YA Author Elana Johnson

BY BLOOD Blitz!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, there were so many B-words I could've put in that title. "By" and "Banghart" also start with B! So today is the BY BLOOD by Tracy E. Banghart Book Blitz!!

Doesn't that sound shiny? That's because it is!

Tracy is releasing her book today for the first time in paperback! I know how awesome of a moment that is, so I wanted to celebrate with her.

First, the amazing cover!

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About BY BLOOD: For 17-year-old Emma Wong, spending a summer in England should be a dream come true. Gorgeous scenery? Check. Lots of hot guys with accents? Yes, please.

Throw in an estranged mom, annoying new stepdad, and drooling baby half-brother, and it’s a disaster even her favorite cherry red leather jacket can’t fix. Even worse, there’s (hot) live-in research assistant Josh to contend with. The only thing more embarrassing than drunk-kissing him hours after they meet? Knowing he’ll be witness to her family’s dysfunction all. summer. long.

But when Emma meets a mysterious girl who happens to be a Druid, her vacation suddenly promises to be far more intriguing than she anticipated. Powerful rituals, new friends, an intoxicating sense of freedom...and Simon, the sexy foreign stranger she was hoping for. It’s all a perfect distraction from dirty diapers and awkward family dinners.

Trouble is, intriguing doesn’t often mean simple. And Emma is about to discover just how not simple her life really is.

I'm reading BY BLOOD right now, and I can tell it's going to be a page-turner. Susanne Winnacker (author of IMPOSTOR -- one of my favorite reads of 2013!) said this about BY BLOOD: “By Blood effortlessly transports you to the cobblestone streets and small pubs of Oxford, and Emma’s sassy voice pulls you right into the story with its hot British boys and touch of magic. A must read!”

So far, I agree with her. So if you haven't put BY BLOOD on your radar, do it today!

Tracy on Facebook
Tracy's blog
Tracy on Twitter

Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.

Tracy’s next novel, Moon Child, a companion to By Blood, will be available this August!

Tracy is running a giveaway with the Blitz! She's giving away a signed paperback of BY BLOOD and a whole slew of hardcover books (US only), and a signed paperback of BY BLOOD + a $50 Amazon gift card to an international winner! Enter in the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: THE SOUND OF LETTING GO by Stasia Ward Kehoe

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, I am so excited to be bringing you a fabulous cover from one of my Bacon sisters, Stasia Ward Kehoe!

Her second novel, THE SOUND OF LETTING GO, is coming out next winter (February 1, Goodreads says), and it is a must-read! Trust me, I know. I've read it!

About THE SOUND OF LETTING GO: For sixteen years, Daisy has been good. A good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. A good friend, even when her best friend makes her feel like a third wheel. When her parents announce they’re sending her brother to an institution—without consulting her—Daisy’s furious, and decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, slacks in school, and falls for bad-boy Dave.

But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How do you know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go?

And now for the gorgeous cover!

Stasia is celebrating the release of this cover with a giveaway! You could win a signed hardcover of her first book, AUDITION, or an ARC of THE SOUND OF LETTING GO! Not only that, but me and my Bacon Fabulousities are giving away swag packages! Enter in the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OH -- and there's only two more days in the Possession series scavenger hunt! Get caught up here (all direct links), and today's posts are:

You can ENTER today's CITY OF THE DAY here, and be sure to enter for a chance to win a daily swag package in the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of Stasia's cover?? Isn't it fabulous?!

On Quitting

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so I'm sure I've talked about quitting before. Probably something about how you shouldn't do it. You should stick with it. Work hard. All that jazz.

But today, I'm actually quitting. I'm quitting it all! Social media, blogging, and writing. I've taken a "break" before, sure. But today, I'm quitting.

Sometimes I just think a person's brain can get overloaded with All The Things, and it needs a break. If you don't give it one, it'll simply take one on it's own. And since I prefer to decide when I get to check out, I'm going to quit.

I might un-quit tomorrow, but I'm going to enjoy the freedom of quitting today.

There is still the ABANDON scavenger hunt going on! This week only. So be sure to check out today's stops.

And if you were gone last week, you can get to all the stops from last week here.

You can ENTER today's CITY OF THE DAY here, and be sure to enter for a chance to win a daily swag package in the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever quit something before? Did you un-quit later?

Scavenger Hunts, Bookanistas, and Giveaways, Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The ebook has been in the Top 100
for days!
Thank you, thank you!

Okay, so today is Bookanista Thursday, and selfishly, I'm spotlighting my own book. The outpouring of enthusiasm and support for ABANDON has been mind-blowing for me. I'm hoping it's the ending readers will appreciate -- even if they don't necessarily like it. Ha!

There are a WHOLE SLEW of places the win either ABANDON, or the entire trilogy. They are:

Right here at my own Possession series scavenger hunt (links for today below -- links for the whole hunt here)

Ali Cross (last day to enter is TODAY!)

Michelle McLean and Christine Fonseca

Regal Literary (my fabulous agency!)

