Writer's Moment - Kate Garrabrant (KatieBabs)

Want to jumpstart your writing? KatieBabs has just the idea posted on her blog and November is the month to do it!

It's National November Writing Month and Katie calls it, "a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing."

The idea is simple: begin writing November 1 with a goal of writing a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Check out all the details, and what she was able to accomplish through this exercise, here.

CONTEST Book Reader Times giving away Karen Marie Moning 'Fever' 4-Book Series

The Book Reader Times is giving away Karen Marie Moning's hugely-popular 'Fever' series!

The giveaway is for all 4 books - Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever & Dreamfever - and is open to everyone! A winner will be chosen on November 18th, 2009.

Check out the contest guidelines and read a synopsis for each book here.

Writer's Moment - Toni McGee Causey

It's easy to get so swallowed up in the business of writing that an author neglects the skill and craft that produces a truly quality read. That's why Toni McGee Causey's solid, well-grounded advice in her blogpost '10 Things I've Learned' at Murderati.com strikes such a chord.



Since all 3 books in her well-reviewed 'Bobbie Faye' series (including Charmed and Dangerous, Girls Just Wanna Have Guns & When A Man Loves A Weapon) were released in paperback this past summer, Toni may just have an idea about how to succeed in the industry. I was very impressed with her observations and how she communicated them.

A few fundamental truths she noted about writing and creativity:

1. A strong writer isn’t afraid to toss out a good idea.
2. To enrich the full experience, you sometimes have to hold back a part of it for delayed gratification.
3. Use juxtaposition to frame the quality you care about.

Read the entire post here.

[Nalini Singh] BLAZE OF MEMORY / Book 7: Psy-Changelings

More Psy-Changeling magic is coming in 2 short weeks! That's because Blaze of Memory hits bookshelves on November 3rd.

If, like me, you've read every book in this amazing paranormal romance series (at least once!), then I know you're counting the days until this release.

Read an from Blaze of Memory excerpt here.

And be sure to check out Nalini's website for lots of extras - FAQ, deleted scenes, short stories, a character list and more.

Feels like Christmas is coming early - can't wait!

[Chloe Neill] FRIDAY NIGHT BITES / Book 2: Chicagoland Vampires

How much intrigue can a 27-year old grad student stand? A lot if you're talking about about newly-turned vampire Merit. Between her job as a Sentinel at her Vampire House, a grandfather who's the liaision between Chicago's city administration & the supernatural community, a magical best friend, and 2 very hot vampire love interests.

Friday Night Bites, the 2nd installment of the Chicagoland Vampire series, is a terrific follow-up to Chloe's debut novel, Some Girls Bite.

And there's lots of love for Friday Night Bites:

"Proving that her debut was no fluke, Neill continues to build a world where newly revealed vampires and humans have an uneasy truce. Exploring this world through feisty and funny newbie vampire Merit's eyes, she reveals a mix of the funny, the treacherous and the dangerous. This qualifies as first-rate fun!"
~ RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars)

"It's fun and fast-paced." ~ CS Magazine

"Ms. Neill has created an urban fantasy world that’s easily believed and a pleasure to visit. Friday Night Bites is wonderfully entertaining, and impossible to set down. There’s plenty of supernatural action to entice fans of the paranormal, while the suspense and romance open this series up to fans in a variety of other genres. I’d happily recommend the Chicagoland Vampires series as a delicious escape to get hooked on."
~ Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Check out an excerpt here.
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[Nancy Holzner] DEADTOWN / Book 1: Victory Vaughn

Deadtown, the first in a new urban fantasy series by Nancy Holzner, hits shelves December 29th.

Nancy's post-apocalyptic Boston is a vastly different world populated by werewolves, zombies, demons, assorted inhuman/undead inhabitants and 1 professional demon-slayer - Victory Vaughn. Enter a "ruthless force of destruction with a personal grudge against Vicky," and you've got a must-read story.

This is Nancy's 2nd book following, Peace, Love, and Murder, a mystery just released on August 31st.

Deadtown's already getting lots of pre-release love:

“DEADTOWN is full of dangerous magic and populated with characters so realistic, they almost jump off the page. I loved this book. Nancy Holzner is a master of characterization and I’ll be buying her next book the moment it hits the shelf.”
~Ilona Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of MAGIC STRIKES

“DEADTOWN is fresh and funny, with a great new take on zombies.”
~Karen Chance, New York Times bestselling author of DEATH’S MISTRESS

Check out the scoop here.

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Writer's Moment - Richard Nordquist

Who's ready for some writing tips that are simple, straightforward and based on the observations of some of the best writers in the business?

This is exactly what Richard Nordquist delivers in his October 5th blogpost at About.com. Here's a taste of what you'll learn:

"If I had to give young writers advice," playwright Lillian Hellman once observed, "I would say don't listen to writers talk about writing or themselves."

Advice is cheap, the saying goes, because supply always exceeds demand. And yet, as many professional authors will tell you, aspiring writers are often hungry for advice--eager to pick up an insider's tip that will open the door to the writing life.

So let's take the question seriously. What's the best advice on writing you were ever given? Not words of encouragement, necessarily, but sound, practical advice that you took to heart and that helped you become a better writer.

While you're mulling it over, consider how a number of others have responded to the question.

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  Write One Inch at a Time - The best advice I've ever come across for any kind of writing is from Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird. She says to write just one inch at a time. I love that! It's so easy to be overwhelmed by a big project, but if I only have to concentrate on one inch, well, that I can handle. Eventually those inches will be feet and yards and whatever it takes to make a book. This is true for research, too, which can be overwhelming.--Editor and children's book author Maureen Boyd Biro, quoted in The ABC's of Writing for Children, by Elizabeth Koehler Pentacoff (Quill Driver Books, 2002)

Read the entire post here: http://grammar.about.com/b/2009/10/05/the-best-writing-advice.htm
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[Meljean Brooks] DEMON FORGED & Motivational Posters

Meljean Brooks has many talents. Not only is she a fabulous writer - receiving rave reviews for her series, The Guardians - she's also incredibly funny and very handy with Photoshop.

Check out a couple of her own brand of "special" Motivational Posters at her blog. I'm feeling inspired already. *wink*

And while you're studying her amazing handiwork, be sure to look over Book 8 in the series, Demon Forged, released on October 6th and in stores now.

Check out the excerpt here.

Aw Meljean, we love it when you bring the funny!

WE'RE BACK!

Okay - vacation is officially over and one little sister has been married off!
Had a great time, but it's good to be back.

Hope you're all ready to kick back into gear with more posts about fantastic new authors, thrilling new books, fun literary events, awesome writing advice and more.

Here we go!