My very own Deal News....Finally! :)

Those of you who know me may or may not know that I've been writing for 12 years.

I started in 2004 when my daughter was born and I had 5 months of paid maternity leave. I was immediately hooked and haven't looked back since.

I've had a tough road in publishing. I've written about 9 books over 12 years rejected by agents and editors. I had an amazing agent and then mutually parted ways. 

I ended up indie pubbing my Nature of Grace series (before it was cool) and worked hard to sell over 100,000 copies. I also worked hard to rise above the stigma of self-pubbing and turn off all the naysayers and criticism I received from many. TO be honest, I worked through many tears to get where I am. I stopped writing for 6 months and almost gave up at times, but I found my way back to loving writing again.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE indie pubbing and still do. It was the best decision I ever made (besides my husband :) But I always wanted a traditional deal. Whether I felt I needed to be legitimized or that I needed to prove it to myself or whether it was because I wanted to be a hybrid author and do both indie and traditional, I don't know.

But one day I got super lucky and found a new agent (my agent soulmate) and we have worked hard together to make that dream a reality.

So today, after 9 books, 2 agents,  12 years of writing, and months of holding in a secret and avoiding talking to anyone because I can't keep secrets very well...I can finally announce my first traditional deal. :) And I get to see my name in Publisher's Weekly - a dream come true.

And what's even better, it's with my best friend, Kimberly Derting (author of the Body Finder series).

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Greenwillow Preempts Pic Book Series

Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow Books preempted world rights, in a two-book deal, to a picture book series called Luna and the Scientific Method! by Kimberly Derting and Shelli Johannes-Wells. The first book is set for fall 2017. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary represented Derting, and Lara Perkins, also at Andrea Brown, represented Johannes-Wells. Rennert said the series is about a “science-loving, question-asking girl” who discovers that “scientific inquiry... can lead to a lot of fun and adventure.” Derting (the Body Finder series) and Johannes-Wells (who uses the pseudonym S.R. Johannes and is the author of the Nature of Grace series) will be writing the series together; an illustrator for the books has yet to be chosen.

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We have no idea who will be illustrating our picture book babies, but what I can say is that Kim and I are crazy-excited to be working with Virginia Duncan, the publisher at Greenwillow, and her amazing team to bring our feisty, science-loving girl, LUNA, and her love science to girls around the world.

To me, this book is more than a traditional deal. More than a book. LUNA is a chance for us to make a difference in the lives of many future scientists to be. :)

Special shout out to our partner's in crime - Laura Rennert, Lara Perkins, and Virgina Duncan/Greenwillow for believing in me and Kim... and LUNA.

Because...

Science + Girls = AWESOME-SAUCE

YAY!!!!

Don't give up on your dreams - ever - they can happen. 

It just might take some time. :)

Yay!!!

My writing and writing process - blog roll style

Kimberly Derting tagged me in a blog roll to talk about writing and the writing process.

(She talks about hers here...and I loved her answers! :)


1. What am I working on?
Oddly enough, I am working on a couple of picture book projects and a middle grade series. I am also continuing the Untraceable series into Book 4. (Book 3 just released in June)


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I usually write very dark teen thrillers. For some reason, I need a short break from those so I'm veering off my main path to have some fun in different genres. But my heart is in YA thrillers.


3. Why do I write what I do?
I love thrillers in general so I love writing them. It's most of what I read and watch on movies. If someone doesn't die or isn't being chased, it's hard for me to get into it. Though I'm getting better about branching out some :)


4. How does my writing process work?
I used to be a pantser but it would take me much longer to finish a book. So now I have a process that seems to work for me. I create a logline and synopsis. Then I do a strawman outline. I pretty much write from that outline (keeping it open so I can make changes along the way.) The simple process gives me structure yet flexibility to be creative.


5. How does my writing process not work?
It works for me :) Right now....at least I think it does.


Three other tagged authors...

Amy Evans - author of one of my favs, Clicks.

