Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Giveaway Extravaganza!

So, I promised you, my loyal readers, that when the blog reached 50 followers and the Twitter page reached 500 followers, I would giveaway signed copies of Pivot Point by Kasie West, The Madman's Daughter Megan Shepherd, and Fracture by Megan Miranda. Well, during the coarse of the giveaway last week, we reached these goals, plus loads more! Because the Facebook page also surpassed 200 likes (which I thought would NEVER happen), I am also giving away a bunch of swag to a couple lucky winners! So what does this mean? A chance to win THREE books and LOADS of swag! Enjoy!

Interview:

As a special gift, I also have interviews with Mindee Arnett and Kristen Simmons! Read on for the awesomeness!

Kristen Simmons

1. How does it feel, finishing the Article Five trilogy?

Really exciting in a way, like a dream coming true. At the same time it's very sad. I've walked around with these characters in my head for so long, it will be very sad to see them go.

2. Can you tell us anything about what you're working on now?

Yes! I'm so thrilled about it. My new stand-alone story, The Glass Arrow, takes place in a society where women are endangered. One girl is caught in the wild and sold at auction. It seems a little bleak, but there's so much hope in it. I hope you enjoy it! It comes out next January (2015).

3. What's your favorite thing to do when not writing?

Hang out with my family. I have a toddler, so we keep busy. We actually just got back from the zoo! So fun.

4. Which of the Articles in Article Five are you most likely to break?

OMG. Which one? I'm breaking so many on a daily basis! I'd probably get nabbed for contraband though. Here's what the Moral Statues say:

Article 2: Paraphernalia considered immoral is hereby banned and shall not be owned, bought/sold or traded for in any capacity. a) Immoral items include any form of media (audio, visual or tactile) in any medium (print, radio, televised, etc.) deemed inappropriate, including those items scandalous, violent, sexual or in opposition to the Moral
Statutes as determined by the Church of America (For a full list of items see Addendum B).
b) All items identified as immoral are to be disposed of in identified CONTRABAND ITEMS receptacles.
c) Every citizen is subject to search and seizure of their home and personal property in order to assure compliance with Section 2, Article 2 of the Moral Statutes. Violators in possession of contraband are subject to trial by an investigative board of the Federal Bureau of Reformation and sentenced appropriately.

5. What is your daily routine like as an author?

Wake up, take care of my family, go teach JAZZERCISE!!! (That's right, I said it!) then I write during my son's naptime. Then we play, then I make dinner, then I collapse. It's busy these days.

Thanks for having me, Isabel!

Mindee Arnett

1. Describe your newest book, The Nightmare Dilemma, in five words.

Murder mystery at a magical school.

2. What's one of your worst nightmares?

My worst nightmares usually involve betrayal by a love one. And the nightmare part isn’t ever the betrayal itself, but the person’s reaction to me finding out about it. Instead of being upset that I’ve found out, the person usually acts completely indifferent to my tears/anger/rage—whatever the emotion is. That is always the worst nightmare for me—confronting indifference.

3. What are some things that have served as inspiration to you?

I’m inspired primarily by stories and visuals. I love books and film, and whenever the well of inspiration is feeling dry, I seek out an awesome story to fill me up and to set my mind on fire.

4. What are you working on now?

I just completed line edits for Polaris, the sequel to Avalon. And now I’m working on a proposal for my next project. I would say more, but then I would have to kill you. Mwhahahaha…

5. Lastly, any advice to aspiring authors?

My best advice is always this: Keeping trying and change it up. The most important lesson a writer learns is that you have to keep at it. Writing is as much skill as it is talent and inspiration. You really have to hone your craft through hours of practice. But it’s also crucial that you don’t always keep trying the same old thing—especially if it’s not working. You have to try new things, practice different skills in order to succeed.

Thanks for the interview!