Megan Spooner features ABANDON on Write Space

Goodreads ABANDON giveaway

Signed trilogy from The Bookanistas (last day to enter is TODAY!)

Today's Scavenger Hunt links:
Book Loving Mom
Book-A-Holic
The Book Monsters
Coffee, Books, and Me
Page Turners Blog
Swoony Boys Podcast

When you know the City of the Day, you can ENTER IT IN THIS FORM. You can enter daily, or keep track of all ten cities and enter them at the end.

And be sure to enter the daily swag prize package in the Rafflecopter below! I'm hoping to update it with a picture later today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out what the other Bookanistas are doing today!

Carolina Valdez Miller celebrates 17 & GONE by Nova Ren Suma

Carrie Harris awakens you to INSOMNIA by Jenn Johansson…with giveaway

Christine Fonseca praises THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

Corrine Jackson is wild for WHEN IT HAPPENS by Susane Colasanti

Debra Driza applauds FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

Katy Upperman is bewitched by NANTUCKET BLUE by Leila Howland

Lenore Appelhans swoons for STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood…with an annotated snippet

Stasia Ward Kehoe is wild for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky

Tracey Neithercott highlights WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller

Tracy Banghart raves over JUMP WHEN READY by David Pandolfe

Happy Summer Reading!

Thank You!!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, first, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who tweeted, Facebooked, emailed, or came to my launch party. And to everyone who actually bought ABANDON -- or any of my books!

THANK YOU.

I don't know how else to say it.

I was not excited for yesterday. In fact, I've been dreading it for a long time, and not for the reasons you might be thinking. But I'm going to save all that for another day, or maybe not at all. Sometimes truths are too hard, you know?

But thank you. Because of your enthusiasm, I was able to find the joy in publishing and releasing a book yesterday. I want to squish you all into a great big group hug.

---------

You can visit these blogs to find the City of the Day during the Possession series scavenger hunt!
Stacy Clafin, Author
The Bookish Babe
Jen Bigheart
Book Junkie
A Dream Within A Dream

When you know the City of the Day, you can ENTER IT IN THIS FORM. You can enter daily, or keep track of all ten cities and enter them at the end.

And be sure to enter the daily swag prize package in the Rafflecopter below! I'm hoping to update it with a picture later today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For full details of the scavenger hunt -- and to catch up on yesterday's hunt if you didn't get to it -- GO HERE.

There are a TON of contests going on right now to win my books! Tomorrow I'll be pointing you in all the places you should be celebrating!!

Release Day for ABANDON!!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I don't think this post could have too many exclamation points. It's exciting to have one book out. I distinctly remember releasing SURRENDER -- and now the time has come to finish the entire series!

It's such a cool thing to have done. And I'm so glad all of you have stuck around for the journey of these past few years!!

Remember you can get POSSESSION on your Kindle this week for only $3.99! At that price, you can gift them to anyone with an email address. Yay!

Also, today is the first day of the series Scavenger Hunt, so be sure to check out these blogs to find the City of the Day -- and enter to win!

Clean Teen Fiction
The Eater of Books
Candace's Book Blog
The Bookish Brunette
The Readiacs
What's Beyond Forks?

You can enter to win a Possession series swag pack in this Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When you know the City of the Day, you can ENTER IT HERE for a chance to win all my books + a $50 Amazon gift card.

Scavenger Hunt Details -- and An Amazing Deal on POSSESSION!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Ahhh! POSSESSION is only $3.99 for
your kindle! Get your copy today!

Okay, so if you haven't explored the blog in a while -- and who has? -- you should know that there's a ten-day scavenger hunt to celebrate the conclusion of the Possession series. It all kicks off tomorrow (tomorrow!) with the release of ABANDON, and runs until June 14.

Every day, there will be at least 5 blogs hosting Possession series things. Some have an exclusive interview with me. Some have an exclusive guest post. Some have exclusive excerpts from any of the five Possession series novels or short stories.

You don't want to miss any of it. (I am so excited to share this third and final book in the series with you!)

It's a scavenger hunt, so you'll be searching for the City of the Day. You can enter every day once you know the city, or keep track of them all and enter once at the end of the ten days. I'm giving away signed copies of the trilogy, digital downloads of the short stories, and a $50 Amazon gift card. And swag! I can't forget about the swag. There will be a daily prize package of swag too.

I'll be posting the day's blogs at the top of my blog every day, and you can always check the static Scavenger Hunt page to find everything you need to enter each day. I hope you'll join in the fun of hunting for the City of the Day or by helping to spread the word about the hunt.

Additionally, I'll be signing the entire series at The King's English tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 7 PM. If you're in the Salt Lake City area, I'd love to see you! You can find more details here.

Everyone Needs a Little LUMBERJACK in Their Lives...

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

No, really, you totally do! My good friend and long-time critique partner -- you know, that person who makes sure you aren't the worst author on the planet? -- Sara V. Olds has a new book out! MY LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK or How I Fell For the Wrong Guy(s) released yesterday!

