How Do You Tackle Research??

Eureka! I have discovered how to turn litter into catnip!

Call me a nerd, but I love doing research. I buy used research books by the cart full, rent and record applicable documentaries, email experts, and do my best to make sure I get things right. Depending on what you're writing, research can be tricky. Even if you're writing fantasy the basics have to be right. I think it goes towards your story's credibility and can only strengthen it.

Currently, I have a new novel due to my publisher in less than two months and I've been doing not stop research on everything from ancient culinary arts to decompression sickness (don't ask)!  Luckily, I went to some tough schools, so proper note taking was a must. I never thought it would help me now. I openly apologize to all the teachers I secretly glared at during class who I thought were purposely trying to give me carpal tunnel! THANK YOU!!!! ;)

So, how do you approach research? Any nerdy research secrets you'd like to share? Do you love it or loathe it?

The White Assassin Book Trailer is HERE!!

Without further ado, here is the official THE WHITE ASSASSIN Book Trailer, courtesy of Steven Spielberg! Okay, that's last part about Steven Spielberg is NOT true, but hey, it was sure fun to say! 

xoxo -- Hilary

Facebook Cat is a Known Liar!!

Now Facebook Cat has to fake his picture on yet
another network. He is not happy....

So, like everyone else (okay, almost everyone else) I was excited about Google+...for about five whole seconds. Is it a cool new tool? Sure. Is it a major pain in the neck to now have THREE different sites to look for your friends and reach out to your network? COMPLETELY! 

Last week, I quickly noticed a dramatic decrease of activity on my Facebook feed, though it has gone back up a lot in the last few days, which leads me to believe that others are as sick as I am of having to jump around. I'm sure they'll build a tool wherein you can be on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter all at once, and already there are a few tools that allow you to link your Facebook and Google+ accounts, but the ones I've come across (and yes, they work) have known security issues.

Hopefully, someone will buy out someone soon, and this post will become obsolete! I'm hoping for a hostile takeover! ;) So, I've just decided I'm not going to care anymore and post where I want to post, because in the grand scheme of life social networking is the last thing I want to be annoyed over. After all, isn't this stuff supposed to be fun??? 

xoxo -- Hilary

MEET TYPO CAT!

Typo Cat found a split infinitive in his latest novel.
He is noticeably upset.

I LOVE TYPOS! Okay, no, I don't love them at all, but I'm certainly guilty of them. Now that THE WHITE ASSASSIN will soon be making its merry way to the printer, I get very nervous about typos in the printed book.

I had one really obvious typo in the NIGHTSHADE CITY hardcover, wherein "food" was printed in the book when it should have been "foot." Yes, that one made me cringe, (especially when it was not in the galley) and was of course corrected in the paperback.

In all my years of reading books, I'd say over a third of the books I've read have had some sort of typo(s) in them, and it doesn't matter how big or small the publisher is, or if the author is a bestseller or a debut--they're there. I don't mind them at all and I actually like finding them. After all, we're only human and when a book goes from writer to editor, back to writer, back to editor, off to copy editor, back to editor and writer, off to printer, back to copy editor, back to editor, then off to readers, and back to editor, and then, FINALLY, off to printer...mistakes happen! Wow, I'm exhausted!

How do you feel about typos? Do you give a little smile and move on or do they make you annoyed?

Come to think of it, there is probably a typo in this post, but just ignore it--if you can! ;)

Angry Writer Monkey Wants Advice!

FEED ME YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

Okay, so maybe Angry Writer Monkey was just a ploy, but now that I have your attention, I have a lot going on these days, to the point where it can get overwhelming. It got me to thinking about what my agent told me about this time last year. Nightshade City was coming out in a few months, and of course, as a debut author, I was terrified about reviews, sales, and everything in between, to the point where I was getting a little nutty. To sum it up, she told me (nicely) to shut up about it and keep writing. She said the writing is what matters. If you don't have that...you've got nothing! She didn't actually tell me to shut up, but you get the point. Now with every step, with every new manuscript, hurtle, triumph, or even defeat, I go back to that. And as writers, this rule applies to everyone, no matter what stage of the publishing journey you are at.

