ITSB Contest Findings - and Winner!

Hi, guys,

The contest for the advanced reader copy of INTO THE STILL BLUE is now closed. I’ve ready every entry, and I want to thank you for sharing your lives with me. You’ve made me tear up and laugh. More than anything, you have made me so proud to be Team Human!

Here’s what you reminded me of:

You love your families and friends. You play Uno with your kids, and sew amazing dinosaur sweaters for them, and take the time to record their lives in pictures and scrap books. You love them unconditionally. You try to make your parents proud by doing well in school, and you listen—really listen—to your grandmothers. You love your husbands. You shout your love for your roommates to the world. You drop everything to help a friend who needs you. You are sounding boards and shoulders to cry on.

Kindness matters to you. You cheer up coworkers and even strangers. You shovel your sidewalk and then kindly do the same for your elderly neighbors. You open doors and help people who slip on ice back to their feet. You adopt pets from shelters, and tip your waitresses big.

Education is important! You’ve aced tests, sacrificed to go back to school, stay in school, pay for school. You’ve graduated with honors, or just managed to get a diploma while raising kids and holding down a day job.

Your own health and well being is a priority. You’ve run 10ks, and dropped lbs. You’ve won archery competitions (Perry says great job!) and worked at eating well. You quit smoking!

You are citizens of the world. You work in soup kitchens, collect coats and cans, and donate to charities that help people who need it.

You are artists and writers! You’re NaNo winners. Draft completers. Musicians. Painters. Playwrights. Creativity is important to you.

You are brave. You face your fear of spiders (which I TOTALLY get.) When your safety is threatened at home, even if it takes you five years to do it, you leave. You put yourself out there, when it wasn't easy. You know when to stick with the tough stuff when it would be so much easier to quit.

YOU ARE AMAZING.

Again, thank you!

WINNER: Our winner, who was selected randomly from almost 700 entries, is Molly Jane Karp. Congrats, Molly!

INTO THE STILL BLUE Giveaway

Hi, everyone!

I was just thinking I haven't done a giveaway for an INTO THE STILL BLUE ARC yet, and I happen to have one sitting right here that's searching for a new home. Which means it's time for a contest!

Last year we did this for copies of THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, and you guys blew me away. I ended up asking my publisher for more copies, so we could have more winners, and I'd love to do that again. So enter, enter, enter!

To do so, just fill in the blank:

The last thing I did that I'm proud of is ______ .

Like last year, your answer doesn't have to be flashy. It can be anything. Picking up a pencil for someone. Studying for a test. Whatever! Your answers won't have a bearing on who wins. What I want is for you to have an excuse to pat yourself on the back--and I want to hear all the reasons why you're amazing--because you are.

Enter on twitter by using the hashtag #ITSBcontest OR post in the comments below, OR on the Facebook page. 

Enter until end of day, December 15th. (Doing this quickly, because I'd like to send you the book by end of year!) I'll announce a winner on December 16th. (At which time I'll contact you for your email address, so no need to include it now.)

And, yes, this offer is open internationally because I love you all, regardless of where you live, goshdarnit.

Okay! I'll start us off:

The last thing I did that I'm proud of is… oh, gosh, this is tougher than I thought. Okay. The last thing I did that I'm proud of is create a funny family video for my cousin who was going into brain surgery the next day. I think it made her laugh. (And she's fine now!)

Your turn! And hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

BROOKE Teaser

I warned you guys. This is a very smoochy novella.

Pull up a chair, and let's chat!

Hey guys!

I’ll be live-chatting with the girls from Epic Reads tomorrow (Thursday 11/14) at 3:45 EST!

There will be prizes. There will be laughter. There might even be an appearance by a hedgehog! Hope you can make it! And don't forget to RSVP here.

Also, I wanted to share this bit of loveliness. So excited, you guys. INTO THE STILL BLUE cometh! 

Nook Deal for TTEN, YALLfest

NOOK Deal - Own a NOOK and want to read THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT? Today only, it's priced at $1.99. I think that's about as low as that price will get, so jump on it!

Goodreads Reader's Choice Awards - Super happy to share that THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT has made it into the semi-final rounds! Thanks so much for your support and your votes!

Finally YALLfest Awesomeness - I can't begin to tell you how amazing this weekend in Charleston, South Carolina was. 50 Young Adult and Middle Grade authors, and THOUSANDS of fans, in one of the most charming cities I've even been to. If you're considering going next year, DO IT.

Here are some photos from the weekend. More photos will be posted soon on the YALLfest website.

Thoughts on BROOKE

Hey, everyone.

I'm excited to share this with you - the first of several quotes leading up to the publication (in ebook format!) of the novella, BROOKE on November 26th. I've said it before, but I really can't wait for you to discover a new side of this character. I knew she had depth, dimension, and humor all along, but after spending a few weeks in Brooke's mind, I now absolutely love this brave, flawed, fierce girl.

