Top 5 Awesums!

In what could be a new and exciting feature here at the blog (read: probably won't ever show up again), I've decided to share my top 5 favorite things that have either happened, or I've loved in the past month. And as per usual, it happens in the form of me making a fool of myself on video...


Speaking of making a fool of myself on video, I'm doing a series of Q&A videos over on Random House's RANDOM BUZZERS site. So go check those out...IF YOU DARE!

And So, We Come to the End...

Back when I first got the deal for Velveteen, I reached out to an amazing group of authors for support, well, three groups, actually. One of them was the Class of 2k12. Tradition dictates that at the end of each Class's debut year there be a MASSIVE giveaway of ALL the authors' books. And so, we come to that end.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dang! That's a lot of books! Sign up now!

The YAmazing Race is CLOSED!!!

It’s that time again! So begins the YAmazing Race with MGnificent Prizes, a massive blog hop featuring over 50 debut authors, and prize packs that include books, gift certificates, swag, and more! If you haven’t yet been to the Apocalypsies website, please click here to start from the beginning and read the complete rules.

Now on to the race!

******************

"Dark, demented, and edgy, with just the right amount of humor and romance mixed in, Daniel Marks has written the afterlife like you've never seen it before."

-Richelle Mead, New York Times Bestselling Author of VAMPIRE ACADEMY

Dead at 16. Kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. Bound to an ashen purgatory. Velveteen Monroe has a job to do and a revolution to quash, which doesn't leave much time to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. But she'll make time.

All work and no play makes Velveteen a dull girl.

Unfortunately, her haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory, jeopardizing her very soul and that of an unreasonably hot and off-limits co-worker and, worse, may actually be aiding the Departurists in their nefarious revolution. Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules...or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

"Squicktastic! VELVETEEN has it all: a ghost hell-bent on revenge, a wickedly hot dead boy and an underworld revolution - I couldn't get enough!"

- Kimberly Derting, Author of THE BODY FINDER series

To order a copy of VELVETEEN now, click here for the deets!

************************

Got it? Good. 

There'll be a quiz at the end of the race (or four quizzes, as the case may be), so keep notes...or whatever. Because the prizes are, like Jem and the Holograms, Truly Outrageous. Pro-tip: you can always jump back here to find the answer, we're not mean...just evil.

But wait...

...there's more! In addition to the copy of Velveteen and swag you can win as part of the YAmazing Race, I'm doing something...Terrible. I'm going to vandalize a copy of Velveteen especially for one winner of my own private contest. Vandalism, you ask? Isn't that bad? (you may have read it is, but not on my walls)

 It could be anything, but I'll tell you I'm not above graffiti, stabbing, etc. It'll be amazing, certainly. Readable? I can't guarantee it. You'll just have to see for yourself. The contest is open INTERNATIONALLY. Because I'm crazy like that. Also...soon to be broke--why is it so expensive???

So enter below (there are lots of ways!) and then click on to the next author on the blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

******************

NOW!

It's time for you to move along to the next author in the race! I've got pumpkins to smash!

Next up: Nobody, since the race is OVER!!!

Personalized Books, Skeleton Keys and Changes

It's been a while since I've vlogged so I figured I better sine we're two days away from the release of Velveteen. In this episode, I tell you how to get your book personalized and signed, even if you can't make a West Coast event! Also, show off a cool giveaway necklace that's going to a lucky launch party attendee, and might become available later if people dig it and also some changes in the appearance schedule.

WATCH!!!

Cancellation!

This just in...

The educator reception at the Silverdale Barnes and Noble on the 19th has been cancelled. You know what that means...I get to go see SINISTER!!!

All About October!

It's no secret I love October. And this year, I have another reason to draw hearts around dates in the calendar. Velveteen comes out on the 9th, sure, and their are tons of events going on around here to celebrate, BUT there's so much more I'm looking forward to...


What are you looking forward to?

New Event with Leah Clifford!

A while back, I get a message from one, Leah Clifford, who'd be traveling the States doing the road trip thing (and hopefully not getting slaughtered). Well, as it turns out, she's staying with us on her way through Seattle, so I figured this could happen...

Right? Right? Who's comin'? Also, see that dinner thing? Yeah let's get a head count on that. We've talked to a few folks on Twitter, but we're open to more! Of course, we're not payin' for your food/drinks. We cheap like that!

