Friday, November 30, 2012

Pivot Point Full Cover

I just realized the other day that I haven't posted the full jacket of Pivot Point before. It's so pretty. I must show you. I'm so happy to have such a great cover. HarperTeen does an awesome job.


It's interesting to see the subtle changes that happen to a cover the months before it comes out. If you have an ARC, for example, you'll notice that the spine/flaps now, are more of a green than the grey of the ARCs. Also, I used to have a blurb on the front, but then a tagline was requested by a book seller and so now we have the tag line on the front and all the blurbs on the back.

I just love the colors and the girl and the title placement. It's all so perfect for Pivot Point. I'm excited to see what they have in mind for book #2.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wednesday Reads

If you follow me on twitter, you'll know that I recently read and loved this book:


Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. 

I know, I know, I'm way late to the party on this one. It came out last January! And I actually bought it last January. And it's been sitting in my TBR pile forever! Now I'm mad at myself that I didn't read it sooner because I adored it. But I'm also happy with myself because book 2 comes out this January (Through the Ever Night) and I don't have to wait as long as the rest of you suckers who read it eleven months ago. Mua ha ha ha. Okay, fine, that's just me making myself feel better about not reading this book sooner. But seriously, I'm so excited for book 2. I heart Perry forever. 

The summary:

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Maddeningly Unhelpful Monday

Look at me posting another unhelpful Monday post. That's two in a row. It's like a miracle or something.

This post is brought to you by the Kasie Made A Fool Of Herself Again Sagas. I hope to save you from the same fate.

After a year of working out regularly, I may or may not have considered myself somewhat of an expert in working out. And I decided to start a new class, thinking I'd catch on pretty quickly. Hello. I've been working out for a whole year. I'm an expert.

The class? Kickboxing. How hard can it be?

Step one  (I learned after the fact): Always invite a friend along when starting a new class. Someone who will also be new to this class. The conversation can go something like this:
*You--Hey, friend, do you want to start a kickboxing class with me on Friday?
*Friend--Oh, sure, I've been doing that class for a few months now. I'll come with you.
*You--A few months? Never mind. I'll ask someone else.
*You--Hi, different friend. Have you been going to the gym at all in the last year?
*Different Friend--No, I haven't been to the gym in ages.
*You--Perfect. Come to this kickboxing class with me.
*Different Friend--Why? Do you want me to look like the stupid one so you don't have to?
*You--Yes, actually.
*Different Friend--Okay. Sounds fun.

See? If I had followed that advice, I wouldn't have been the *only* new one in the class.

Step two: If you didn't follow step one, that's okay. So you're the only new one in the class. Just do the following. Stand with you hands on your hips and look around when you can't keep up with the rest of the class. Don't, I repeat, do not, think you are good enough to do every single move just as fast as the class does them. This will result in tripping, and maybe falling off your step. Not that this happened to me.

Step three: After the class, run away so everyone can't tell you how entertaining you were. In fact, maybe just leave five minutes early. There's no shame in that.

You'll thank me later. :) Happy Monday, everyone.



Friday, November 23, 2012

Less Than 3 months?!?

I don't believe Pivot Point comes out in less than three months. 81 days to be exact. But who's counting?? Okay, I'm totally counting. I need one of those countdown widgets so I don't have to hurt my head when I try to calculate it.

I don't believe it's right around the corner. When I first sold my book, over a year ago, the release date felt so far away. 21 months. That number felt huge. I have 4 kids. I wasn't fooling myself with how long 9 months feels when you are anticipating something. And 21 months?? That's more than twice as long. It felt like my book was never coming out. I thought surely the world would end before then (and let's not rule out that possibility, it still might). Yes, I was dramatic. I should take the 'was' out of that last sentence. I am dramatic.

But here I am with 81 days left. That number seems manageable. But that number makes me nervous. I thought I'd just be flipping out with excitement, but I'm not going to lie, there are lots of nerves fluttering around with the excitement as well. All the "what ifs" are playing out in my head. What if they all hate it? What if nobody comes to my book launch? What if they tell me I can't write? What if nobody likes my characters? What if the world ends?


Those are all scary thoughts. But, I've also been getting a lot of good feedback that helps my excitement grow. I really appreciate all the support I've gotten and all the people who have read Pivot Point already and taken the time to tell me how much they enjoyed it. And I love all the people who haven't read it and tell me they can't wait to. Those things make me happy. Those things push back the nerves a little and make me look forward to the release date. This community of readers and writers is so supportive and I'm glad to be a part of it. Thanks for all the support, everyone. 81 days! Eeek!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wednesday Reads

So I've been really into reading contemporary lately. I love it so much. And one of my new favorite authors is Morgan Matson. She wrote Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (which I loved) and she also wrote this one:

Second Chance Summer.

