Fun Stuff Happening!!

Hello, writer friends! I've been thinking a lot lately of what direction I want to take this blog; fun things to spice it up, new adventures to embark on. After my mulling and marinating on what kinds of things I could do, I've landed on two:

1) A monthly pay-it-forward sort of post, where I help people with query letters or things like that. Weirdly, I love editing query letters. I know. Totally masochistic. Anyway, that one will occur on the first Friday of each month. Meaning the first one will be this Friday!

2) A monthly blog hop featuring something literary and something of a foodie nature. A delicious conglomeration of the literary and the luscious that I have dubbed the Taste of Magic blog hop. For instance, you could post an excerpt from your WIP and a recipe for a kickass martini. Or, a favorite poem and a chocolate mousse cake recipe that will knock my socks off. A combination of two of my favorite things! This one will be the third Friday of each month. To sign up, go here.

Are you in for the fun?? Just say YES!

The pay-it-forward will vary, so keep tuned on Twitter for that, though I think mostly I'll do query help. Taste of Magic has a page on my blog with a linky list for sign ups. I'm asking for email so I can send people a reminder a couple days before the date. Of course, if you're busy, no sweat.

So, who's in? And either way, whatcha been up to lately? TTFN!

Things You See At Dragon Con

 I just got back from Dragon Con in Atlanta. For those who don't know, it's basically like Comic Con but on a smaller scale - *only* about 70,000 people. I'd been meaning to go for years and never made it - until now! And let me tell you, it was EPIC. Mass geekdom descending on a city, swarming the streets, swelling the sidewalks. YES.


Some of the things I saw that would be totally random or weird, if it hadn't happened at Dragon Con:

• An R2D2/Dalek dance off
• Cosplay of every imaginable geeky/awesome thing
• Plus amazing cosplay mashups like Wolverine with bunny ears and carrot claws (for the Hugh Hefner bunny party, naturally), a cow patterned Deadpool, and a Princess Leia/Chewbacca Beauty and the Beast pair
• A late night panel about what steampunk cocktails to serve on your airship
• An Avengers Ball, and the Last Party on Alderaan, which is basically a giant rave with light sabers
• A bar menu with Pangalactic Gargleblasters (blue, just like in the movie)

Plus I got to attend a lot of awesome writing panels, and meet Chuck Wendig and other awesome authors, and see my original urban fantasy influence, Laurell K. Hamilton, and watch a talk by the charming Felicia Day. Plus, hang for a bit with writer friend Matt MacNish (a con reunion, we hung out at WFC in 2011).


It was amazing. Can't wait for next year.


Have you been? What's your fave con?

The Body Institute Release Day!

Today I am helping long-time writer friend Carol Riggs with her debut novel birthday bash!! Check it out.

 

Meet Morgan Dey, one of the top teen Reducers at The Body Institute. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl’s body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body—leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches… For one, Morgan won’t remember what happens in her “Loaner” body. Once she’s done, she won’t recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she’s been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it’s all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start… Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan’s mind. She’s feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti–Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she’ll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul…

Sounds fun, yes?

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

About Carol:

I'm a YA writer represented by Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary. My sci-fi novel THE BODY INSTITUTE explores the themes of society, identity, and body image. I live in the beautiful, green state of Oregon and have a Studio Arts degree; I'm an SCBWI member. You'll usually find me in my writing cave, surrounded by my dragon collection and the characters in my head. I also enjoy reading--mostly young adult novels--as well as drawing, painting, and quilting. I also attend writing conferences, walk with my husband, and enjoy music and dance of all kinds.

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

And of course, there's a giveaway!

Help me wish Carol a HUGE congrats!!