Preview for Dissected and Giveaway

Dissected is almost ready to be released into the world. I've gone back and forth with the editing and proof copies and now I've put a preview of the first chapter up on Createspace. If you'd like to read it, follow this link. The excerpt is 'R' rated. Consider yourself warned.

At Createspace you're able to leave a review of the preview if you wish. Feel free.

Remember I'm also giving away two copies of Dissected on Goodreads, available November 12. Enter here.

Here are a couple blurbs about Dissected from beta readers who happen to be librarians...these are also the blurbs you will see on my bookmarks...

"I liked it. I am disturbed by it. I was sucked in by it...Bostic's writing speaks to the reader's heart, and that is a gift." ~ Laura Denehy, Library Media Specialist,  Merrimack Middle School, Merrimack, NH

"A raw and vulnerable look at a young girl's downward spiral into drugs after being betrayed by her boyfriend. Heartwarming? No. Real? Hell yes!" ~ Jen Bigheart, Librarian, Westbank Community Library; District Director, Austin Teen Book Festival

Adding to Goodreads

Even though most writers have a love/hate (mostly hate, not me, doesn't bother me much) relationship with Goodreads, I've added my novel, Dissected to its list of books (it's cool to see my book up there). Why you ask? So I can get some pre-publication buzz, and so I can host a giveaway, which I will post next week. And now people can add it to their to-read list. Of course now I'll probably get requests for ARCs which I won't have, but oh well. I may send out some proof copies to bloggers I've worked with before and respected, but not very many as I'll have to pay for those copies.

I've been trying to add the book to Amazon as well, with no luck. I've sent them an email, so hopefully it will be resolved in the next couple of days.

I've also sent it in for formatting, which I'm super excited about. I can't wait to see what it looks like in book form. It's going to be about the same size as Never Eighteen. I think I'll keep all my books about the same size, unless they're just too many pages to do that, but I think Dissected will be around the same word count when I'm done with it.

That's all for today. Have a great Thursday.

ISBN Numbers

I bought them today from Bowkers. Ten of them. It's cheaper than buying just one, and each format, for instance, e-book and paperback, has to have their own number. So I bought them and started filling out the necessary information to get Dissected listed on Amazon and Goodreads. I still need to design the back cover. I wrote the jacket flap copy today, so I can do that soon and upload a cover in its entirety to Createspace, so it's ready to go when my formatting is done.

I'm still revising in Autocrit. It's a slow process and to be honest, I've been busy and tired and I've not had much time to do it, but I think it's important. I think I'm going to shoot for a release date of mid July. I'm hoping to really dig in the next couple days and get it done and get it off for formatting.

I've already designed my bookmarks, so I should send those off for printing. Just need to design postcards, buttons, bracelets, and stickers, and I have my swag done.

Then I have to purchase a barcode and set up distribution and I'm good to go. It's a lot of work, but I'm hoping in the long run, it will all be worth it.

Singing the praises of Autocrit and opening bank accounts

So like I said a couple days ago, I purchased Autocrit. If you've never heard of check it out. You can get a free test drive on their site. I'm telling you, I cannot believe how many words I repeat. I mean, I knew I used the word "just" two much, but 8 times in one chapter. Um...

Seriously, for those of you thinking about indie publishing it's worth the money at only $117 for the year. Of course, if you don't want to spend that much, they  have other pricing options as well.

I also opened a banking account for my writing. I'll probably end up getting a business license at some point. I'm hoping to make enough money to where it matters. *cough*. I think it's a good idea to keep my writing money separate from my own money anyway, especially since I got the Indiegogo money. This way, I'll be able to keep everything separate for tax purposes too.

I honestly can't wait to get more books written and published, even before I get this one out. I've really enjoyed the process a lot. I hope I keep enjoying it.

I probably going to buy my ISBN numbers today so I can start putting my book out online, on Amazon and Goodreads, etc.

Anyway, that's it. Happy Thursday (I can't believe it's Thursday already).

Enjoy the day!

I hate John Green

Did that get your attention? 

I don't really hate him of course, I don't even know him. In fact, he seems like a really amazing guy and I have a pile of his books on my shelf, signed to me, I might add, waiting to be read (after I finish Divergent and read Catching Fire, yeah, I'm a little behind in my reading. Bite me)

So why do I mention John Green? Well, I was on Goodreads the other day *dun duh dun dun*, yeah, yeah, Goodreads doesn't bother me as much as it bothers other writers. Bad reviews don't make a dent in my skin anymore. They make me learn, laugh or say "Dafuq?"  I hardly go to Goodreads any more, only about once a week maybe, just to accept friend requests, check on my little book.

Anyway...

