The trailer is now cast and filming THIS week! And we’re releasing the cast photos on Facebook over the next few days.

AND just to make it more interesting, we’ve decided to make a little contest out of it. We’ll be giving away THREE signed ARC (advanced reader copies) of the book to three lucky winners! All you have to do to enter is comment on the cast photos (they’ll be three photos posted in the next three days, so you’ll have THREE chances to win!

That’s a lot of threes, I just realized. THREE signed ARCs, THREE cast photos to be revealed, THREE chances to win!

Well, anyway, without further ado, the first cast member is up on my Facebook page now (and it’s a deliciously hot boy!) Go to www.Facebook.com/JessicaBrodyFans and enter to win (or just drool…that’s what I’ve been doing!)

And be sure to check back on Tuesday and Wednesday for more cast photos and on Thursday when we release the winners! Oh and don’t forget to LIKE the page, so you can see if you won!

Happy Monday to you all!

Jessica

About IN HONOR

Here’s the announcement that ran in Publisher’s Weekly today:

UK Children’s
Jessica Brody’s THE UNREMEMBERED TRILOGY, in which a 16-year old girl awakens amongst the wreckage of a devastating plane crash with no memories, the only clue to her identity is a mysterious boy who claims she was part of a top secret science experiment, to Ruth Alltimes at Macmillan Children’s UK, by Alex Webb at Rights People on behalf of Holly Hunnicutt at Macmillan Children’s. Translation: Marianne Merola at Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents

They’ll be releasing the books simultaneously with the U.S. releases so those of you across the pond won’t have to wait any longer than we do over here. Ah….how next year is so far away!

Have a great week, everyone!

Jessica

I’ll be doing a series of school visits and one public signing. If you live in the area, I hope I get to meet you!

I’ll be visiting: Neptune Middle School, Neptune High School, Manasquan High School, and Point Pleasant Beach High School. And I’ll be doing some really fun surprise giveaways at each school!

I’ll also be doing a book signing (open to the public!) here:

BookTowne
Manasquan, NJ
Thursday, Feb. 23
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

I hope you’ll come by and say hi!

Have a great weekend everyone!

XO
Jessica

Ask and you shall receive!

Ahem...Announcing the very first SAVE THE CAT! Novel-Writing Workshop in AUSTIN!

The workshop will take place on the weekend of April 14th and 15th, 2012. 

All the details, including price and how to register, can be found by clicking here!

In case you’re new to all this, here’s my “spiel” about the SAVE THE CAT! method and the class:

Basically I owe my entire novel-writing career to Save the Cat! A book series by the genius Blake Snyder about how to outline any story in the world. He calls his trusty “formula,” the “Blake Snyder Beat Sheet”, and it consists of 15 “beats” (or story points) that fit into pretty much any movie ever made. And I’ve adapted them to novels to help me outline all my books. Since starting to use the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet, I’ve sold nine novels. Yep…NINE! I don’t think that’s a coincidence! Now, I never start writing another book until I’ve got my trusted 15 beats in place.

And during this two-day workshop, I’m going to teach you exactly how I do it!

Basically it works like this: you come to the workshop with an idea for your next novel (all genres welcome!), the group  spends the next two days working through the 15 beats of each of your ideas, and by the end of the weekend, you have a sturdy (unbeatable!) outline to start writing your book with!

Space is extremely limited. There are only EIGHT spots open for this class. So ACT FAST!

Hope to see you there, Texans!

Happy writing!

About FANGTASTIC:

Praise for the VAMPED series:

“Perfect for teens and adults, this is a book to share, savor and revisit. ReVamped is full of smart, spot-on dialogue, engaging, authentic characters and a plot that’s so much fun it’s impossible not get swept up.” —Examiner.com

My Interview with Lucienne:

What kind of research did you have to do to bring Gina to life on the page?

