I've decided to end Writer's Alley's 2016 sharing an amazing list of potential middle grade reads for your holiday list and also summing up my fears and insecurities for this year, so please bare with this long post. TY!
First things first: debut middle grade books from my fellow @TheSweet16s authors. Seriously, this was a huge year for MG readers. Such talent in this group. Even better? They are amazing people and they want to chat with you! Visit their sites and leave them a message. Better yet - check out their next book signing. And ooh, a few are even offering up a goodie or two for you to enter to win!
Read on for my next contribution to Shannon Messenger's MMGM genius plan
to give middle grade reads their just due! Click HERE for the other participants.
~And now my giveaways~
FROM THE GRAVE
by Cynthia Reeg
Description: Monster is as monster does, but Frankenstein Frightface Gordon is totally the wrong shade of ghastly green—pale, baby blue, in fact—and he's more concerned with keeping his pants neat and tidy than scaring the pants off his victims. But when a new law is passed to rid Uggarland of misfits such as Frank, he must decide if he will become the monster his parents can be proud of or be the monster he can be proud of. Trusting the monsterliest monster he knows, Frank looks to the grave and his dead grandmother to make his choice, entering into an adventure that will either seal his doom or prove he is truly monster enough.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE PROJECT
by Tricia Clasen
Description: Since her mom died, Andie’s family has crumbled. Instead of working, her dad gambles away insurance money, while her sister, Paige, has put her future on hold in order to pick up extra waitressing shifts. Andie’s afraid of what will happen if people find out just how bad things are. She’s not sure how long she can hide the fact that there’s no food or money in the house...or adults, for that matter.
When her science partner suggests they study paranormal activity, Andie gets an idea. She wants a sign from her mom—anything to tell her it’s going to be okay. Maybe the rest of her family does too. So she starts a project of her own. Pretending to be her mother’s ghost, Andie sprays perfume, changes TV channels, and moves pictures. Haunting her house is Andie’s last hope to bring her family back into the land of the living.
For anyone who loved Counting by 7s, The Haunted House Project is a journey through loss and grief, but ultimately a story of hope and self-reliance. As much as Andie has been changed by her mother’s death, the changes she makes herself are the ones that are most important.
TREASURE AT LURE LAKE
by Shari Schwarz
Description: An epic adventure—that’s all Bryce wants this summer. So when he stumbles upon a treasure map connected to an old family secret, Bryce is determined to follow the clues to unearth both, even it means hiking in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere. Bryce must work with his bickering brother, Jack, or they may never see the light of day again!
THE VOYAGE TO MAGICAL NORTH
by Claire Fayers
Description: Twelve-year-old Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past--if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat as a child, clutching a shard of the rare starshell needed for spell-casting, she's spent the past years keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter.
When Brine and Peter get themselves into a load of trouble and flee, they blunder into the path of the legendary pirate ship the Onion. Before you can say "pieces of eight," they're up to their necks in the pirates' quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don't even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, she may find out who her parents are. And if she's unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I also hope you'll keep my middle grade debut,
MOTLEY EDUCATION, on your holiday reading list!
And as an added incentive here's a separate giveaway that ends on the same date: December 25!
Keep watch on Twitter between December 19 & 24 to Enter for your chance to WIN one of two Motley Education prize packages!
Both prizes contain: a signed bookmark, ghostly pencil, Motley Mulisha customized notebook, stickers, a beautifully printed map of Yggdrasil showcasing Ebony & Fleishman's travels in Yggdrasil so far, and some ghoulish hot chocolate encased in a coffin! Get it - the Boneyard. *wink, wink*
Look for the hashtags @TheSweet16s & @SA_Larsen.
My newsletter subscribers get to earn extra entries. If you'd like to earn extra entries as well just sign up HERE and I'll send you off the newsletter with all the deets!
