1. I finished page proofs for MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS, and sent it in to my editor.  That's the last I'll see of this book until I receive ARC's.  It's a wonderful and slightly terrifying feeling.  This is it.  The book is as done as I can make it.

2. The first chapter of MAGIC ON THE STORM will be included in the back of MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS.  I'm very excited about that!

3. I will be doing a signing on the 18th of July from noon until we can't sign no more at Escape Fiction in Salem, Oregon.  And I won't be alone.  No, this is going to be a big ol' party!  Team Seattle--Mark Henry, Richelle Mead, Cherie Priest, Caitlin Kittridge and Kat Richardson will be there too!  So much awesomeness in one place, it boggles the mind.

Plus, there will be raffles for first edition books, time to chat with the authors, and the owner, Maria, is making her secret homemade cheesecake recipe with hand-picked fresh local berries.

If there's any signing you should hither to in the next couple weeks, I dare say this one will be the most fun!!

4. Rachel Vincent's new book, PREY is on shelves today!  Hurrah!  I'm heading out tonight to get it.  You should too!  Or, you could win a copy by going here or here.

5. We received our weekly delivery of fresh veggies.  This time we got snap peas, broccoli, kale, Swiss chard, kohlrabi and choi.  

Slime Knight,  "Egads! I'm lost!  Lost in a choi jungle and surrounded by kohlrabi and Swiss chard! I shall eat my way to freedom!"

So the other day I held an open call for beta readers and writers. Several people who were looking for critique partners or first readers exchanged manuscripts and are in the process of finding out if they have found a good match.

Not every match went as well as hoped.  That's to be expected.  Finding a beta, first reader, or critique partner is all about finding someone who is critical of the manuscript, supportive of the author, and can give feedback the author needs in a manner in which the author can accept it.

Being a first reader is not easy.  It takes a lot of skill, clarity, and willingness to figure out what the manuscript needs to reach its final goal (which is usually, but not always, publication.)

I've been thinking a lot about it, and came up with five things first readers, writers, and critique partners can do to make the process easier.

1. Tell your critique partner what kind of feedback you're looking for before they start reading.  Be specific.  If you want to know if the dialogue is snappy, tell them so.  If you only want to hear what works in the manuscript, say, "I'm just looking for what you like about this, not what doesn't work."  If you want to know if the characters are believable, if the ending is clear, if the descriptions are overwhelming, if the pacing is too slow--say that before your reader ever gets their hands on your work.  That way you both have the same expectations going into the event.

2. If a writer tells you all they want is for you to tell them what worked in a manuscript, just tell them what worked.  If you can't help but blurt out all the annoying things that need fixing, you might not be a good match for the "positive only" writer.

3. Do not make it personal.  Ever.  Remember, there's a living breathing dreaming person behind those words on the page--and also behind the reader of those words.  If you are a critique partner, your basic intent should be to give feedback that will improve the story--not feedback to tear down the writer.  "This didn't work for me because the setting was unclear..." is a perfectly good way to give feedback.  "Your description sucks" is less helpful.  And writers? arguing with your beta readers won't get you as far as asking clear questions: "what was it about the forest scene that was unclear?"

4. Listen.   When you get feedback, put your writerly ego aside and listen as if the work being critiqued were not yours. Be willing to entertain the critiquer's suggestions long enough to see why, specifically, they are giving that feedback.

5. If you find a problem in the manuscript and come up with a solution that would fix it for you (the reader) do not get a big head about it.  Being excited that you've found a solution is awesome. Lording it over the writer, or being condescending just makes you look like a jerk. 

How about you?  Do you have any tips that make critiquing a better experience?

We got our first delivery of fresh veggies in today.  I met the farmer at my gate, we talked a little, I introduced her to our dog, and we agreed on where a good weekly drop off spot would be.  She seemed very nice.

I took the plastic tote from her, and peered in at our treasure.  First off: a flat of strawberries.  I don't know if there's any place that makes strawberries as sweet at Oregon.**  They are ruby-dark, deeply sweet and fresh.  They don't go to grocery stores because they are so sweet they go bad in a matter of a day or two.  Perfect for pies, toppings, jams, we're eating them fresh for sheer pleasure, though I might have a quart or so I can put back for jam.  I'll likely need to buy more for our winter jam needs.