The good thing about writing a heroine who’s an eighteen year old girl is that I was once an eighteen year old girl.  (We won’t go into how long ago that was!)  That’s pretty much where our similarities end.  Gina is a fanged fashionista, who only “survived” her senior prom because of a make-out session with the surprise hottie of the evening…the class chess champed who’d recently been vamped himself.  I can’t claim any firsthand knowledge of such things, but I have been to a few proms in my time.

My research mostly involves locations.  Fangtastic is set in Florida, where I now live, but I made a fieldtrip to a club very similar to The Tower where the vampire lifestylers meet.  I also interviewed a friend of mine who is an integral part of the New England vampire community to find out a lot of what I needed to know about the philosophy, beliefs and terminology.  It was really fascinating!  (My husband and I met working at a haunted house, so we have many friends in unusual fields to draw on.  Some have appeared on shows like Face Off and Oddities.)

 If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be?

Bobby Delvecchio, the chess champ turned vampire hottie, the one responsible for Gina’s unlife style.  In my mind he looks like Zac Efron, so he’d be very easy on the eyes.  Plus, he’s a geek-boy and I’m a geek-girl.  I think we’d have a lot to talk about.

What’s the first thing you do when starting a new book? What’s the first thing you do when finishing a new book?

First thing: panic.  Last thing: celebrate.

Okay, maybe not so much panic.  At first, I’m all fired up, excited, writing a mile a minute.  Then I remember the story actually has to go somewhere, and I’m not exactly sure where.  That’s when the panic sets in.

Which fictional character do you have a secret crush on?

I think we’ve covered that one <g>.  Oh, you mean any fictional character?  Sorry, I was lost in Bobby’s eyes.  Rohan from Melanie Rawn’s Dragon Prince series.  I love a hero who’s not so caught up in his pride that he won’t play the fool if necessary to outmaneuver the enemy.  I guess by that account, I’m also a big fan of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Sherlock Holmes, who, while pretty full of himself, has played many parts, some ever so humble.  I also fell completely head over heels with Peeta from the Hunger Games trilogy.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just turned in the fourth book in the Vamped series, Fangtabulous, to my publisher.  That’ll be out in January of next year.  Now I’m hard at work on the second book in my Latter-Day Olympians series (adult urban fantasy).  Crazy in the Blood is the sequel to Bad Blood, which is out in digital already and will be released in print on May 1^st!

I’m also currently running a spread the love contest, if anyone wants to swing by.  It’s easy to enter, and the prize for one lucky winner will be a Kindle and carrying case.  Details are here: http://luciennediver.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/contests-kindle-fangtastic/.

About the author: 

Lucienne Diver is the author of the popular Vamped series of young adult novels (think Clueless meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer).  School Library Journal calls the first book, “a lighthearted, action-packed, vampire romance story following in the vein of Julie Kenner’s “Good Ghouls” (Berkley), Marlene Perez’s “Dead” (Harcourt), and Rachel Caine’s “The Morganville Vampires” (Signet) series.” VOYA has suggested that the books “will attract even reluctant readers.”

Her short stories have been included in the Strip-Mauled and Fangs for the Mammaries anthologies edited by Esther Friesner (Baen Books), and one of her essays appears in the anthology Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperTeen).

Visit her online at: LucienneDiver.com

And now to the reason you clicked on this post!

This just in! The first ever released summary of UNREMEMBERED has been posted.

Click here to read it!

I hope you enjoy! And I hope you enjoy the new site!

Jessica

Attention, writers!!! Back by popular demand (I’ve always wanted to say that!), I’m doing another SAVE THE CAT Novel-Writing Beat Sheet Workshop!

I was thrilled when the kind people over at Blake Snyder Enterprises (publishers of the SAVE THE CAT books and software) asked me to teach another class. And of course, I said yes!

The workshop is two-days in Los Angeles, CA and takes place over the weekend of March 3rd and 4th.

Update! The workshop on March 3rd and 4th is now SOLD OUT! But we have opened up another workshop on March 31/April 1. 

