tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566173008241585342024-02-20T21:02:35.933-08:00Shoveling in a Jo StormLiterary Agent and YA AuthorJo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-88943522003585818432018-04-19T21:53:00.001-07:002018-04-19T21:54:34.705-07:00Stanley and Hazel Cover Reveal!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwjzIcRFHkgTEujP62ycLRGZtKZgmeDP2hE_HyRA6fsjF-m80YolaOJOW7oVfW8mWrOXgFR1UI3kvRrDsdZLhLe2XCchqx7n-1y8dBSwZfHdGwsNkabEUQKJsyNL5tdcuvQwfz1bDTASJ/s1600/StanleyandHazel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="831" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwjzIcRFHkgTEujP62ycLRGZtKZgmeDP2hE_HyRA6fsjF-m80YolaOJOW7oVfW8mWrOXgFR1UI3kvRrDsdZLhLe2XCchqx7n-1y8dBSwZfHdGwsNkabEUQKJsyNL5tdcuvQwfz1bDTASJ/s320/StanleyandHazel.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
My new book is coming out with Month9Books on May 15th! This YA novel was inspired by my love of classic film and my interest in the juxtaposition of the glamour and poverty that coexisted during the Great Depression.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD0T0Zsuqzlsiu8yFiGbxmW5TIkkMLX2x1s3UrXZ5qC89ftMPpcYgRgPSh5xF0_iSELJUf3W5Qwz9OjBzxYsDYgpx6Vz4MAtsTM7WQw3SSmM-d06t6HhTZDd_uGzISIvturssVoAwAkMC/s1600/white-bread-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="640" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD0T0Zsuqzlsiu8yFiGbxmW5TIkkMLX2x1s3UrXZ5qC89ftMPpcYgRgPSh5xF0_iSELJUf3W5Qwz9OjBzxYsDYgpx6Vz4MAtsTM7WQw3SSmM-d06t6HhTZDd_uGzISIvturssVoAwAkMC/s200/white-bread-line.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LMuzFTHJ_ida4Rhwv1mpaxFdlLEBgNasX3OZUhxYYnrb4kRG1jSSgJrL8IZG-ba7ahRvDsOF5FE4qpoM5TOu4GYcbR0mwb0EqS-bjSr1XF2-c6lSkjhn7PV99_mb5yWbfX-rgo65eiib/s1600/317-hollywood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LMuzFTHJ_ida4Rhwv1mpaxFdlLEBgNasX3OZUhxYYnrb4kRG1jSSgJrL8IZG-ba7ahRvDsOF5FE4qpoM5TOu4GYcbR0mwb0EqS-bjSr1XF2-c6lSkjhn7PV99_mb5yWbfX-rgo65eiib/s200/317-hollywood.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stanley and Hazel come from the two opposite extremes of the social spectrum and I wanted to explore that. This trope hearkens back to the days of 1930s movies like <i>The Thin Man </i>and <i>It Happened One Night. </i>The hard boiled newspaper man/gumshoe and the high class dame. It's a fun dynamic with some murder and intrigue thrown in!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHqhMuSByGAlNLvud-KSQlULbp4j12JZxd1fhyrnvz2GT8xq-uHcc-ZN2kNSZl9s8Khk0aC9ZA9-pvMzvaczIeJAVNcXkCSPUOeXFRmw4vzylagEGNvf6wh8bIqKKfrV4KYkqeIA6K0Ny/s1600/Film_736w_ItHappenedOneNight_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="448" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHqhMuSByGAlNLvud-KSQlULbp4j12JZxd1fhyrnvz2GT8xq-uHcc-ZN2kNSZl9s8Khk0aC9ZA9-pvMzvaczIeJAVNcXkCSPUOeXFRmw4vzylagEGNvf6wh8bIqKKfrV4KYkqeIA6K0Ny/s320/Film_736w_ItHappenedOneNight_original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My publisher made some advance copies available for Teen Author Boot Camp and it was a blast to sign books there! Hazel even escaped the book and made a guest appearance!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSjCNMvcCcN-Jf5b1uhMLtTw5l5HEdrhBbx1VWXgArCWPDkVs8Z5rQG7SBgifnSZMX6oPw0eh2U9qwjukRXOm9eAWLNAo4gOyGXK6Q4CaVIMtmc5l1Yy8kGl_Rf22QdiBUfCVzMXwG4cf/s1600/30741059_1714821001888074_3203421406628937728_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSjCNMvcCcN-Jf5b1uhMLtTw5l5HEdrhBbx1VWXgArCWPDkVs8Z5rQG7SBgifnSZMX6oPw0eh2U9qwjukRXOm9eAWLNAo4gOyGXK6Q4CaVIMtmc5l1Yy8kGl_Rf22QdiBUfCVzMXwG4cf/s320/30741059_1714821001888074_3203421406628937728_o.