About LUMBERJACK: Me, Mercedes Bennion? Working for the US Forest Service? I’ve never thought of myself as the outdoorsy, hard-working type. But one quick glance at those mouth-watering forest rangers and oh, baby, sign this seventeen-year-old up for a whole summer of fresh air, mountains and starry, starry nights!

Isn't the cover awesome?! I love the boots and the calm, green and purple vibe. When you read the book, though, don't expect calm! LUMBERJACK is a great romantic comedy that takes place at summer camp -- where one seventeen-year-old (boy-crazy) girl can get into a LOT of trouble!

I loved LUMBERJACK back when Sara was putting it through our group. I think we'd get it with just "Benz" at the top, signifying what it was. Be sure to get your copy; it's only $2.99!

You can find Sara at:

You can buy LUMBERJACK from:

The Bookanistas Relaunches!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Dude, that's right! The Bookanistas was founded in July 2010 by reader-writer-bloggers Lisa & Laura Roecker and yours truly, and some bookish friends including Kirsten Hubbard, Shannon Messenger and Scott Tracey. The notion was to share their love of books, celebrate the good in YA and MG literature and to encourage reading.

Since then, some amazing things happened. Two Bookanistas became NYT best-sellers: Beth Revis (Across the Universe) and Veronica Roth (Divergent). Many others published novels, had babies, moved into new homes, changed jobs, got married... Life. You get it. We've been in, out, and around the block a few times. I reviewed a book diligently every week for months. (I think I have over 80 Bookanista book reviews!)

Then I waned. Things got hectic. The group sort of disbanded, though we were still there. Thanks to an email from Jessica Love, the Bookanistas has been revitalized, rethought, and today we're relaunching our site with a BIG BOOKANISTA GIVEAWAY of signed copies of Bookanista publications, favorite books, and some fun swag.

Across our membership, we are sharing tips for reading and summer fun. You get to be part of it -- and you can win amazing Bookanista-authored books, swag packages, and ARCs!

I thought I'd share some of my most anticipated summer reads. See, today's the last day of school, and I'm looking forward to a June filled with pool-lounging and reading!

GOLDEN by Jessi Kirby: Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

***I love Jessi Kirby's contemporary novels. I've talked about MOONGLASS and IN HONOR also!

SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo: Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can't outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling's game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

***I'm so excited for this book! It's the sequel to SHADOW AND BONE, which I absolutely adored!

PANIC by Sharon M. Draper: Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.

But what if the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a star dancer? What then?

Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.

It’s a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.

***Oh my heck, isn't that the most gorgeous cover you've ever seen?! I mean, I might be biased toward butterflies, but *salivates*. I can't wait to read this one!

What's on your summer reading list?

Hopefully you'll follow the Bookanistas on our newly designed site (widget on the bottom right) to find some amazing reads! Join the fun, win some stuff, and help us ensure that READING IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner of the Bookanistas Summer Fun giveaway will receive signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…

IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson, plus ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS

LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger

BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart

POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson

TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)

BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris

AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe

THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)

MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza

LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans + swag

UNCONTROLLABLE and UNTRACEABLE by SR Johannes

And a second winner will get a box filled with Bookanista-beloved reads including:

DITCHED by Robin Mellom

JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta

TAKEN by Erin Bowman

CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare

MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama

SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor

WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON (signed by John Green!) by John Green and David Levithan

It's Beginning...

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

So ABANDON comes out in just one week! ONE WEEK. I'm not hyperventilating with this release. I'm not on the edge of my seat with all my fingernails bitten to the quick. In fact, I've been pretty zen (see what I did there?) about the whole thing.

Sure, I have to prepare a speech for the launch party (at The King's English -- everyone is invited!) next week, and I have no idea what to do/say. Yes, there is a scavenger hunt devoted to the series that runs for 10 days, and I've prepared over 60 posts for that.

But today, it begins. On twitter, I'm putting up #POSSESSIONcatchup and #SURRENDERcatchup reminders of what happened in the first two books so you can be ready for the release of ABANDON next week.

So come join the party! I'll be posting pictures, reveals, trailers, and everything you need to be ready for ABANDON -- all in 140 characters or less.

THE CROWN OF EMBERS by Rae Carson

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so today's is a total fangirl post. I absolutely adore Rae Carson's fantasy series. It began with THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS, which I picked up quite by accident. You can read another gushing post about it's awesomeness here.

So it's rare that I pick up sequels. I know, I'm lame like that. But a series has to be really good for me to go back in for a second time. But with this series, I had preordered by copy of THE CROWN OF EMBERS, because I loved the first book so much.

About THE CROWN OF EMBERS: Elisa is a hero.

She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.

Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.

To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trail of long-forgotten—and forbidden—clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom—despite everything—she is falling in love with.

If she's lucky, she will return from this journey. But there will be a cost.

This sequel does what a lot of sequels can't do: Stand on its own. I never once thought this book was a "bridge" between Book One and Book Three, a trap a lot of second books fall into.