All the details, including price and what you will learn can be found here: http://www.blakesnyder.com/services/novel-writing-beat-sheet-workshop/

And if you have absolutely NO idea what I’m talking about and are thinking to yourself, “Save the WHAT?”, then let me fill you in:

I owe my entire novel-writing career to Save the Cat! A book series by the genius Blake Snyder about how to outline any story in the world. He calls his trusty “formula,” the “Blake Snyder Beat Sheet”, and it consists of 15 “beats” (or story points) that fit into pretty much any movie ever made. And I’ve adapted them to novels to help me outline all my books. Since starting to use the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet, I’ve sold nine novels. Yep…NINE! I don’t think that’s a coincidence! Now, I never start writing another book until I’ve got my trusted 15 beats in place. 

And during this two-day workshop, I’m going to teach you exactly how I do it!

Basically it works like this: you come to the workshop with an idea for your next novel (all genres welcome!), the group  spends the next two days working through the 15 beats of each of your ideas, and by the end of the weekend, you have a sturdy (unbeatable!) outline to start writing your book with! 

Space is extremely limited. There are only SIX spots open for this class. So ACT FAST! 

Oh, and if you want to read the beat sheet for THE KARMA CLUB that I published on Blake Snyder’s blog, click here!

Hope to see you there! Happy writing, writers!

Jessica

About DEADLY LITTLE VOICES

From DEADLY LITTLE VOICES

“You’re just one big fat joke,” the voice hisses.

I cover my ears, but the insults keep coming.

“Just do it,” a voice whispers.  It’s followed by more voices, of different people.  They talk over each other and mingle together, producing one clear cut message – that I’m a waste of a life.

I rock back and forth, trying to remain in control.  I smother my ears with the sheet.  Press my forehead against my knees.  Pound my heels into the floor, bracing myself for what comes next.

Meanwhile, there’s a drilling sensation inside my head; it pushes through the bones of my skull, and makes me think that I’m going crazy.

“Please,” I whisper.  More tears sting my eyes.  I shake my head, wondering if maybe I’m already dead, if maybe the voices are part of hell.

Check out the book trailers

DEADLY LITTLE SECRET:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzMpVMy2fQ
DEADLY LITTLE LIES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Qk0VG2Nz0
DEADLY LITTLE GAMES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc8N4Q0YDuM

TOUCH SERIES CONTEST 

From the author: “In keeping with Touch series tradition, in celebration of the release of DEADLY LITTLE VOICES, I’m launching my annual “winner-gets-to-have-a-minor-character-named-after-him/her” contest!  The grand prize winner will get to have a minor character in DEADLY LITTLE LESSONS, the fifth and final book in the TOUCH series named after him or her.  Other prizes include autographed book copies and the opportunity to have original work appear on my web site, Facebook, and Twitter pages.  OFFICIAL RULES and GUIDELINES for this contest are on my website, under NEWS.  ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM, DOWNLOADABLE FROM WWW.LAURIESTOLARZ.COM/NEWS.html. Sign up for my e-Newsletter for updates on contest, book, and appearance info:http://www.lauriestolarz.com/newsletter.html


Praise for the TOUCH series

Texas Tayshas List, 2010 (DLS)

Children’s Book Council’s 2010 & 2011 Teen Choice Book of the Year Nominee

Reluctant Reader Quick Pick Nominees, 2010 & 2011, American Library Association

Teens@Random, Favorite Book of 2009 (DLS)

Gold Star Award, TeensReadToo.com, 2009 (DLL)

“…lively first-person narrative…. CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination” – Kirkus Reviews

“An engaging, eerie tale about the darker side of relationships – when it becomes a matter of life and death to know who your friends are.” – KLIATT

“The book was full of shocking surprises and revelations, earning the book five stars. This is a must-read for fans of romance, suspense, and mystery because it won’t disappoint.” – Teens Read Too (DLL)

“Laurie Faria Stolarz is a master creator of suspense and romance. Her words cause the heart to pound, the palms to sweat, the spine to shiver, and the stomach to flutter. The trepidation born from the anonymous threats will make the pages fly, and the palpable tension between Camelia and Ben as they attempt to ignore their hearts causes the fire to burn hotter.” – TeenReads.com

