YALLFest Recap + Giveaway

Morning Swooner's,
I am really late with my recap post of YALLFest as you can see, but I wanted to share some of the pictures I took while I was there. I met a lot of interesting people while waiting in the lines and had a great time meeting the authors.

Blue Bicycle Books 

 Sarah Dessen

Kiera Cass

Ann Brashares

I had a blast throughout the entire experience. Although I didn't get to see all of the authors I wanted because the lines were so long, I did get to most of the authors on my list.

So, in honor of this great experience we've decided to do a GIVEAWAY! We thought long and hard about which book to give away and finally decided on My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins. What I love about this book is that the winner will get a choice between the UK cover and US cover. The giveaway will run for two weeks, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a copy of this wonderful book. (Please be aware that this is a US only giveaway)

The Giveaway

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Christmas Giveaway! YALLFest Edition

Hi there lovelies,

Our little YALLFest group

So when Nahomi and I went to YALLFest back in November we met A LOT of authors. It was such an exciting and mind-blowing experience and I wish it lasted several days instead of that really long and exhausting day. To prepare for the event, we broke down the schedule and the authors attending and we went to town organizing our schedule and checking to see which books we had and which one we had to buy.

While planning and buying books, we realized that we wanted to give away some signed books to our lovely followers. While we wanted to get a ton of books signed for everyone, unfortunately there was limit on how many books an author could sign at time. But I like to think that we managed to get some really cool books and swag for some lucky winners.

So in the spirit of Christmas, (and really, in procrastination. YALLFest was back in November and I've been meaning to do this post for a while) we'll be doing a giveaway of all our signed goodies, such as: signed books, bookmarks, tote bags and posters.

Here's what up for grab:

1. There will 3 winners for the signed books. The 1st winner will get to pick 2 books and then the 2nd winner will choose between the two books leftover and the 3rd winner will get what left. Here are the books up for grab: Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, Legend by Marie Lu and The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
2. There will be a winner for a *book shimmy* tote bag from Epic Reads along with some swag. (Some signed by the author).
3. Three Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi chapters sampler excerpt.
4. A signed poster by Marie Lu with some swag and
5. A Divergent movie poster with some swag as well.

Whew! Getting that organized was a mission. And if that wasn't clear enough, that NINE (9) winners!

Since I'm doing this with only a few days before Christmas, and it being such a big one as it is, the giveaway will be running until January 17th, 2014.


So just go and have fun filling out the Rafflecopter! Good luck, Swooners!
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YALLFest Author Interview: Jocelyn Davies

Happy Monday, Swooners.

I'm getting super excited since YALLFest is 2 weeks away and then it'll be time to meet all these authors we've had the lovely chance to interview. So, for today, I have the awesome Jocelyn Davies, author of the A Beautiful Dark series.

Here's what she had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
COFFEE! And a cocoon of silence.

Describe your book in 5 words:
Girl has angel blood, torn.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
It differs from book to book--really, it's anyone's guess! Sometimes, the first line is hardest, because I'm just getting started and I'm not warmed up yet, and by the time I get to the end, I've got the momentum of an entire book to propel me into that last line. Then again, sometimes a first line just pops into my head, and the whole idea unfolds from there. Theres usually no way to know what is going to happen until it's happening, which is often the approach I take to writing.

Best writing tip you ever received?
“Create interesting characters, give them an excuse to meet, and the story will write itself.”

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself:
I'm a dog person--cats kind of freak me out.
I was a theater kid in high school. I used to dream of being an Oscar-winning actress.
I love everything about autumn.
I live a few blocks away from my best friend from high school.
In my day job, I'm also a children's book editor.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
I love magical realism—a novel that's set in the real world, but ever-so-slightly different.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
I usually have a pretty strong sense right from the moment the idea comes to me. I start writing knowing I’m embarking on a novel.

Thanks so much for passing by, Jocelyn! I can't wait to meet you!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Lisa McMann

Hi lovelies!

