I went to the LDStorymakers' writing conference last week and, man, but it was a good one! Dave Wolverton/Farland was the keynote speaker with Nephele Tempest and Laura Rennert as visiting agents and Krista Marino as the visiting editor. Also on the roster were . . . well . . . me:) and Dan Wells, Jessica Day George, Jeff Savage, James Dashner, and Bree DeSpain, among several others. I really had a blast visiting with old friends and meeting readers. I taught a class on writing fantasy for the YA market and really had a blast with that. I also headed a bootcamp table and since I very rarely critique manuscripts these days, it was actually quite fun! Took me back to my college days! All in all, I had a really great time and got to say hi to a lot of blog readers. (Sadly, often all I got to do was say a brief hi as there were about a zillion people there! If I didn't get to sit and visit with you, I'm really sorry! Jewel and Jessie, I'm looking at you!:))
So, Spells is releasing in four days. Do I look nervous? I should! I'm feeling nervous! Spells is really special to me because I really learned a lot about the craft part of writing between finishing up edits on Wings and beginning edits on Spells and I hope that it shows. On top of that, the success of a debut has so much to do with your publisher's marketing, but sequels have more to do with word of mouth. And word of mouth scares me!:D But regardless, Tuesday is coming quickly and I am excited to be touring this year and getting the opportunity to meet readers! I've had several readers message/email/tweet me to let me know that they will be attending one of my stops. Thank you! I worry about showing up to these cities I've never even visited and having practically no one there. *koffkoff* It may have happened pretty much exactly like that at one particular city last year. *koffkoff* So thanks for letting me know there will at least be a few friendly faces at each stop I'm going to! You guys' support means the world to me!
I think I have mentioned this before, but now that the events are set, I am so happy to announce that I will be participating on Harper Canada's Supernatural Summer this year as well as the US one! (I love group tours so I was beyond thrilled to get the invitation!) I will be touring with the lovely Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange and Darklight) and Kim Harrison (More books than I will ever write in my life including Once Dead, Twice Shy and Early to Death, Early to Rise.) We will be appearing at three events around Toronto and I even have a nifty graphic to go with it!
This is a publicity image, so if any of you Canadians want to grab it and post it elsewhere, please feel free!
HarperTeen has launched my microsite and I actually really love even the name of it. Castyourspells.com Isn't that awesome!!! And the site itself is gorgeous too! What can I say, Harper spoils me! That's why we're getting married.:D There will be more content added to the site as it rolls in (a quiz, some Q&A, a booktrailer) but one of the things they already have up is a fan video trailer contest that I am really excited about!!! You can go check out the details, but basically, they have a kit with everything you need (music, excerpts, etc.) and you can make your own video for Spells and win books and have your video highlighted on Harperteen.com! I LOVE fan videos, so I am really excited to see what you all come up with! So if you are video-graphically inclined, check it out!
If you aren't going to be in one of the cities that I am touring to, you can still come ask me your burning questions at a chat tonight with the Open Book Society! I am chatting at 5:00 PST (8:00 EST) here. Feel free to stop by!
And, last but not least, if you live around Dayton, Cincinnati, or Chicago, come seeeee meeee!!!!!!!:D Details here.
Phew! And I think that about covers it!!!:D
Ciao!
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29 comments:
I can't wait for Spells! I read Wings sooo long ago, and I'm itching to get back to its world :)
I'm definitely going to try to go the Toronto event, it would be awesome to meet you all!
I was at StoryMakers, and I loved your workshop on writing for the market. My husband is an entrepreneur, and 11 years of marriage have beaten the "artiste" out of me. I want to write stories that I like, but I also want to SELL them and MAKE MONEY. So your workshop was a great validation for me. I especially loved how you said it wasn't "selling out," it was "buying in" to your long-term career. Fantastic advice, and I wish you great success with Spells.
I love Wings and I can't wait for Spells! We're planning on going to the Cincinatti event, and I'm super excited!
Woo! I'm in Dayton!!!!
I love that the UK got Spells before the US! MUAAAHHHHAAAA!
Read Spells twice since Wednesday, and re-read all my favorite parts today....I think I'll read it from front to back before I go to bed TONIGHT.
I'm totally making a kick butt video for you! It is going to rock your socks off!
Harper needs to send you abroad, Seriously....