Northwest Bookfest Sunday!

Whew. It's almost time. I've been working with Northwest Bookfest to coordinate an AWESOME YA Author line-up for Sunday's YA Carnival. And here's the rundown (with BONUS funny panel titles!):

Northwest YA Genre Profile #1:The Super-Complicated Coffee-Ordering Government Controlled Robot Guy (10:00 - 11:30 AM)

Neither shadowy governments nor snarky cyborgs can get along without a decent cup of coffee, as any local knows. Meet several YA authors who can’t stop talking about dystopian, apocalyptic and science fiction (except for when they’re doling out prizes). Discuss the mad science required to build worlds and destroy them!

Panelists: Marissa Burt, Kimberly Derting, Catherine Knuttson, Maureen McQuerry, and Marissa Meyer

Northwest YA Genre Profile #2: I Think I Am, I Know I Am Grungy Hipster Boy Next Door (11:30 - 1:00 PM)

Join Seattle-area young adult authors of contemporary and historical realism for an entertaining and enlightening discussion about the current state of realistic YA, what it takes to write and get published in this tricky market (and in the rain) and how “issue” books can be FUN (hint: there’s freebies)!

Panelists: Megan Bostic, J. Anderson Coats, Kristin Halbrook, Stasia Kehoe, and Helen Landalf

Northwest YA Genre Profile #3: Socks with Sandals Vampire 
(2:30 - 4:00 PM)

Not all vampires are handsome, aloof and sparkly, some could frankly use a bath and pass on the patchouli oil. In this fun and informative panel (but mostly fun), five paranormal YA authors discuss the wide variety of creatures that exist in their worlds, why readers can’t get enough weird into their diet and, yes, giveaway stuff.

Panelists: Kiki Hamilton, Gwen Hayes, Jackie Kessler, Phoebe Kitanidis, Daniel Marks, and Richelle Mead

***********************

All of the YA events will take place in the Kirkland Teen Union Building at Peter Kirk Park. Directly following each panel will be a short signing, but stay the afternoon, because following the paranormal panel, at 4:00 will be a larger scale signing with all the YA authors listed here and we'll sign the crap out of your books!

There'll be food vendors, lots of tents with stuff to see and plenty of authors that don't write YA so if you're a teen you can lure your parents into getting you there with that bit of bait! Check out the NW Bookfest website for more information!

Now, as for whether I'll have early copies of Velveteen, it's possible, I'm still waiting on a box from Random House, so I can't promise anything, but if it does arrive. I'll be doing some pretty awesome giveaways!

So come out and see us!!! Oh wait...did I mention...it's FREE!

Authors Are Rockstars!

I'm participating in a really cool blog hop tour with some awesome giveaways attached. If you haven't checked out the Authors are Rockstars tour, why not start with my entry. I'm talking all things Velveteen over at Citrus Reads, including serial killers, censorship and what's next!

Plus! I'm giving away a signed finished copy of Velveteen and the contest is open internationally!

Go! Now!

It's Question and Answer Period!

Over at the YA Rebels, we did a week of responding to folks questions. I ended up with so many that I had to split the responses into two videos. So here they are bundled up together for your convenience.

 



If you have other questions feel free to ask in the comment thread, I'll be more than happy to respond!

Velvet's Causing Trouble

Books, Shelves and Recs!

Also...ask me questions and I'll answer them in my next Sunday vlog!

Velveteen: The Deets

"Dark, demented, and edgy, 
with just the right amount of humor and romance mixed in. 

Daniel Marks has written the afterlife
like you've never seen it before."

--Richelle Mead, New York Times Bestselling Author of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem. The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

"Velveteen has it all: a ghost hell-bent on revenge, 

a wickedly hot dead boy and an underworld revolution

--I couldn't get enough!"

--Kimberly Derting, Author of THE BODY FINDER series and THE PLEDGE

Order NOW!!!

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Powell's 

iBookstore • Book Depository • Chapters/Indigo

For a personalized and signed copy order your copy of VELVETEEN through
 University Books 
Instructions: Leave a comment requesting personalization in the box on the order page! Allow extra time for this option!

What's UP???

Here's some things about what's going on with me and some books I snatched.