With many of my reviews, there seems to be a reoccurring theme: John Green's, The Fault in our Stars. I've not read it. It's one of the books that sits on my shelf, signed, waiting to be read. Yeah,I know they're all signed, but I bet yours doesn't say, Dear Megan, blah blah blah, Love, John Green. 

Why you ask does TFIOS pop up so frequently in my reviews? If you know anything about young adult literature, you know that his book is about teenagers with cancer. And if you read my blog, you've heard a million times that my book, Never Eighteen is about a teenager with cancer.

I don't mind being lumped into the same breath (sentence, keyboard stroke, whatever) as John Green, whether the review is flattering or not. Mostly, they are just stating that they like these kind of weepie books (sick lit as they're called now), and since they came out at the same time, many of the bloggers read them about the same time. 

I even had some bloggers say they liked mine better than Greens. Okay, one. Maybe it was one.

It was the last bad review I got that had me thinking (I really don't normally like to talk about my bad reviews, but I have a point here I think is interesting). "I’m sorry, but I think it was an awful version of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. I didn’t find anything different in its plot."
  
So, with that said, this is my train of thought. Number one, it's obviously not a "version" of Green's book because I've never read it. Which is really not my main point at all, here's my main point.

My publisher HAD to have known Green was coming out with a cancer book, right? Same time, right? Would it not have made more sense to put mine out BEFORE his than after? It's been a little over a year since NE has come out and this has never really crossed my mind. But all these book releases are announced in Publisher's Marketplace. If a big name is releasing, wouldn't you want your title to come out first if it's on the same subject matter?

I don't know. My mind was just wandering since reading that review.

Anyway, on to more important things. Which Green book should I read first?

Looking for Alaska
An Overabundance of Katherines
The Fault in our Stars
Will Grayson Will Grayon or
Paper Towns

What do you think?

Okay happy Friday here are my scribbles!!

Next Pandora Song: Born to Die by Lana del Rey

 
Book of the Week: Since we're talking about it. The Fault in our Stars, John Green

Netflix of the Week: A friend told me about a movie called The Horseman yesterday, and though I've not watched it yet, I trust his judgement and it's on my cue.

Quote of the Week: "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." ~ Gandhi 

Monkey Madness Monday

First off, here's my cute Monday Monkey.  Secondly, I have to correct something here on my blog. 

Remember back when I talked about Goodread reviews?  Well, apparently the reviewer I spoke about in general commented on that blog, and for some reason it did not post.  She thought I deleted it, which, those of you who know me know I wouldn't do.  I've been known to delete an entire blog of mine, a million facebook posts of mine, but never a blog comment.  I respect other people's opinions even if I don't like them or agree with them.

She  blogged about it, thinking I'm a disgrunted writer, which I don't blame her for, thinking I deleted her comment.  I'm linking to that blog here. In my original blog was more making a point about Goodreads reviews and respecting others opinions.

I'm linking to her blog because she was very eloquent and made some good points.  And now that is all I'll say on the subject.


I want to talk about my writing retreat.  It was great.  Only four of us.  Kristin Kendle talked about grammar and punctuation, Janet Oakley spoke on historical research.  I gave an totally unorganized (my style) presentation about the publishing process. 

I want to make it an annual event.  We have given it a name, as shown in the following logo (TSS for short).  I would to get more people involved, even though we want to keep it small.  We decided on eight people, though I would probably take it up to ten.  I already have people interested. 

If you're interested, it's at Ocean Shores, Washington, the third weekend of July.  If you want to come, respond to this blog, or send me a direct email.  Also, expect to give a presentation on a writing subject, expect to do some cooking, cleaning, and expect to learn and have fun.  Participants will be chosen by presentation proposal.  I want people who will be a good fit, not just first come first serve.

If I get a lot of interest, I may expand to those who just would like to learn rather than present.  But right now, we're tiny.  So, if you're interested in the learning process alone, let me know that too.  I'll see how many people are interested and go from there.

I wouldn't mind presentation from bloggers and famous writers either *cough Jay Asher cough Brent Hartinger cough Elizabeth Scott*  Excuse me.  Must have had something caught in my throat.

That is all for today.

Catch you on the flip side.

Thought Provoking Thursday: Goodreads Reviews

This is a tricky subject to cover, so I need to tread carefully.  I know I've talked about reviews, but I want to talk specifically about Goodreads reviews and some of the effects they have.

I've heard I should not read Goodreads reviews.  Yep, that's going to happen, not.  It's too hard to see that someone has reviewed your novel and then not read that review.  Do I wish they were all 4 and 5 star reviews.  Of course.  But that's not reality.  In fact I got a 3 star from the Reading Housewives on Indiana the other day that I thought rocked.  Click here to read it.  The reviewer was very honest.  She like the book, was entertained, but could not connect with my main character.  I'm good with that.  She was respectful and tactful and I appreciated that.

