’m VERY excited for…

(Follow Jackson on YouTube – you will not be sorry.)

3. Moving onto your writing. What is your favorite thing about writing for young adults?

Young adults are shameless– they don’t care if something is a bestseller or a graylist book. They read what they think is good, and respond to it passionately. They’re the perfect audience.

4. On your live show a couple weeks ago, you mentioned that AS YOU WISH went through many renditions before it became what it is now. How many versions did you write before the final one? How did you know it was finally ready to see the world?

I genuinely have no idea how many renditions it went through– there were a bunch! I actually never KNEW it was ready, but trusted my editor’s gut feeling that it was polished and shiny.

5. Quick! You have four words to describe AS YOU WISH. Go:

Hopeful, romantic, melancholic, meaningful

6. Your next book, SISTERS RED, is also told from alternating points of view. What do you liked best about writing in this style?

I love writing from alternating POVs because it gives me a chance to show how more than one character is changing as a result of the story.

7.We all know how important it is to have others read our work and give us honest feedback. Who are your first readers and how did you find them?

I found my critique partners through online communities, mainly the 2009 Debutantes. My critique partners have changed a lot over the years, but now I feel like I have a really solid group that does an AMAZING job with the craziness that is my first drafts!

8. When you are struggling with your writing, how to you motivate yourself to keep going?

It’s funny you should ask this, because I’m definitely struggling right now with SWEETLY revisions! I just keep reminding myself that if I can get through this, I can get through anything writing-wise…

9. When you know you should be writing, but just aren’t, what is your favorite procrastinatory outlet?

DEADLIEST CATCH. And Glee. But seriously, I LOVE Deadliest Catch and Mythbusters and other nerd shows.

10. What is the best bit of advice you have for aspiring authors?

Don’t quit, and don’t be afraid to fail. They’re just words– you can delete them, rewrite them, start over, and no one is going to come yell at you. Relax and enjoy the act of creating!

11. Aside from your own, what are a couple books you love and would recommend we all read?

I loved Carrie Ryan’s The Dead-Tossed Waves and John Green/David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to read recently since I’ve been working on notes and new books.

12. It is no secret that I ADORE the South. In fact, I might be making a list of reasons why the husband and I need to move to warmer climates. What is your favorite thing about living in the South?

I love the South. Love it love it love it. I think my favorite thing about the South is the people. Even though the small-town-feel is somewhat a thing of the past, people are largely polite, kind, and interesting. There’s an attitude here that you just can’t find anywhere else.

13. Finally, it’s time for the Fast Five! What are five random things we might not know about Jackson Pearce?

-I collect My Little Ponies.
-I have owned two purple couches in the last two years.
-One of my favorite books is actually a graphic novel called BLANKETS by Craig Thompson.
-I have never left the country, but got a passport just in case. I really want to travel!
-I have pink luggage. Because pink is awesome.

————

Thanks so much, Jackson!

Don’t forget to sign up for a chance to win a signed copy of As You Wish.

For more Jackson Pearce, be sure to check out her website, follow her on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook (or do all three!).

One of MY favorite summer-time activities

That’s right! My birthday is right around the corner (thanks so much for all the early birthday wishes, guys), so it is time to get this contest underway!

Once upon a time, I said I would be giving away one signed book for every 50 followers the blah-g has. But you know what? That means I would only be able to give one book away. I love all three books, and I want to give them all a new home! So, because all 55 of you are so great, I am going to go ahead and give all three books away!

Wait! I am new here. What three books are we talking about?

Thanks for asking, Mr. Anonymous-Made-Up-Follower-Man. I am so excited to be giving away signed copies of:

So, here’s how this thing is going to work:

Just fill out the form below. Every follower has one entry, but there are options for more entries! Who doesn’t like to increase their odds? Post a blog entry, tweet a Tweet, and link in the sidebar and get extra chances to win!

And, like I promised so long ago, those few people who were following along with me before I announced this contest will get extra entries as well (I know who you are ).

Also (and I promise I am almost done rambling): I know there are some of you who are regular visitors or who subscribe via email. While you have to be a Google Friend Connect follower to get all the shiny extra entries, I don’t want to leave you completely out. So this is what we’ll do:

One book will be given away to someone who leaves a comment on this post telling me what their favorite summer-time activity is or what they are most looking forward to about summer. That’s it! Give me some summer love in the comments for your chance to win.

