Showing posts with label bloodrose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bloodrose. Show all posts

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Wonder Con!

I'm heading back to SoCal!

From March 16-18 I'll be at Wonder Con in Anaheim. The highlight of the weekend will be a panel I have the honor of moderating on Sunday afternoon from 3 - 4 p.m., which features:

Ann Aguirre, Enclave
Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures
Gretchen McNeil, Possess
Lissa Price, Starters
Ransom Riggs, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Veronica Rossi, Under the Never Sky

I'll have to work hard on my questions so I don't start fangirling over all these talented authors!

The panel takes place from 3 - 4 p.m., but I'll also be signing on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Mysterious Galaxy's booth (#900).

Sunday, January 15, 2012

On the Road Now, and Again

Hello, from beautiful Long Beach, California! As a northern girl who has scoffed at television images of Californians donning sweaters when it got 'cold,' I must concede my error. It has been cool this weekend, and while it's not frigid like Minnesota I have indeed wanted a coat most days that I'm here. Even though it's not sunbathing temps, I've still taken great joy in walking on the beach at sunset.

It's the middle of my BLOODROSE tour and I want to send a huge thank you to everyone I've seen on the trip!

I have two stops left: Tuesday in St. Louis and Friday in New Orleans. I'd love to see you!

If you weren't able to come out for this tour, I'm delighted to announce the upcoming Breathless Reads tour. I'll be on the road with Marie Lu, Beth Revis, and Jessica Spotswood. Follow the latest Breathless Reads news on Facebook! Here is the preliminary schedule - keep an eye out for more details to come:

February 15, Chicago
Anderson's Bookshop

February 16, Washington D. C.
Bethesda Public Library

February 17, New York City
Books of Wonder

February 18, Philadelphia
Towne Center Book & Cafe

February 19, Philadelphia
Doylestown Bookshop

February 21, Atlanta
Little Shop of Stories

February 22, Houston
Blue Willow Bookshop

February 23, Dallas
Barnes and Noble

February 24, Los Angeles
Once Upon A Time

February 25, Los Angeles
Passion and Prose Event
Westin Long Beach

Before I sign off I want to send a huge thank you to all of you for supporting BLOODROSE - I'm thrilled to share that you have put the Nightshade series on the NYT series list...at #5!!!! That means I'm raising my donation to Defenders of Wildlife to $5 per picture of BLOODROSE that I've received. And you've sent me loads of pictures so that means lots of money to protect wolves! You rock!! Thank you!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

BLOODROSE Tour

Want to keep the holiday spirit going and avoid the winter blahs? Come run with the wolves and celebrate BLOODROSE with me!
Check out the tour stops - I hope you can make it!!!

Friday, January 6: St. Paul, MN
BLOODROSE release party
7 p.m. Red Balloon Bookshop

Tuesday, January 10: Seattle, WA
7 p.m. Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park)

Wednesday, January 11: Huntington Beach, CA
7 p.m. Barnes and Noble Booksellers

Thursday, January 12: San Diego, CA
7 p.m. Mysterious Galaxy Books

Friday, January 13: Manhattan Beach, CA
4 p.m. Pages: A Bookstore

Tuesday, January 17: St. Louis, MO
7 p.m. Puddn' Head Books

Friday, January 20: New Orleans, LA
5 p.m. Octavia Books

Monday, January 2, 2012

24

It's after midnight, which means we're in the last day before BLOODROSE hits stores. I'll admit that I have very mixed feelings about BLOODROSE going into the wild. On the one hand I'm thrilled that the final book of the Nightshade series will be in readers' hands. I can't wait until you see what happens and I hope you revel in the adventure as much as I did.

On the other hand I cried a lot (seriously, a lot) while writing this book. It's a journey coming to a close. And while there will be more stories set in the world of Nightshade, this particular story does have its ending. That's a bittersweet reality that I'm still coming to grips with.

In the last hours before BLOODROSE arrives, there are a couple of things I want to mention.

1) My post about endings. It's the best answer I can offer about everything that happens.

2) My donation to Defense of Wildlife. Your support is invaluable: Here are the details for what' I'm doing: Because I'm committed to advocating for wolves, I've decided to tie in BLOODROSE to this action: for every picture of a reader and her/his new copy of BLOODROSE that is sent to me via email, Facebook, or Twitter I will make a $2 donation to Defenders of Wildlife.