I try to stay in a bubble as much as I can with respect to fan reactions to characters. Not because I don't care. It's rather the opposite. I tend to care too much. I would love to write characters that you all find witty, and honorable, and smart, and just generally fabulous. But, of course, I have to listen to my instincts when I write. Which means writing real.... the good and the gritty.

That said, I have seen some hints that BROOKE might not be a fan first choice for a side story. She hasn't always displayed great maturity or selflessness, but I hope you'll still give her a chance. I think it goes without saying... we all have moments where we're not at our best. Are those the moments that define who we are? Or is something else? How we move forward in the face of our hardships and stumbles?

Hmm... These things I wonder. And might have written about in a novella that will soon be released :)

Hope you're all well.

Here's the quote!

xo,

V

ARCs of ITSB, YALLfest

ARCs of INTO THE STILL BLUE - I signed 200 ARCs for NY Comic Con, so there's your chance to get an advanced copy. I want to thank those of you who have read it for 1) reading it, and 2) keeping spoilers off the internet. Really hope you guys love this one. I think it's my favorite of the three.

YALLfest - I will be in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday, November 9th for YALLfest with a bevy of amazing authors. Come say hi! More info here.

Writing Update - At the moment, I'm working on two manuscripts - the New Adult I mentioned here, and a fantasy series that's bigger and scarier and more epic than anything I've ever undertaken. That one's still under wraps, but hopefully not for much longer. It's a thrill for me to think about sharing different types of writing with you guys. I hope you'll love these new stories as much as the UTNS series.

Speaking of the UTNS Series, have you see that BROOKE is available for preorder? This novella was surprisingly satisfying to write. I already knew Brooke had a lot more to her character than readers had seen, but after drafting this short story, I'm half-tempted to write a spin off series about her... Or maybe some fan-fiction?

Fun little fact about this novella: I based it loosely on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You'll have to let me know if you pick up on it!

Finally, I noted some thoughts on inspiration for writers over at the YAMuses blog. Check 'em out!

Book News!

Break open the bubbly! A new book! A new book!

So happy to share with you guys that a good friend and I are writing a New Adult Contemporary Romance together. For those of you who don’t know what NA is, it’s like YA but a little edgier/sexier, and centered on characters who are college-aged. The book will fall under a pseudonym, as we’re coauthoring and as it’s in a different genre. The official announcement went out today (see below.) SUPER excited for you guys to read it. It’s been a blast to write!

I’m still writing YA as myself. I hope to have news of the YA fantasy series I’m working on soon as well.

The announcement:

Lorin Oberweger and Veronica Rossi writing as Noelle August’s BOOMERANG, pitched as THE HANGOVER meets THE INTERNSHIP, set in an online dating service that aims to be Match.com for millennials on the rebound, to Tessa Woodward at William Morrow, in a three book deal, in a pre-empt, for publication in 2014, by Adams Literary on behalf of Wildcard Storymakers (World English).

Awesomeness in the Form of Music from Poland

This morning I woke up to the coolest news. My publisher in Poland, OTWARTE, commissioned a song for the publication of THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT on August 28th.

The name of the band is A Shade of Gray, and I basically want to hop on a plane and take a very, very long flight so that I can meet the band members and force hugs upon them. Guys, if you are reading this, you did an incredible job with the song!

Here's the Polish version of the video, with lyrics.

Here's the English version, with lyrics.

And here is a link to the band singing the song (for some reason I can't get the video up like the previous two!)

I'm amazed, flattered and so grateful.

Thank you OTWARTE, Paul Gmyterko, and A Shade of Gray!

Into The Still Blue Cover!

Hey guys! I'm on vacation in Wyoming, the most gorgeous place on earth, so this will be brief. Here's the cover to book three, in case you missed the reveal on ew.com last week. Beautiful, don't you think?

More soon. Hope you're all having off to a great summer!

- V

STAR CURSED Blog Tour!

Welcome to the STAR CURSED blog tour! 

I fell in love with Jess's book BORN WICKED, long before I fell in love with Jess herself. It's such a pleasure to help introduce the work of such a talented writer, and genuinely fantastic person. So let's get started!

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to BORN WICKED, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

As part of the blog tour, each day Jess is revealing an annotated snippet from STAR CURSED. 

