Hot of the Presses: Chat Transcript for Michele Lang and Lucienne Diver!
Last night, we had a fabulous time with featured guests Michele Lang, author of LADY LAZARUS, and Lucienne Diver, author of REVAMPED, in TKA's chat room. If you weren't able to make it, we've uploaded a transcript to get you all caught up. The ladies shared a lot of awesome information about their books and publishing in general, so it's definitely worth a read. Also, below you'll find links to some helpful articles and a free read that Michele and Lucienne supplied in the chat:
Chat TONIGHT with Michele Lang and Lucienne Diver!
Don't forget to set a reminder for TKA's chat event tonight @ 9pm ET with guest Michele Lang and Lucienne Diver! Michele is the historical fantasy author of LADY LAZARUS and Lucienne is the author of REVAMPED, a paranormal young adult novel. Lucienne is also an agent with The Knight Agency. We've also planned some great giveaways and invited a special mystery guest to drop by -- so be sure to check us out!
(Photo: Michele [left] & Lucienne [right] at their fab double book launch party in NYC)
On Thursday, September 23rd at 9pm ET, we're hosting a chat event with two very special guests -- historical fantasy author Michele Lang and paranormal YA author Lucienne Diver (who also happens to be Michele's agent). Michele and Lucienne recently teamed up for a "Supernatural Soiree" book launch party at the Soho Gallery for Digital Art in New York City, and now they're taking the TKA chat room by storm. Both ladies will share details about their respective novels, but there will be plenty of talking shop too! Oh, and of course, prizes. You can always count on that. ;-)
HOW TO CHAT: Enter a username and password (any combination). Choose "Login." **Your computer must be java-enabled to chat.
Praise for LADY LAZARUS:
“Lang crafts a creative and terse story as all of Europe awaits the September invasion of Poland. Lang is a writer to watch and is sure to have wide appeal to fans of Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, and other urban-fantasy A-listers. An outstanding debut.” -- Booklist, starred review
“An absolutely unique protagonist in an engaging tale set against the backdrop of the greatest clash of good and evil in human history. What’s not to love about LADY LAZARUS?” -- Jim Butcher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files series
Praise for REVAMPED:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action.” -- VOYA, reviewed by Ava Ehde
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” -- Kirkus Reviews
Christmas Week Guest Blog and Giveaway DAY 2: Chanukah Lights -- The Perfect Gifts for Writers by Michele Lang
UPDATE: The winner of a signed copy of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE is Chelsea B.! Congrats! Please send your physical address to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
It’s that magical time of the year again! This past Friday marked the first night of Chanukah, and since I was a kid I’ve had eight nights of latke-eating, dreidl-spinning, chocolate-nomming, and present-opening – and, best of all, candle-lighting. I’ve always loved the candles the best, always and forever. However, the Chanukah presents I got as a kid did not inspire shock and awe – Chanukah is traditionally a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar. One year I got a peanut – a peanut! It was part of a biology kit where you could sprout the peanut and see the root growth or something – I never learned the details because, I am sorry to say, I ate it.
Another year I got Mexican jumping beans, and I had the sense to at least not eat them. But they were dud beans and didn’t even wiggle. A sad, sad little present, that one…
But I honestly didn’t really care, because for me Chanukah has always been all about the lights. Chanukah is about the victory of a tiny, fragile flame over the forces that seek to snuff it out.
It is therefore the perfect holiday for writers, no matter what their background – our dreams are sparks, and writing itself is a way of shining light into the world. The best presents I’ve ever gotten were in the spirit of that little flame shining in the night.
My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Brady, once gave me a magical Chanukah present – he disguised it as a prize for my writing, and it was one of the most wonderful presents I’ve ever received. He gave me the book BLACK BEAUTY, and called my parents in to the school to tell them I was a born writer. He was the first person to insist I was meant to be a writer, and to this day I am in Mr. Brady’s debt.
That gift has stayed with me forever, not only the book itself, but the generous, loving spirit of its giver, my teacher. My passion for writing was a fitful little ember in those days, and Mr. Brady gave me the gift of seeing that light in me, and encouraging it to shine.
If you have a writer in your life, the best present you could give them is one that fans the flame inside of them to write. Time to write, books, chocolate…anything that celebrates that light’s desire to dance.
I want to pass on that giving spirit. I have a special present for you – a contest! One person will win a copy of the newly-released MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME-TRAVEL ROMANCE, with not eight, or even twelve, but over *twenty* stories of love, powerful enough to defy time and space. I have a story in this collection, “The Walled Garden,” that considers the precious gifts we sometimes give each other without realizing. May you be inspired by these stories to write your own…
All you have to do to win is share in the comments – if you are a writer, what are you hoping to get this holiday season? Or, what was the best present you ever got? Think of it as a public service – there are only four days of Chanukah left, but there’s still plenty of time to get these presents, for yourself or from somebody you love… If you are all out of ideas, just leave a comment and we’ll throw your name in the magic hat.
Thank you for sharing your ideas, and may your holidays be filled with generosity, warmth, laughter, and light!
CHRISTMAS WEEK CONTESTS: Remember, there are TWO ways to win! Each day this week (December 14th - 18th) a guest blogger will give away a signed book to one person randomly chosen from the comment section. Today's prize is THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE, featuring a story by author Michele Lang! Check back in this post tomorrow morning to find out if you are the winner! Look for Michele's upcoming release LADY LAZURUS in 2010.
Also, at the bottom of each post there is a scavenger hunt question. The answer can be located somewhere on the author's website. Send in all 5 correct answers* to the scavenger hunt questions, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a TKA Surprise Christmas Stocking filled with books and holiday treats!!!
SCAVENGER HUNT QUESTION (2 of 5): What is the name of the literary character that Michele says mirrors her own writing style? Visit www.MicheleLang.com to find the answer!
*Please note, that the correct answers to the scavenger hunt questions must be sent in at one time. You must collect all 5 answers and send them in one email. Entries for the scavenger hunt will be accepted from Friday, December 18th thru Sunday, December 20th at midnight. The winner will be announed on this blog Monday, December 21st, 2009. If you have any questions about this contest, please contact contests(AT)knightagency.net.