Today I have the lovely Lisa McMann stopping by the blog. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Wake - The Dream Catcher series, The Unwanted series, and her new Visions series with books Crash, and Bang already release. 

Here's what she had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
Silence.

Best writing tip you ever received?
“Think of the one thing your main character would never, ever do. Now make her do it.”

What are you working on now?
We’ll be ramping up the releases of books 5, 6, and 7 in the Unwanteds series, so I’m working on Unwanteds book 5 right now.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
I really enjoy writing in a variety of genres, from realistic to paranormal to dystopian fantasy. At the moment, fantasy is winning, but that could change at any moment. My favorite genre to read is memoir.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
As soon as I have a one line concept that gives me a little shiver.

Thanks so much for passing by, Lisa!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Michelle Hodkin

Morning Lovelies,

I am super excited about the author we are hosting today. I love the Mara Dyer trilogy and Michelle Hodkin has me hooked with her writing. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the last book of the trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer which is slated to be release June 2014. It can't come soon enough. I hope I get to see her again when tours for The Retribution just like she did for The Evolution of Mara Dyer.

Here's what she had to say:

Describe your book in 5 words 
Romeo and Juliet meets Hitchcock

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last? 
I spend a lot of time thinking about my first lines. A lot of time. Too much time. Luckily the last lines usually come to me as I write.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read? 
What I love about YA is that I don't have to choose a genre. I can blend elements and mess with conventions from all of them—horror, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, whatever. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, if I were ever told that I had to. And my reading is all over the place, but right now I'm reading a lot of old school sci-fi and fantasy, with some literary fiction thrown in.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why? 
The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It's not YA, but it is about a teenager who reminds me of my teen self. And maybe also my adult self. Anyway. I basically push the book into the hands of everyone I meet. It's just that good.

What are you working on now? 
A secret project that is secret. But I'm wildly excited about it, and I think my readers will be too.

Thanks so much for passing by, Michelle! I can't wait to finally get my hands on The Retribution come next year.

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Lisi Harrison

Hi Swooners.

Today on the blog, we have author of the New York Times Bestselling series, The Clique, and Monster High for out weekly YALLFest author interview. Her new book, Pretenders, was released on October 1, 2013.

Here's what she had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
A scented candle. Each book has it’s own scent.

Describe your book in 5 words
Popular freshmen’s secret journals revealed.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
First. 100%

Best writing tip you ever received?
Stop writing in the middle of a chapter instead of the end. It will be easier to start up again the next day.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
Stargirl.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

• I can’t run.
• I have a tattoo with a type-o. It’s supposed to say, “creativity” but it says, “dry.”
• In college I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo written in Chinese characters.
• I was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I changed my reservation at the last minute. Now every time I look at a clock it says 9:11.
• I can’t stand being asked about my “favorites.”  I don’t have favorites. If I did I’d forget what they are the minute you asked and would remember them the minute you leave. It’s maddening.
• I prefer to give 6 random facts.

Where's your favorite place to write?
My office.

What are you working on now?
Pretenders #2: License To Spill.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
What did I just tell you about “favorites?”

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
When I can describe it in one sentence. And do it without cringing.

Thanks so much for passing by, Lisi!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Shannon Hale

Hello lovelies,

Today YALLFest author interview is with New York Times Bestselling author, Shannon Hale. Shannon has many titles under her belt such as Austenland, Princess Academy and The Goose Girl. Her new series, Ever After High was just released  on October 8, 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Here's what she had to say:

Describe your book in 5 words:
         Boarding school for children of famous fairytales.

Best writing tip you ever received?
         People remember a story for its characters.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
         The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. It’s smart, engaging, and discusses so many things I was struggling with.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself:
         I have 4 kids (including identical girl toddler twins). 
         My husband likes to wear masks and hide around the house to scare me. 
         I like to read while lying on my belly. 
         I love the sky. 
         I’m not a very good speller.

What are you working on now?
         The third Princess Academy book.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Shannon!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Melissa De La Cruz

Hiya Swooners! 