If you add up the page number from each stop during the tour, you can enter to win a one-of-a-kind annotated ARC plus a star trio necklace! Find the other stops below, and on June 21, enter the Rafflecopter here:

Mon, 6/3:  Good Books & Good Wine

Tues, 6/4:  Ex Libris Kate 

Wed, 6/5:  Mundie Moms 

Thurs, 6/6:  Presenting Lenore

Fri, 6/7:  Hobbitsies

Mon, 6/10:  Green Bean Teen Queen 

Tues, 6/11:  I Read Banned Books

Wed, 6/12:  Two Chicks on Books

Thurs, 6/13:  Forever Young Adult

Fri, 6/14:  The Story Siren

Mon, 6/17:  YA Bibliophile

Tues, 6/18:  Marie Lu 

Wed, 6/19:  Beth Revis

Thurs, 6/20:  Veronica Rossi

Fri, 6/21:  Marissa Meyer

STAR CURSED released on June 18. You can read the first chapter here. I have it in my greedy little hands and though I've just started, it promises to be as delicious and smart and gorgeously written as BORN WICKED.

Purchase a copy: Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Find Jess online: blog | Twitter | Facebook | Cahill Witch Inspiration pinboard

Napa Writers Festival & Other Upcoming Appearances

A quick note to let you all know where I'll be in the coming weeks:

Books Inc - Signing with Ransom Riggs, Tahereh Mafi, Michelle Gagnon, Jandy Nelson

Tuesday, June 11th, Berkeley, CA - 7:00 PM

Book Expo America - Signing copies of THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT 

Thursday, May 30th - New York City

SCBWI National Conference - Keynote address & breakout workshop on High Concept Fiction

August 2-5th - Los Angeles, CA

And...

Hope to see you!

NCIBA Book of the Year & Upcoming Appearances

I'm proud to share that UNDER THE NEVER SKY has been selected as a 2013 NCIBA Book of the Year. I've been buying books at my local independent bookseller for over a decade -- I LOVE my indie bookstore. This is a special honor for me; I couldn't be more thrilled about it. Thank you, NCIBA!

Looking forward to the Spring Into the Future Tour! Here are the flyers, with times and locations.

I will also be at BEA in New York on Thursday, May 30th. I'll be signing copies of THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT. Hope to see you!

Spring Tour Info!

Spring Tour Stops

Hellooo! I hope you all have adjusted to daylight savings better than I have. Spring is here, and I'm getting ready to hit the road (or the air) again. Looks like I will be heading to Miami, Pheonix, San Diego and Dallas along with a couple of my favorite authors. I'll post here once that's all confirmed - just ironing out some final details.

I wanted to say a quick thank you to all the fans of UTNS - i.e. YOU. I'm continuously surprised by how the books have been embraced. Thank you for reading, thank you for reviewing, thank you for sharing your love of the books with me, and with your families and friends. I read every one of your comments, and I'm so grateful for all of you.

In case you missed it, I'll be writing another ebook novella, like ROAR AND LIV. I'll have more information on that soon. The character who it centers around is one I've wanted to explore further for a long time. I've already started drafting, and I'm having a blast.

Finally, a little something I found on tumblr that I love.

Cavalcade

Sometimes as an author you get to be part of amazing things.

Last week, I was one of sixteen authors who participated in the Cavalcade - an incredible event that brought over one thousand kids together from middle and high schools in the Pasco, Washington area to celebrate writing and books.

Here are a few shots of the Cavalcade Crew. In the photos below: D.J. Machale, Jeff Burlingame, Jonathan Maberry, Jonathan Auxier, Gregg Olsen, Suzanne Selfors, Trent Reedy, Holly Cupala, Chris Crutcher, Maureen McQuerry, Lisa McMann, Brandon Mull, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Brandon Dorman and Kelly Milner Halls.

SO. MUCH. FUN.

Regarding Book Three

I've been getting this question a bit lately so here goes:

Book Three, INTO THE STILL BLUE, will be released, I'm almost sure, in January 2014. I'll let you guys know as soon as I have a firm date. 

Now. Since you're awesome, here's a super early snippet (which is liable to be edited out, so don't hold me to this.) 

Ahem. Without further ado, a little taste of Book Three:

“Yes, Molly, she is wounded and weak," Reef said, "but weakness is no longer a factor. We are all weak. What matters now is time. That is a factor. War rules. We do what's needed, when it’s needed." He pointed at Aria without looking away from Molly. "Right now that means she needs to know exactly what’s happening.”

Reef's words shook off any last wisp of fuzziness from Aria’s mind. They brought her back to where she’d been a week ago, alert and tense, a little breathless, with a sense of desperation curling inside of her like a stomachache.

Seattle Area Signing - Cavalcade of Authors

February 28th! Details...

YALSA Best Book, Dark Days & Korea!

Epic News - UTNS was selected by YALSA as a 2013 Best Book for Young Adults! I'm thrilled by this. Really, truly honored to be included amongst such incredible talent, and especially by an organization that I respect so much.

Foreign Rights -  The UTNS trilogy just found a publisher in Korea - ChungRim. Thank you, Adams Literary and special thanks to the hard-working foreign rights agents who made this happen. I couldn't be happier with this news.

