Third Week Summary

This week finished out the first half and began the second half of the blogiversary. You have until Tuesday, March 24th to enter the first half contests.

Previous contests can be found here and here.

Monday: S.G. Browne interview plus a contest for BREATHERS. (2 winners)

Tuesday: Wendy Toliver guest blog plus a contest for a cute photo frame

Wednesday: BLOGIVERSARY! Don't forget you have to comment on this post to win my special prize.

Then the second half opens with . . .

Thursday: Maggie Stiefvater's guest blog, plus a giveaway of a signed copy of the incredible LAMENT

Friday: John Marco's interview plus a contest for a signed copy of STARFINDER (2 winners)

Saturday: Shykia Bell's guest blog, plus a contest for a signed copy of CAMILEON

Sunday: Deborah Lytton's interview, plus a contest for a signed copy of JANE IN BLOOM

The rules remain:

Each author contest can be entered by commenting on his or her interview or guest blog. The comment must be relevant to the content of the post.

Bonus entries can be earned by:
+5 Making a graphic that I can include on the blogiversary/b-day posts and others can use to link to the contest (must say http://inbedwithbooks.blogspot.com)
-These five entries can be distributed about contests of your choice
+1 Link to the contest
+1 Follow my blog
+1 Buy one of the author's books (and send me proof)

The contests will run in two blocks. The first block, March 1-18, will have winners announced on March 25. You can only win once during this block. The second block, March 19-31, will have winners announce April 7. You can only win once during this block, but you can still win something even if you won in the first half of the month.

Separate from both of these is my birthday contest. I will give my prize (to be determined) to someone who comments on both my birthday and the blogiversary. No, I am not telling you which day is my birthday. (For those who know my b-day, like Bookluver_Carol and Reviewer X, I'll make you do something else if you want the prize.) No extra entries, though I might be bribable. In fact, anyone who's dumb rich enough to buy me a Kindle 2 wins instantly.

My contest prize includes FIREFLY LANE, an ARC of THE VAST FIELDS OF ORDINARY, and a signed Joe Craig Jimmy Coates poster - with more to be added.

Don't forget to keep coming because the guests are still awesome.

Mini-March Interview with Aryanna

This is the last mini-March interview, unless someone else responds to the survey. She writes A Maze of Books, so don't get lost while you're checking it out.

1. When is your birthday?

June 25th

2. When did you start your blog?

I think two weeks ago.

3. What is your favorite month and why?

My favorite month would have to be either June or December. June because it is the month of my birthday and December because it is Christmas time.

4. What do you like about March?

So many book releases this month. :)

5. What March release are you most excited about?

The Forest Of Hands And Teeth By: Carrie Ryan, City Of Glass By: Cassandra Clare, and Something, Maybe By: Elizabeth Scott.

Interview with Deborah Lytton

Deborah Lytton's first novel just came out on March 19. JANE IN BLOOM is, pretty obviously, a coming-of-age story. It's also the first of the Class of 2k9 I'm featuring, but be aware there are many more in that group to come. So let's celebrate Deborah's success in getting published!

--

1. Your first book, JANE IN BLOOM, comes out this month. I watched Oscar interviews last night, so I have to steal one of their questions: what is your ratio of excited to terrified? Any other emotions in the mix?

More excited than terrified, I think. I can’t wait to take my little girls to the bookstore and show them my book on the shelf. And I have to admit, there is still a part of me that doesn’t quite believe this is happening. I’ve held the advance copy in my hands, so I know it’s real, but still…

2. Why do you think people will enjoy your novel?

I think a really good read is one that takes you on an emotional journey and leaves you satisfied at the end that the character you have traveled with has ended up in the right place. In this book, I take the reader through so many emotions, and I believe at the end, that Jane is right where she needs to be.

3. In your book, Jane's older sister dies of an eating disorder. What interested you about eating disorders? What kind of research did you do?

I focused on eating disorders because they are so prevalent in our society and the girls (and boys) afflicted are getting younger and younger. I wanted to address this subject for a middle grade audience. I researched the subject by reading first-hand accounts, books on eating disorders and consulted a pediatrician and pediatric nurse practitioner. But as the book is for a younger audience, I kept specific details to a minimum.