And to up the stakes: If in its first days of release BLOODROSE climbs into the top 10 of the Barnes and Noble (and remember that B&N has an exclusive edition with additional content!) and/or Amazon rankings I'll up that donation to $3 per picture.

And finally: Because BLOODROSE is book 3, Nightshade moves from the New York Times Chapter Book list to the notoriously-difficult-to break-into Series list. If BLOODROSE hits in the top 5 of the NYT series list I'll increase my donation to $5 per picture.

I encourage you to support wolves and spread the word about the risks of taking gray wolves off of the endangered species list. I hope you're as excited as I am for next Tuesday. Thank you so much for sharing Calla and the packs' journeys with me!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Final BLOODROSE Teaser, plus Saving Wolves!

One week! BLOODROSE is on sale in ONE WEEK!

It's a good thing the holidays keep me busy lest I be tearing my hair out waiting for January 3 to arrive. (Okay, I'm still tearing my hair out a little bit, but not as much as if it hadn't been the holidays).

Here is the last teaser before next Tuesday's release:

"One thing." He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "One thing that I'd always been afraid of. I still am."



As you've read the Nightshade series I hope it's been obvious how much I respect and admire wolves. They are beautiful, intelligent creatures with complex social relationships. If you follow environmental news, you may already know that gray wolves were recently delisted from the endangered species list. I'm deeply troubled by this decision. Humans and wolves have an ugly history; one that drove wolves to the brink of extinction. Since the delisting, wolf hunts are already being organized in Minnesota and across the country. Killing a wolf is not a sporting act. Wolves live in deeply connected communities. To kill a single wolf is to disrupt a family, a social system.

Because I'm committed to advocating for wolves, I've decided to tie in BLOODROSE to this action: for every picture of a reader and her/his new copy of BLOODROSE that is sent to me via email, Facebook, or Twitter I will make a $2 donation to Defenders of Wildlife.

And to up the stakes: If in its first days of release BLOODROSE climbs into the top 10 of the Barnes and Noble (and remember that B&N has an exclusive edition with additional content!) and/or Amazon rankings I'll up that donation to $3 per picture.

And finally: Because BLOODROSE is book 3, Nightshade moves from the New York Times Chapter Book list to the notoriously-difficult-to break-into Series list. If BLOODROSE hits in the top 5 of the NYT series list I'll increase my donation to $5 per picture.

I encourage you to support wolves and spread the word about the risks of taking gray wolves off of the endangered species list. I hope you're as excited as I am for next Tuesday. Thank you so much for sharing Calla and the packs' journeys with me!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

BLOODROSE Teaser 3!

Two weeks! Two weeks!

In case you haven't seen it - the official BLOODROSE book trailer is live.


And here's your third soundtrack teaser:

"He needs to know you can make the wrong choice and still deserve a second chance."


The National - Afraid of Everyone


Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

TREACHERY and BLOODROSE Teaser Two

Ansel's tale: Treachery (an e-special from Philomel) is available today! Buy at Barnes and Noble for Nook or Amazon for Kindle.

In honor of the novella's release, today's Bloodrose teaser features Ansel.

"My bones ached as I watched him. Why did it have to be Ansel who suffered?"

Saturday, December 3, 2011

One Month

It's December 3 that means we're within one month of BLOODROSE's publication date: January 3. In the lead up to the release I'll post a weekly soundtrack teaser, with music and a line from the book (no spoilers though! And not in chronological order - mwaa-haa-haa-haa!)

You should also check out Penguin Teen's Tumblr for more info and teasers leading up to January 3.

Hope you're as excited for the countdown as I am. 2012 here we come!

Week one BLOODROSE soundtrack teaser:

"Waves lapped the shoreline a few yards from where we lounged on the rocks."

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Something Special


Exciting announcement! I'm so happy I can share this news: Barnes and Noble will release an exclusive addition of BLOODROSE on January 3 that features additional content. If you'd like to learn more about the Searchers and Keepers and weapons be sure to check it out :)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Win, Win


Lots of good news today! But before that - don't forget that it's Banned Books Week. Here's a link to the most frequently banned/challenged books of 2001-2010. Support libraries, booksellers, teachers, authors, and readers. Read banned books!!!

