Guest Post: Jeffery Nicholas, My New Agency Bro.

Hey guys! I'd like to introduce you to my new agency brother, Jeffery Nicolas, here to say hey and tell you all a little about why he chose to sign with his new agent, the lovely, amazing, wonderful Sarah Negovetich, who also happens to be my agent. (You see why we're agency siblings?)

Please give him a hearty welcome, and if you feel inclined, he could use some blog-love, or at least some followers for his new blog. So once you're done reading his story, feel free to click on through.

Jeff:

First, thanks to Nichole for having me as guest on her blog. I just signed with the same agent, and as a newcomer to the agency, I appreciate the support. In fact, that’s what my blog post is about today.

My main goal in pursuing an agent for my book was probably the same as every other writer: sell my book to a publisher. There are benefits of signing with an agent beyond just the big book deal, however, that I realized almost immediately. Many relate to networking.

Signing with an agency opens the door to a host of literary types (agency staffers and other authors whom your agent represents are two who come quickly to mind). Use this network! I got a nice welcome from many of the people at my agent’s agency. If they offer to help (like Nichole did) accept it graciously! Your new network can provide:

-          Information on the publishing process. You may have already asked some of the people in your new network for references about your agent when you were in the pre-signing phase. Beyond that, they can provide input on what to expect during the next phase of your career because they’re going through it right now.

-           Support through the post-querying phase of your writing career. Writing can be solitary, especially when you’re querying. It can seem like you’re one blade of grass in a giant field, with no way of ever gaining notice. After signing with an agent, writing is, well, still a solitary process. However, it’s nice to know you’re on a team full of other literary types who want to see you succeed as much as you do. Just being part of a bigger group can make the Sisyphean task of publishing seem a little less daunting (or at least make the boulder a little lighter). If you ever need a kind word, there’d be no better place to look than the agent who saw something in your work, and the other writers at the agency who know just how you feel.

-          Help building your career. Okay, there isn’t an agency out there that will provide people to do the writing for you. But, many of them are willing to help with other aspects of your career, such as expanding your social media presence. Look for tweets, retweets, guest blog posts (like this one!) as ways to put your new agency support system to use. They can help build your social profile, even opening up some of their own network to you.

-          Your agent may also be able to provide you with help marketing. I’d guess many agents are strong marketers, particularly online. If you have no idea where to start, ask your agent. She can get you going with a few simple recommendations for marketing, such as: channels (websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook…you don’t have to be on all of them!), frequency, and content (Because, in the life of the internet, there have been a few rare, isolated, once-in-a-blue-moon instances of inappropriate social media posts that have landed the poster in some mildly hot water).

The above are just some of the added benefits of working with a literary agent. There are certainly more, including sniffing out those million-dollar book deal s for you. As far as putting your new agent-writer relationship to good use, be proactive. If you would like help, your agency is there for you, but you have to ask! It’s your career, and you own it—but you don’t have to go at it alone.

You can find out more about Jeffery Nicholas and his work on his website or follow him on Twitter @jnwrites. 

Fiction Writers are only Telling the Truth by Christy Dorrity (And a Contest!)

I don't often host guest posts, so when I do, you know I'm excited about the author or artist and their work. Ladies and Gents, please welcome author Christy Dorrity to my blog! (And stick around to the end, because everyone who comments will be entered to win a free copy of Christy's new book, Awakening!)

From Christy:

People ask authors all the time, where do you get your ideas? The answer is from everywhere. A spark of a new idea comes from something their three-year-old says while playing, from other books and movies, and sometimes from dreams.

For me, one of the most fertile grounds for creating fantastic worlds and far-off lands comes from what is already here. Have you ever seen an octopus that can change color and texture to blend into his surroundings? Did you know that there are people who truly believe that faery folk exist? Have you ever really thought about the fact that giant lizards used to rule the earth? Did you know that technology has produced a 3-D printer that prints ears, livers, and kidneys with living tissue?

The world around is so fascinating, that I don’t have to go far for ideas.

World mythology is one of those sources of potential for world-building and plot ideas. When I began researching Celtic mythology for AWAKENING, I was amazed at the rich culture and limitless idea-hatching possibilities. Mythology is filled with Hags who pronounce curses, men who turn into beasts in battle, and star-crossed lovers who are destined for heartache. You can’t ask for better material.

Take Cliona, the banshee in my book. When I did research on the legends surrounding banshees, I found very little. She is in spirit form, and often attaches to a certain family, warning them with her wail that a death is about to occur. Travelers are warned not to pick up a lost comb; the banshee who often combs her hair by a stream may have left it behind. Some have seen the banshee washing bloody clothing in the river. By some versions she is beautiful, by others, she is frightening.