The other two winners will be drawn from those people who fill out the form. Yes, you can both comment and use the form–you will be in the running for all three titles!

Alright. I think that is all. The contest will close April 30th at 11:59 PM. Winners will be picked at random and emailed. Book choice is first-come first-served.

Entries closed!!

A little about Carrie:

Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Carrie Ryan is a graduate of Williams College and Duke University School of Law. A former litigator, she now writes full time. She lives with her writer/lawyer fiancé husband, two fat cats and one large puppy in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are not at all prepared for the zombie apocalypse.

Also, she got married last week! Yay Carrie. Join me in congratulating her and JP  on her blog or her Twitter.

And now…on to the good stuff!

You didn’t always write YA. What made you decide to try your hand at the genre?

Honestly, I think I hadn’t considered writing YA earlier because it hadn’t occurred to me that I could.  I’d decided to write romance novels when I was in high school and I guess I was fairly narrow-minded with my goal.  I never thought twice about writing romance novels until I saw so many amazing YA books hitting the market and I remembered how much I loved reading them when I was a teen and the idea I could be a part of that thrilled me.

What is your favorite thing about writing for young adults?

There are so many things I love about writing for young adults.  First, I love that all our books are shelved together so you don’t have to worry about being put on the romance or horror or thriller or fantasy shelf — you don’t have to follow any traditional rules of those genres but instead can meld them all together.  Second, sometimes teens aren’t as jaded to tropes — your book might be the first time they encounter something that an adult might think was overdone or common.  It’s pretty cool to think that your book might be the first time a teen realizes that not all stories have happy endings or that a narrator can be unreliable.  Finally I feel like there’s not a ton of difference between the way a teen experiences the world and the way an adult does — we all have fears and have to deal with things like rejection, first kisses, uncertainty, etc.  The only difference is that for a teen this might be the first time they experience such things and so it takes on a bigger role in their lives — they might not have figured out how to deal with it from experience the same way an adult might have.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth opens with the narrator talking about the ocean, and the ocean is a glimmer of hope for Mary throughout the book. So, which do you prefer: the forest or the ocean?

Haha, good question!  I think it all depends on my mood.  I love the tranquility of the forest — how you can just be enveloped by nature.  The ocean feels more expansive to me.  Both make me dream.

Quick! You have four words to describe The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Go:

Post apocalypse zombie romance.

Your next book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, is more of a companion novel than a direct sequel. Why did you decide to go this route instead of following The Forest of Hands and Teeth more closely?

I’d never really planned on writing a sequel but when my editor started mentioning it I was thrilled because I loved the world and the narrator.  However, when I sat down to write it I realized that Mary’s story was pretty much done.  I spent a long time trying to decide whether to re-open her story and start something new for her or to leave her as she was and move on.  In the end I chose to move on because I wanted to experience the world from someone else’s point of view — show how different people can approach the same world in different ways.

HELP! The unconsecrated are coming! What is your best advice to help me survive the zombie apocalypse?

You’re toast  I actually think survival ultimately is based on a lot of luck.  I’d get out of a city as fast as possible and try to find a place with enough room to farm and build a new world but also has natural barriers to keep the zombies at bay.  Then, of course, you have to start worrying about people trying to take your safe haven from you.

(Yes! I am safe. Bubba’s parents live on a farm in a very small community in the mountains. I just have to make sure I always have enough fuel in the car to get there in the event of zombies. And, um, hope Star Valley hasn’t been hit yet.)

You have a short story coming out in the new anthology Zombies Vs. Unicorns.  Obviously, you are team zombie. What makes zombies so much better than unicorns?

Zombies don’t poop rainbows.  Nuff said.

We all know how important it is to have others read our work and give us honest feedback. Who are your first readers and how did you find them?

My ultimate first reader is my fiance, JP (husband now…yay!).  He’s a fantastic editor and I always trust everything he says implicitly.  I’m really amazingly lucky to have him.  Other readers include a group of friends I met through the 2009 Debutantes (a group of authors with middle grade and YA books debuting in 2009).

