I'm not bitter...a midlist author's thoughts about the BIG BOOK CONFERENCES

As we wrap up the frenzied and fabulous spring conference season, let me be the first to tell you that BEA and ALA are awesome. If you haven’t been, you should go. Invite yourself. Anyone can buy a pass to the exhibit halls and they're amazing. 

This year (and last), however, I made it to neither. As a midlist author, you don't get invited to much. While missing book events is a bummer, it can be depressing wandering  through convention centers beneath enormous posters celebrating John Green, Laini Taylor and Andrew Smith while you worry whether anyone will ever want you to sign anything.

Am I jealous? A little. But after decades in the biz, I've got perspective. So many books are being published so fast and the industry is in such a state of confusion that you can’t be bitter if your book isn't chosen as your imprint’s banner title. Writing, like acting, dancing, filmmaking, ice skating and baseball (look at farm teams, everybody) are tough, competitive and (for most) low-paying professions BUT...

That is because we've chosen to try to make a career doing something we LOVE, something LOTS of people are willing to work at for very little compensation. Let's not pretend we didn't see this going in. We get to be WRITERS; nobody ever promised us more than that. The amazing Nova Ren Suma writes compellingly about keeping perspective on writing on her blog while encouragement for fighting the good fight is given by Elizabeth Eulberg via Novel Novice.

So, I'm not griping. I'm facing facts and celebrating the choice I have made. How? By giving stuff away. Enter and celebrate with me! Who’s partying now, huh? Okay, okay, it’s still the BEA people but you get it!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Sound of Letting Go

by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Giveaway ends August 09, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

A Summer Giveaway...

Here are some truths about me:

• I am not Veronica Roth.
• I did not write the amazing Grasshopper Jungle nor the delightful Eleanor & Park.
• I did not get to go to Book Expo America this year, therefore...
• There was no giant flag featuring the cover of my latest book hanging from the ceiling of the Javits Center.

But I'm hanging in. I'm writing and teaching. I'm walking my dog. I invented a pretty amazing recipe for a sort of tiramisu/trifle thingy bathed in dark chocolate. And, despite not having been the toast of NYC...

I'M HOPING YOU MIGHT WANT TO WIN MY BOOK ANYWAY

(honestly, it's been getting great reviews and I think you may enjoy it)

I'm giving away 2 signed hardcover copies PLUS swag

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Sound of Letting Go

by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Giveaway ends August 09, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

It's Book Expo America Week

Sigh.  Last year, I was hopping around BEA with author and blogger friends.  This year, I've just returned from a Stages on Pages tour loop through Northern California and am gearing up for my kids to start summer vacation.  But next year I hope to be back in NYC for BEA. Meanwhile, if you're curious, here's this year's schedule.

And here are the books they'll be chatting up on the famed BUZZ PANEL for YA:

 Crewel by Gennifer Albin, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

 Skinny by Donna Cooner, Scholastic

 Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, Penguin Young Readers Group

 What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang, HarperCollins Children’s Book

 Skylark by Meagan Spooner, Lerner Publishing Group

Some very cool titles. Definitely expanding my tbr list!

HAPPY MONDAY

Sometimes it's hard to warm up to Mondays.  My solution?  Do a little redecorating here at the blog (see nice, new broken-out blog lists?), eat two pieces of chocolate-dipped marzipan before lunch, and spend a bit too much time perusing the Armchair BEA blog (recommended if you, like me, can't be in NYC for Book Expo America in person this week). 

After that, I was ready for a few hours of work.  Then, 2,000 words on the new ms.  You heard it! I'm in that first-romance-frenzy period where the words just pile onto the page and I can't get enough.  I'm in love with my main character and can't wait to discover how she works out all her angsty teen problems and gets to the end of the summer.  Structurally, I'm trying something new that's pretty interesting, too.

Also had a wonderful chat with my new editor today and, as a result, I've got a sense of the timetable for what comes next for AUDITION.  I am so excited to work on revising that book and so, not only am I racing through the new story but I have AUDITION revisions to look forward to--kind of an awesome summer plan (better than, say, a trip to Hawaii for us mole-people who really prefer the keyboard to the beach).

So, there's not much literary or marketing insight here.  Just a quick update on my day.  Wondering how you warm up to the start of the week.  And sending you good Monday karma before I crack open my book.