Elisa is just as courageous in THE CROWN OF EMBERS as I was expecting her to be, but she's also troubled and vulnerable in a way I wasn't expecting. I liked it, and I liked who she allowed herself to be her true self with.

The romance in the book was so well-done that I texted my friend when I finished it with: "Have you finished The Crown of Embers yet? I'm DYING to talk to you about it!"

Along with a great plot and a fabulous romance, the writing is just so well-done. I love the style of fantasies, which is more traditional, more lyrical, and simply beautiful.

If you haven't read this series yet, you must! If you have, what did you think of THE CROWN OF EMBERS?

Check out what the other Bookanistas are recommending this week:
Stasia Ward Kehoe is mesmerized by GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers
Christine Fonseca adores DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson revels in ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sara Dessen
Katy Upperman is charmed by QUINTANA OF CHARYN by Melina Marchetta
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by TARNISH by Katherine Longshore
Lenore Appelhans loves THE ORIGINALS by Cat Patrick

Happy Release Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Dude, it's the book birthday of TRANSPARENT! I'm so excited for this book! Good thing I get to go to Natalie's launch party tonight.

About TRANSPARENT: Sixteen-year-old Fiona O'Connell is the world's first invisible girl, which makes her the ideal weapon for her crime-lord father. But now, she and her mother have escaped and are hiding out in a small town where they're determined to start a normal life.

Follow Natalie's blog -- and buy TRANSPARENT today!
Amazon • B&N • IndieBound • Book Depository

What book are you excited about?

The Essential Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so a week or so ago, I was fortunate enough to listen to a keynote address by Anne Perry. She's a big mystery author, which admittedly, I hadn't read. But she hails from Scotland, so if her delightful accent hadn't already won me over, the fact that she spoke on several things that hit close to my heart did.

1. The power of words. I believe in the power of words, especially those things we say and those we read. She talked about how the words we use can comfort someone in the middle of the night, when they reach for our story for comfort. I really liked that, because writing is more than the commercial aspect to me. It's about the power of words.

2. Finding that essential thing that provides you with inspiration. Well, she may not have said those words in that exact order, but that's what I got out of it. For Anne Perry, she said she loves light on water. That inspires her, shows her the beauty of the world.

I've long had this thing where I watch for and experience a "nature moment" every day. Something that reminds me that this world is big, and wonderful, and filled with glorious things I cannot even comprehend. Something that takes me beyond myself, and my worries and cares.

And as Anne Perry was speaking, I realized that I too have something that inspires me. Something that always makes me feel at peace, evokes in me a sense of wonder. And that's the moon. I've always loved looking at the moon and the stars, of staring into the night sky with a sense of its incomprehensible vastness.

So what's your essential thing? What's something that inspires you, that takes you beyond yourself, that brings you a sense of wonder and joy?

INSOMNIA by JR Johansson

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so today I'm talking about INSOMNIA by JR Johansson. I can never quite get that name right. Two N's? Two S's? I get it wrong every time! But one thing you can't get wrong is reading her book, INSOMNIA.

I'll admit right up front that I'm wimp. I've only just started exploring the YA thriller/horror genre, because it scares me. But I've really been enjoying the select novels I've read, INSOMNIA included. I liked it so much, I offered Jenn a blurb: “Cleverly written and dangerously dark, Insomnia will take you to the brink of insanity. A must-read for thriller and romance fans alike.”

Let's explore a little deeper... if you dare!

About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: INSOMNIA is about a teenage boy who spends every night stuck in the dreams of the last person he made eye contact with and it's killing him.

What’s the one thing you learned about publishing that you didn’t anticipate?
I didn’t anticipate how crazy the last couple of months before publication can be. There is so much behind-the-scenes stuff going on that you don’t know about until you’re in it. (So true!)

What else are you working on? Secrets? Inside scoops? Give us the juicy stuff!
I’m working on three new projects actually, trying to decide which one should be my next project. They’re all creepy. One is sci-fi, one is apocalyptic, and one is urban contemporary. I don’t know how I’m going to pick because I LOVE them all. Oh the woes of the writer. ;-) (Just write them all, Jenn!)

About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I never wanted to be a writer. (This answer is so rare! I swear I'm the only one who can say this, so yay for company!) I only started writing because I was going through a rough spot and scribbling notes on paper was therapeutic for me. Then the scribbles turned into a story and after that I couldn’t stop.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I loved writing and I wanted to continue to push myself to improve and get better. Trying to move toward publication was a great way to hone my skills.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to be a contestant on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
My ipad mini? Face wash pads? I fail at even wanting to be on Survivor. I like being clean way too much. (Yes, there is that...)

Tell us something about yourself we don’t know.
I have lived in Washington, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Ohio…and I LOVE to travel.

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
This may not be the popular answer…but definitely chocolate. (Boo! But I get it.) I have a killer sweet tooth.

You can find Jenn or INSOMNIA on twitter, her blog, Facebook, and Goodreads. You can buy INSOMNIA on Amazon, the Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite independent bookseller. You won't be sorry!!

