If You Want a Signed Copy of The Gray Wolf Throne

Since I posted my tour schedule, I’ve received several inquiries about how to obtain signed copies of The Gray Wolf Throne.

If you’re near any of my tour cities, I would love to see you in person! I’m willing to sign Nook covers, Kindles, etc, too. But if you’re unable to attend an event, it is still possible to obtain signed copies. You should be able to arrange to order a personalized signed copy from any of the bookstore venues on the tour as long as you contact them ahead of time. Bookstores often ask authors to sign stock, so there may be non-personalized signed copies available after the visit. Contact the bookstore to see.

The launch event is at my hometown bookstore, The Learned Owl, in Hudson, OH, on August 30, 2011. Visit their website for more information.  Information about the Owl is also posted on my website.

Signed copies of my books can always be ordered from the Owl. If you contact them prior to the release date for GWT, they will be happy to take your order for a signed GWT, or any of my other books. I will sign them at the launch event and they will get them out to you right away.

Ohio Writers!

I'm Teaching Writing Workshops

At Context Con

Fri-Sat, August 26-27^th, 2011

The Doubletree Hotel

Columbus, OH

Just a reminder that I’ll be teaching writing workshops and participating in signings and panels at Context Speculative Fiction Convention this year.

It IS a bargain--$45 (through August 15) to sign up for the Con and $25 per two-hour workshop.  And, who knows? I may have some early copies of The Gray Wolf Throne on hand.

Here’s the low-down:

Release Your Inner Teen:

Writing Fiction for the Young Adult Market
(Friday, August 26th, 8pm-10pm)
Everyone agrees -- young adult fiction is booming. Many writers of adult fiction are interested in exploring the opportunities in writing for teens. But teen readers are among the most demanding readers of all. In this hands-on session, a New York Times bestselling author of young adult fantasy discusses techniques for winning the teen reader.$25, 2 hours. 19 seats remain.

Engaging the Wary:

Winning and Keeping the Impatient Reader
(Saturday, August 27th, 3pm-5pm)
These days there is a lot of competition for readers' time from video games, movies, and television. This creates new demands for writers.  This session explores strategies for launching with a compelling opening and using voice, character, conflict, action, pacing, mystery and narrative tension to keep the reader turning the page. $25, 2 hours. 20 seats remain.

There are other workshops and panels available as well. Get all the info here

Register for the con here 

Hotel info is here. 

The Gray Wolf Throne Tour

It’s not all finalized, but I thought I would give you a preview of where I’ll be this fall as I travel the country for the launch of The Gray Wolf Throne, the third book in the Seven Realms series.

 Here’s a map of the tour to date. 

 
View The Gray Wolf Throne Tour in a larger map

It includes a launch at The Learned Owl, an indie bookstore in Hudson Ohio, a national tour beginning with an event September 19 at  Watermark Books in Wichita, KS, and some special events, including Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where I’ll be a guest author, the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego, where I’ll be a panelist,  Books by the Banks in Cincinnati, and the Buckeye Bookfair in Wooster, OH. Before it’s over, I’ll have visited nine states and hopefully met many of you!

You can find a list of all public events on my website here.

and I’ll be updating my Google map of the tour

as new information comes in.  

Why Snorkeling is Like Riding a Bike Down a Volcano

I’m fortunate enough to be in Maui on vacation. Two of the cool things I’ve done here are riding a bike down the Haneakala Volcano, and snorkeling along the northeast coast.

At first glance, it would seem that these two activities have absolutely nothing in common, not even altitude. And, yet, they are more alike than I ever imagined.

1.     They both require peculiar headgear

2.     They both result in mega bad hair days

3.     Both may involve getting wet

4.     Both may result in road rash.

5.     Both can be a little scary at times

6.     They’re both totally awesome

A Kirkus Star for The Gray Wolf Throne!

(Insert giddy dancing here)

In part, Kirkus said,

Chima navigates with graceful ease through multiple viewpoints and intricately realized settings united only by a subtle current of magic. Every character is both likable and flawed, written with such clear-eyed compassion that it impossible not to sympathize with all their competing goals.

Indispensible for those already committed to the series; those who aren’t should go back to the beginning and start. 

Look for it  in the July 15, 2011 Edition!

Or, read the full review here!

Finding Feedback

Young Writer Writes:

I write poetry and some stories, and I have been told a few of them are really good. Is there some place you recommend I send them to get a professional opinion? Someone you trust that won't claim them as their own? If you have any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Finding good feedback is one of the greatest challenges for all writers—but especially for young writers. First and foremost, I recommend that writers of all ages who would like to improve their craft seek out a local or online critique group before they ever send it out into the world. Take your work as far as you can on your own. That will allow you to make the most of professional feedback.

Feedback from a critique group is different from what you can get from your friends, your Mom, or the next door neighbor. The best critique comes from other writers who are as serious about craft as you are. It’s a reciprocal thing—you read their work, they read yours—everybody benefits.

You can find several previous posts on critique on my livejournal blog.

When you are ready for a professional opinion on your work, the biggest problem isn’t having your work ripped off. It’s the risk of being scammed. There are lots of so-called vanity presses, writing consultants, sketchy contests and bogus anthologies who are ready to take your money.  It’s difficult to make money with short stories and poems—especially as an unknown. But you shouldn’t be paying for the privilege of being published.

It may occur to you to send your work to your favorite author for evaluation. While many authors find ways to mentor others—  through blogs,  websites,  school visits, and workshops, most cannot take on the task of reading and evaluating your work.

One way to access professional feedback on your work for a nominal sum is through a writing workshop or conference. There may be workshops in your area through a community college, writing organization, or arts program. Often, writing conferences offer one-on-one consultations with an agent, writer, or editor for a fee. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a national organization whose affiliates often sponsor regional writing conferences. 

A legitimate writing contest can be a way to see how your work measures up against other submissions. But, again—beware! Some contests have high entrance fees or are fronts for vanity anthologies.

InkPop is a networking site for writers and readers sponsored by Harper-Collins which provides an opportunity to have your work evaluated by Harper-Collins editors.

TeenInk sponsors a number of contests for teen writers.

And here’s a site with a list of teen writing contests.

Another way to get feedback on your work is to submit it for publication. Be aware, however, that book and magazine editors are not in the business of mentoring writers. If your work is accepted by a legitimate publication, you will get lots of feedback! In other words, it will be edited. If it is rejected, it is usually through a form letter that doesn’t tell you what is wrong or how to fix it. Most writers—myself included—have a whole file folder full of those.

There are markets that specifically seek teen writers. Here are some links to get you started.

Teen Ink is an online and print magazine written exclusively by teens 13-17. 

This is a Google directory search for resources for young writers and a site that lists best websites for young writers. 

            Again, do your due diligence in checking out any of these opportunities, and  Good luck!