So how does all of this play into a final fear or insecurity for 2016? Easy, just look at all the work so many talented writers accomplished. Yes, I was blessed to be part of it. But, honestly, can I keep it up? Do I have what it takes? Will life constantly keep getting in the way? My debut young adult novel is releasing in March, and I'm so far behind with all my other writing I wonder if I'll be able to pull it all off.
I could go on and on with those sorts of questions, but I won't. Instead I'll give you my answer to these questions, anymore like them clogging up the highway to my creativity, and to give you a little inspiration for the upcoming year. My answer is simply one word: YES. And you have what it takes, too.
Note: Speaking of the new YA, if you'd like to help out either revealing the cover or being part of my blog tour feel free to leave a comment below or enter your name HERE. I'll get in touch when I know more.💖
(The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.)
Have a safe & enjoyable holiday season.
I wish you all much success in 2017! Looking forward to all we'll do together.
XOXO...
I bet it's even more challenging having your YA book release so soon after your middle grade debut. But yes, you can do it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. When I start thinking about all I have to do I want to jump on my bed, wrap in a blanket, and sleep. LOL I need to start looking at things in little pieces.
DeleteThanks for all the great giveaway opportunities. Do a little each day and your goals will be reached. Small steps still get you to the finish line.
ReplyDeleteI love your advice! Every time I think about finishing book II all I see is the end. But my brain knows what needs to come first, and then I psych myself out. LOL Best of luck with the giveaways. Hope you win!
DeleteEnjoy your holiday season....
Don't panic. You'll always feel behind - just do what you can.
ReplyDeleteBe happy to host you on your tour!
I like that you mentioned that I'll always feel behind. I think that's just a fact of life, right?
DeleteThanks so much! I'll put on my list. Enjoy your holiday season...
Look at all the wonderful books! I'd love to host you for your latest release, if you like =)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am constantly struggling to keep up - I prioritize and do what I can and it's okay if I don't get to everything... it all works out!
Thanks for the great reading list! There are a few on there that I had wanted to read and forgot about. I'm happy for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's good! I'm always up for reminders, too. Things are so hard to keep track of lately. Either it's because I'm so busy with the writing life or I'm just getting old! :D
DeleteThis is an excellent reading list. Have read a couple, and see several I really want to read. It is hard to keep up with reviews. Must be even harder when you are also writing and promoting your own books. Wishing you much energy and a great book launch in 2017.
ReplyDeleteI think feeling overwhelmed is a sign you're stretching yourself, and going after challenges, both excellent ways to grow as a writer! Just, not always comfortable. ;) I'm sure you can do it, and appreciate your vote of confidence that I/we can, too! Great books here--including yours. I've entered to win and signed up for your newsletter!
ReplyDeleteAs the mania of new release wanes, you'll find a balance between writing new content, working toward publication of existing content and promoting published content. You really will. But enjoy the mania for a while. There is nothing like having a new book in the world!
ReplyDeleteI'm always available to help promote your books. :)
ReplyDeleteQuite a big job this writing, publishing and promoting books! Here's to doing it so well.
ReplyDeleteThese books sound really good! Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable assortment of books.
ReplyDeleteLife will always get in the way. That's what it does. You just learn to move around it.
Traversing life's twists and curves does give us the chance to learn and to grow. And yes, aren't this books awesome!
DeleteEnjoy your holidays!
Look at all those great books! I have quite a few of them on my shelf to read. :) Your prize pack for December sounds and looks fantastic. Super cool!
ReplyDelete~Jess
WOW!!! Nice selection of books!!!
ReplyDeleteA lovely list of books! Yes you can dear, stay positive.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sheena-Kay!
DeleteEnjoy your holidays... :D
That's a lot of books. Congratulations to all the authors. Congrats on Motley Education. I'm reading it now. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved your response to all those insecure questions. YES. We can do it when we set our minds to it. Best wishes. I signed up to host you.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
First, holy wow at all the books. I was scanning through to see what would catch my eye, but there were so many great covers.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, of course you can do it! Good luck.
I'd be glad to host you.