Giveaway:

International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

  1. I've never been to a book signing, but I would love to go to one. It just seems like so much fun. ��

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  2. I've never been to a book signing, but I want to go to one so bad. The author I would love to meet the most is a tie between: Erin Morgenstern, George R. R. Martin, and Rick Riordan

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  3. I'm unlucky enough to have never been able to go to a book signing(thanks to my very rural setting). I most want to meet Leigh Burdago, Kasie West, Victoria Schwab, Sarah Maas, and Brandon Sanderson-sorry can't lower it down some more because SO many amazing authors!-.

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    1. I've met Sarah J Maas and Kasie West, and they're super cool! I really want to meet the others too!

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  4. I have not been to a book signing but I would love to meet Stephen King, Veronica Roth or Ransom Riggs!

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  5. I've only been to Melissa de la Cruz's book signing. I did accidentally see Alyson Noel in person when she was signing a bunch of books for sale but I didn't realize it was her until later...lol. I would love to meet Cassandra Clare, Marie Lu, Sarah Dessen, Marissa Meyer, Katie McGarry, and Lauren Oliver. But I would love to meet any YA author I like.

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    1. I've never met any of those author, but I want to meet all of them! Luckily, Sarah Dessen is local and I might get to meet her soon(ish).

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  6. I'm lucky that I have a lot of book signings in my area. So I've been to a good amount.

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  7. I've never been to a book signing unfortunately! :( I would basically love to go to one where an author whose book I've read is going to be! But it's a bit hard in Germany.

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  8. I actually just went to my first book signing a couple of weeks ago for Jessica Shirvington! She's my favourite author so I made the trip into the city especially for it. If I lived closer I'd probably go more often. :)

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  9. I havent been to any signings, I live in Croatia so they are very rare. I would love to meet Kim Harrison, Darynda Jones, Rachel Vincent and Cassie Clare..And many others. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  10. I've never been to a book signing but I really want to go to one. I would prefer one where I owned several of the author's books.

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  11. The most recent one I went to was Jessica Shirvington's for her new book Disruption. She was so lovely. My favourite one would have to be Samantha Shannon's launch event, where I got to meet her. Plus there was palm readings! :P

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway, and congrats on meeting those numbers! xx

    Joy @ Thoughts By J

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  12. Unfortunately, I haven't. Not many authors come to MI, and when if they do, I can never go.

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  13. I haven't yet been fortunate enough to have gone to a book signing. I'm hoping to be able to attend one someday. If I could attend a signing of any author in the world, I would love to be able to meet Stephen King. I would probably faint from the sheer power of it, though, and would have to be carried out in embarrassment.

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  14. I've been to a book signing for a cookbook, but I've never been to a ya author signing. I would love to go to a Marie Lu signing, a John Green signing or a Veronica Roth signing.

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  15. I have never been to a book signing, but I would like to meet Jennifer Estep, C.C. Hunter, Jennifer L Armentrout, and Wendy Higgins. I also would like to meet C.J. Redwine.

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  16. I've never been to a book signing. I don't think anyone has them in Decatur, AL. I'd love to meet Richelle Mead.

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  17. I've never been to one! I'd love to go to one for John Green!!

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  18. Yes I've been to a lot I think :)My favorite's with Tahereh Mafi and she's coming back here in the Philippines with Veronica Rossi and Ransom Riggs! ^_^

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  19. I've never been to a book signing :-( But I would love to meet Marissa Meyer, Ally Carter, or Kasie West!

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  20. Hmmm. Well we don't have those in my country. So most probably Maggie Stiefvater or JK Rowlings

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  21. I've never been to a book signing :/,but If I have chance then I would love to meet with Cynthia Eden,Nora Roberts,Gena Showalter and Sherrilyn Kenyon :)

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  22. There are three signings that I loved:
    1) Lois Lowry who wrote the Giver - I never thought I'd get to meet her and I grew up reading and loving her books. She's a classy lady.
    2) Antony John who wrote Five Flavors of Dumb and the Elemental Trilogy-- I'm so lucky that we've become good friends and I try to attend all of his signings because he's hilarious, has an English accent, and writes terrific books.
    3) Signing with Tamara Ireland Stone, Antony John, Lauren Oliver, and Lenore Appelhans-- the best part was going to dinner with them after the event! I was fangirling the whole time!
    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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