It finally Friday! And I'm excited to share for today interview that we have Melissa De La Cruz stopping by! Melissa is the author of the Blue Blood series, Witches of East End series and of her newest work with Michael Johnston, Frozen series. I recently had the chance to meet both Melissa and Michael and they were such a fun and funny duo.

Here's what she had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
Fear. Sometimes rage. I find that to truly focus I need to feel panic, and then suddenly everything in my manuscript becomes clear. I work best under duress, which is something my editors have learned and they're quite good at instilling fear in me. J I appreciate that! I also work well with many distractions, I think it's because I had a day job for nine years and had to write my books in the middle of doing my real work.

Describe your book in 5 words:
Post-apocalyptic. Zombie. Dragon. Pirate. Fantasy.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
The first, definitely.

Best writing tip you ever received?
To introduce the love interest in the first 30 pages, not that specifically but learning that there was CRAFTING involved in writing a novel, not just voice.

What one young adult novel you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
Harry Potter. Because! I don't think I have to explain.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
1. I was a child model.
2. My favorite One Direction guy was Harry, but now it is Louis.
3. I have a Maltese named Mimi. She is not named for Mimi Force, our kid named her.
4. I learned to drive at 34.
5. I like savory treats better than sweet.

Where's your favorite place to write?
In a cubicle, surrounded by softly ringing phones and people murmuring. Sadly this is no longer possible for me.

What are you working on now?
My new series THE RING AND THE CROWN coming next spring from Disney-Hyperion.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
YA Fantasy and Paranormal. My favorite genre to read is "literary" fiction, but I would have to say I really enjoy bestsellers just as much, I like popular fiction, no matter what genre, I like to read what a lot of people are reading and take the pulse of the culture. But for my own taste, I love smart angry women writers like Lionel Shriver and Kate Christensen.  Also cookbook memoirs.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
When we've sold it!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Melissa!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Kami Garcia

Hey Swooners!

Today YALLFest author interview we have the lovely Kami Garcia, co-author of the bestselling Beautiful Creatures series and her new solo work Unbreakable, out on October 1, 2013. I am so excited about being able to meet Kami in November, she's one of my must-meet authors. I can't wait to read Unbreakable.

Here's what she has to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

I need three things: my laptop, my headphones, and Diet Coke.

Describe your book in 5 words

Paranormal. Ghost-hunting. Intense. Romance. Secret Societies.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1. I don’t know how to ride a bike. 2. I used to be an artist (a painter). 3. I won’t fly without my huge charm necklace that I believe will keep the plane from crashing. 4. I believe in ghosts. 5. Every time I write a book, I worry that everyone will hate it.

What are you working on now?

I am working on the second book in the Legion Series, the sequel to Unbreakable. Like Unbreakable, the sequel is very intense and has plenty of paranormal elements. But I think it’s even more romantic and surprising than the first book.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

My favorite genre to write is definitely urban fantasy/paranormal romance. I love to read paranormal, but I am also a huge fan of horror, crime fiction, high fantasy, and science fiction.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kami and I can't wait to meet you on November 9th!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Veronica Rossi

Morning Lovelies!

I'm super excited about today YALLFest author interview because it is the awesome Veronica Rossi. I've had the pleasure of meeting Veronica twice and both times have been a blast. And I'm a huge fan of her Under the Never Sky trilogy and I'm eagerly anticipating the last book of the series, Into the Still Blue. January can't come soon enough. I may have already met her but I'm still looking forward to YALLFest to seeing her and every other author. 

Here's what she had to share with us:

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
     Yeah, those. And all the ones in between!

Best writing tip you ever received?
      $5. Just kidding. Um… tip… I think it’s probably to allow yourself to suck when writing early drafts. It takes away a lot of the fear of generating good material. It’s not easy to be creative when you’re judging your work.    

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
1.       In the past year, I discovered a deep love of Brussel sprouts
2.       I talk to myself. Heck. Sometimes I argue with myself.
3.       I’m arguing with myself about including that last point at this very moment.
4.       My favorite animals are elephants.
5.       Dresses with pockets make me happy.