When you are struggling with your writing, how to you motivate yourself to keep going?

For me it’s just not an option to not keep going.  For some reason I’ve just been able to convince myself that there’s no other choice but to struggle through.  Often it can be really tough, especially since I don’t write with an outline and can feel really lost.  Now when I’m going through that I just remind myself that I’ve made it through all of this before so I need to have confidence in myself that I can do it again.

When you know you should be writing, but just aren’t, what is your favorite procrastinatory outlet?

I have way too many!  Twitter, Skype, iChat, email.  I think of those things as my water cooler — my way of hanging with other authors during the day.

What is the best bit of advice you have for aspiring authors?

To write.  I know that seems pretty basic but there are so many distractions out there that it’s easy to forget about the basics — writing.  I’ve also benefited tremendously from meeting other authors online — I’ve found the community to be so supportive which is really wonderful.

Aside from your own, what are a couple books you love and would recommend we all read?

I love so many books and being away from home and my bookshelves it’s hard to pick out only a few!  Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell, Dull Boy by Sarah Cross, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, anything by Sarah MacLean, Liar by Justine Larbalestier, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.  Seriously I could go on and on and on.

It is no secret that I ADORE the South. In fact, I might be making a list of reasons why the husband and I need to move to warmer climates. What is your favorite thing about living in the South?

Spring!  Short winters!  I love a good winter — but I like it to be a short winter.  I find that when March/April comes around I’m itching to spend as much time outside as I can.

Finally, it’s time for the Fast Five! What are five random things we might not know about Carrie Ryan?

• I worked in the coroner’s office one summer in college.
• I also worked on a Mayan archeological dig in Guatemala.
• I once busted my knee open to the bone hiking in the Wind River Wilderness mountains in Wyoming and had to hike out five miles on snowshoes with a hip to ankle splint made out of sticks and a 50lb pack on.
• I’m an optimist.
• I can make my tongue into the shape of a clover.

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Thanks so much for stopping by, Carrie! I feel better knowing a safe plan for the Zombie Apocalypse.

———

Be sure to follow the blog for your chance to win a signed copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth (or The Dead-Tossed Waves if you already have the first). April 27th is fast approaching!

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You mention on your blog that you have not always written YA. What made you try your hand at YA?

I loved YA as I was growing up, and I still have most of my collection.  I reread some of my favorites from time to time.  It finally occurred to me that if I liked this genre so much, I should try to write it.

What is your favorite thing about writing for young adults?

There’s an intensity to that time of life, and an intensity in the way young adults read.  The books I read when I was younger would fill my head; they really felt life-changing.

THE SECRET YEAR is a very emotional book. How did you keep yourself upbeat when you were writing it? (Or, did you have to be bummed out the whole time you were working on it?  )

Even though the main character deals with a fair amount of longing and loss, those are actually cathartic subjects to write about, and they can be cathartic to read about.  To me, there’s something comforting in reading books where the characters cope with tough situations.  Also, the central relationship in the book was so important to the characters involved, and it was so full of their testing and challenging one another, that it was highly interesting to write about.

The hardest part of THE SECRET YEAR for me is knowing that poor Colt has to suffer alone. What was the hardest part for you to write?

His suffering alone is a consequence of certain choices he made, but yes, the penalty is sadly severe.  The ending was by far the hardest part to write, because that is when he faces certain truths he’s been avoiding throughout the book.

All of your characters, down to the pretty minor supporting ones, are so vivid and real. Do you draw from people you know when you write?

No.  But I try to distill everything I see and hear in the world, and let it influence my characters in a general way.

I love the use of journals and letters in THE SECRET YEAR. What is your favorite part about writing multiple points of view in one book?

I think many of us would like to know what other people think of us, would like to know what certain situations look like from the other side of the table.  Colt gets this chance, although he doesn’t always like what he reads.

Julia’s journal entries were a way for me to show how stories change when point of view changes; there is not just one true account of an incident or a relationship.

What is your favorite line from THE SECRET YEAR?

“He’d taken pictures of potatoes for his freshman art project.”