Fall YA and Adult Book Recommendations!

Here at Daniel Marks (and, yes, I realize it's weird to refer to myself as a corporate entity), we understand the difficulties readers face in finding new and intriguing reads. So we've put together these handy video tutorials featuring some HOT YA authors talking up their most anticipated fall reads.

First: This Sunday's YA Rebels spot:


And the follow up on our own Youtube channel:



AAAANNNNDDDD...I'm back. What are you looking forward to this Fall?

Velveteen Events and Blurbs!

90 days from today, Velveteen hits the shelves!!! Yeah. I'm pretty excited, which explains why I seem like a mental patient in this Youtube video.

Go ahead, check it out and feel free to leave your diagnosis in the comments.

 

So here's the rundown--I'll also leave this info in the sidebar.

July

7/21 PNWA Literary Conference, Seattle, WA

August

8/8-11 Authors After Dark, New Orleans

September

9/22 Northwest Bookfest, Kirkland, WA

October

10/9 Launch Party with Special Guest Gretchen McNeil, Garfield Books, Tacoma, WA
10/10 University Books (w/Gretchen McNeil), Seattle, WA
10/13 Teen Author Brunch (w/Gretchen McNeil), University Books, Mill Creek, WA
10/13 Powell's Books, Beaverton, OR 10/16 Centralia Timberland Library, Centralia, WA

November

11/1-3 Vegas Valley Book Festival, Las Vegas, NV

 MORE TO COME!!!

Goodreads Giveaway is Closed

With 2227 people entering to win an ARC of Velveteen, no less. I was stoked that so many of y'all wanted to get your hands on an early copy and have begun to beg the powers that be for another ARC to do some other kind of giveaway. Thanks, so much! And stay tuned for more videos and junk and some awesome author event announcements!

Introducing: The Insta-love Acceptance Continuum

OH YES, THIS IS HAPPENING... So what's your take on "insta-love" and where do you sit on the continuum?

YA Rebels: 5 Words I Hate

It's that time again! My Sunday YA Rebels vlog! This week I get a little introspective (aka not-so-funny). We're talking about 5 words we hate. Here's my take...

When Debut YA Authors Sing...

...oh lawd. What haz we dun?

Birthday Aftermath

Nine days of debauchery and I sort of remember them. Also...I have books to show for it. All and all a pretty great B-day! What do you think about book haul videos? Do you like them? Hate 'em? Let me know!

YA Rebels: Sunday Searches...

In my ongoing effort to make sense of why I even have a website rather than simply using my Youtube channel, I'm crossposting everything now (if I forget something, make sure to press the red button to activate my shock collar)!

Book Show Book Show No. 7?

It's hard to tell how many episodes of Book Show Book Show there have been (especially without counting them). Clearly I can't be bothered, so I just pulled a number out of my butt and 7 was it. This is my first BS. BS. with actual living breathing special guest stars! It's like the love boat, only with authors and no Charo...so, I apologize.


What would you like to see in upcoming episodes of Book Show Book Show?

Velveteen ARC Giveaways!!!

See that? Right over there in the sidebar? Yup. You can win a signed ARC of VELVETEEN! Go ahead and click on it. I don't mind.

Also, if you want to see and hear me jabbering on about the Goodreads giveaway and the winner of a previous contest, watch this handy filmstrip.

On Eating: A Memoir of the Craft

A bit of a departure from my normal thing, but my weight loss has been a major part of my life for over a year. Here's me talking about that.

Sunday Finally Shuts Up

So, as many of you know, as well as an Apocalypsie, Class of 2k12-er, League of Reluctant Adult co-founder, I'm a YA Rebel. I figured, since this blog is usually a little light on content, I'm going to start posting EVERYTHING I do here. Just for shits and giggles.

Here's my most recent Sunday video...



How's that?

The Lucky 7 Game!

Okay, so maybe NOT so lucky, but I was tagged to do this challenge by Lissa Price, author of the fantastic dystopian thriller, STARTERS, and I have complied. The rules of this tag are simple (and reiterated in the video), but for those of you who are impatient here's the kicker...

Open your most recent novel or work-in-progress.
Turn to page 7 or page 77.
Count 7 lines down.
Copy (or read aloud in a vlog post) the next 7 sentences...in their entirety. No cheating or editing!!!
Then tag 7 more authors!