Where's your favorite place to write?
     I usually work in my home office, but I love working in hotel rooms. No distractions!

What are you working on now?
    Something I’m very excited about! Can’t divulge any details yet, but it’s an idea I’ve been mulling over for years.


Thanks so much for stooping by, Veronica! I argue with myself more often than I care to admit myself. (Let's ignore that part, yea?)

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Ransom Riggs

Hiya Swooners!

For today YALLFest interview, we have Mr. Ransom Riggs, author of the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, on the blog. I haven't had the chance to read Riggs' book but I do have it on my TBR list. I'm very excited about meeting him in November.

Here is what he had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
Silence. My noise-cancelling headphones have become almost essential.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
The first. I rewrite and rewrite it a million times. The last comes easy.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself:
I’m six foot four. 
I lived on a working farm until I was five. 
I used to know how to cook Indian food but now I’ve forgotten. 
I love documentaries. 
One day I will conquer the moon.

What are you working on now?
A novel for Little, Brown the plot of which is SECRET! (Sort of, for now. But I’m really excited about it.)

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
Oh, definitely YA to write in. I read everything, lots of YA, lots of adult, nonfiction of all sorts. I even read poetry when I’m feeling ambitious. I think it’s crucial to have lots of different influences. If you only read in the genre you write in, your writing will sound like everything else that’s already out there.

Thanks so much for stopping by Ransom! I can't wait to finally meet you in November.

Swooners, be sure to stop by on Friday so see which author we are hosting!

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Rainbow Rowell

Hi Swooners!

The YALLFest author we have stopping by today is Rainbow Rowell for our weekly interview! I absolutely love Rainbow and I'm so excited to have her on the blog and to be able to meet her (again) in November. She is the YA author of Eleanor & Park and of her latest book Fangirl. I recently reviewed Fangirl which I really enjoyed and I hope everyone is out getting their own copy of the book.

Here is what she had to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
            Lip balm.

Describe your book in 5 words.
             FANGIRL
             Earnest, snowy, swoony, minty, bookish.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
             THE FIRST! The whole first page is a nightmare. I want people to just skip it. And I always end up rewriting it.

Best writing tip you ever received?
             “Just finish your book.”

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
             Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. I think it would have made me feel less alone.

Where's your favorite place to write?
             At coffeeshops. In giant overstuffed chairs.

What are you working on now?
             I’m revising my adult novel, Landline, which comes out in spring 2014, and playing with a romantic/political/tragicomic fantasy.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
             I write mostly contemporary. I read mostly fantasy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
             All of my ideas are full-length novels. I have a hard time narrowing my scope.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Rainbow! Go out and pick up your copy of Fangirl, you will love it, trust me.

And stop by this Wednesday to see who we have stopping by the blog.

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Sean Williams

Hola Swooners!

It finally Friday! We made it! 

For today YALLFest author interview, we have Sean Williams stopping by. He is the author of several middle grade books such as the Troubletwisters series. His new book, Twinmaker,a YA sci-fi, is set to be release this fall.

Here's what he has to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
The right music. And chocolate as a reward when I finish.

Describe your book in 5 words
Jump meets Uglies. But different.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
The first line is often the hardest to write, but I like a good challenge. The line I like writing the least is the last because it means I have a whole load of rewriting ahead of me.

Best writing tip you ever received?
Give up. If you can do that, you’ll be happier and probably better off as a result. If you can’t, then you know writing is exactly the right thing for you!

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
1) I live in Adelaide, South Australia, a place that’s home to about a million other people but somehow feels like a small town, which is why I love it.
2) I still think music from the 1980s is cool.
3) My stepson has situs invertus, which means his heart is on the wrong side of his body. That’s not really about me, but it is pretty random.
4) I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who.
5) I’m minding a pair of green tree frogs, Skipper and Jumpy, for a young friend while she’s overseas with her family. You can see pictures of them on my Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/seanwilliamsauthor/.