My review of INSOMNIA: I really liked Parker. Does he do some creepy things? Sure, because oh my heck, can you imagine not sleeping? When he finds a way to sink into slumber, he's desperate for it, and he does some pretty insane things to make sure it happens. But I hurt for him so much that I really wanted Parker to be able to sleep!

This is a thriller, and as Parker begins to sleep, more creeptastic things begin to happen. I don't want to give anything away, so you should read the book. Jenn does a great job with the tension and pacing, and there's even the possibility of kissing, which you know I like. I literally read the book in a single day, felt connected to Parker, and wanted to solve all his problems for him.

That's how I know I've just read a great novel.

Jenn is running a pre-order INSOMNIA giveaway! If you pre-order the novel, you can enter to win a NookHD! So spend seven bucks and enter to win this amazing $250 prize! You really can't go wrong here, because no matter what, you'll be getting an amazing novel to read. So here's those pre-order links again:

Amazon

the Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

your favorite independent bookseller

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out what the other Bookanistas are talking about this week:

Introducing Author Services

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, I'm sort of a little terrified to do this. I've been doing most of it behind-the-scenes for years now, and I've decided to throw myself into the fray. I might come out bloody, but it might be worth it. Right? Um, right.

*gulp*

So I've decided to offer some services to authors. I have a new tab in my navigation bar, and basically, there are three things.

1. Writing a Killer Query Letter online workshop.
2. Query letter writing/editing services.
3. Blog tour/online publicity services.

In more detail, they are:
Writing a Killer Query Letter online workshop: This 7-week course will be offered once every quarter and is limited to 10 people per class. The cost is $250, and participants will have personal access to Elana (and each other) in a private forum where they will get exclusive instruction on how to write a query letter. Critiques are essential, and everyone will walk away with the personal confidence and professional product to begin querying literary agents.

See what participants of the class have to say:

The first workshop begins on June 2 and runs until July 20, 2013. If you're interested in signing up for the Query Letter Class, but need more information please fill out this form. There is a spot to ask questions, and Elana will be in touch with you to make sure all your concerns are answered.

Your spot is not secured until your payment is received, and Elana will send you an invoice through Paypal for payment. If you're ready to sign up, and don't need to use the form to ask questions, buy now!

The next query letter workshop will be from September 30 - November 16, 2013.

Query letter writing: Let Elana critique, rework, rewrite, or completely pen your query letter. They don't call her the Query Ninja for nothing!

Packages include:
A. Need a polish/fresh eyes/quick read with minor rewriting and advice? Email consultation only. $25

B. Need some extra work, rewording, reorganization, genre advice? 15-minute Skype consultation + email support as necessary. $60

C. Write my letter for me! Two 15-minute skype consultations (one prior to writing the query letter, one following the deliverance of the letter) + email support. $100

Query letter services are available according to Elana's schedule. Elana will read your query and evaluate the amount of work she thinks it needs if you're not sure between package A and B.

Please fill out this form to inquire about query letter services.

No work will be done (besides evaluation reading) until payment is received. After that, query letters will be turned around within 7 days. If you're ready to move ahead with query letter services, and don't need to use the form to ask Elana questions, you can buy now!

Blog tours: Elana has worked extensively with YA book bloggers over the past three years, setting up successful blog tours for a variety of authors. Let her schedule and manage your next tour! At this time, she is only accepting YA titles from traditionally published authors. Tours can be arranged for both already-released novels and upcoming releases.

Packages:
A. 4 week, 20 stop tour (five stops per week, Monday - Friday). $150

B. 3 week, 15 stop tour (five stops per week, Monday - Friday). $100

C. 4 week, 12 stop tour (three stops per week, Monday - Friday). $80

D. 3 week, 9 stop tour (three stops per week, Monday - Friday). $65

Each tour would include a mixture of dedicated reviews, excerpts, guest posts, top ten lists, interviews, and playlists. Themed tours are available.

Each tour would include an animated banner OR blog tour button from Biguy Photography (up to a $55 value), and the author will be provided with information every step of the way.

A PDF review copy of the novel is required, as well as a high resolution book cover and author bio picture. Elana likes to work 2-3 months in advance booking blog tours, so please plan accordingly. She will not start booking your tour until payment is made.

Other Options:
Book Blitz, 2-day intense "bombing" of social media with trailers, cover, book description, simple one-line Q&A, favorite lines from the book, and a $50 gift card giveaway. $125

Fill out this request form to get the process started.

So there you go! I'm excited to be venturing out from behind the scenes!

STUNG by Bethany Wiggins

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, today's recommendation is a killer. Literally. STUNG by Bethany Wiggins is a fantastic addition to the dystopian genre, and not only that, but it's a thriller!

I was so not expecting that, having only read the first chapter a very long time ago. I read STUNG last weekend at a dance competition, and I seriously had a difficult time tearing my attention from the page to watch my own daughter dance.

STUNG is that good.