It's like a chain letter...only no one's going to die or become ill or penniless if you don't do it--as far as I know. Could be wrong. Anyways...here's the video I did, with bonus Hunger Games/Battle Royale comparison, Cookie Talk and Mayhem!

 

So now. On with the TAGGERY!

Kimberly Derting
Caitlin Kittredge
Gretchen McNeil
Scott Tracey
Tiffany Trent
Rachel Vincent
Brenna Yovanoff

 Get on it y'all!

The eArcs Have Landed!

On Tuesday, I started getting word that advance readers copies of Velveteen were showing up on Edelweiss and Netgalley. This is a huge moment for an author, because it heralds open season on reviews of our books. It's exciting and frightening and humbling. By tonight, Velveteen had risen to the 18th most requested YA ARCs and the book already has a couple of reviews on Goodreads. I'm so happy people are excited for this book, I could just...well I'm just happy. If you're a blogger, vlogger or reviewer and want to get a chance to read an advance copy of Velveteen, just click on my favorite cover ever!
At this point, there printed ARCs are not being widely distributed to bloggers and such, but I'll definitely keep you updated as to when that happens!

Cover Reveal and ARC Contest!

Today is the day! Velveteen is a debutant and the internet is her grim little ball. But wait...don't go looking any further down this post to see her! There are three official cover reveals going on at three different blogs and each one is giving away a shiny new Advance Reader's Copy! That's three chances to win! PLUS! There's a chance to win this!

Yep. That's right. A paper bag with my ugly scrawl on it. What's inside. You won't know until we pick the winner. But that winner will be either delighted or mortified...I haven't decided. All you need to do is comment to win. There are different author photos and bios accompanying the cover. Just try to guess which one is the one that made the dust jacket! I dare you! Because the person that wins the ARC on the blog hosting the actual author photo wins the grab bag. Oh yes! So go! Now! A Good Addiction The ModPodge Bookshelf And Open to International: Novel Thoughts So excited to hear what y'all have to say about my dead girl!

Book Show Book Show - Giveaway Edition!

Oh yes. It's that time again. There'll be puppetry, puppies and a giveaway.

You know what to do...

Subscribe and comment on my Youtube channel to enter the contest!

FLAP LOVE!

So...I'm perusing Amazon the other day--like you do--when what do I find on the VELVETEEN pre-order page? The front flap description of the book!!!

Presented here without further chatter...

***************** 

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem. The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It'll be brutal . . . and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker. Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

***************** 

HOLY CRAPS!! Thoughts? Wanna preorder, yet? Added it to your Goodreads? VELVETEEN comes out on October 9th this year. And I'll be revealing an awesome cover peep show contest soon, including super secret grab bag prizes! Cannot. Wait.

Pre-order at Powell's Books, Amazon, or for pre-orders outside the U.S., The Book Depository.

How to Write Book: a Guide for the Insane

Okay. So the title is only a little tongue in cheek. This video is basically a run through of how I take an idea and turn it into a first draft. Any questions? How many ideas did you have during the video? Hmm?

Book Show Book Show: Best of 2011

It's that time again...or maybe it was that time a few weeks ago, but that's beside the point. What is the point? I've got a list! A list of my favorite reads of 2011. Like so... So, yeah. What were your favorite reads of last year? Do you agree with mine? Do you disagree? Can you bring me a plate of chocolate chip cookies, because, seriously, that would be amazing?

Velveteen Has a Release Date!!!

I got the okay to announce this just this morning! So needless to say, I've been busily chatting up every social network I could find. And making this FAKE cover image. I repeat FAKE!!!

So yeah! Go ahead and put VELVETEEN on your Halloween reading list!!!! OCTOBER 9TH, Y'ALL!!! And if you're so inclined--and burdened with the knowledge that preorders help a book gain momentum--feel free to go ahead and order your copy from Amazon. More booksellers will be on board later, but for now. Here's that link!

Book Show Book Show Ep. 5 - Contemporary YA

So my theme reading took me to new heights of literary genius this month. My first John Green book for one and it was amazeballs...but was it my favorite of my contemporary reads? Watch and see, bitches! What are some of your favorite YA contemps?