Also in the tote was a bag each of sugar peas, snap peas, swiss chard, broccoli, leaf lettuce, and something that the husband and I have decided is probably beet greens. (It's been several years since he and I had a garden, so looking at a leaf without its identifying bulb is a bit of a guessing game for us, lol!)

We're already making a good dent in the sugar and snap peas--both so crisp they earn their names.  It seems a shame to cook them when they taste so good raw.

The swiss chard and beet greens are going to get a cooking tomorrow for dinner.  I saw a recipe somewhere that involved feta cheese and cranberries.  I might have to look that up and see what kind of culinary trouble I can get into.



Captain Jack, guarding his bootie. "Arr, Matey.  I got a bowl of veggies!  I got a bowl of berries!  Hands off, savvy?"


*We signed up for Gardenripe, a local farm that sells shares of the produce and delivers it to your doorstep once a week. I expect my Wednesday posts will be about veggies for a little while.
**Are strawberries super sweet where you live?

Edit to add--it was swiss chard and kale, not beet greens.  :o)

Book 4 of the Allie Beckstrom Series now has a title:

MAGIC ON THE STORM

I decided to keep the word rhythm and "look" of the first three book titles (Magic to the Bone, Magic in the Blood, Magic in the Shadows) partly because it gives a visual continuity to the covers and won't be easily confused with the other (terrific, btw) "magic" urban fantasy series out on the shelves.

I've also been given a hint of what the cover might contain.  All I can say at this point is it will likely have another Portland landmark on it  (and I'm assuming Allie will also be featured, lol.)  I'm very excited to see it, partly because my editor is also very excited to see it.  Enthusiasm is contagious!

In other news, I had a very rare quiet day at home alone today.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  Instead of doing a million writing-related things that needed to be done, I rested, wandered, and daydreamed.  I let the silence of the day sink into my skin, my body, and my soul.     

With all the clamor, rush, and constant demands of the world, sometimes I forget my very real need for a deep breath, an uninterrupted cup of tea, or just time to watch the sky fill and empty of clouds, sun, and stars.  Today I savored the silence, and it has left me renewed.

Monday I turned in Book #4 of the Allie Beckstrom series (still untitled, though we hope to remedy that by sometime next week)

I am so excited it's done!!!  It received a big thumb's up from my beta readers, so I am hopeful I got the bones of the book right and the revisions my editor will ask me for will be more cosmetic rather than huge plot surgery.

So far, every book in this series has been a different experience.  Each has had its own challenges.  Until Monday, I was pretty confident book 3, MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS was my favorite in the series to write.  But book 4 is nudging 3 out of my "favorite" spot.  I like so much that happens in books 3 and 4, that I just can't choose between them.*

So while I take a picture of the giant white board of plotting doom, and then wipe the board clean in prep for outlining book 5, here are a couple of cool things that have happened:

1.  MAGIC IN THE BLOOD (book 2) was chosen as a Recommeded Read for May 2009 by PNR!  I am so thrilled about that! 

2. I received the cover flats for MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS (book 3) and they did something so fabulous!  Look close, can you see what has changed on this cover?







Okay, so it's not the best photo (trust me, this is gorgeous in person) but if you look under the title, they have added: An Allie Beckstrom Novel  I love that!  It make me feel a series-writerly. (and if you can make out the back cover blurb, that is a starred review from Publishers Weekly!)

3. I am still receiving entries for the Great Reader-Writer Match Up.  Comments are still open.  You can leave a post about yourself in the comments HERE or answer one of the other writers/readers who are looking for a partner.  We've had several confirmed match ups already and there's still time for more!


*Don't get me wrong.  I loved writing Magic to the Bone and Magic in the Blood too!  I just had even more fun with books 3 and 4.

What an amazing day!  Thank you all for joining in on the great reader-writer match up!  I can't believe how many people showed up and offered to help out.  You guys are the best!

A second big thank you to tinachristopher who suggested I host the party.  She is a genius!

I'm leaving the comments open on the match up entry here, for a couple weeks in case anyone needs to contact via that post.

I'd love to know how many people got in contact with each other.  Did we make one match? Two?  Did you find a reader/writer/crit partner?  Are you still looking?*

Leave a message in the comments.  How did it go for you?