4. When did you begin to blossom? Were you an early bloomer or a wallflower?

I truly don’t think I blossomed until I became a mother. That’s when I finally came into my own. I think I was both an early bloomer and a wallflower. As a working child actress, I was mature because I was working on film sets with mostly adults and was expected to know my lines and hit my marks. But at the same time, I was shy with peers. So there is a part of me that is definitely a wallflower.

5. On your 2k9 page there's a recipe for Ethel's famous mac n' cheese. Your recipe calls for breadcrumbs, mustard, and paprika, which surprised me a little. Is the dish a little spicy? What are some of your favorite dishes?

This recipe is actually a variation on my dad’s “famous” mac n’ cheese. He’s been making it for years. It sounds spicier than it tastes—it’s really kid-friendly. I’m big on comfort foods. But my favorite dishes usually involve chocolate. And I love to bake cookies, cakes, cupcakes. If there’s sugar in it, I’m happy.



6. I like the JANE IN BLOOM cover. It's a bright color and the title treatment is easy to read. What did you think when you first saw it?

I’m glad you like it. I like it, too. Jeanine Henderson is the designer. When I first saw it, I was thrilled. I thought the cover completely captured the heart of the story, in color and in theme. It’s really perfect.

7. Do you plan to become a full-time author? What things do you like to do besides write?

My goal is to become a full-time author. It’s a dream come true to be on that path.

I love spending time with my daughters more than anything—we’re usually dancing and singing. My favorite hobby is photography. I’ve been shooting pictures since I was a little girl, and I really enjoy seeing the world through a camera lens. I also love reading and watching movies.

8. What is the most important thing you learned in school? Outside of school?

That is a hard question to answer because there are so many valuable things I learned in school. But the first thing that comes to mind is an incredible English teacher I had in middle school who taught me how to punctuate sentences with rules I use to this day. She was also the first teacher to introduce me to real literature. The most important thing I learned outside of school I learned on film sets—and this was the ability to be creative within a schedule, to deliver a performance. This translates to writing, as writers have so many deadlines to meet, and we have to deliver.

9. How do people react when you tell them you have a book coming out?

People are really excited to hear about the book. They want to know where they can buy it and what it’s about. They are really supportive.

10. With all the flower metaphors in your blurb and the rose on the cover, do you have a favorite kind of flower? Why?

I love daisies. When you look at a daisy, it smiles back at you. What could be better than that?

--

So what about ya'll? Are you wallflowers or bloomed? I think I'm a bloomed, but with a wallflower sort of personality.

And one very lucky person will get a signed copy, hot off the presses, of JANE IN BLOOM. You know the drill: follow the rules.

Mini-March Interview with Deltay

Deltay writes Lucid Conspiracy, whih has a gorgeous header. She also made me an awesome graphic for the event but I still need to post it.

1. When is your birthday?

In May. Taurus here.

2. When did you start your blog?

Lucid Conspiracy was started at the end of January, in 2009. (Fairly recent)

3. What's your favorite month and why?

My favourite month... hmm. I like most months, actually. Maybe July, because the weather's so beautiful and there's just this great timeless quality to summer.

4. What do you like about March?

March Break! A whole week off from school - definitely exciting.

5. What March book release are you most excited about?

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha S. Meminger, probably. Or The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan.

Shykia Bell's Advice to Aspiring Authors

Shykia Bell is the author of CAMILEON, a young adult fantasy novel. Before this she worked as a graphic designer. She is another MySpace friend. You can stop by her site and MySpace to find out more about her novel.

--

Advice to Aspiring Authors

Over the past several months I have received messages from aspiring authors seeking my advice as they embark on their journeys into the world of publishing. My schedule doesn't always allow me to respond to such inquiries at length, but I'd still like to help. Therefore, I am writing this blog to answer some of the questions I've been asked so far. I am by no means an expert in the publishing industry and I am still learning each day while attempting to make myself known. At times it's a daunting task since the road is a lonely one to travel, but I am determined to meet my goal.