Gah! With only four days to go you have to be biting your nails to the quick. I know I would be.
It sounds like you had a blast at the conference (hopefully the others will go as well with maybe a breather or twelve thrown in so you can keep your sanity.)
I'm sure you have nothing to worry about with your tour stops. There are plenty of friendly faces looking forward to Spells. Don't fear the word of mouth when said word is great ;-)
Four Days, YAY! I'll be coming to The Kings English event!
Hello Aprilynne! Just wanted to let you know that we have our own blog. It's a book club. This month we are doing Wings. You should check it out. http://aceandeliz.blogspot.com
Just stumbled across your blog and Spells sounds amazing. -puts on her to-buy list- Just had to pop in, congratulate you and say I can't wait for the book to come out.
So excited for your second book and too bad you weren't headed more west on your Canadian tour.
good luck with everything.
I went to your workshop at LDS storymakers. You're very talented at public speaking. I got some good notes from you as well. Now, to read your books. Totally looks like something I'll enjoy.
I'm glad you had so much fun and success with your class at Storymakers. Wish I could have been there, but I was speaking at the AF conference just up the street. ;-) 4 days for SPELLS to come out - how exciting and nerve wracking! I'm sure it'll do great. So many exciting things coming up!
Hey, I got mentioned on a NY Times Bestseller's Blog! Aren't I special. Nah...it was great to see you at the Storymakers Conference. It was a blast and I learned a ton. Even got a couple requests for chapters. Your class was awesome btw. Good luck on your tour.
Don't worry honey, there's more word of mouth out there for your fantastic books than you know about! Spells is going to do just as good as Wings if not better!
I just bought Spells at Costco in West Valley! 3 days early, so happy. :)
Awesome! A Canadian tour!!! I will try my best to get to the Burlington or Yorkdale event! I'm a big fan of Lesley Livingston as well... and had the privilege of meeting her last month at a local Chapters event. Loved your book Wings, Aprilynne... and can't wait for Spells tomorrow!
Aprilynne Pike are you LDS? I love Wings and I can't wait for Spells!
You already know from Twitter that I will be there at the Dayton one. I will have to go out and buy the book tomorrow and read as much as I can before you come :)
And see? Candyland up above is in Dayton too so you'll at least have three people there (though I'm certain there will be PLENTY more).
I just found out I can come up to Atlanta, GA to your book signing! I bet all 9 hours that I'm driving up there, I'll be bouncing in my seat. I love your book, Mrs. Pike. It's dear to me because as a little girl I grew up at the edge of the forest(I still live at the edge of the forest) and I'm able to relate to Laurel and her love for the woods. I love the feel of dirt between my toes or the swirls of water from a stream. I grew up believing in faeries and magic. I'm so excited that I'll get to meet you and Spells comes out tomorrow!!! That means it'll be at the library(where I work) tomorrow and my doorstep(I pre-ordered it)! I'm really happy I picked "Wings" up off of the shelving cart and decided to read it, it's world and characters are splendid. I smile each time I remember that I'll get to meet you. ^_^
hi sweet girl. today is the day! it is soooo exciting to follow you and see how you are succeeding. i am so proud of you. talk later. love you! dad
I just bought Spells! :D
Can't wait to read it! :)
Hi Aprilynne! It was great to meet you at the LDS Storymakers conference. I'm reading Spells as we speak...
I will be at the event in Atlanta, GA!!! I am uber excited!!!
Loved wings and just finished spells, which was even better! Though I have to say, leaving us with a cliff hanger like that? dick move. Now you just have to write faster to make up for it :p
AHHHHH!!!!! I finished spells today. It made me want to scream at the end. WHEN DOES THE NEXT ONE COME OUT???
Just finished Spells :) It was great! But the ending... you are a tease ;p
(Seriousli, It was good. I can't wait for the next book (: )
argh I have to wait until my b-day to read spells (may 14 argh!!!!)
Spells was amazing I just finished reading it like an hour ago. And as much I loved the book,I must say that the ending was toturous lol ,but in a good way since the toture will be having to wait for the next book to come out
And I wish your tour came somewhere closer to where I live but if you every do decide to come to connecticut in the future just know you have fans here =]
Yeah? Well, now would be a good time to catch up...a lot, considering it's been almost half a month since your last post. Why is it that suddenly, you blog so little?
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