*If you're still looking, I'll do a short recap here in this post of people who are still open for contacts.

I was going to blog about how I found my current beta readers today, but tinachristopher  had a genuis suggestion: let’s have a one-day beta reader hunt  match up here on my live journal!
http://www.devonmonk.livejournal.com/

I’m opening my blog today to any reader or writer who is looking for a critique partner or reader who wants to be a beta reader.  You don't need special training.  You don't need to be published.

Come on in, have some punch, try the cheese cubes with the frilly toothpicks.  Mix.  Mingle.  Talk about who you are and what you're looking for.

In the comments you can:

1. Tell us if you’re a reader or writer

2. Tell us what you like to read or what you are writing

3. Tell us your favorite movies, books, author, or a little about yourself. 

4. Do not tell us derogatory comments about specific writers–you never know who’s going to stop by.

5. If you find someone you’d like to test run as a critique partner or beta reader, exchange email addresses in comments.

6. If you don’t want your email public, but still want to contact someone in private, email me at devon_monkATyahooDOTcom with your email address.  If you email me with a contact address, you are giving me permission to offer your address to anyone who asks me for it for today only.  (I expect only readers and writers will ask for emails, but there’s always the chance I won’t catch a sneaky spammer.)  I will delete all emails (sent to me in private on yahoo) at the stroke of midnight PST, and share them no more.  

7. Have fun, play fair, be nice, and most of all, good luck!

Let the party begin!

Edit to add: Remember, after you post about what you're looking for, you can read through the comments and reply to anyone who you think might be a good match for you.  Don't be a wallflower!  These don't have to be long-term commitments-- just test runs to see if anyone "clicks". 

Re-edit to add:  I'll leave the comments up here on the Live Journal for at least a couple weeks.  I will, however, delete personal emails sent to me via yahoo.  Don't want y'all to think I'm using them for nefarious deeds.  :o)

Book 4 of the Allie Beckstrom series is now in the hands of my three fabulous beta readers.

Beta #1 read it in one day and used these words to describe the book: "It's f**king awesome!" Then he pointed out all the things that didn't work for him, typos, confusing transitions, character motivations and other thing that need adjusting.

Beta #2 is halfway through it and sent me an email filled with excitement and exclamation points.  She will sit down with me tonight or tomorrow to talk over what didn't work for her.

Beta #3 hasn't gotten to it yet, but I have a feeling I'll get a phone call from her soon.

Two of my betas aren't writers.  One is.  They are all invaluable to me.  Let me tell you why they are the perfect readers for me.

• They ask me how the book is going while I'm writing it, and always offer a sympathetic ear, or brainstorming session if I get stuck.
• They literally drop everything and read my book whenever I get it done and give it to them.  I work on short deadlines, and never have more than a week between finish, beta, and handing it in to my editor.
• They are honest.  Really, really honest.  But they are not mean.
• They tell me what they love about the book, character, scene, or sentence.
• They are excited to see my successes, and I am excited to see their successes.  Which means, if they need my support in any way, I do anything I can to help them. Which also means, they give me their time, so I try to repay in kind.
• They are avid readers of many genres.
• They have taken the time to understand my writer-speak.  I can ask them if the dramatic tension in the second act lagged, or if they think a character's internal logic is off, an they'll have an answer for me.
• They have a good grasp on the industry as a business.
• They are awesome, talented, intelligent people.

So how does one go out and find their own Beta reader? 

Good question.  Anyone want to chime in on that in the comments?  How did you find your beta readers?

***check in tomorrow.  I'm going to open my LJ for writers and readers looking to find or become beta readers.  Spread the word!  Let's see how many beta matches we can make!***

This was going to be a clever post, but my clever's long gone for the day.

So instead, it will be random news!

1. I finished the first pass on rewrites for book #4 of the Allie Beckstrom series.  It is now ready for my beta readers. (yay!) It will be titled, spot-polished and handed into my editor by Monday, latest. (also yay!)

2. Over on the Deadline Dames,  I talked about daring to be bad when I write and how much it has helped me.

3. A few months ago I signed up (and paid) for a "share" of a local organic farm that delivers fresh fruit, herbs and veggies to your door for a seventeen-week growing period.  I was so excited.