That was one of my favorite lines, too! It seems so random, but the more you get to know the character, it just seems to fit. Moving on to some more general questions now:

We all know how important it is to have others read our work and give us honest feedback. Who are your first readers and how did you find them?

I’ve discussed this at length on my blog, but they are all writers I met through SCBWI or through writer friends.

(note from Rachel: Jennifer’s blog posts about finding her crit partners can be found here, here, and here.

When you are struggling with your writing, how do you motivate yourself to keep going?

The struggle is never about whether I want to be writing, because I always want to write.  It’s about whether I can do the story justice, whether I can reach the level I’m trying to reach.  And so there’s a very strong motivation to keep going.  Mostly, in those situations I need reassurance that I can only do so much in a day, and I don’t have to try for immediate perfection.

When you know you should be writing, but just aren’t, what is your favorite procrastinatory outlet?

There are so many other things I have to do, chores and obligations, that it’s more a question of my getting through them so I can get to the writing.  Writing is more often a reward than something I put off.

What is the best bit of advice you have for aspiring authors?

Read a lot.  Write a lot.

Aside from your own, what are a couple books you love and would recommend we all read?

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You, by Peter Cameron, has been my top pick for a while. Some others I like, off the top of my head:

Geography Club, by Brent Hartinger.

Shift, by Jennifer Bradbury.

Unwind, by Neal Shusterman.

Struts and Frets, by Jon Skovron.

I just realized every one of those has a male main character. So here are a couple with female main characters:

Watersmeet, by Ellen Jensen Abbott.

Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr.

Wow. That’s quite a list; I will definitely have to check those out. Finally, it’s time for the Fast Five! What are five random things we might not know about Jennifer Hubbard?

1) I haven’t read the big Russian novels (Crime and Punishment, War and Peace, etc.).

(For Shame! Crime and Punishment is my favorite book!)

2) I vote every year, and I’ve twice served on juries.

3) I’ve lived in five different states.

4) I like Brussels sprouts (and you thought nobody did!).

(True story: Bubba and I both love Brussels sprouts.)

5) I try to watch the Academy Awards every year, even though I see very few movies.

(Confession time: I work in movies, but still see very few and never watch the awards.)

————

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us, Jennifer.

If you haven’t read The Secret Year, I suggest you find it and do so. You won’t regret it. Promise.

————

A couple housekeeping things about the giveaway:

1. The contest is open internationally. I haven’t been asked yet, but I am noticing a few of you are popping up from all across the globe, so I thought I would just clarify. Anyone can win!

2. In order to keep shipping costs down, As You Wish and The Forest of Hands and Teeth will be signed via bookplate (this way I didn’t have to send the books cross-county and back and then pay to send them to the winner). Keeping these costs down is what allows me to keep the giveaway international.

3. Since I am using a bookplate, you (the winner…that’s you) can substitute The Dead-Tossed Waves if you already have The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

4. There will be a winner for every 50 followers, not just one winner for all three books. That’s right: three winners (assuming, of course, there are that many followers).

I have lived in Montana long enough to know this isn’t the end of Winter. We will have more snow, and more blustery wind, and more really-freaking-cold days, but 50º is 50º and I am excited. Hey, if we can’t get excited about the little things in life, then what are we living for?

In celebration* of Montana’s pseudo-spring, I am launching a fun, fabulous giveaway! I have one two three signed books to giveaway. And since we are celebrating the wonderful 50º weather, I am going to base my giveaway on fifties.

So, see that fun little Google Friend Connect widget over in the sidebar? (————>) Once I have 50 smiling faces over there, I will put one book in the giveaway pool. If I get 50 more, a second book will be added. And, if I get 50 more than that, the third book will be added to the pool. What are the fabulous books I speak of? I thought you would never ask. They are:

I loved all three of these books! They are completely different from each other, but each is wonderful in its own way. I can’t wait to share them with you, so make sure you are following for a chance to win!

Oh, what’s that you say? You need a deadline for the contest? Okay, I suppose I can do that. Since the best part of spring is my birthday** (obviously), I will end the contest then (or thereabouts). So, assuming we have at least 50 followers by April 27th, there will be much book-giveaway-ery to celebrate the 26th anniversary of my birth.

Now I am going to stare out the window for a while and wish I could be enjoying this beautiful weather. Good day to you all!