Elle Strauss - author of the awesome Clockwise series (and author of Lee Strauss' Minstrel series)

Karen Hooper - author of the gorgeous Kindrily series.

Bookanista Thursday: The Essence

I love this series. I might be a 'little" biased but Ive always loved the idea of classes being divided by language. I think we hit classism today because of that in some sense regarding ethnicity and diversity.

I loved The Pledge and The Offering just came out the beginning of the year so I wanted to touch on The Essence first.

If you have not read this series, start back at the Pledge.

Top 10 reason to read:

1. K.D (yes I know her by that :)  knows exactly what magnificent word to choose every time.
2. The twists and turns in this book is more complex than in The Pledge.
3. I love the character arc proving how much Charlie has changed from Book 1 to Book 2. Love how she struggles with the girlie things...oh and horses :)
4. Brooke's situation had me stressed out toward the end! Love that.
5. The world building and mythology weaved in is amazing.
6. One word - Max :)
7. The development of some secondary characters in Book 1 was so flawless.
8. The book has everything cool in it: There are mysteries, assassins, spies, kidnapping, betrayal, dancing, soul mates, new powers, and murder. 
9. Even the villain, Sabara was sympathetic. That's hard to do.
10. All the queens at the summit are crazy and fun to read about.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Other Bookanista reviews:

Christine Fonseca  marvels at MIND GAMES by Kiersten White

Elana Johson  is gaga for GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFever

Stasia Ward Kehoe discusses THE DIFFERENT GIRL by Gordon Dahlquist

Jessica Love delves into BITTERSWEET by Sarah Ockler

Katy Upperman  wonders at IF I LIE by Corrine Jackson

Nikki Katz  celebrates THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay

YA Scavenger Hunt: Kimberly Derting (Blue Team)

Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! 

This tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors and win awesome prizes.

NOTE: I am also giving out my own special prizes below. So don't forget to enter here before you leave at a chance to win even more!

Also - you can read my exclusive chapter of Uncontrollable (the sequel to Untraceable)

The YA Scavenger Hunt - Where do you go?

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are THREE contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter all three! I am a part of the BLUE team - but there is also a RED team and a YELLOW team. You can enter all three contests--which has a total prize bucket of 60 signed books!

Follow the hunt, collect clues, and add them up, and you can enter for the prize--one lucky winner will receive 20 signed books from each team (one book from each author on the team!) But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.


Entering the Scavenger Hunt - What do you do?

Directions:
Hidden within this post is a single letter that is blue. Make a note of this letter! It's a part of a scrambled phrase you will need to win. When you go to all the author sites of the BLUE team, you'll have all the letters you need to enter the BLUE contest. Then if you have time, complete the same process for the RED team and YELLOW team.) 

Entry Form:
Once you piece together all the clues to the BLUE hunt, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the completed phrase will qualify. You may enter all 3 hunts which means you will have to fill out the form 3 times.

Rules:
Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by April 1st at NOON PST. Entries sent without the correct puzzle code or without required information may not be considered.


BLUE TEAM SCAVENGER HUNT: Author Kimberly Derting

Today, I am hosting Kimberly Derting. She 

is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins), which are as much coming-of-age romance as they are paranormal thrillers, as well as a new dystopic-fantasy trilogy, beginning with THE PLEDGE (S&S)


She lives in the Pacific Northwest where the gloomy weather is ideal for writing anything dark and creepy. Her three beautiful (and often mouthy) children serve as an endless source of inspiration, and often find the things they say buried in the pages of their mother’s books.

About The Last Echo (the 3rd book in Body Finder series):

In the end, all that's left is an echo…

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye.... 

Find out more information by checking out the author website or find more about the author's book here! 

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT:The Bonus is a chapter from The Last Echo. 
(hint, write this letter down!)

Open publication - Free publishing - More book

Continue on with the YA Scavenger Hunt for the BLUE TEAM by visiting Abbi Glines!


You can also enter my own giveaway by filling out the form below.


Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bookanista Buzz - The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Okay, I love this book! And yay! It was just announced that 2 more are coming.....