Now the reality is sinking in.  When they say you better be a veggy eater, they aren't joking around.  There are more than 35 different green things that will be delivered to us by the bushel and the bunch. Big quantities, like four pounds of cilantro.  Sixty pounds of tomatoes.  Ten pounds of onions.  Uh...yes.  It is good I have a lot of family members in the area (hear that, family members? Brace yourselves!).  I'll be gifting veggies all summer, and anything we don't eat or can/freeze, we'll donate to the local food bank.  

4. If you've sent me an email and I haven't responded, I am so, so sorry.  I'm hoping to tackle my email pile by Wednesday.

5. More and cleverer things soon...

I know.  Just yesterday I announced that fellow Deadline Dame, Toni Andrew's newest book, Cry Mercy is on the shelves now.

Guess what?  The Dames have done it again!

Black & White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge, is officially on shelves today!!


It's the ultimate battle of good versus good.

They were best friends at an elite academy for superheroes in training, but now Callie Bradford, code name Iridium, and Joannie Greene, code name Jet, are mortal enemies. Jet is a by-the-book hero, using her Shadow power to protect the citizens of New Chicago. Iridium, with her mastery of light, runs the city’s underworld. For the past five years the two have played an elaborate, and frustrating, game of cat and mouse.

But now playtime’s over. Separately Jet and Iridium uncover clues that point to a looming evil, one that is entwined within the Academy. As Jet works with Bruce Hunter—a normal man with an extraordinary ability to make her weak in the knees—she becomes convinced that Iridium is involved in a scheme that will level the power structure of America itself. And Iridium, teaming with the mysterious vigilante called Taser, uncovers an insidious plot that’s been a decade in the making…a plot in which Jet is key.

They’re both right. And they’re both wrong. Because nothing is as simple as Black and White.

I have this book in my hot little hands and as soon as I get book 4 of the Allie Beckstrom series turned in, I'll get to read it!  Yay!  

How about you?  What are you reading?  What books should I add to my reading binge I'm planning?

Today, a new book hits the shelf! 

One of my fellow Deadline Dames, Toni Andrews' book Cry Mercy is out in the world!  Toni's doing a fun blog tour, filled with tarot readings, signed bookplates, and a gi-normous coffee cup!   Her latest installment in the tour is here.


I just want a normal life…even if I'm not entirely sure I'm human.

My name is Mercy Hollings and I'm a successful hypnotherapist in Balboa, California. The problem is, my good fortune is dependent on a dark secret. I can make people do whatever I want using telepathy, a power I call "the press." And that ability has hurt some people I never wanted to hurt, so I try to keep it under wraps.

I also try to keep people at a distance…at least, I used to. Recently a group of fearless characters broke through my self-imposed walls and became my friends: Sukey, my receptionist-turned-P.I.; Tino, a Chicano gang leader; Hilda, a wealthy society widow; Grant, a retired millionaire—and Sam, my sexy-as-hell ex-boyfriend.

But with friends comes drama. Tino has inadvertently led me into the dark world of gang violence, and Sukey has pushed me into searching for my biological parents, the only people who can finally tell me who—or what—I really am.

Sounds awesome!!

I'm so behind in my reading, it's beyond ridiculous.  So I've decided to go on a reading binge as soon as I hand book 4 into my editor on the 15th.  I'm getting Cry Mercy for sure!

Anyone else hankering for a reading binge?

Just a quick note to remind you that there are tons of cool giveaways going on over on the Deadline Dames.

Also today we have Dame for a Day, Alyssa Day, who talks about being a tough chick and the emotional investment in writing.  Great stuff!

Check it out!

Feels like Friday. 

Let's do a list of six things! (it was going to be five, but I got excited...)

1. Booksigning and launch party of MAGIC IN THE BLOOD at Tea Party Bookshop in Salem, Oregon last Saturday was fantastic!  Thank you, everyone who came out on such a beautiful evening.  Thank you also to the proprietress, JoAnne.  Extra thank-you to the artists who donated items for the raffle: Deanne Hicks, Brandon Pasak, Dejsha Knight.  Extra extra thank you to my amazing family and friends for everything.  I'm one lucky writer to have you all in my life.

