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Confessions of an Accidental Writer

Antony John's Blog

A haphazard blend of reading, writing, reviewing, and ranting, with frequent breaks for a cup of tea.

Check in for updates on all my projects, as well as anything else that has inexplicably grabbed my attention.

Virtuosity review

October 12, 2011 – 8:19 pm

Jessica Martinez’s debut novel, Virtuosity, will be hitting the shelves next Tuesday, October 18th, and I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy. Let me just say, you need to get your hands on this one.

Jessica is a former professional violinist, and it really shows–I’ve rarely felt so connected to music in a novel. I also loved the book for its behind-the-scenes angst and unflinching conviction. There are enough musical details to please the most diehard muso (an English term, I think, but you get the gist, right?), enough frisson between the two leads to satisfy fans of romance, and enough second-guessing about everyone’s motives to delight drama freaks. Since I am all of the above, I thought it rocked . . . but in a classical music sense, you understand.

By Antony •• Posted in Reviews •• Comments (2)

Wanna Skype?

October 3, 2011 – 10:16 am

I love school visits. I mean, I really love them. But if the school is in Saskatchewan or Pocatello, Idaho, say, it’s kind of hard for me to get there and back in the five working hours I have each day. Which is why a particularly resourceful Ohio teen librarian proposed that I Skype with her reading club instead. And a teacher in Glencoe, Missouri, asked me to chat with her middle school reading club.

Well, you know what? Skyping rocks! (And the commute time is significantly shorter.)

All of which gave me an idea . . .

If your class or book club (whether teen or adult; school, library, or private) is reading Five Flavors of Dumb, and you’d like to discuss it with me, please drop me an email and we’ll set something up. There’s no cost — I’m happy to do it free — and as long as you have a couple of scheduling options, we’ll find a mutually acceptable time for sure.

All I ask is that participants have read at least a few chapters of the novel. Otherwise, my responses may not make much sense. Better still, give readers the chance to read the whole thing. That way, the conversation won’t become a stream of spoilers!

 

By Antony •• Posted in News, Writing •• Comments (0)

Giveaway winners!

September 30, 2011 – 10:38 am

Thanks to everyone who entered – such a fantastic response. Bookplates will be mailed to you all on Monday!

(Oh, and if you want something special inscribed, please drop me an email and let me know what it is. I’m happy to customize / graffiti your bookplate in any way you like.)

And so . . . *drum roll* . . . onto the winners :

Carol B. gets the mega prize pack
Amanda M. and Amanda G. get signed ARCs of THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP

You’ll be receiving the prizes in the mail!

Happy weekend, everyone. And thanks again for reading DUMB.

By Antony •• Posted in News •• Comments (4)

Bookplates and mega giveaway

September 22, 2011 – 2:56 pm

Hard to believe, but FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB is all grown up already. A week from today, it’ll be released in paperback, along with some extras: a never-before-seen playlist, and the first chapter of my new novel, THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP, thrown in for good measure. The folks at Speak/Penguin have done a really awesome job with it, and I couldn’t be happier.

Actually, everything about DUMB makes me exceedingly happy. Every week, small, personal, quirky books like mine are released. Some get lost in the shuffle, some fight the tide long enough to be enjoyed by niche readers, and others (like DUMB) just get plain lucky and enjoy the support of readers, booksellers, bloggers, librarians, teachers, etc. It’s not an easy process to predict, and when as an author you get lucky, you just have to be grateful. And I am grateful – to everyone who chose to read DUMB over one of the hundreds of other wonderful books that have come out in the past twelve months. Piper and her friends are alive and well today because of YOU.

But back to that paperback release. It seems a shame to let the date pass without celebrating it in some way. So I’ve spoken to the lovely folks at Penguin HQ, and they’re sending me a stack of bookplates to sign. And there’s more . . .

For anyone who pre-orders a paperback copy of DUMB by (or on) September 29th, I’ll mail you a signed bookplate (inscribed however you’d like) for you to put in the front. All you have to do is email me at antonyATantonyjohnDOTnet (substituting the AT and DOT for the correct signs; you know the drill), provide your address, and tell me you’ve bought a copy. (No need to send proof of purchase—I trust you.)

What’s more, I’ll also enter you for a BIG prize giveaway. THREE winners will each receive a signed ARC of THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP. And ONE winner will receive the 8-piece mega prize pack*, consisting:

1. Hardback of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON (signed by John Green and David Levithan)

2. Signed paperback of THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness

3. Signed ARC of THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP by me

4. ARC of LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins

5. ARC of VIRTUOSITY by Jessica Martinez

6. ARC of LEGEND by Marie Lu

7. ARC of CROSSED by Ally Condie

8. Critique by me of either an agent query letter or the first chapter of your novel (this may be gifted to someone else of your choice, if you’re not an author).

For anyone who’d like to be entered into the giveaway but already has a copy of DUMB, why not order a copy from my local Indie, Left Bank Books, and have it sent to a friend? I’ll make sure it’s inscribed however you’d like, and they’ll make sure it gets mailed (for an extra fee).

Here’s where you can pre-order DUMB in paperback:

IndieBound

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Finally, for all the wonderful folks who have already bought hardback copies of DUMB (and thus made it such a success)—THANK YOU! I’ll be hosting more giveaways on my Facebook page between now and the end of the year, so you’ll have a chance to win swag too.

(* I will ask the winner of the mega prize pack for proof-of-purchase. Hope that’s okay.)

By Antony •• Posted in Ramblings •• Comments (3)

Events in Chicago!

September 16, 2011 – 10:28 am

It’s Chicago time again, and I’m so excited. I’m about to head up to the Windy City for a number of events on Sunday and Monday, and I’d LOVE to see as many readers up there as possible. So, without further ado, here’s the itinerary, kindly put together by Robert McDonald at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL (they’ll be selling the books):

Sunday, Sept. 18, 2-3:30 PM

Highland Park Library

494 Laurel Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

This is a pretty laid back event, so there’ll be LOTS of time for me to chat to people.

Monday, Sept. 19, 7 PM

Evanston Public Library

1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

The teens here put on a stage production of DUMB, so I’m really looking forward to chatting with them.

On Monday, I’ll also be visiting St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette, and Nichols Middle School in Evanston. A big hello to the students there. Thanks for having me along!

By Antony •• Posted in Events •• Comments (2)

Perks of the job

September 12, 2011 – 7:58 am

I’ve said before that there are a lot of “hidden” perks of being an author. A few months ago I singled out the joy of having a top-notch copyeditor, Regina Castillo, to make me look far more literate than I actually am. Getting packages of books from my editor, Liz Waniewski, ranks up there too! And there are others . . .

For instance, almost exactly three years ago I met the absolutely awesome Catherine Gilbert Murdock (of DAIRY QUEEN fame) when she visited St. Louis for a book festival. We’ve been friends ever since, and she even (very graciously) blurbed FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB. Well, I said I’d love to read any forthcoming novels, and in response she sent me an early draft of WISDOM’S KISS, which comes out tomorrow (Tuesday, September 13th)! And can I just say . . . WOW.

WISDOM’S KISS is a fairy tale of sorts. It’s told from several perspectives, using a playful mix of dairy entires, a play, letters, and more. (It is consistently hilarious.) The genius in the variety of formats is how seamlessly one section continues from another, sometimes overlapping for humorous purposes and to show the unreliability of one narrator’s point of view. It moves along at breakneck pace, has unforgettable characters, and a cat who deserves a spin-off novel in the future. Brilliant!

Incidentally, Catherine is hosting a live chat on her Facebook page at 8PM ET on Tuesday, September 20th. Definitely worth checking out.

Congrats to Catherine on the release. I’ll leave you with the pithy words of the Booklist reviewer (just in case you don’t take my word for how good the book is):

“Packed with double entendres, humorous dialogue and situations, and a black cat that will capture the reader’s imagination, this is a joyful, timeless fantasy that teens will savor.”

By Antony •• Posted in Ramblings •• Comments (2)

Piper is honored

September 3, 2011 – 2:41 pm

(or honoured, if you happen to be reading this in England)

FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB has been nominated for the 2012-13 Gateway Award. Actual Live Teens get to vote on which book should win, which makes this award particularly meaningful.

DUMB was also selected as a 2011 Notable Book for Global Society. Here, the chair of the selection committee explains what the award means, and why it matters. It’s a very interesting and valuable insight.

And super blogger Audrey named DUMB her book of the month. Piper’s very grateful. And so, for that matter, am I!

A Happy Labor Day weekend to all.

By Antony •• Posted in Uncategorized •• Comments (4)

Creative Writing Retreat

August 30, 2011 – 8:52 pm

The Missouri State Teachers Association has asked me to lead a Creative Writing Retreat. It should be lots of fun, and there are still a couple spots open, apparently. So if you fancy a weekend of writing and thoughtful exchange, this could be for you! Here are the details . . .

Creative Retreat for writers

Slip away from the noise and distractions in your life for a tranquil weekend retreat at a riverside site owned by the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). On Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, writers of all levels will have the opportunity to learn and to create. You will return home rejuvenated and filled with ideas.

Course description:

Author Antony John will focus on the art of novel writing, regardless of at what stage participants are with their writing. Participants will learn how to get past the initial hurdles of writing, how to parcel out research and writing and editing, and how to fundamentally ENJOY writing. After all, what’s the use of writing a novel if you don’t enjoy the journey?

There will be ample opportunity to exchange ideas and to discuss and critique works in progress.

Register at www.msta.org/events. Fee includes workshop, meals and lodging. MSTA members, $200; non-members $250. Enrollment is limited. Contact Sarah Kohnle, skohnle@msta.org. Please indicate your interest in writing.

Special appointments:
Ready to discuss your novel? Questions about agents and publishers? One-on-one appointments may be made with Antony John. Contact Sarah Kohnle (skohnle@msta.org) now to schedule. Limited spots.

By Antony •• Posted in Events, Ramblings •• Comments (0)

ELEMENTAL news (and giveaway!)

August 23, 2011 – 9:53 am

So I have this new fantasy trilogy coming out. It’s called ELEMENTAL, and the first book comes out in fall 2012. I’m incredibly excited about it, and the editing is going really well. There’s no doubt this is some of the best stuff I’ve ever written.

Just as exciting, bloggers are getting on board (dystopian fantasy is rather popular, you see). And today, my first official ELEMENTAL interview has posted over at Presenting Lenore, as part of her Dystopian August series. Amongst other things, I confess that I’m a chronically slow reader, and also detail my daughter’s issues with Mary Poppins. (What could be more dystopian that that?) In a particularly delightful coincidence, Lenore also has a fantasy novel called LEVEL TWO coming out in fall 2012, and it sounds awesome.

Best of all, you can enter to win signed copies of both FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB and an ARC of THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP. Go on . . . what are you waiting for?

By Antony •• Posted in News, Writing •• Comments (6)

On cooking and writing …

August 2, 2011 – 7:59 pm

Although no one will ever mistake me for a good cook, the lovely folks at Pots & Pens invited me over for an interview.

There’s some new stuff there (for anyone who is wondering what I’m up to at the moment), and even a bonus soup recipe. And it’s so easy, even I can’t screw it up! (Yes, that’s an Actual Photograph of the soup, made by me.)

Hope everyone is surviving the heat wave. Unless you’re a member of the British cohort, in which case you probably think I’m bragging any time I mention sunshine.

By Antony •• Posted in Ramblings, Writing •• Comments (0)