Laurie’s Guilty Pleasures

Favorite snack: Popcorn with soy butter and lemon/pepper seasoning.
Touristy Trip: Paris.
Fashion addiction (at the moment): artfully torn jeans, tall boots, pretty scarves, and Michael Stars tees.
Dessert: Dark chocolate in almost any form – the darker the better.
Fast food: French fries at least once every few months (with lots of ketchup).
Beauty Binge: Aveda haircare products, which includes indulging in high-and/or-low-lights every eight weeks. Also, Caudalie skincare, Ineke perfume (Field Notes from Paris), Revitalash mascara, and Buxom Lips from Bare Escentuals.
Late-Night TV: Real Housewives of (wherever), Mad Fashion, Fashion Hunters.
Chick Flick: Never Been Kissed, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Juno, Green Card, Once, The Devil Wears Prada, Bridget Jones Diary, Thelma & Louise, Mean Girls, Moonstruck, Clueless, Under the Tuscan Sun, and anything with John Cusack.
Nightlife: Pilates in front of the TV (a regular occurrence), answering e-mail (also regular), and dinner and/or a movie out with friends (happens far too rarely).
Cheap Thrill: Window-shopping, tabloid magazines, buying a new lip gloss, a tall cup of coffee from Peet’s or Starbucks.
Ultimate Splurge: G2O Day Spa for a massage.

Other Random Info

Favorite Quote: Perseverance is key.
Favorite cuisine: Indian food – onion chutney, curried vegetables, and kashmir bread. I also love cheeseless pizza from Bertucci’s.
Interests: Vegetarian cooking, holistic nutrition, aromatherapy.
Favorite Music: Adele, Fergie, James Blunt, Gavin Rossdale, Tori Amos, Sting, Sarah MacLachlin, Gwen Stefani, Black-eyed Peas.
Hobbies: Walking, napping, cooking, shopping, interior decorating.

How to bring your psychometric senses to fruition

By Camelia Hammond, main character, TOUCH series by Laurie Faria Stolarz

1. Make yourself comfortable in a place that feels “sacred” to you. For some it’s outside, surrounded by nature; for others it’s a favorite chair or surrounded by candles; for me, it’s wherever I’m doing pottery.
2. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, letting go of any stray or nervous thoughts.
3. Now, take an object in your hand. A good idea is to have someone give you something they’ve owned for a long time, i.e. a favorite bracelet or a set of keys.
4. Close your eyes again and concentrate on this object. Be aware of any thoughts or feelings that come about as a result of holding this object. Talk those ideas through, even if they seem silly or insignificant, but never make information up.

Remember, this takes practice and a bit of experimenting. The goal is to begin tuning in to your own inner awareness and your ability of perception. What often works for me is asking a question aloud, and then sculpting out the answer, using my power of touch in a creative and organic way.

Good Luck!

About the author: 

 Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series.  Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at: www.LaurieStolarz.com

Hey all! Sorry for the LONG gap between blog posts. Things have been quite busy over here. I FINALLY finished the second draft of UNREMEMBERED, the first book in my upcoming sci-fi trilogy! I’m really excited about how the revision came out and now my fingers are TIGHTLY crossed that my editor is just as excited!

The hubby and I celebrated the completion of the manuscript by taking a quick last-minute cruise to the Caribbean. It was so amazing and JUST what I needed.

Here are few of my favorite pics from the cruise!

Hanging with our new friend, “Mickey” at the Roatan Marine Sciences Institute in Honduras!

Very excited to have my lovely SeaPass card!

Saying goodbye to Miami.

My “Statue of Liberty” pose, complete with napkin hat provided by Angel, our  kick-ass waiter!

Showing off my SUPER stylish motion sickness pressure point wristbands!

So, now I’m relaxing at the in-laws house in Dallas, getting ready for a BIG Texas Christmas! I hope everyone has a very happy holidays!

Peace on Earth,
Jessica