About STUNG: Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered-her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right wrist-a black oval with five marks on either side-that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. And she's right. When the honeybee population collapsed, a worldwide pandemic occurred and the government tried to bio-engineer a cure. Only the solution was deadlier than the original problem-the vaccination turned people into ferocious, deadly beasts who were branded as a warning to un-vaccinated survivors. Key people needed to rebuild society are protected from disease and beasts inside a fortress-like wall. But Fiona has awakened branded, alone-and on the wrong side of the wall...

See, chills, right?

I liked the world-building in STUNG. The words and terms used didn't feel forced, and they weren't explained up-front, which I kind of liked. Fiona wakes up and knows nothing, and the readers get to experience and learn the world as she does. I thought that was well-done.

As I said, STUNG is a thriller. Well, maybe thriller isn't quite the right word, but in my world it is. I love the fast action of movies like Mission Impossible and Jason Bourne. And STUNG reads fast, with action and tension, much like those kinds of movies.

As if that weren't enough, there's also a tender romance in STUNG. As Fiona begins to remember swatches of her previous life, she remembers the people she used to know. One of her former neighbors is a boy named Bowen, who happens to be charged with guarding Fiona. I loved Bowen, and I enjoyed the development of their relationship interminged between all the fast-paced danger of the world they live in.

Find your next read from the Bookanistas!

SURRENDER Paperback Release!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I swear SURRENDER has been out for ten years. This past year feels really long, doesn't it? At the same time I can hardly believe that there's only three weeks of school left. It feels like it's gone so fast!

So yeah. Time is warped.

And the SURRENDER paperback is out today! Not only that, but the third and final book in the Possession series is out in under a month, so now would be a great time to read or re-read the books to be ready for that conclusion...

There are a coupe of giveaways on Goodreads to help you with this. Possession is here, and Surrender is embedded below. Go forth and enter!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Surrender

by Elana Johnson

Giveaway ends May 31, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

You can order the paperback from a retailer of your choice on my Simon & Schuster page.

My Dirty Little Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so I've been on the writing scene for a few years now. About six, to be exact. I've attended a number of conferences. Been critiqued and edited until I want to gouge out my eyes and invest heavily in Rogaine. I've read countless blogs on craft, and books on improving pacing, tension, self-editing. The list goes on and on.

One thing I've heard -- and even advocated! -- is reading your book out loud.

But... confession time. I've never done it. I hate (like loathe with the passion of a thousand suns) reading my own work out loud. I refuse to do it at signings and events, because it just sounds so lame in my own voice.

I won't do it.

Thus, I've never read one of my manuscripts out loud.

Until this past revision I was working on. And I didn't read it, but my Mac version of Word has a option that lets you select text and send it to iTunes as a spoken track.

I did that. I had Alex read my book to me. Here's what I learned:

1. It is so painfully slow, you'll still need to invest in Rogaine. But that's kind of the whole point. When you read, your brain fixes things. You skim over things. Forcing yourself to read out loud -- or to listen -- is hard. So slow. I think it took something like 12 hours to read the whole book (yes it is really long too). (And now you know why I've been absent for a while...)

2. Using iTunes is awesome, because I can sync it with my iPod and put it in my car. So wherever I go -- and I basically drive everyone everywhere -- I can be working.

3. I found things I would have never discovered. I was sitting at my computer, following along one day, reading ahead of Alex. Next thing I know, he says "staking down her face." I was like, "Wait. What? Staking? That can't be right, I just read that..."

And you know what? Alex was right. I had switched the T and the K, and I didn't even notice. Like I said, our tricksy brains fix things like that.

So overall, I think the experience was very valuable. I had whole sections of the book that were redone, so they were basically a first draft. Listening to them helped me find the too-long sentences, the repeated words, the typos.

So there you have it. I can proudly say that after six years, I have finally read a book out loud as an editing tool!

Have you done this? Either read your work out loud as you're editing, or had the computer read it to you? What was your experience like?

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so I think I might be the last person on the planet to read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. Part of that is my rebellious nature. I automatically buck against anything that "everyone seems to like" or that "everyone is doing."

Might be lame. I don't know.

The other part of this equation is that I often don't like books that everyone else does. Then I have to wonder why everyone likes this book that I really don't. Is it them? Is it me?

So I held off on reading THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. I just couldn't do it when everyone else did, mostly out of fear that once again, I'd be disappointed and left pondering why I couldn't like a book that seemingly everyone else on the planet does.

Thankfully, that didn't happen. I read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and I really liked it!

About THE FAULT IN OUR STARS: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

I think the thing I liked best was that while this is a tragedy, the main characters don't give up. It's a story that encompasses life--because those of us plodding along on this orb aren't giving up. We keep putting one foot (and in the case of Augustus, he only has one, which I thought was brilliant) in front of the other, and hoping.