Where's your favorite place to write?
In my study, a lovely upstairs nook containing all my favorite book-related things, but I’ve trained myself to write anywhere as long as I have my headphones and some music. I quite like writing in hotels, probably because someone else does all the household chores.

What are you working on now?
Crashland, the sequel to Twinmaker.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Sean!

Remember, YALLFest is on Saturday for November 9, 2013, so if you can, go! And meet all these wonderful authors.

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: CJ Lyons

Hi Swooners,

For today YALLFest author interview, we have CJ Lyons joining. Her YA book, Broken, is set to be release on November 5th. She is a New York Times Bestselling Author.

Here's what she had to say:

Describe your book in 5 words:
CJ: Girl dying of broken heart (literally)

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
CJ: The first. I’ll often return to it over and over again until I’ve sliced and diced and fine-honed it to that perfect combination of intrigue, visceral reaction, and emotional connection with the reader.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
CJ: Code Name Verity because it is so emotionally honest and inspiring, empowering, not to mention gut-wrenching. Really brings the era to life as well as the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
CJ: When I was a kid I worked summer stock theatre and was actually a theatre major undergrad before switching to pre-med. I’ve had two hard landings in helicopters while working as a flight doc. I survived rampaging Cape Horn Buffalo and a pack of wild baboons, not to mention a leopard (he’s already eaten) while hiking in Hells Gate Park in Kenya. I’m a Capricorn. I diagnosed my niece with the heart condition that’s at the center of my YA thriller, BROKEN.

What are you working on now?
CJ: DAMAGED, my next YA thriller, due out in 2014. It deals with the really tough topic of abuse and coercion and is the most difficult book I’ve ever tackled—there have been times while writing when I was literally in tears as I typed.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
CJ: I created my own genre of Thrillers with Heart—I love writing fast paced stories with raising stakes but centered on the emotional heart of an evolving relationship. As for reading, I read almost every genre but especially love YA, magical realism, and thrillers. As long as a story grabs me by the throat and won’t let me go because I’m too worried about what the characters are going through, I’ll read it and love it.

Thanks so much for stopping by, CJ!

And Swooners, be sure to stop on Friday to see which author we are hosting.

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website: YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Lauren Oliver

Hiya Swooners,

So today I have the awesome Lauren Oliver, author of the Delirium trilogy, and many more. I had the pleasure of meeting Lauren back in March/April for a Requiem signing and I'm a so excited to feature her on the blog as one authors attending YALLFest in November. For those that don't know, YALLFest is day full of panels, presentations, and signing from a large range of variety of authors.

Lauren was nice enough and answered a few questions for us so just sit back and enjoy.

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
Coffee!

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
Honestly, neither. It’s just every single line in between that feels impossible.

Best writing tip you ever received?
Aim for truth and beauty will follow.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
I have fourteen tattoos. I can fall asleep any time, any place. I have a phobia of worms. I hate fruit. I wrote my first novel largely on my Blackberry.

Where's your favorite place to write?
In my sunroom in upstate New York.

What are you working on now?
Two different middle grade books and an untitled young adult novel that my agent described as “the most disturbing thing he’s ever read.” Oops!

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
I love realistic books that include just a hint of fantasy.

For more information about YALLFest, visit their website YALLFest.org

YALLFest Author Interview: Cinda Williams Chima

Hi Swooners!

So today I have the lovely Cinda Williams Chima as part promoting for YALLFest. I'll be attending in November with some friends and I can't wait.

Here's what Cinda has to say:

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
A computer

Describe your book in 5 words
Wizards misbehave, magic goes mutant.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
Usually the lines in between.

Best writing tip you ever received?
Give yourself permission to write badly.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
1.       I am a twin.
2.       I am named after a character in a novel.
3.       I didn’t really start driving until I was 27.
4.       I am descended from Puritans and scoundrels.
5.       I used to be in a folk music band.

Where's your favorite place to write?
On a balcony overlooking the ocean.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing The Sorcerer Heir, the fifth book in a trilogy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
When I’m finished with a full-length novel.