I will go out on a limp and say I even love it more than The Body Finder!


And I stayed up all night in 2 nights to finish that one.

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. 


Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. 


Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….


What I loved about this book:


1) A fresh take on dystopia and fantasy all rolled into one.
2) It's creepy!
3) I love that the ruler is a woman - finally!
4) Max's little note - so sweet - love him.
5) The unexpected twists and reveals!
6) I loved Charlie (MC) from the start. Felt sorry for her. Can't imagine hiding a gift so powerful it could cause your death.
7) The queen was nasty and it was scary what was going on in her head/thoughts. 
8) Did I mention Max is hot?!
9) It's so pacy!!!! I read it in like a day.
10) The implication of language and hot it can bring together or break up society. (yeah a little heavy But I'm not as dumb as I might look :)
11) I love the cover!
12) I adore Kimberly too :)

Check out the other Bookanista posts:

• Elana Johnson  is obsessed with Possess
• Christine Fonseca  twirls for Audition
• Shannon Whitney Messenger is wowed by The White Assassin – with giveaway
• Beth Revis interviews The Girl of Fire & Thorns author Rae Carson
• Carolina Valdez Miller delves into The Future of Us – with signed book giveaway
• Shana Silver shouts out about Shut Out
• Sarah Frances Hardy fancies You Will Be My Friend

Bookanista: A Desires for the Dead sneak peek

Have you read The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting?

You are missing out big time if you haven't.

The Body Finder is a YA thriller that begins with an intriguing and promising premise: violent deaths leave a unique imprint on the victim and the killer, and Violet Ambrose can sense them. Add in the facts that her uncle is the local police chief and that a serial killer is on the loose, and you have the makings for an exciting suspense/horror novel. Unfortunately, The Body Finder never lives up to its potential. Instead, most of the book deals with the relationship between Violet and her lifelong best buddy, Jay, who has suddenly blossomed into the junior-class hottie. Does he know that she is attracted to him? Does he feel the same about her? Is he really oblivious to all of the girls throwing themselves at him? Could they, should they, will they be more than friends? These questions are mulled over. And when they are finally answered, the writing devolves into near-bodice-ripper style.

What I love?

• It is a thriller and you don't see many of those page turners in YA
• Kimberly has a distinct voice. Violet is sassy and smart. Even though the book is in 3rd person, you feel so connected to the characters.
• The relationship between Jay and Violet is adorable. I love their banter. The relationship is a good one. Balanced and healthy. I think kids need to see it can be this way.
• I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. There's a scene in the woods that is gripping. I read this book in just a few days. (and I will never run in woods again)
• The cover is to die for!

Desires of the Dead (coming March 2011)

I got the Desires ARC a couple months ago. Desires is just as good as The Body Finder. A nice surprise when the sequel delivers.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

As far as what I like?

Ditto to everything above.


In Bookanista News

1. We have three new members: Veronica Roth, Megan Miranda, and Jesse Kirby!
2. The cover of Elana Johnson’s POSSESSION has been revealed.
3. Lisa Roecker is about to have her baby and is going on maternity leave from blogging. (Congrads Lisa - we will miss you!) Check out Laura's hilarious announcement.
4. ARCS of Beth’s ACROSS THE UNIVERSE are now out!!!
5. Christine Fonseca’s book EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS is coming out on FRIDAY!!!!!!

Check out the other Bookanista's Reviews today:

• Beth Revis and Jamie Harrington are spreading some cover love for POSSESSION.
• Veronica Roth is dying over some upcoming SCI-FI/Dystopian book covers.
• Christine Fonseca is raving over THE REPLACEMENT.
• Elana Johnson has a special Friday edition, where she helps launch the book, EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS.
• Carolina Valdez Miller is crying over JOHN BELUSHI IS DEAD.
• Lisa and Laura Roecker are crazy over MATCHED.
• Shannon Messenger is showing some serious MG love with MG SPOTLIGHT.

Spreading Awesome about The Body Finder!