I've read lots of reviews and such of this book, claiming I'd cry. Well, I didn't, but that just might be because I'm heartless (ha!). But I really did enjoy the journey Hazel and Augustus embark on together, and it reminded me that every day I live should be filled with hope no matter what circumstances I'm facing.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are raving about:
Katy Upperman ponders LOVE AND OTHER PERISHABLE ITEMS by Laura Buzo
Kimberly Sabatini wonders at WHEN YOU WERE HERE by Daisy Whitney
Tracy Banghart loves LACRIMOSA by Christine Fonseca
Corrine Jackson adores the ARCADIA BELL series by Jenn Bennett
Rebecca Behrens delves into CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein
Lenore Appelhans raves about THE RULES by Stacey Kade
Stasia Ward Kehoe wraps up National Poetry Month with THE POETRY TEACHER’S BOOK OF LISTS by Sylvia Vardell
Christine Fonseca celebrates UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi
Jessica Love hails THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith
Shannon Messenger discusses some recent reads

Am I a Work-in-Progress?

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so I'm in the throes of a major rewrite/revision. I think it's the biggest one I've ever done on one of my novels, both published and unpublished--and that's saying something, because I did massive amounts of editing on my published novels.

So I was looking back through some of my revision/rewriting posts, thinking I'd "see how it's done" and maybe re-post one of them for today.

As I did so, I realized something. I don't revise the same way I used to.

Imagine my shock! My mind was suddenly buzzing: What's changed? Am I better now? Or worse? Oh my heck, am *I* a work-in-progress?

I think we are. And I think it's a good thing. The more I've been thinking about it, the more I've been realizing that heck, yes, I better have changed how I'm doing things! I've learned so much from being professionally edited. I've learned from reading craft books, and regular novels, and being entrenched in the business of storytelling.

I actually think it would be sad if I revised a novel now the exact same way I did three years ago. I'm happy to say that yes! I am a work-in-progress, and I have grown and changed.

My revision process now is done on a much more holistic level. I used to separate my novel into thirds and work on paper. I suppose I might still do that, if the novel required it. But I find that I haven't printed a novel to revise it for a long time. I simply work on the computer.

Three years ago, I had no idea what set pieces were, and now I meticulously check my percentages to make sure my midpoint moment happens at the midpoint, and my act breaks are placed appropriately.

I've also found that I go much slower than I used to. I have specific projects I'm passionate about, and they deserve the time required to get them right (this is pretty ironic, considering that the most massive rewrite/revision I'm currently doing is on a time travel novel. Time... get it... the time travel novel deserves time... Okay, nevermind).

So tell me. Are you a work-in-progress?

Series Scavenger Hunt...

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so see that header up there? Yeah, my husband built that. He's awesome like that. I know it's a couple of months out, but get ready for the POSSESSION series scavenger hunt coming with the release of the third and final book on June 4: ABANDON.

It's 10 days of awesome. 1 fabulous map. Over 60 book blogs. You really don't want to miss it. Really, really.

Along with that, here are a couple of other things I have going on around the world:

Today, Monday, April 15: Alhambra Civic Center Library, 3 - 5 PM: I'll be speaking about publishing and writing as part of their National Library Week celebration.
Friday, May 9: Book signing, Provo Marriott in conjunction with the LDStorymakers Conference

ABANDON launch events:

Tuesday, June 4: The King's English, 7 PM
Thursday, June 13: Orem Barnes & Noble, 6 PM

Other fun stuff:

Tuesday, June 18: Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference -- I'm teaching about blogging.

Spiffy graphic right? Does it cycle through for you? What do you think?

A BLIND EYE Trailer!!

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so I'm always amazed by book trailers that are done well. I love the two-minute sketch of what movies and books are about. And Julie Daines has a great trailer I wanted to share with you today! It's for her novel A BLIND EYE, which came out earlier this year.

Buy on Amazon

Add on Goodreads

I mean, awesome, right? I can't wait to read A BLIND EYE!

What movie/book trailers have you seen recently that have you all jazzed to watch/read?

THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Dude, I've really been enjoying a lot of the books I've been reading these days. And you'd be surprised to learn that I've branched out beyond YA. I know! You thought it would never happen! Well. It has!

This week's recommendation is THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass. I bought this book a long time ago, and recently found the time to sit down and devour it.

First, a bit about THE SELECTION: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I really liked America as the main character. I thought the set-up for the society and how a person lives in a specific caste. I found that system fascinating, and would read more about that specifically. I rooted for America and Aspen... until I met Prince Maxon.

He's a great lead male character as well, full of fire and faults--which isn't always the case with our heroes. Since he doesn't narrate, we don't know everything about him, but we know he's not perfect. I liked that in a literary world where often our male MC's are perfection on the page.

I liked that there was more to this plot than just a romance. There's some dangerous things going on outside the castle that I was extremely interested in. I didn't get all my questions answered in THE SELECTION, so I'm excited to read THE ELITE.