First - winners of the 5K contest. Congrats to:

Adriana

Emily Rose

Hayden

@vampirefan2 (via Twitter)

@BecksterMay (via Twitter)

Email your mailing address to andreacremerwrites @gmail.com and I'll get your prizes in the post!

Second, I've been keeping some awesome news under wraps for a while and now I can share: more books are on the way!!!

The official deal announcement from Publishers Weekly:

Cremer Goes Steampunk for Philomel Jill Santopolo at Penguin's Philomel imprint closed a North American rights deal for two new books by Andrea Cremer, author of the imprint's bestselling Nightshade series. Santopolo acquired the titles—one is the first book in a new steampunk series and the other is a second prequel to Nightshade—from agents Richard Pine and Charlie Olsen at Inkwell Management. The steampunk series, the first book of which is called The Inventor's Secret, is set in an alternate 19th century in which the American Revolution never happened and the British rule the world. Inventor's Secret is currently scheduled for fall 2013. The Nightshade prequel, Rise, is scheduled for summer 2013. (The final book in the original Nightshade series is coming out in January 2012, and Philomel has another Nightshade prequel already scheduled for fall 2012.

Here's a rundown of my publication schedule:

January 2012 BLOODROSE
Fall 2012 RIFT (Nightshade Prequel 1)
Spring 2013 INVISIBILITY CURSE w/David Levithan
Summer 2013 RISE (Nightshade Prequel 2)
Fall 2013 INVENTOR'S SECRET

So exciting!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Wants vs. Needs

Since WOLFSBANE's release I've had an uptick of emails from fans and I've noticed the rise of a certain type of email: those messages telling me how the series has to end. When I was responding to one of these messages I thought it might be best to post my response on this blog because I think this topic is one that many writers struggle with and I wanted to be sure all of you understand where my head and heart are at when I'm writing - and particularly when I'm writing the ending of a series.

Here's my reply to a reader hailing from Team Ren (but it applies to Team Shay, too):

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. You're absolutely right - I do receive mountains of emails, but I try as much as possible to answer all of them :)

I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and kind words about my books. I can't fully answer your request or question because I won't ever reveal plot points about the novels. I don't blame you at all for loving Ren - I love him too. I love all my characters like they are family. When good things happen to them I'm joyful and I cry when they're hurting (literally, I cry when I write painful scenes in my books).

Calla might end up with Ren, or Shay, or she might end up on her own. Though I know the love story is prominent in the Nightshade series the overarching plot is a much bigger story that involves all the characters. Each character has her/his own choices to make and her/his own paths follow, and how they act will determine where they end up with relation to one another. What I'm trying to convey is that the story is what determines relationships. I am so grateful for readers like you who are passionate about the books - but it's important to know that I receive just as many emails telling me Calla must end up with Shay as I do from people who prefer Ren. As a Ren supporter I'm sure that's hard for you to believe, but I swear it's absolutely true. I've been astonished at the passion from fans of both boys - it's deeply moving. I'm sympathetic to both sides because I've adored both boys from the first day they introduced themselves to me on the page.

But even if I received emails only in support of one character or another, it wouldn't change the story. It wouldn't alter what happens to Calla, her pack, the Keepers, and the Searchers - because the story is what drives my writing and I have to be true to that. If I wrote characters or plot to try to please everyone that would be akin to lying to someone just to try to keep them happy. I can't write like that, just as I couldn't live like that.

Please know that my writing the story for its own sake doesn't mean I don't care about readers' feelings. I care so much about your feelings. Every time I receive an email (and I receive lots!!!) asking for Calla to choose Shay or Ren I get torn up inside because I really would like everyone to be happy. But this is a complicated story with joys and sorrows, and it will bring joys and sorrows to readers and characters.

As I said in the opening. Calla might choose Ren, she might choose Shay. She might choose to lead her pack on her own as an alpha. She might not make it to the end of the story. After all, she is in the middle of a brutal, centuries-long war, and warriors fall. So very much is on the line in Bloodrose. Everything is on the line.

What I can promise is that the story I've written is the story that spoke to me. Not the story I wanted to tell, but the story I needed to tell. It is written honestly and from the depths of my soul. I couldn't have written it any other way and I hope you can understand why that remains true, and always will.

Sincerely,

Andrea

Saturday, July 30, 2011

State of the ARC

This week has been amazing. Thank you so much to all the amazing people who've come to my signings and to those of you who I haven't been able to see in person but having been flooding my inbox, Facebook, and twitter with wonderful messages. Your support of Nightshade means more to me than I could ever express!