2. Fun links:
Star Wars v. Star Trek (funny, if you've seen both movies) --thanks tbclone47 
Green Lantern trailer (fan-made) Love Nathan Fillion!

3. Great post about pre-plottng and post-plotting a novel here:irysangel 

4. Check out the Dames!  Hot giveaways going on!

5. I have finished the draft of book 4 in the Allie Beckstrom series.  Still don't have a title for it yet.  It came in around 92K words, which is good because I have a feeling I'll be adding quite a bit to it as I go through and polish it up before handing it to my beta readers.  Still, there's some really cool stuff in this book (imho, LOL), and I'm excited to get it in shape and off to my editor to see what she thinks about it.  It has to be on her desk in 18 days.  Wish me luck!

6. Don't forget the auctions!  Brenda Novak has fabulous stuff, including a goodie basket of Deadline Dames books (you can see the basket on our site in the right side bar--plus, Tim Tams!) a basket of knitting treats and books from Romancing the Yarn, and tons more great stuff!  Bridget Zinn's auction is offering up books, critiques, a thirty page manuscript read by Sara Megibow, associate literary agent with the Nelson Literary Agency, and more! (like the toy I'm going to knit for some lucky bidder, hint, hint...)

Friday, I went to Canyonway Bookstore in Newport Oregon.  The bookstore staff graciously invited Nina Kiriki Hoffman and I to do a signing and we had so much fun!  Nina brought her fiddle and treated us to a few tunes.  Some wonderful readers came in and bought books for us to sign, and a couple readers stayed and had tea with us.  Canyonway has WiFi, so we looked up some crazy yard statues readers had seen in the area.  Afterward, Nina and I had a great lunch in the Canyonway Restaurant (attached to the bookstore!  Bliss!) 

Let me now share with you my snapshots, taken over my shoulder through the car window as I was driving (mumble mumble) miles an hour.  Scenic road trip photos!  Could I be any more exciting?


A farm along the highway.  Look!  We do get blue sky in Oregon!


( where should Big Foot live? )

All-in-all, I had a great time!   (even if I didn't see Big Foot.)*


*yet
;)

This is it, folks!  The big book party for MAGIC IN THE BLOOD is tonight at 7:00-10:00 at Tea Party Bookshop.

I will sign books and do a reading.  We'll have desserts, coffee and punch, and prizes from local artists.

Deanne Hicks is giving away a free portrait session
Brandon Pasak is giving away an original Omega Fire Studio ceramic piece and photograph
Dejsha Knight licensed massage therapist,  will be giving away a one-hour massage certificate

And the artists will be in attendance!

Please come if you get a chance! Otherwise I'm gonna be eating desserts for months, LOL!

Via Random Number Generator, we have two winners!

Helpup on LJ who wrote: "Grats!It's not a suprise you're in second printing already, your series is fantastic!"

And

Yogina20 on Twitter who wrote: "Hi devon I left a comment, are you going to be doing any signings in california any time soon?"

Email me at:  devon_monk AT yahoo DOT com with your mailing addresses, and I'll get the books out to you!

Congratulations, and thanks, everyone for playing!

I'm in a great mood today!!  Two reasons why:

1. I am nearing the end of the draft of book 4.

2. I recently found out MAGIC TO THE BONE is going back for a second printing!!  I owe all you fabulous readers a
HUGE THANK YOU for giving the book and the series a try.  You.  Are.  Awesome.

Therefore, I am giving away TWO signed copies of (first edition!) MAGIC TO THE BONE and TWO copies of  MAGIC IN THE BLOOD

I will give them away as a two book set.

This giveaway is being posted on Twitter, Facebook and here.

Leave a comment at any of those locations and you're in the running.

The winners will be chosen by random number generator.

I will choose the winners tonight at midnight PST.