Dark Days Tour - I'm just about ready to head out on the road. Will I see you? Here are the tour stops so far - and I'll be announcing some more cities/stops for later in the spring soon!

Pitch Dark Days Tour with Tahereh Mafi, Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton. 

• February 4 @ 7:00 PM Barnes & Noble  Huntington Beach, CA
• February 5 @ 7:00 PM Little Shop of Stories  Decatur, GA
• February 6 @ 7:00 PM Barnes & Noble  Cary, NC
• February 7 @ 7:00 PM Harvard Coop  Cambridge, MA

February 13 @ 7:00 PM Barnes & Noble, Walnut Creek CA

Special Valentine's Signing with authors Tamara Ireland Stone, Corrine Jackson, CJ Omololu and Robin Mellom. Let's talk about love, shall we? 

February 22 @ 6:30 PM Hicklebees, San Jose CA - more info here

End of February (27th OR 28th, date to be confirmed) Signing in Seattle, WA

more tour stops to be announced soon...

Pitch Dark Days Twitter Chat

Tonight.

Updates

A few quick things:

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT is spending a second week on the NY Times Best Seller List which just... it's insane. Thanks so much. This is all because of you.

TOUR STOPS - I updated the list of appearances. Would love to meet you! Here's where I'll be.

CONTEST - if you entered the Arctic Kitten Cover Contest, thank you so much. You can check out all the amazing entries here. And, without further ado, the winning entry below was submitted by Elana. I love this. It's outlandish and adorable and I laugh every time I see it.

Isn't it purr-fect?

NY TIMES BESTSELLER!

GUYSSS

I just found out THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT debuted at #6 on the NY Times Bestseller list.

Dream = made

I'm a little bit incoherent and queasy at the moment, but I want to say, to YOU, thank you.

Thank you so much.

More soon.

V

Arctic Kitten Contest

UPDATE 1/24: And the winner is....

UPDATE 1/22:

Thanks so much to those of you who entered! You guys are amazing! To see all the entries, please go here.

I'll be adding a few more today, and plan to announce the winner tomorrow. This will be excruciating for me, because I LOVE THEM ALL. 

More soon!

-V


Those of you who have read THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT know about this hit song from Reverie's favorite band, Tilted Green Bottles.

I'd love to see a design of what the single's cover might look like. Click here for the full lyrics to this most touching ballad. If you're interested in entering the contest, just send me a link to your artwork by Sunday night. (Post it below, or find me on twitter.) I'll mail a signed copy of TTEN to the best design.

And guys, this contest is INTERNATIONAL. Yes! Finally!

Thanks for entering! Oh - and one last thing: please let me know if you would NOT like your artwork shared on twitter/tumblr/etc. Otherwise, I'll assume it's okay to pimp your brilliance :)

- Veronica

TTEN Bookplates

So, tomorrow is the big day! The wait is almost over. I am so excited for you guys to read THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT.

Some of you have asked for bookplates. While I can't send them to everyone, I do have a little stack here of about 50. I'm happy to send them to those of you who have ordered the book. I don't need to see a receipt. Just, you know.... honor system.

If you'd like one, please send an email via the contact form with the subject: BOOKPLATE.

Then include your ADDRESS and any personalization information in the body of the email.

Got it?

Bookplate as subject. Address. Personalization info.

US only, please. (Sorry.) Please don't leave your info in the comments below. And I'll send them out as long as I have them, along with a bookmark.

Here's what they look like.

TOMORROW

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT Blog Tour

Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope 2013 is a terrific year for all of you. I'm still counting down over here... In exactly one week, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT will be out in the world.

The TTEN blog tour starts today. I love the bloggers who participated in this tour. I had a blast working with them on their posts.

Here's the schedule. I hope you'll stop over and say hello to them, and check out all the fun stuff we put together.

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT BLOG TOUR

Hosted by Ravenous Reader and Two Chicks on Books

1/1 Magical Urban Fantasy Reads Guest Post Talon interviews Aria


1/2 Bookalicious Guest Post- Roar’s favorite food and downtime activities


1/3 Taters Tall Tales Perry & Aria Interview


1/4 Once Upon a Twilight Five Things To Bring When You Visit the Tides


1/5 Pageturners Aria Interview


1/6 Two Chicks on Books Roar Guest Post- Roar interviews Aria


1/7 Literary Exploration Author Interview


1/8 YA Muses Release Day and Special Post


1/9 Reading Teen Letters between Aria and a Friend


1/10 Debbie’s World of Books Guest Post: What song sums up Aria’s journey so far and why?


1/11 Novel Thoughts Guest Post: Top 5 Realms


1/12 Katie’s Book Blog Interview and Review


1/13 Ravenous Reader Launch Party Post


1/14 Mundie Moms Q&A with Veronica


1/15 GC Reading Review with some teasers