*Okay, so I had planned the giveaway before the great weather. Whatever. I am still using it as a fair-weather celebration.

**I know, I know. We aren’t supposed to get so giddy about our birthdays after we are about 13 or 14, but I refuse to give in to such boring traditions. I want to find joy in the simple things, so I will be ridiculously excited about my birthday!

Um, SQUEE!

I am getting this book whether I win it or not, but getting a book you want for free is always a great thing.

Other fabulous prizes include blog interviews, a second free book (of the winner’s choosing), and partial manuscript critiques (or something else for those non-writers out there).

This is a great contest, guys. Head over and enter now.

Why would you post a teaser from someone else’s book? I am glad you asked.

Remember when I said I would have some contests this year? Well, the first one is coming up quick, and As You Wish is part of that contest. Read this little teaser and get excited people. Get very excited.

This is the first paragraph of chapter one. If you want to learn more about the book, check out Jackson’s website.

All I’ve learned in today’s Shakespeare class is: Sometimes you fall in love with the wrong person just so you can find the right person. A more useful lesson would’ve been: Sometimes the right person doesn’t love you back. Or sometimes the right person is gay. Or sometimes you just aren’t the right person.

Thanks for nothing, Skakespeare.

I love, love, love it! Get ready for the contest – coming soon!

Today is my first RTW, but since I have a bit of a blog crush on YA Highway, there will certainly be many more to follow. Today’s RTW is a nice little (really hard to answer) Q&A.

What are the three best books you’ve read this year?

1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. This is one of the best books of all time! That sounds like total hyperbole, I know, but I don’t know how else to say it. This is easily the best debut novel I have ever read, and, in my opinion, the best contemporary novel out there (and let’s face it, it holds it’s own against the timeless classics pretty well). It is beautifully written with a compelling gothic plot. Really, really an unputdownable (not a word? Whatever; I am a writer, I am allowed to make them up) novel. I recommend it to everyone.
2. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Wow. Wow. Wow. I had heard the ravings about this one for a while before I picked it up. It seemed interesting enough, but a novel narrated by a dog could easily go into gimmick territory, and I didn’t want to read a gimmicky novel. This one does not go into that territory. It is poignant and heartbreaking. Clever. Funny. Beautiful. Real. I love this book and will read it again and again.
3. Wings by Aprilynne Pike. As a YA writer, how could I not put a YA book on this list? I have read a lot of great ones this year, but Wings really sticks out for me. I can’t really pinpoint what it is about this book that I love so much; I just know I love it. Maybe it is Aprilynne’s clean, crisp, clear, concise writing (really, all the Cs came naturally…I wasn’t trying to overdose on the alliteration). Maybe it is the simple, yet compelling plot. And maybe, just maybe, it is my soft spot for science-geek David. Whatever it is, there is something about Wings that sings to me. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Wow. Only three allowed? That was tough.

If you could meet one author (living or dead), who would it be?

Fyodor Dostoevsky. After I learn my Russian, of course. What good would it do to resurrect the dude and meet him if I couldn’t understand him? Dostoevsky’s mind amazes me, and he led quite an incredible life. I would just like to shoot the breeze for a while. Maybe pick his brain a bit. That would be quite the conversation, I think.

What book are you most looking forward to in 2010?

Hmmm. Just one? That is TOUGH. I think I am going to have to go with Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. It just sounds so intriguing, and Evie’s voice is great! I am super excited to read that one.

Of course, there are rumors circulating that Diane Setterfield will have her sophomore effort on the shelves next year. If that is the case, Paranormalcy might be bumped down the anticipation list. Sorry, Kiersten. You are great, but come on–it’s DIANE SETTERFIELD!

And thus concludes my first adventure with Road Trip Wednesday.

P.S. Have you entered the awesome contest over at YA Highway yet?

Yesterday, I talked about making a word cloud of each book I write to discover overused words. That got me thinking about my blog…and I decided to make a word cloud of it as well. I know you are all just dying to see which words I use the most often. And here they are:

Seems pretty appropriate to me. Except for that giant JUST. It should not be there. Just is high on my list of overused words…maybe I should start referring to the list when I write blog posts.