Look at these awesome anthologies!
All my friends are metalheads amazing writers, working hard and getting their stories published like the superstars they are!
There's been a lot of well-deserved successes in my circle of friends lately, so this post is me raising a glass to them and sharing some writers and anthologies you should be looking out for.
And if I've missed something, drop me a comment below with your exciting news.
K.C. and Rob are in the Fox Spirit "Piracy" anthology
Two of my friends and fellow Inkbots, K.C. and Rob, have stories in the upcoming 'Piracy' anthology by Fox Spirit. The accepted stories were announced here, and Fox Spirit owner Adele says "I’m really excited about this series and we have great stories taking piracy from a child’s mind, to the high seas and straight onto mind jacking. We have strange beasts and the penalty for stealing dreams."
It's part of the Fox Pockets series I mentioned yesterday, a series of reasonably priced pocket-sized books containing around a dozen short stories.
K.C.Shaw's story is "Skyway", starring two lady airship pirates in a fascinating steampunk universe. It's guaranteed to be awesome and I can't wait to read it.
Rob Haines' story is "Pieces of 2^3" swings more in the sci-fi direction, putting an exciting new spin on digital piracy.
It looks like there will be many more talented writers involved as well. I'm looking forward to buying this anthology!
Rob is being published in the "Tales of Eve" anthology
Rob Haines and K.C. are both insanely productive writers, putting my own workflow to shame. Have you seen all the books on K.C.'s site? They all sound amazing! Plus she's got a short story up on Daily Science Fiction.
I mentioned Rob's insanely productive, and here's the proof. The short-story writing pro has another upcoming short in the "Tales of Eve" anthology, also being published by Fox Spirit.
Editor Mhairi said Rob's story made her cry, so no doubt I'll be blubbing as well.
Take a look at that cover! It's gorgeous, isn't it?
John Dixon's TV Pilot is looking awesome
The TV Pilot for INTELLIGENCE, based on John's upcoming YA thriller PHOENIX ISLAND, is going well.
Go check out his blog, where there's all the latest casting news, photos from the set, and a very mysterious image.
Erika's ready for the end of the world
Erika Beebe is now officially a published author, with her short story coming out from J. Taylor Publishing later this year. J.Taylor create some fantastic covers and I'm sure this anthology will have a great one too -- I'll share the cover for One More Day, and a short summaries for her story, on May 13, 2013.
PRESS RELEASE: J. Taylor Publishing Signs Seven Authors To One More Day, A YA Anthology To Release December 2, 2013
Six authors to be featured with L.S. Murphy in Young Adult Anthology, One More Day, from J. Taylor Publishing.
J. Taylor Publishing will release One More Day, an anthology of seven short stories written for young adults, with a world’s end theme.
The anthology’s theme, centered around what would happen if ‘tomorrow’ didn’t happen, produced dozens of entries with seven stories selected. “We asked authors to think on a prompt, particularly what happens as characters feel the stop, feel the shift, as they realize, only they know how to make everything go back to normal,” says J. Taylor Publishing.
With a singular theme, one might expect all stories to be “the same”, but in One More Day, the challenge to create something completely unique was met by all authors. From contemporary to paranormal, fantasy to comedy and mixes of multiple genres, each of the seven stories represents the author’s interpretation and method of ensuring the world doesn’t end—somehow, someway.
About Erika Beebe
Inspired by her first grade teacher's belief in her imagination from the first story she ever wrote, Erika has been a storyteller ever since. A dreamer and an experiencer, she envisions the possibilities in life and writes to bring hope when sometimes the moment doesn’t always feel that way.
Working in the field of public relations and communications for more than ten years, she has always been involved with writing, editing, and engaging others in public speaking.
Her two young children help keep her creativity alive and the feeling of play in the forefront of her mind.
Books in the Post: January 2013
Because time isn't always on my side when it comes to reading books and writing reviews, here's a list of some of the awesome books I've bought or been sent recently. Despite one of my New Years Resolutions being to read more books from my to-read pile, I couldn't resist making a few purchases this month.
And be 'a few' I mean 'so many it's taken me half a month to write the post about them'.