So, what's the best writing advice you've gotten? It doesn't have to be something monumental, it can be a small tip that ended up changing the way you write or maybe something that was really encouraging to you. I think sharing advice (good and bad) is important. And with that in mind, feel free to share your words of wisdom! :)

xoxo -- Hilary

Back By Popular Demand...HOPE!

Like most writers, when I was searching for an agent, I devoured every agency's website, I googled until my fingers yelled at me, and I endlessly scoured the writing boards and forums for the skinny on agents until my head throbbed. Why? Because that's what we have to do in order to land an agent.

I still have subscriptions from the forums, which alert me via email when someone posts on certain agency's threads---the ones that I was waiting for feedback from. A while back, I received an alert from one of those threads, because a new post had come through. The poster, a writer of course, was down and out because she'd received a call from this agency a couple months back. The agent she spoke with was very excited about her writing and told her she'd hear back from her right after Bologna, which sadly she never did, even after sending a few gentle email nudges she's gotten no response. Even though this post has nothing to do with me, my heart sank when I read it, because I've certainly been in her shoes. When you want something so badly, the waiting turns from nagging to all consuming. Even with family, friends, jobs, it's hard to think about little else.

Well...I have hope.

Some of you know, Craig Virden, Nancy Gallt's husband was my original agent. He was a wonderful man and a powerhouse in the publishing industry and it was a great loss to everyone when he passed away last year. Well, Craig was the agent I desperately wanted. You know what I mean...THE agent--the one. He'd had my requested full for what seemed like forever and a day (or about 6 months), I'd sent a couple email nudges hoping for an update, but with no response. Then finally a letter from the Nancy Gallt Agency arrived at my home. I nervously opened it, my heart beating like a rabbit's. What did a find? A rejection from Craig. Mind you, the nicest, most personal, genuine rejection anyone could ever get, but a rejection all the same. So there it was. What did I do? I immediately starting writing. He told me to send him whatever I had "moldering" in my desk that he might like. So I picked up the pace on a manuscript I'd been working on, finishing it about a month after his rejection--right after the 2009 Bologna, where he happened to be.

That's when I got the call. It was Tuesday. Just after returning from Bologna, Craig called me out of the blue. He'd changed his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about NIGHTSHADE CITY and wanted to represent me. He said he didn't care about the market and that my book needed to be published. The rest you know.

So, please, to this writer and to everyone else who's struggling to get published, keep having hope, even if you're down to your last agent or have subbed your third manuscript with no bites--keep having hope. Strange and wonderful things happen every day. Trust in whatever it is that forces you to be a writer. There is a reason why you're here.

xoxo -- Hilary

Debut YA Author Medeia Sharif & BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER.

Do you know one of those people who's pretty much awesome at everything and makes you feel like a total heel? Well, if you don't know her already, here's one more to add to your list! Yes, you guessed it, I'm talking about debut YA Author, Medeia Sharif!

Medeia is not only a gorgeous debut author (ummm...did you see that hair and those eyes), but she holds a master's degree in psychology, she's a teacher, and get this folks, she's a member of Mensa! And yes, I feel even dumber now just writing this post! ;)

In any case, I'm so happy that Medeia's book has finally released. When you read the above, you might think with all her brains, her writing might be kind of stuffy, right--because she's such a smarty-pants? No way! Her debut novel, BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER. is anything but stuffy! What kind of stuffy person uses the word "bestest" and in the title no less?

Here's a little blurb from BRE to show you what I mean:

During Ramadan, we're not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset, for a whole month. My family does this every year, even though I've been to a mosque exactly twice in my fifteen years. My exercise-obsessed mom—whose hotness skipped a generation, sadly—says I could stand to lose a few. But is torture really an acceptable method? I think not.

Things wouldn't be so bad if I had a boyfriend, but my oppressive parents forbid me to date. This is just cruel and wrong. Especially since Peter, a cute and crushable artist, might be my soul mate. Figures my bestest friend Lisa likes him, too.

To top it off, there's a new Muslim girl in school who struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every boy's attention—including Peter's. How can I get him to notice me? And will I ever feel like a typical American girl?

Doesn't this book sound like a blast? Kirkus and Booklist say so!