Now that Wolfsbane is out I'm already getting questions about Bloodrose.

If you've finished Wolfsbane you can read Chapter 1 of Bloodrose here. (Spoilers! Don't read it before Wolfsbane)

Bloodrose is the final book of the trilogy and will be published in February 21, 2012.

In the life of a book, it's common for publishers to release Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) or galleys prior to the book's publication in order to give reviewers a sense of what's coming. In the case of Bloodrose we seriously considered not creating ARCs because the final book of the Nightshade series is so loaded with spoilers we wanted to be sure none of them were leaked before February 21.

After much thought it was decided that a limited number of ARCs would be created because booksellers need to know what's in the book before they order it and hand sell it to their customers.

What this all boils down to is that there will be some ARCs out in the world, but not many. We've asked anyone who receives an advanced copy to keep its contents secret. It's so important that the story isn't spoiled. So if you see a tweet or a review (that won't actually give you much information about the book) it's because we've asked everyone to keep this story quiet. It also means that I don't have ARCs to distribute and I won't be giving any away in the lead up to Bloodrose's publication date. I hope when you read Bloodrose in February you'll think it was worth the wait :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Scoop!

Some of you may have been surprised to see the Bloodrose cover appear on some blogs lately. I was surprised, too! So was Penguin!

The cover wasn't supposed to be revealed until July but through a computer glitch it was sent early to Amazon, so of course Amazon put it up. And I am seriously impressed by how quickly Nightshade fans found the cover! You guys are so on top of stuff!! It's fabulous!

This wasn't anyone's fault and I'm not upset - maybe a little disappointed as revealing a cover is super fun. Now it's a little like finding out a surprise party is being thrown for you. It's wonderful that the party is happening and so many people went to the trouble to plan it, but now the surprise is spoiled.

Surprise or no, the Bloodrose cover is stupendous and I'm thrilled that I can now officially post it here!

The cover depicts a very specific scene in the book and I love the way the photo captures that moment!

In addition to the cover reveal, I have some AMAZING news. Since the Nightshade series' covers have been redesigned Penguin knows that many of you would like to have a matching set for the series. So they've printed a limited number of the new Nightshade jackets that you can put on your hardcover and all your books will match!


The jackets are being mailed out on a first come, first served basis. Send your request, including your mailing address to yrmarketing@us.penguingroup.com

I'm sorry to international readers but this is a US only offer since it regards the US cover redesign

Please note: the jackets are being shipped by Penguin, so don't email your request to me as it won't get to the right people.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

How I Revise

I'm in a slump after last night's election results and am still waiting for some more pictures from the release party to come in, so I thought I'd post a less celebratory, more musing piece about revision.

One of the most frequent questions I get is "How long did it take you to write Nightshade?"

Seems like an easy question, right? It's actually pretty complicated. You don't just write a book. The process of going from idea to finished book is much more like baking bread (something else I love to do during the cold Minnesota winters).

The first draft is throwing together ingredients and mixing up a fabulous dough. Then you have to let the dough rest and rise. In writing terms, this is akin to taking a break from your first draft before you begin to revise. Trying to go in for revision right away will ruin the process - you need to take a little space from your work.

After the break, you need to go back in ruthlessly. I find bread-baking a great stress reliever because of this step: you get to punch down the dough! That's right - after letting it rise you smash your first into and start all over again. You have to approach your manuscript with the same determination. It's not ready yet, you're still in the middle of the process. Writers often speak of "killing their darlings," and it's accurate to view revision as a brutal process. It's hard to let go of the words and scenes you put all that labor into. But like with the bread, you also need to know that it's a lot of excess air that you need to get out of there.

Then it's time to shape the loaf. Instead of just punching out the unnecessary bits, it's time to refine and get the manuscript to where you want it. Then you let the loaf rise again - and this time, if you've done your work, it's rising into the shape you want it to be.

I'm at this stage with Bloodrose - in the final revisions. Woo hoo!

From there it's onto to baking getting all the finishing touches in. (For me this is copy edits - meaning the manuscript is pretty much out of my hands and the work has gone to the oven. Hi copy editors, I hope it's okay that I just compared you to my oven).