Books
"Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print" by Renni Browne, Dave King. I was in a 'writing reference book' kind of mood. It shows.
"Write To Be Published" by Nicola Morgan. Recommended to me by the Hi-Arts Work in Progress scheme, and it had been on my to-read list for a while, so I finally bought it.
"The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers" by Betsy Lerner. I've been a long-time reader of Betsy's blog, so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
"Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life" by Lamott, Anne. Not so sure about this because I've heard it has some heavy spiritual and Christian leanings to its advice, and I'm not sure how I feel about bringing religion into a craft reference book, but we'll see how it goes.
"Requiem" ("Delirium Series, Book #3) by Lauren Oliver. Review copy supplied by the publisher. Looks great, but I need to read Pandemonium first.
"Pandemonium" ("Delirium Series, Book #2) by Lauren Oliver. Bought this so I can read Requiem, reviewed it here.
"Angels' Blood" by Nalini Singh. Recommended to me on the AbsoluteWrite forums.
"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. A present from Dave. I CAN FINALLY READ THIS. I'm so excited!
"A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin. Another present from Dave. I really want to read this serious, but I'm careful because they seem like a big time commitment.
Comics
"Batman: Hush", "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" and "Batman: A Death In The Family" A present from Dave. These are very popular Batman comics and I'm looking forward to them, since the Batman comics have some of the best writers in the industry.
"Death Note Vol 2" Another present from Dave. Death Note has some of my favourite manga artwork, it has a really nice realistic edge. "Megatokyo Vol 4" and "Watchmen" Dave was on an absolute present buying spree last month. He knows how to make a bookworm happy. :)
"Saga" by Fiona Staples, Brian K Vaughan. When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. I read this last month, and it's already one of the best comics I've read in a while.
On Kindle
"Teeth" by Hannah Moskowitz. I've had this one on pre-order for months, and it's finally out!
"Pushing the Limits" by Katie McGarry. I hadn't noticed this book because of the terrible Kindle edition cover, but the plot sounds really good.
"Life Of Pi" by Yann Martel. I have this in hardback already, but for 20p I thought I might as well pick up a Kindle copy.
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Bought this so I could join in with Crash Course Literature but I don't think I'm going to be able to get round to it anytime soon. :(
"The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson" by Emily Dickinson. Same as the above, a Crash Course book.
Jeez, I really got a lot of books last month. February definitely won't be as crazy.
Pantomime Release and Dissident TV Pilot!
Man, today was a crazy day for my writing friends. It was the US release of Pantomime by the lovely Laura Lam!
R.H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass – remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone – are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimeras is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.
Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star. But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.
Available on: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Waterstones
The official UK release is tomorrow (February 7th), but Amazon have been shipping out orders early which means I've been snuggling up to read it every night... when the dogs don't steal my armchair to have a read, that is.
And that's not the only awesome news happening on our writing front! My friend John Dixon's YA Thriller, Dissident PHOENIX ISLAND, comes out in 2014 and he's sold the pilot of Intelligence, a show based on it, to CBS! John's been working hard to get this far, and it's great to see it pay off for him. Go stop by his blog and say congratulations, because when Dissident hits the shelves it's gonna be huge.
Man, it's great to see good things happening to my writing friends. :) But now, it's time for me to settle down with a cuppa tea and read more of Pantomime.
Best Book of January!
Today, for their Road Trip Wednesday question for bloggers, YA Highway asked: What's the best book you've read this January?
Oooh, tough one when you look at everything I read last month...
I'm going to discount all the comics, which narrows it down to Pandemonium, Seraphina, and Teeth. Seraphina and Teeth are my clear favourites, but if I had to pick one... it'd be Seraphina.
It's just such a fun, refreshing YA fantasy, (whereas Teeth was a very dark read and quite ruthless with the emotions). My review should be up tomorrow!
Emma Maree Reviews Batman: Year One
Book: Batman: Year One by Frank Miller (Writer), David Mazzucchelli (Illustrator), Richmond Lewis (Colorist)
Genre: Fiction/Graphic Novel/Comic Book/Superhero
From master storyteller Frank Miller ("Batman: The Dark Knight Returns", "Sin City") comes the most incredible Batman story of all...and the inspiration for the worldwide smash-hit movie "Batman Begins!"