"A humorous, hip look at the ups and downs of fasting for Ramadan within the context of intergenerational and cultural challenges."—KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Upbeat and breezy, this novel will be a useful addition to many YA collections seeking diversity with a light tone and a focus on family, friends, and faith."—BOOKLIST

Long story short, I think Medeia is awesome and I'm so thrilled her book is finally out! Please follow her blog if you don't already and of course...BUY HER BOOK, all the links you need are below!! 

BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER., Flux, 2011
ISBN: 0738723231 (ISBN13: 9780738723235)
Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, Indiebound, Borders, Books-A-Million, The Book Depository, Flux, Kobo

CONGRATS, MEDEIA!!

It's Here! THE WHITE ASSASSIN ARC!

Look what I got! See how the blue matches my house?
Omar Rayyan, the illustrator, seriously read my mind!

Did you ever have one of those 'feelings'? That 'I need to go do something right now even though it makes no sense' feelings? Well, I did at 11pm last Saturday. I turned off our alarm (everyone was already asleep), quietly opened our front door, and crept out into the dark and got the mail--something I'd normally never do because I'm far too lazy! So glad I did, because look what was inside! I had no idea it was on its way, so along with a ridiculously high cable bill, what a nice surprise to find in my mailbox!!!

My blog tour is coming up in September/October and thanks to everyone who has offered to participate! I'm so excited for this book. I worked so very hard on it. I think after the third rewrite I finally got it right! ;)

xoxo -- Hilary

MISERERE: An Autumn Tale, by Teresa Frohock out NOW!

Don't you love this cover! Amazing...

Happy Friday, everyone! 

Today, I have the great pleasure of telling you about author, Teresa Frohock's amazing debut fantasy novel, MISERERE: An Autumn Tale. A new release from Night Shade Books, a great independent publisher, who is racking up SF/F awards, and is known for their fantastic taste!

Here is the blurb:
Exiled exorcist Lucian Negru deserted his lover in Hell in exchange for saving his sister Catarina's soul, but Catarina doesn't want salvation. She wants Lucian to help her fulfill her dark covenant with the Fallen Angels by using his power to open the Hell Gates. Catarina intends to lead the Fallen's hordes out of Hell and into the parallel dimension of Woerld, Heaven's frontline of defense between Earth and Hell. When Lucian refuses to help his sister, she imprisons and cripples him, but Lucian learns that Rachael, the lover he betrayed and abandoned in Hell, is dying from a demonic possession. Determined to rescue Rachael from the demon he unleashed on her soul, Lucian flees his sister, but Catarina's wrath isn't so easy to escape!

And look her blurbed her book and loved it:
"Miserere is about redemption, and the triumph of our best impulses over our worst. It's also about swords, monsters, chases, ghosts, magic, [and] court intrigues. It's also really, really good." --Alex Bledsoe, author of Dark Jenny

Yeah, Alex Bledsoe! Pretty awesome!

Teresa has an author photo, but this is my favorite shot of her, so I'm using it! Ha! Teresa is just an all around awesome chick! She's a boot-wearing librarian, who likes her books, well, lets just say a little on the dark side! She's been a great friend to me, and always has a kind word for everyone! If you'd like to know more about Teresa and Miserere, you can follow her blog here! Her agent is the awesome Weronika Janczuk, who of course fell in love with the novel on first read!

My copy of Miserere is arriving on Wednesday and I can't wait to hold that puppy in my hot little hands!

Congrats, T!!!! We are all soooo happy for you!

xoxo -- Hilary

What is a Book's Purpose?

The dog gets away with it...really?

So, I've been thinking about books lately and their overall purpose. There have been several books I've read in the past few months, where I thought, this part could have been done better or I'd have done it this way (not that I could do it better), but then, I also think, even if I didn't love the book (or even like it), but it brought up emotion in me and made me think about things in some way (even a negative way), did the book do its job? There are certain books I did not love, but I still think about them. To me, so much of our like or dislike for a book is taste, rather than good versus bad writing.

Are there books you've read that maybe you didn't love, but you still think about? Every so often they pop into your head for no reason? Do you think a book's purpose is solely to entertain or to make us think? I suppose, in a perfect world it would be both.

xoxo -- Hilary

LENNY LEE FEST!