Attention to detail is extremely important if you want your craft to be taken seriously. In the literary world, many authors have become entangled in situations that could have easily been avoided if they had taken the extra time to check their spelling and grammar. It's often the simplest words that get us into trouble--for example, using 'they're' when 'their' should have been utilized. It happens to the best of us--especially when we're really flowing with the creative rhythm of our tales. Another common mistake is using words out of context. As authors, our vocabulary is constantly expanding. It's the tool of our trade and we have to make sure it's in the best condition possible, so it's worth it to become best friends with the thesaurus and dictionary. Also, it's always good to have an extra pair of trusted eyes to help you proofread your work. You'd figure the more you look at your own work, the more likely you are to catch those sneaky errors. In fact, the contrary is true.

There's a common misconception that becoming an author will instantly earn you fame and fortune. On the contrary, it entails a lot of hard work with little financial gain--especially for those whom are self-published--at least in the beginning. However, if you truly love what you do, it will all be worth it. Setbacks will likely occur during your journey and it's understandable to become frustrated, upset and impatient. But it's crucial that you remain professional in your correspondence to the agents and literary representatives you come into contact with. People talk and word will likely spread to others in the publishing industry if you are rude or belligerent. Keep in mind, this is a business and rejection needn't be taken personally. Seeking an agent is in many ways like seeking a job--you submit your resume and if you're the right person for the position, they select you, if not, you move on to the next possible employer. If at some point you realize you're receiving nothing but unfavorable feedback, at some point you may need to reevaluate and rework your query letter, manuscript or both. However, there are cases where the author's work is fine, but the agent just isn't comfortable or enthused enough to offer representation.

I am most often asked how I got started. After a lengthy uphill battle submitting my query letters to various agents (all of whom rejected my novel) I decided to look into other options--in this case, self-publishing. I just want to emphasize the 'self' in self-publishing since the author does pretty much everything on their own--especially if they're working with a limited budget. The first thing I did after deciding to self-publish was copyright my work. It sounds a bit intimidating, but it can be done online through the U.S. Copyright Office website (http://www.copyright.gov) for a low fee of about $45. I consider it a worthy investment. The process takes several months, but it won't hinder you from proceeding with your self-publishing endeavors while the application is pending.

The best advice I can offer is to maintain your focus and harness your skills while learning as much as you possibly can. Before you decide to self-publish, really consider how much commitment it will take since you will most likely have to act as your own publicist, manager, secretary, agent, graphic designer (in some instances), etc. It's a demanding challenge that requires sacrifice--mainly money, time and sleep--as well as dedication. I believe the best thing for a new author to do is try their very best to find an agent before diving into the abyss of self-publishing. If you still decide to self-publish, make sure you thoroughly research the different companies that are out there. What may work for one author may not necessarily work for another--not to mention there are a lot of scam artists out there. When researching these companies, check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau and do an online search for independent reviews of the companies you're considering. Also, look at some of the titles they have already published and check their availability. Are their books only available through the self-publishing company, or are they also available through Barnes & Noble and/or Amazon? In addition, check how their books are priced. Even the most avid readers will not want to pay obscene amounts of money for books--especially in this tough economy.

Be sure to ask all your questions upfront and find out exactly what is--and is not--included in the price before signing with the company. This will be an optimal time to see how their customer service operates. If they are pushy from the get go, chances are they will be for the duration of the relationship. Most importantly, take time to really think about everything before making your decision. You've worked long and hard on your story, so give it the consideration it deserves since you'll be entrusting your work to someone other than yourself.

I still hold out hope in getting an agent to represent me--hopefully for my second book, which is currently underway. Try not to get discouraged. Some--if not most--authors work for years before they finally get their big break if ever. I've barely begun to make a dent, but I know if I keep trying, I'll get my big break too.

Here are a some resources you may find helpful:

http://www.copyright.gov
http://anotherealm.com/predetiors/pubagent.htm
http://www.poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/

--

As I know little about self-publishing, I found this guest blog interesting and hope ya'll did too. Shykia is offering a signed copy of CAMILEON, so be sure to follow the rules if you want to win.