Baking a great loaf of bread takes time and a lot of steps. As much as I can drill through a first draft, that's only the beginning. Time and refining get the novel where it needs to be.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Some Upcoming Goodness

Today is a happy!

My father in law is visiting us from Germany and it's so wonderful to have him in our home :) My editor LOVES Bloodrose - her stamp of approval and ecstatic praise for the final book of the Nightshade trilogy made me jump for joy.

And more goodness waits on the horizon:

First, tomorrow is the cover shoot for WOLFSBANE. I cannot begin to describe how excited I am for this cover. Once again the phenomenally talented Suza Scalora is photographing, and she's been gracious enough to let us photograph her at work - which means I'll get to do a full cover post on this blog and you'll get the insider's view on how it happens!!
Second, it's nearly August which means it's almost my birthday (whoopee!!) and it's almost time for the debut of the first of the Penguin Five. Next week I'll be hosting Kirsten Miller, author of The Eternal Ones, on this site and I'm so excited to have her. The Eternal Ones is a fantastic book and I'm eager to pick Kirsten's brain about it.
Hope you're all enjoying summer as much as I am!

Friday, June 18, 2010

We are the World

Hi there!

Remember me? I'm the writer who used to post on this blog.

Sorry for the infrequent appearances of late. I'm still busy writing Bloodrose and am being swept away by the final chapters. But I thought I'd better stop by to say "hello" and thank you for visiting, despite my own neglect of posts.

In addition to writing. I've also been sneaking in some World Cup games.

I love the World Cup! I'm likely to run screaming from the label "morning person," while clutching my coffee cup to my chest. Even so, I'll roll out of bed at 6:30 a.m. to watch Germany vs. Serbia (darn you referee and your yellow cards!!!).

I like the World Cup even more than the Olympics. To me it's like the difference between a family reunion and a girls' weekend with your BFFs in Vegas. One is nice and comfy while the other is a 'rockin good time not to be forgotten.

The World Cup has a life of its own. You get caught up in its fever. I love knowing that all over the world, soccer fans are glued to their television sets, gathered in pubs, cheering on their teams.(Yes I know Scotland didn't qualify for the World Cup. Quiet you!)

I came to soccer, excuse me, football fandom in college while studying abroad in Scotland. My family had spent a summer in Scotland seven years earlier and I went to visit family friends - who've become much more like family than simply friends over the years - and they pretty much adopted me.

No one loves football (or for that matter, sports) than my Scottish Dad, John, and his two sons. For her own part, their mum, Sandra, is a pretty loyal fan as well. To spend time with my Scottish family is to learn to love the beautiful game. I had no trouble being hooked or accepting the fact that to truly be Scottish means always rooting against England.

When the World Cup rolls around every four years it's not just about the excitement of the games or the mesmerizing skill of the players. (Tim Howard is my hero!)It's about feeling connected to my Scottish roots, to a world of roaring fans.

If you aren't watching you should really give it a try, or at least learn what a vuvuzela is.
I'm sending this out to John, my Scottish dad, - his favorite song - and true sports anthem. Wish I were watching the matches with you in Irvine!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Soon

Hi Blog Friends and Welcome New Followers!!

I'm nearly finished with Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) and I promise that soon there will be real posts here again...except that the World Cup is on right now too...just kidding - though I will be blogging at least once about why everyone should watch the World Cup.

Until then, I'm delighted to point you in the direction of this review that made me SQUEE! Thanks Mundie Moms!!!!

You also shouldn't miss your chance to read the first chapter of Personal Demons, the debut novel of my amazing critique partner, Lisa Desrochers.

Happy Tuesday!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Interview & ARC Giveaway

Apologies in advance that my posts will be intermittent the next couple of weeks - I've hit that point in drafting Bloodrose where it's like a boulder tumbling down a mountain, gaining speed, and I can hardly focus on anything but what's happening there.
Fortunately, the lovely Shelli of Market My Words has posted an interview with me and she's giving away an ARC of Nightshade.

So get on over to her blog and enter the contest :)

Monday, June 7, 2010

June Q&A

I'm in the middle of drafting Bloodrose (Nightshade #3), so it's a little hard to focus on other writing - and that includes blog posts - so it seems like a perfect time for this month's Q&A!

Please leave your questions in the comments below and I'll answer them in Wednesday's post. Thanks in advance for your questions - I love hearing from you!!

Here's one of my favorites off the Bloodrose playlist: