Discounts, Extras and More!

One of the best parts of living in New York City is being able to take advantage of what the city has to offer: delicious food, world-class museums, entertaining performances.  But on a tight budget, it’s hard to indulge in all the offerings all the time. Luckily, there are plenty of discount coupon companies that make enjoying all NYC has to offer possible: Groupon, Restaurant.com, Living Social, etc. I take advantage of these discounts regularly, which is why I’m also so happy to introduce Bookperk.com, HarperCollin’s own “Groupon for books.” Books easily add up, but sometimes borrowing a book from the library just doesn’t cut it. That’s when you should check out Bookperk, which not only offers discounts on books and book related items (like a classic children’s book collection), but also has lots of extras, like tickets to Justin Beiber’s 3D movie Never Say Never, when you buy his biography.  While I’m just highlighting the awesome children’s perks- there’s something for everyone! Check it out- everyone loves a good discount!

Valentine's Day Treats

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day! 

One of the best parts about Valentine’s Day are the sugary treats…conversation hearts, chocolate, any sweet, I love it!  One of my favorite ways to celebrate the holiday is to make these cookies.

 They’re so simple, but look impressive. To make, roll sugar cookie dough (homemade or store bought- I made this lemon sugar cookie dough) thinner than you normally would. Using two different sized heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut as many large hearts as you can. In half of the hearts, cut a smaller heart inside and remove, leaving a cutout. Reroll scraps or cook the small inside hearts separately. When the cookies are finished baking and have cooled, spread jam (strawberry or raspberry are the most seasonal), on the large hearts and place a cutout on top. Enjoy!

The other best part of Valentine’s Day is spending it with a special someone.  Well, no matter what your in-real-life relationship status is, there are plenty of swoon-worthy fictional love interests to choose from:

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  The romantic interest of all romantic interests.

Jesse, Mediator series by Meg Cabot.  Who knew a ghost could be so sexy?

Corlath, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley.  Mysterious and strong.

Prince Char, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.  Who doesn’t love a real prince?

Prince Jonathan and George, Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Piece.  Best love triangle ever.  How could Alanna just choose one?

Jace, Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. A fierce demon-killer. 

Sir Percival “Percy” Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy.  Incognito hero who is secretly in love with his wife.

Sir Hugh of Harrowfield, aka “Red”, Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. The strong, silent type with an irrefutable moral compass.

(Thanks to my best friend, Heather, for her hot-fictional-guy knowledge!)

Enjoy the treats today!

Birthday Books

My birthday is this weekend, and to celebrate (mine and yours and everyone’s birthdays), check out this website which will show you what books were New York Times Bestsellers the week of your birthday.  I hate to say it but I haven’t read any of mine (I had planned on reading Beloved by Toni Morrison, which has been on my TBR list for forever, so I didn’t have to admit publically that I haven’t read it, but time got away from me!).   What books were popular when you were born? Check it out…and then check them out!

Reading Roundup

Before I get to the books I’ve read in the past month, a note on what I consider a book and what I consider a manuscript: This is a question I deal with a lot when putting together reading roundups. I read a lot of "stuff."  Partial manuscripts, full manuscripts, first drafts, final drafts, galleys (or ARCs), books. But when I read a final manuscript- that is, nearly the exact same material that will be in the galleys and books- do I consider it a manuscript or a book?  I've decided to go with 'manuscript' because that story isn't yet available to the public. But galleys (to some extent) and books can (and should!) be read by the public, so once a book has reached that stage, I'll put it in the 'book' category. Does that make sense? Hope so!

The Wee Free Men: The Beginning (includes the full text of The Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of Sky), Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

I have to admit, I’ve never read anything by Terry Pratchett before.  But the combination of 1) I Shall Wear Midnight regularly making “Top Books of 2010” lists 2) One of my bosses (Terry Pratchett’s US editor) leaving The Wee Free Men: The Beginning on my desk with the note “I highly recommend you read this in the upcoming weeks (for pleasure)” 3) The CBBC recognizing Terry Pratchett and the Tiffany Aching series as one of the best series of the decade and 4) Terry Pratchett wining the Edwards Award at ALA, basically meant I HAD to read these books.  And, my goodness, I am so glad I did!  I devoured the Tiffany Aching books with laugh-out-loud moments, great world building and a strong female heroine.  What more could you want from a book? I highly recommend you read this series.  Right now.  Go.

Pink (ARC 2/8) by Lili Wilkinson

Australian author Lili Wilkinson is making her US debut with a story of Ava, a lesbian and daughter of radical parents who decides that maybe, just maybe, she wants to be ‘normal,’ wear pink and date a boy.  Leaving her girlfriend in public school and transferring to a preppy private school, Ava is desperate to fit in with the popular crowd but still finds herself with the stage crew (“screw”) rejects as she explores who she truly is.  While I am unabashedly ‘pink’, the characterizations of different types of people were authentic (not insulting, as they could have potentially been) and the discussion of what feminism means today is very relevant.  My one concern is that Ava, her parents and girlfriend Chloe are so academic (throwing around words like “mise-en-scene” and comparing Ava’s actions to those of Emma Woodhouse), that most teen readers might not be able to follow everything (I know I wouldn’t have been able to!).  But isn’t the cover fantastic?

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This was FP-NC’s December Book Club pick, but because of that whole get-a-job-thing, I never read the book/didn’t attend the discussion for it.  But because the book is getting fantastic reviews, it still made it on to my TBR list.  And those reviews were right!  The basic plot of the story is that Clay’s crush committee suicide and then leaves cassette tapes detailing the thirteen people who impacted her decision to kill herself, and he’s on there.  Sounds horrific, right?  It is, but fascinatingly so.  In narrative that goes back and forth between Hannah’s tapes and Clay’s reaction, it becomes clear how events can snowball.  The one downside is that my eyes couldn’t keep up with my brain in always distinguishing who was speaking (they alternated between normal and italic text), but overall, a great read.  And make sure you get the hardcopy; I had started reading this as a library eBook but it expired so I just went out and bought a copy…the dust jacket is a creative extra that would be a shame to miss.

Teeth: Vampire Tales (ARC, 4/5) edited Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

This star-studded anthology takes a look at paranormal romance’s favorite love interest.  A great introduction by the editors tracing the history of vampire literature is a must read, as are stories by Melissa Marr, Garth Nix and Neil Gaiman, to name a few.  I have to admit, I haven’t read all the stories yet, but that’s one of the best things about anthologies; you can read a story here and there, and discover fantastic new authors, until you’ve read the whole thing!

When I Grow Up  by Al Yankovic and illustrated by Wes Hargis

It’s hard to figure out when to include picture books on my ‘read’ list. After all, a quick skim of a picture book more or less can cover it (although a more lengthy read, especially to a child, makes the experience fuller). I think I’ve forgotten to include many picture books I’ve read throughout the fall and winter, including the amazing It’s A Book by Lane Smith. Anyways, I’m mentioning When I Grow Up right now because its publication date was February 1^st and to publicize the book, “Weird Al” was around and about HarperCollins and New York this week. He was very genuine and gracious when an unexpectedly large number of HC staff came to get their books signed. The book is fantastic- creative and playful (of course!), and Wes Hargis’ illustrations are the perfect complement to the text.

Manuscripts: 4 

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Check out what I’ve been up to lately at work. I’ve had quite a bit of fun designing the page, and I’m so glad we can showcase the awesome upcoming Katherine Tegen Books. Do you ‘like’ it?

Dictionary

One of my faithful blog readers (hi, Mom!) asked me the other day about some of the terminology I've been using on this blog.  Publishing (probably like any business) is so full of lingo.  The first couple memos I got at HC seemed like gibberish.  Some still do.  But as I learn more and more of that vocabulary, it becomes second nature for me to use it.  If you don't know what certain terms actually mean, though, it's like reading a foreign language.  So here's a bit of a publishing dictionary.  I'm open for suggestions for other terms I didn't include/things you're curious about.

AAP: Association of American Publishers.

ALA: American Library Association. Also refers to their twice a year meetings where they vote on and honor recipients of the Caldecott, Newbery and other prestigious awards.

ARC/ARE/galley: Advance Reader Copies/Editions.  These are the uncopyedited manuscripts in book form, sent out for early reviews and publicity.  Read this excellent post by Literary Agent Holly Root on what ARCs are, and what they're not.

  

BEA: BookExpo America, an educational show.

CBC: Children’s Book Council.

Copy/flap copy: The blurbs on the flaps (or back cover, if it’s a paperback) with an excerpt from the book, review quotes, about the author, etc.

MG: Middle grade.  Books for tweens.

PB: Picture book.

Slush Pile: A pile of manuscripts that agents, and occasionally publishing houses if they allow it, receive from unagented authors looking to publishing their manuscript.

Query Letter: A short, concise letter in which an unpublished author pitches their manuscript in order to get an agent.   See QueryShark for how to write, or rather, how NOT to write a query letter.

YA: Young Adult.  Books for teens.

YPG: Young to Publishing Group.   An initiative of the AAP, for those in publishing 0-5 years.

Focus

I’ve been feeling a lot of personal pressure to get my manuscript published.  And I think this is because both at FP-NC and HC so many of the authors I (or the agents or editors) work with are so young.  There’s Kody Keplinger (The DUFF and upcoming Luststruck), Veronica Roth (the upcoming and going-to-be-huge Divergent), Hannah Moskowizt (Break, the upcoming Invincible Summer and several others) and Courtney Allison Moulton (Angelfire).  They’re under the age of 25 and have wonderfully successful books under their belt.  I obviously still haven’t entirely grown out of selfish-teenager-mode because I. Want. That. Too.  NOW.

I have to stand back and remind myself that that isn’t right for me.  I just started my fantastic dream job.  I love it, but it’s new and I’m still learning the ropes.  As I mentioned last week, it’s beginning to take up even more of my time.  Add that on top of finding and settling into my new apartment, I’ve been busy, and my focus needs to be on that fantastic job and becoming the best editorial assistant I can be.

Querying is also a full time job.  While I have an advantage of knowing the industry, it’s very fledgling knowledge, and like all (good) writers, I need to research which agents would be a best fit for my manuscript.  Just like my 9-to-5 job I want to be able to put in 100% when querying.  This means I have come to the decision to wait on querying my manuscript.  My original goal had been to start the first of this year, but I haven’t yet received all the feedback I was waiting on, so I pushed that goal back.  Now, with some more revision under my belt, I’ve still decided it’s still better to wait until the time is right for me, not anyone else.

This isn’t to say I won’t be writing- this weekend I finally got the chance to start working on my New Years Resolution (yes, I am aware that it is the beginning of February and not January, but I knew that going into the New Year my resolution would start a month late).  It felt so good to write!  And I will continue with that good writing feeling until I am more settled in my job and have found a way to balance full time job and writing career. 

Any advice on how to do so?