The Deadline Dames have been busy!  In case you haven't kept up, I've compiled a handy-dandy list of Dame books that have hit the shelf in the last few months.  More or less in order:

Recently released:
A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY Jackie Kessler
PRIDE Rachel Vincent
DEADLY DESIRE Keri Arthur
ETERNAL LOVER (reissue) Jackie Kessler
MAGIC IN THE BLOOD Devon Monk
STRANGE ANGELS Lili Saintcrow

On shelves soon:
BLACK AND WHITE Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge
CRY MERCY Toni Andrews
PREY Rachel Vincent
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL Jenna Black
THE ETERNAL KISS   Karen Mahoney, Lili Saintcrow
MY SOUL TO TAKE Rachel Vincent


My upcoming signings::
Canyonway Bookstore in Newport, Oregon on Friday the 22nd at 3:00
Tea Party Bookshop in Salem, Oregon on Saturday the 23rd at 7:00 pm.  (big launch! Goodies, food, fun!)

Progress on the writing front:

Book 4 continues along at pace.  I had a quick conversation with my editor and we agreed to a short extension on my deadline.  (My editor will be on vacation over my original deadline anyway and won't get to the book for a couple weeks once she gets back.  We agreed a few extra days will let me give the book one last polish.)

I do not like missing a deadline, and this, I suppose means I will officially miss my deadline.  But I love having a little breathing room to give this book one final pass before my editor sees it.  I've learned that a cleaner manuscript submitted means a lot less work once the copy edit hits my desk. 

For example, due to the killer deadline for Magic in the Blood, the copy edits were enormous, and took me a couple weeks to get through them.  For Magic in the Shadows, I had time to give the book one last good polish before sending it to my editor.  Copy edits took me a day and a half.

And by the time I receive copy edits for book 4, (and for that matter, proofs for book 3) I'll be knee deep writing book 5, so it will be nice to (hopefully) have less work waiting for me on copy edits.  But of course, all that could change, depending on what kind of revision my editor might want on book 4 once she reads it.   Which is all the more reason to get it in the best shape now, while I can.

I drove to Eugene, Oregon and had a fabulous signing at the wonderful Tsunami Books!  Couldn't have asked for better weather or nicer people to sign with. 

Nina Kiriki Hoffman signed (in multi-colored pens!) several of her books, the most recent: Fall of Light.
Carola Dunn signed the most recent of her books: Manna From Hades, and she had beautiful cover flats to display.
I signed Magic to the Bone and Magic in the Blood and gave away "magic" pens.

Several of the Wordos and some of Nina's students showed up, and it was great to see them all.

After the signing, I went out to lunch with diannarodgers, JohnBurridge, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and Dejsha Knight.  I had the champagne chicken salad.  Fancy! And then I stopped off at Albertson's (a supermarket) to see if my book was there.

It was!
 ( photographic evidence )

I have two more signings coming up this week:

Canyonway Bookstore in Newport, Oregon on Friday the 22nd at 3:00  --Nina Kiriki Hoffman will also be there, and I think she's bringing her guitar and fiddle!

Tea Party Bookshop in Salem, Oregon on Saturday the 23rd at 7:00 pm.  --This will be the big book launch party with cake, goodies, and raffle.

If you're in the area, I'd love to see you there!

Spring

The other day I got in my car and something tickled my eyelashes.  (I wear contacts, so bits of dust and fuzz and tickley things are a common occurrence)  I held still and kept my eye open, hoping I could figure out what was causing the trouble and get rid of it without having to go back inside and wash off my contacts.

It was not fuzz.  It was not dust.  No, it was not even a stray eyelash.

It was a spider.

A spider hanging from my eyelashes and making wavy motions as it tried to crawl through the air toward my eye.  Yeah, I was thrilled about it too.  Good thing I'm not afraid of spiders!  I just brushed it off toward the open window, then went about my business.  Happy ending for me and the spider.  But every time I think about that image, my imagination goes into overdrive and I kind of get the creeps!

Signings

Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Carola Dunn and Devon Monk
Where: Tsunami Books
2585 Willamette Street
Eugene, Oregon
When:  Saturday 2:30 - 4:30

We'd love to see you there!! (there may even be goodies!)

Something Happens 

Ever had that feeling when you're writing along, and you know you should be writing the other, cooler scene and this one's just gonna get the ax in the editing phase, and you don't even know why you're wasting your time with it since you're on deadline and don't have much time to waste anyway and then Something Happens: a character says something, does something, changes something, and all of a sudden the podunk scene you were going to cut is now one of your favorite scenes in the whole book so far and it moves the book forward in a way that no other scene could have?

That happened to me a couple days ago.  It.  Was.  Awesome.