This is Lenny's sunshine from his blog, Lenny's World!
This little sun has become quite famous!

I'm spreading Lenny Lee sunshine today! Today is Lenny Lee Fest! Myself and a gang of other writer buddies are spreading the word about this fantastic kid! If you don't know him, I can tell you Lenny is about the sweetest kid you could ever meet AND he's an aspiring young writer! Every since he's read Nightshade City, he's been sending me emails and he and I have become good friends. He always tells me, "Rats Rule!" So, in honor of Lenny and our friendship and of course, LENNY LEE FEST, I have a special post for him today! Below is a scene from THE WHITE ASSASSIN! Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles AND there is a super secret special surprise in Book II only for Lenny, but he'll have to wait to see that!

If you'd like to know more about Lenny and why he's so special, please follow his blog here! There will also be lots of other Lenny Lee posts today, and if you Google "Lenny Lee Fest", you'll find them all, although you probably already know most of these great writers already! 

So, here it is kiddo! We love you, Lenny! 

 The Parchment, scene from THE WHITE ASSASSIN

"There he is," said Suttor, "over there."

            By now, all of the young Council members had wandered into breakfast and had been told of Juniper's secret.

            They watched in silence as Oberon took his plate of food and strode through Burnstock Hall, proud as a peacock, as if inviting everyone to look upon him.

            "He's as garish as that obnoxious red cloak," whispered Clover.

            "How did he ever get elected to the Council?" asked Oleander.

            "He's exceedingly bright," said Vincent, "that much I'll give him. He's brilliant with numbers and measurements and with Nightshade growing so big, Virden needed help and said Oberon was the rat for the job. The library, the city square, they were architected by Oberon."

            "He architected his election as well," added Victor. "By the time he was done gloating to the citizens about all his good works in Nightshade, you'd have thought he single-handedly built the place. Needless to say, he won by a landslide. He's as clever as a country cat."

            "Which makes him as dangerous as one," said Carn, "especially when he has everyone's trust."

            Picking up the parchment, Clover and Oleander had shown them, Vincent nudged his brother. "C'mon then."

            Oberon had chosen the center seat at the center table in Burnstock Hall. Surrounded by family's known throughout Nightshade, families who would re-elect him. He fawned and smooth talked all the while, constantly praising Cole's wife Lali, now Nightshade's head cook, calling her food a national treasure. Given his ever-growing waistline, Vincent was sure that was the only thing Oberon was honest about.

            The Nightshade brothers stood behind him for a moment, listening to his shameless flattery. "Oh, I do say, Lali's sausages are as good or better than anything I ever had when I lived in that Topsider's restaurant. I told you about that, didn't I? Why Lali's a master chef," and, "What? You say you've gained weight, Missus Nelson, why you're as fit as a fiddle--still turning heads as great-grandmother!"

            Vincent cringed, then leaning down, tapped Oberon on the shoulder with the scroll and grinned broadly.

            Looking up from his meal, Oberon gave a greasy smile. "Well, as I live and breathe, the famous Nightshade brothers, fighters for freedom and equality among all rats--the heroes of our time!"

            The others smiled admiringly at them. Vincent nodded, but quickly returned to business. "Oberon, there is something my brother and I need to talk you about." He tapped him again on the shoulder, this time making sure he saw the scroll. "A Council matter, if you please."

            Seeing the scroll, Oberon's eyes widened. He dropped his fork to his plate, biting his lower lip--clearly panicked. "Oh--I see..." he said uneasily. He noticed all his supporters staring at him. Quickly, his bravado returned. "A Council matter? Of course, I've always got time for that, young Nightshade." Trying not to look nervous, which only succeeded in making him look more nervous, Oberon awkwardly stood up, knocking the table with his belly in the process. "I'll be back momentarily. Duty calls, dear friends."

            Glaring at him, Vincent motioned over to the table where the other young Council members were seated. "This way, Councilman." Hesitantly, Oberon obeyed.

COVER REVEAL: THE WHITE ASSASSIN, Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles!

Here it is!!! Thanks to Omar Rayyan for doing
such a beautiful job once again!

I am in love, love, love with this cover!  I don't know how Omar does it! Gee, I wonder which one is the White Assassin? I cannot wait for October!!!

xoxo -- Hilary