I recently got a horrible 2.5 star review on Goodreads (and subsequently the reviewers blog).  I'm okay with the review.  I felt the language was a little harsh, but I respect the reviewers opinion.  It's a subjective business.  As writers, we hear this all the time.

And reviewer's followers sometimes take their word as gospel.  Again, fine.  They follow them, maybe they have some of the same opinions on certain books, so they take their reviews and base their decisions on them.  I'm down with that.

However, (of course there's a however) I think if someone reads a synopsis of a novel, and they think it sounds interesting, they should make their own judgment.  Plain and simple.  I mean, reviews are important, but if you doubt that review  in any way, just pick the book up and try it out.

There was one thing that bothered me about this particular review.  It was the fact that the blogger stated that the people that gave Never Eighteen five stars must not have read the book.  Yes, she has her freedom of speech, I just find this comment reckless and unprofessional.  That's just my opinion and I'm free to voice it as well.

I was researching opinions about Goodreads reviews, and only came up with a couple sites.  I think we as writers worry about criticizing reviews, as we should, so we stay away from the topic.  Here are a couple good blogs, click here for one by Alissa Grosso about the pros and cons of the site.  And click here to read one from Faerye.net about Goodreads vs. Librarything.

As you see, I've linked to the review in question above , only so you can read it, please do not feel the need to defend me or my novel.  Like I said, it's a subjective business.  Some people will hate your work, some with love it.  My friend Gae made a good point, that the bad reviews give the good ones some legitimacy.  Balance, Yin and Yang and all that.

Even you don't read or don't like Never Eighteen, I will still love you. :)  You are my blog readers and followers and I hold you close to my heart.

I hope no one is offended by this post.  It's just something I think about and wanted to talk about.  I would love your opinions on Goodreads, review bloggers, and Amazon reviews.  Do they hold water?  Are they gospel?  Do you only trust ones from your friends?

Tooting the Horn Tuesday: Auction for Japan

If you don't already know this, there are a group of YA writers who have been pulled together by Write Hope.  Write Hope was begun by kidlit writer who were devastated by the disaster in Japan.  There goal is to raise money for the Save the Children emergency relief fund by holding an auction, which is happening right now..

Many of us have donated signed books, swag, critiques, Skype chats, and more for their auction.  There is some great stuff there.  Please, check it out by clicking here.

I donated a query critique, I know Gae Polisner, Julia Karr, and Carrie Harris have donated, and I'm sure many of your favorite authors have.

Next, I want to wish good luck to those who have entered ABNA, as the next round of cuts take place today.  But for those who don't make the cuts, don't give up.  Be vigilant in your pursuit.  If throw in the towel, you'll never get there.


Then there's me.  After two not so raving reviews of Never Eighteen on Good reads (they weren't horrible, I guess), I was happy to see a four star.  It said, "...Such a wonderful, sad story that was full of hope... Megan Bostic nailed all the emotions...I feel wrung out, but in a good way"

I want to thank Pam for that because she lifted my spirits. :)
 
That's it for today.  Be sure to check out the auction.  There are new items posted a few times throughout the day.

Tooting the Horn Tuesday: Kudos to the Class of 2k11

So much is happening in my literary circles it's sometimes hard to keep up.

My friend Gae's novel, The Pull of Gravity, received a great review from YA Love.  Click here to read it.  She also has a cover for her amazing book now.  Here it is:

Here's a great review of another 2k11-er, Bettina Restrepo's, Illegal .

And yet another 2k11-er doing amazing things.  Geoff Herbach's novel, Stupid Fast is a Junior Library Guild selection.  But that's not all.  His sequel to Stupid Fast, The Whole Warm World, has been picked up and is due out Spring 2012.  Congrats to Geoff!

Angie Smibert received yet another shiny review for her novel, Memento Nora.

And here is my review of Amy Holder's novel, The Lipstick Laws.

Click here to find out more about the Class of 2k11.

Updates

Just a couple of updates about the upcoming release of Mending Fences.  I FINALLY got my contract in the mail.  It's signed and on its way back to HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) as we speak.

Also, here is something kind of cool, Mending Fences has been posted on Goodreads.com. Not only that, but people have already been marking it "to read".  Ack!!!  Okay, it's a short list, but it's a list just the same.  It's kind of cool to see your book up there on the Goodreads website with people already wanting to read it.

That's it.  Now from what I understand I wait some more.  What for the advance, and then an editorial letter.

Ciao, 

Megan