If you liked WITHER, you'll like THE SELECTION. If you liked MATCHED, you'll like THE SELECTION. It has the same feel as both of them, while being able to be unique enough to be discussed on it's own merits.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are talking about this week:

Corrine Jackson is swept away by SUCH A RUSH
Christine Fonseca interviews THE LIES THATBIND authors Lisa & Laura Roecker
Stasia Ward Kehoe parties with the Academy of American Poets on POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY
Jessica Love is wowed by WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley
Tracy Banghart delves into THE HOST (book & movie) by Stephenie Meyer
Katy Upperman discusses Erica Lorraine Scheidt’s USES FOR BOYS

Favorite read this week?

Is It Worth It?

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, sometimes I wonder at things. Most recently, I've been wondering if this publishing thing is worth the time and effort I've previously put into it. Notice I didn't say writing. I do love to write, and often I have a side project that I pour my energy into that no one will ever see. I don't want anyone to see those things.

But sometimes I wonder if pursuing publishing is worth what I'm sacrificing. Sometimes I wonder if the emotional investment I'm depositing is too much. Sometimes I'm eating dinner with my family, but I'm thinking about publishing. I'm obsessing over publishing. What makes my day "good" or "bad" is dependent on what publishing news I've had--or haven't had.

I feel like I've achieved some level of balance between my real life and publishing in a physical sense. But in an emotional and mental sense, I fear I am still far too focused on publishing. And I'm wondering: Is it worth it?

What are your thoughts? Tips on achieving mental/emotional balance with this publishing roller coaster?

Make Your Scenes Work Harder

noreply@blogger.com (Elana Johnson) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Okay, so today I'm excited to welcome to the blog Don McNair. He's the author of EDITOR-PROOF YOUR WRITING: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Editors and Publishers Crave. I got a copy, and it's been a welcome addition to my arsenal of writing how-to books.

Don's here today to talk about making your scenes work harder, so let's let him take it away!

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Years ago, while my wife and I were dining with her parents, her father said something that changed my whole approach to writing.

Bill Hadley was an award-winning school superintendent, known throughout the teaching profession for his staff's high quality. On this occasion we were discussing education in general, and I asked him how he achieved that sterling quality.

He smiled. "Well, it's how I select my teachers. Most employers select a new staff member to fill a single job. Me? I make sure they have at least two talents I can use. The one I'm actually hiring them for, and at least one other I can use as a bonus."

I pressed him for details, and he gave the example of hiring an English teacher. Several applicants may be qualified to teach English, but one or more may have additional skills. So he hires the one who also likes to direct school plays, or oversee a school newspaper or yearbook.

Multiply hiring for this one position by the number of teaching slots on his staff, and one can easily see that the parts definitely add up to more than the whole.

I thought about that conversation many times since that evening, and realized his hiring technique could be used in many fields. It seemed to be a Universal Truth. One day, while I was writing a scene for a new novel, the power of his technique hit me. Why, scenes were just like those teachers! If writers made every scene do at least two things instead of one, they would have a more powerful manuscript. I applied that thinking to my writing, and saw it take on a new life.

Use Two Talents
I think using the technique will make you a better writer, too. All your scenes should provide the reader information. That's the first talent. The second talent should be to move the story along.

Readers need certain information so they can follow the story. Some fiction writers provide it, in part, by having two people discuss the information in an early scene. Often this takes place in the heroine's apartment (or its equivalent). Nothing else happens in the scene.

This approach is deadly. Readers sometimes feel they're forced to sit on a couch in this cramped apartment and listen as the heroine and her sidekick discuss these pertinent must-have facts, perhaps glancing at the readers occasionally to see if they are picking up what the author is putting down. A much better way to pass that information is to do it as something else is happening.

A good example is a first chapter I read not long ago about a Manhattan girl going to a Texas dude ranch. One option the author had was to sit me down on that apartment couch and feed me a scripted message about why she is going to that ranch. This author, however, found a better way. She took me with her to the airport.

The chapter opened with the three of us—myself, the heroine, and her sister—arriving at LaGuardia. We looked around, and I began enjoying the outing. I watched people hurry by, heard the throaty announcements of departing flights, felt air gush from the air conditioners as we walked under them—the author presented all that information in a way that let me experience the trip. At the scene's end I boarded that plane with the main character and we searched for our seats.

It occurred to me, while I was anticipating my free peanuts and staring out the window at the tarmac activity, that the author had tricked me. While I was enjoying myself in the terminal the main character and her sister discussed the reasons for the trip. Sitting there in that airplane waiting to take off, I knew all those reasons. But I hadn't been forced to sit in a smoky apartment to learn them. I swear I absorbed them by some form of osmosis while accompanying my two new friends.

You can—and should—take this same approach to your scene writing. Advance the story as you provide that information, and you'll take your reader on that fictional trip with you.

Hey, this is heady stuff!

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Wow, right? I mean, it makes sense, but actually putting it in action is a whole other matter. So let's raise a glass to making our scenes work harder, yeah? Who's with me??

Oh, and be sure to get your copy of EDITOR-PROOF YOUR WRITING. You won't regret it.

Don McNair, an editor and writer for more than forty years, has written six novels and four non-fiction books. His latest, titled “Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave (Quill Driver Books),” helps writers self-edit their work. Learn more at his website.