In creating Cliona, I took what was already there and built on it—giving her motivations and a relatable backstory, while keeping true to original mythology. The elements are all there—the comb, the wail, the wraithlike figure, but the extrapolations are what give my story life.

The make-believe stories that come from an author’s brain are really just an extension of the fascinating facets of the world around us. It’s like Captain Hook says, “Lie? Me? Never. The truth is far too much fun.”

About the Book

. . . because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth.

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.


When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities. After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened.

When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy. A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.

Praise for Awakening

"AWAKENING is a wonder and a delight. Christy Dorrity is a talent to watch."
~David Farland, New York Times bestselling author of Nightingale


"I thoroughly enjoyed AWAKENING, a captivating and unique debut novel that creatively integrates Irish dance."
~ CHRIS NAISH, Riverdance member and Creative Director of Fusion Fighters Irish dancers.

About the Author

Christy Dorrity lives in the mountains with her husband, five children, and a cocker spaniel. She grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, and is the author of The Geis series for young adults, and The Book Blogger’s Cookbooks. Christy is a champion Irish dancer and when she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

Purchase Awakening by Christy Dorrity:

 

Cool, right? And because Christy is so awesome, she has agreed to give away a free e-copy of AWAKENING to one lucky reader. Simply comment below (make sure to leave me your contact information) and be automatically entered. Contest runs through midnight, CST, on Sunday September 29th. Winner will be notified by email.

Guest Post: Elana Johnson and The Making of a Character (also MORE giveaways!)

Ahhh! Still excited. Last night's launch party was amazing and exciting and I can't wait to tell you all about it. But today I have a special guest. Author Elana Johnson is here to talk about my favorite character in Surrender. Also, she's giving MORE stuff away. (And it's not too late to enter to win one of the awesome prizes from the Never Surrender giveaway.)

The Making of a Character: Gunner Jameson

A guest post by Elana Johnson

Okay, so SURRENDER is one day old today, and usually you’re still in the hospital with your new babies. But not me. I did have my launch party last night, but I’m here today to talk about one of the MC’s in the novel, Gunner Jameson.

I wanted to take a couple of tour spots to introduce readers to the characters, because SURRENDER is not a traditional sequel to POSSESSION. It’s more of a companion, where the storyworld is the same, but the narrating characters are different. (You can find out all about Raine Hightower on Shannon’s blog today. Go check it out!)

So Gunner Jameson. Let’s start with his name. It is a requirement of mine that my MC has a name that can be shortened. I adore nicknames, and I’ve been trying to use the name “Gunn” for a while now. I actually started a different book with this name, and when it died, I took the name and transplanted it into this novel.

And it worked perfectly. Gunn is reluctant recruit for the Insiders, the underground rebel group in the Association’s capital city of Freedom. He’s never known his father, and he has no siblings, so it’s just been him and his mom for as long as he can remember. He doesn’t need to move into a student flat, and while he doesn’t really agree with the controlling government, he’s more than happy to fly under the radar.

Because the alternatives have always meant separation from his mom. But when he finds a hidden microchip with Director Hightower summoning him to Rise One, Gunn gets in touch with Raine, and joins the Insiders.

Gunner has voice talent—remind you of anyone? (Did you say Jag? You should have.) His voice is the reason he’s been summoned to Rise One. He doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it’s to say something important. He’s got that whole, strong silent thing going on. He’s fiercely loyal to his family and friends, and he’ll do whatever it takes to fight for what he believes in.

I wanted Gunner to be sort of like this skater-dude, except with a hoverboard, of course. I wanted him to be cool and confident on the outside, even when he was freaking out inside. Writing Gunn was harder than I thought, mostly because he’s a guy and I’m not. I liked writing his chapters, but I wasn’t sure if he was coming off too sensitive or too emotional.

You’ll have to tell me when you read the book! You can read the first two chapters of SURRENDER for free on my Facebook page.

And it’s giveaway time! You can win one of five SPECTACULAR SECOND books this week! It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.All you have to do is fill out this rafflecopter widget with what you’ve done, and you can win a signed copy of either INSURGENT (by Veronia Roth), A MILLION SUNS (by Beth Revis), CROSSED (by Ally Condie), PERCEPTION (by Kim Harrington), and IN HONOR (by Jessi Kirby)—all spectacular second novels by some of today’s hottest YA authors.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Also today for one day only, you can enter to win a swag package of exclusive character art—including Gunner Jameson—and stickers and bookmarks. No rafflecopter widget necessary – just leave a comment!