This was such a sweet read. And really emotional. It was even more emotional for me because aside from the super cute romance, it had an amazing father/daughter relationship. Having lost my father six years ago, it really touched me. I loved the relationships the book explored and I'm always a fan of summer stories. There's just something about summer that makes me all dreamy-eyed.

Here's the summary:

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Maddeningly Unhelpful Monday

It's been a while since I've given y'all useless advice. I think it's time.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit my brother who lives just outside of San Francisco. Sunday, after church, he took us to this beautiful beach called Baker Beach that is right by the Golden Gate Bridge. The view is awesome:

Pretty, right?

Well, we decided to walk to that outcropping of rocks you see on the right side of the picture. You can climb up them and get a really great view of the bridge and the ocean. Anyway, we--me, my hubby, my brother, my 4 kids, and his one--walked along when suddenly my teenager looked to the right and said, "Um....are those naked people over there?"

"OH," my brother said. "I thought it would be too cold for the nudes today. Look at the ground, kids, look at the ground."

I, of course, started laughing. Five or six very naked old men were sunbathing by the rocks. One even decided to get up and take a stroll to the ocean in front of us. It was very eye opening. And...um....gross.

I honestly had no idea we had naked beaches in the states. I thought this was strictly a European thing. That's how it always is in the movies. Apparently I am very naive. But shouldn't there have been some sort of sign in the parking lot or something? A warning. There probably was. I don't tend to read signs. But I feel like this particular situation, calls for a very clear, very large sign that in big bold print says something along the lines of:

Nude old men alert. If you can read this, your eye sight is way too good to be walking on the far side of this beach. You will thank us later.

So, my advice to you? Read signs at a beach. Also, if you are visiting Baker Beach in San Francisco stay away from the clothing optional side. But seriously, the beach is really pretty so you have to visit the clothing mandatory side. :)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Insomnia Cover!

So remember when I told you I have an awesome friend who wrote an awesome book? Well that awesome book got an amazing cover that I love so much. I love it not only because it is just so creeptastically cool, but because it matches the feel of the book so much that it gives me the shivers.

You've probably already seen this cover, but just in case you haven't, here is J.R. Johansson's INSOMNIA cover (if this doesn't give you INSOMNIA, wait until you read the book, it will keep you up all night turning pages)


Here's what it's about:

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.
 
Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.
 
Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.
 
Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all? 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Tagged

The Next Big Thing--Blog Tag

My fellow Thirteener and friend Jenn Johansson tagged me with a blog tag that's been traveling around the upcoming debut authors. It looked like a lot of fun (and lets face it, I've been hurting for blog content lately) so here goes.

What is the title of your book?

The title of my book is PIVOT POINT. Fun fact about the title: my husband came up with it. We were brainstorming. He is brilliant. Another side note, I have not come up with any of the final titles of my books. Sad, but true. I'm awful at naming books. My agent just titled my latest book and she, too, is brilliant. Lesson--surround yourself with brilliant people.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

This book was inspired by the movie Sliding Doors. I've always loved that movie. I love the idea of how one choice can change the course of a life. Alternate realities are fun to explore.

What genre does the book fall under?

Hmm. That's a tricky question. I've heard people call it paranormal, sci-fi, and contemporary fantasy. I'd say it definitely has a strong lean toward contemporary, so as long as you include that word, it could fit with any of those three genres.

What is the one sentence synopsis for the book?

Pivot Point is about a girl who has the ability to see two outcomes of a choice.

How long did it take you to write your book?

The first draft took me about 2-3 months. Then I edited off and on for about 6 months.

Will it be self published or published through a traditional publisher?

It will be published through HarperTeen on February 12, 2013. I'm very excited. I love HarperTeen and think they put out a lot of quality novels so I feel lucky to be one of their authors.

Which actors would you use to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I have actually never answered this question for this particular book before. Some of my early books I cast in my brain, but not this one yet. So I better go figure it out. :)

Okay, looking through lists and lists of actors/actresses and *suffering* through hundreds of pictures of cute boys, I've found some that are close. It's hard to find someone who looks exactly like what I have pictured in my head.

Addison: Annasophia Robb



Laila: Shay Mitchell



Duke: Chord Overstreet

Trevor: ???? I couldn't find anyone who fit Trevor close enough for me. Maybe I'll stumble upon a picture one day and post it. :)

Thanks for tagging me, Jenn. That was fun.

Since I have no idea who has been tagged and who hasn't, I tag anyone who wants to play that has a book coming out in the next year. :) Let me know if you end up doing it so I can read your answers.