Leave a comment on this post telling me what ability you'd love to have if you could. (you must be a follower to win!) At midnight Monday (PST), I will do a random drawing. If you sign up for my new book marketing newsletter! or already did (on the left hand side) - let me know and I'll add your name in the hat an extra time!

And the prize? You will get a free Body Finder package that includes a tote bag (filled with swag) and a signed book of The Body Finder (Just to be clear - it is signed by Kimberly not me :)

Elana Johnson pulled together some authors to talk about their favorite book recently read.

I chose Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder. Seriously, go buy it!!!

A serial killer on the loose. A girl with a morbid ability. And the boy who would never let anything happen to her.

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Jay reluctantly agrees to help. As she falls intensely in love for the first time, Violet gets closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

O.K. so this book is the kind of book that keeps you up late - even when you know your kids will be up at dawn - reading. I read this book in 2 days because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Every minute of sleep I lost was sooooo worth it. If you like James Patterson and paranormal stuff, you will love this because it mixes the two nicely. In addition, the way she writers in third person feels so personal and intimate - attributes I attached more to first person than third.

I met Kimberly last year at SCBWI LA. We were blogger buddies and had never met in person. We exchanged emails and took a chance on rooming which I think was not in character for either of us. I mean she LOOKED normal enough, right? :) (I think we both secretly prayed when we showed up, the other was not going to be a 300 lb man with hair on his back who favored tighty whities. :)

Kimberly and I immediately hit it off and I am totally confident we will be forever friends. (This is where you say - awwwwwwww!)

For those who get skittish about meeting your blogger buddies - just know that sometimes you might meet a soul mate and lifelong friend. (just be wise and always meet in a public place:)

If you are cool, you will follow her at her blog, on FB, and on twitter! :)

Here are a few fun and informative questions I threw at her:

What is the hardest part about being a published author?

For me, the hardest part about being an author is finding enough time to do everything. What most people probably don’t realize (including me until I was published) is how time consuming the non-writer side of things can be. Don’t get wrong, I love the interviews, Facebooking, blogging, etc., but sometimes I need to remember that my actual job is…oh yeah, being a writer!!! *runs to check Twitter for the 50th time today*

What is the easiest part about being published?

Definitely my commute! I love that I can just roll out of bed and start writing. Well, I mean after I make breakfast and get two kids off to school. And pick up the house, of course. And after I run all my errands and pay the bills so the lights stay on. And, oh, I need to figure out dinner plans for tonight, and I can’t forget to get the youngest off the bus…again (thank God for my neighbors)! Wait, what was the question…???

What do you wish you knew about writing and publishing before you got an agent and book contract?

I may be naive but I never realized that publishers will sometimes delay book release dates. Harper delayed the release of The Body Finder by six months, and at the time I thought it was the end of the world! Now, when I look back, I’m so SO happy they did it. Harper did an amazing job creating buzz for my book during those extra six months which I think made a huge difference! It also gave me a chance to really, really get prepared. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t cry when I first found out the delay.

If you could chose your destiny – what would it be?

Ok, so THAT is the by far the hardest question I’ve ever been asked! Thanks a lot, Shellie, I thought we were friends!!! Geez, we even shared a bed once! Disclaimer: Shellie and I were roommates at the SCBWI and it was either make a pregnant Lindsey Leavitt sleep on the floor or share a bed. We shared the bed. You’re welcome, Lindsey!

Let’s see, if I could choose my destiny? Is happiness a destiny? I know, it’s cheesy, but that’s all I really want from both my personal and professional lives. I feel very fortunate to have a supportive family, a job that I love, and a bunch of really great friends, so what more could a girl want?

Or maybe to write a book as popular as Harry Potter or Twilight. Either destiny works for me! :)

What do you think? Do you have any questions for Kimberly about the publishing business/process? She'll give you the inside scoop so leave them here and be entered into the drawing.

Also, if you want to read about another great book, check out Angie's Smibert's thoughts on M.T. Andersen's Feed. Or you can check out the full list of AWESOME books on her blog.