Lieutenant James Gordon takes up a new post in the crime-ridden and corrupt city of Gotham, while billionaire Bruce Wayne returns to the scene of his parents' deaths, intent on avenging their memory. Each faces trials and challenges of their own, only for their lives to become irrevocably and potentially tragically intertwined...
This all-new, deluxe edition features new introductions by Miller and Mazzuchelli, pencils, promotional and unseen art, script pages and much more.
When DC decided to modernise their characters, they ran into a problem with Batman: his dark origin story already fitted the direction they were trying to go. Instead of redoing his origin story, they decided to fill in the blanks with Year One.
Year One tells the story of Bruce Wayne stepping back into Gotham City, finally ready to avenge his parents. It's also the story of Gordon, not yet a commissioner, who takes a job in Gotham for the sake of his wife and learns just what it takes to be a cop in the world's most corrupt city. Lastly, it's the story of Selina, who realises she can escape her life as a Gotham prostitute for a much more fun career.
The included extras are some of the best I've ever seen. There's cover art from the printed single-volume comics and previous collections of Year One, scripts, a short autobiographical comic by David Mazzucchelli with examples of his older work, and some examples of the colouring differences between the original comic and the printed collections. I'm particularly fond of the last two extras: the autobiographical story is a short and fun read, and the colouring comparisons really showcase what a great change the new colours make to the story.
How Many Books Do You Read?
Today, for their Road Trip Wednesday question for bloggers, YA Highway asked: About how many books do you read in a year? Do you want to read more? Or, less?
This year, I set myself a Goodreads Reading Challenge to read 35 books. I've already passed that, despite a year that's been (sometimes) hectic and (always) busy.
Looking at the responses from my blog friends, though, this achievement feels a bit low. Next year, I'm raising the bar to 50 books! And according to my big 2013 to-do list, which I'll be posting soon, next year will be focussing on the for review pile, the personal to-read pile, comics, short stories and some non-fiction.
I can't believe this year is almost over. It's been a good one, all things considered and weighed up. I'm hoping 2013 goes just as well as this year, and I can't wait to see what surprises it brings.
Emma Maree Reviews: Anya’s Ghost
Book: Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
File Under: Graphic Novel/Comic/Fiction/Young Adult/Fantasy
Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part...
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.
Or so she thinks
Comic books are one of those mediums that exists on two separate plains: adult comics, and children's comics. Sometimes they overlap, but there's almost no real middle ground, no equivalent to the YA/teen fiction section of a bookstore. "Anya's Ghoost" is one of those few comics that aims itself directly at teens.
Anya, a Russian immigrant in America, is struggling to fit in: she's dark-haired and curvy when all the popular girls are skinny and blonde, she's only got one real friend, and she's had to spend years getting rid of her accent.
When Anya meets Emily, a ghost who's spent decades at the bottom of a well, a whole world of new possibilities open up. Emily can float around the classroom getting her the right answers for tests, she's someone to talk to at home other than Anya's annoying little brother, and she might even be able to help Anya get together with the cute boy in the class above. With Emily's help, Anya might actually be able to be one of the popular girls -- but at what cost?
"Anya's Ghost" is drawn in greyscale/blue and greyscale with a clear, simple style with smooth lines -- slightly reminiscent of "Scott Pilgrim". It also comes recommended by Neil Gaiman. It's a great, quick read with a lot of positive messages. I wish I had this comic while I was growing up.
Here's a preview of the first pages. I think it might be the US edition only that uses blue shading, my edition uses grey.
Hailing from the wet and windy Scottish Highlands, Emma is an avid reader and writer of YA novels. She works in IT and drinks too much tea.
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What I'm Chatting About
- EMaree: My Kindle battery is flat, so it's going to be a long flight. Saw @LR_Lam's Pantomime in Glasgow airport Waterstones, 23 in bestsellers! (12/05/2013 13:42:46)
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