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A great depression grips the city of St. Louis in 1934. Stanley, an orphaned newsie, lives in a poor part of town hit especially hard by the economic downturn. One night, Stanley runs into Hazel, a restless debutante-in-waiting who has begun to question her posh lifestyle in the midst of the suffering she sees. She’s out and about without an escort and against her father’s wishes. When they discover the body of a girl with her head bashed in by a baseball bat, the very different and separate realities of the two teens inform their decision. Together they will figure out what happened to her and bring those responsible to justice. But getting involved with each other and digging into the secrets behind this murder earns them some powerful enemies, including a secret group seeking to rid society of all they deem undesirable. They’ve put into motion “The Winnowing,” a plan seeking to take over the city and enforce their will. As Stanley and Hazel’s forbidden feelings for one another grow, their investigation turns deadly. Now, it is up to Stanley and his gang of street kids to stop Hazel from becoming the next victim.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjc1WP7ognj4SElQEFZyZ2Xhugbk_sfmMVelJOGvplJwy0tMd2lR17Vt6SSODYuLQ72UUdMKHW-E0eY2bcpdMl6oPiQmYYLgOPWupFcdgO9BocmEze5tXThxpPH6p3CNL57hgh0YC3h64/s1600/the-thin-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="829" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjc1WP7ognj4SElQEFZyZ2Xhugbk_sfmMVelJOGvplJwy0tMd2lR17Vt6SSODYuLQ72UUdMKHW-E0eY2bcpdMl6oPiQmYYLgOPWupFcdgO9BocmEze5tXThxpPH6p3CNL57hgh0YC3h64/s320/the-thin-man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
"Stanley and Hazel has spooky thrills, snappy dialogue, and rich historical detail. It makes for a swell read and one that fans of Libba Bray’s <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Diviners </i>won’t want to put down!” —Jessica Day George, author, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tuesdays at the Castle</i></div>
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
“Stanley and Hazel is an ingenious blend of history, magic, and spirituality that sheds just as much light on our world today as it does on our nation’s troubled past. Good and evil, love and greed, do battle in a story that has as much heart as it does fast-paced action.” —Scott Bergstrom, author, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Cruelty</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></i></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Hazel-Jo-Schaffer/dp/1946700657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524198038&sr=8-1&keywords=stanley+and+hazel" target="_blank">Stanley and Hazel is available for pre-order now!</a></span></b></h2>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-54612985745030971682016-01-28T21:16:00.000-08:002016-01-28T21:16:24.173-08:00Signing Books with Author Friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tonight I did a book signing at Barnes and Nobel alongside some friends who are fantastic YA authors. <a href="http://jajenkins.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Jenkins</a>,<a href="http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/" target="_blank"> Jessica Day George</a>, <a href="http://sarablarson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sara B. Larson</a>, <a href="http://www.breedespain.com/" target="_blank">Bree Despain</a> and <a href="http://www.valynne.com/" target="_blank">Valynne Maetani.</a><br />
<br />
Coming up next month is <a href="http://ltue.net/" target="_blank">LTUE</a> and the month after that is <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp!</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHit7GbxiEsa5YM4eZwXJYh4jvyztx-m5KIMXRpZDIVvLMgjqykBAV9N5jUL07GhyLJ23-6L-Y4EsVcsBxR4R0z1nB8IAnbVXXPbXetUC32NLoQBbkCs7QiFl3DiPhM5vJ0gd-PRXpXgqX/s1600/12565478_1029063880493264_7582881922015770014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHit7GbxiEsa5YM4eZwXJYh4jvyztx-m5KIMXRpZDIVvLMgjqykBAV9N5jUL07GhyLJ23-6L-Y4EsVcsBxR4R0z1nB8IAnbVXXPbXetUC32NLoQBbkCs7QiFl3DiPhM5vJ0gd-PRXpXgqX/s320/12565478_1029063880493264_7582881922015770014_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyBA42k9fN7u5wWCDL9BazDlqvua9SV-cfxwFkaD1OQbGCCmUwLftXE7QUgXGLasUTBGiZj_4pJUZem9E0OGeUlwHetgmjbvi9rbAEllWUOwcqR8eg35_0XRgwM5TM6ow7t8Iy6s8nLJZ/s1600/12644869_1029063917159927_8861587972697366691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyBA42k9fN7u5wWCDL9BazDlqvua9SV-cfxwFkaD1OQbGCCmUwLftXE7QUgXGLasUTBGiZj_4pJUZem9E0OGeUlwHetgmjbvi9rbAEllWUOwcqR8eg35_0XRgwM5TM6ow7t8Iy6s8nLJZ/s320/12644869_1029063917159927_8861587972697366691_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-86671953881541224012016-01-27T17:51:00.002-08:002016-01-27T17:51:38.165-08:00Awake and Dreaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'EB Garamond', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoDcu0p4gktzI8W29i2QNaF8T6IfJHADLW7WyqVxZxJWxMpOT6gV0MP4vWk3K4unkjezUHKL8Jap8PiqxiW0a2Quhc0XwJJRjHDESG-b1_e_879v52H1pkf-SYguGkcQNXhDNVJX7QwAq/s1600/carson_quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoDcu0p4gktzI8W29i2QNaF8T6IfJHADLW7WyqVxZxJWxMpOT6gV0MP4vWk3K4unkjezUHKL8Jap8PiqxiW0a2Quhc0XwJJRjHDESG-b1_e_879v52H1pkf-SYguGkcQNXhDNVJX7QwAq/s320/carson_quote.jpg" width="320" /></a>“For I have always been a seeker, a dreamer, and a ponderer on seeking and dreaming…” -H.P. Lovecraft</div>
<div style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'EB Garamond', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I write fiction. I dream up people and journey with them into places I know and places I have never seen, creating stories for other people to read with the hope that we can journey together and make sense of this collective experience we call Life.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'EB Garamond', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When I was little, there was a treehouse in my back yard, at the top of a tall Mulberry tree. I’d climb up there and spend hours alone reading books and daydreaming. There was something about being up high, surrounded by branches and leaves that made life feel magical.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'EB Garamond', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I could look out over our yard and neighborhood. Everything that seemed boring from the ground became a story. People went in and out of their homes, playing out the drama of ordinary lives but I could imagine interesting plots and intrigues from my perch above. Playing in the theoretical and imaginary.</div>
<div style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'EB Garamond', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://joschaffer.com/2015/12/17/writer-dreamer/" target="_blank">(READ MORE at www.joschaffer.com)</a></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-19131403877573243202015-05-09T12:05:00.002-07:002015-05-09T14:11:55.928-07:00Author Interview and discussing Against Her Will<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I was recently interviewed by friend and author, Jonathan Ryan for Patheos.com. I'm reposting that interview here!<a class="ext-link" data-wpel-target="_blank" href="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/files/2015/03/81KhJ0SOZHL.jpg" rel="external nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #0066cc;" title=""><img alt="81KhJ0SOZHL" class="aligncenter wp-image-5330" src="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/files/2015/03/81KhJ0SOZHL-676x1024.jpg" height="708" style="border: none; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; max-width: 98%;" width="467" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>What was the one event in your life that got you writing?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
There really wasn’t one event. I always kept a journal as a child and started writing stories by the time I was in elementary school. My older sister, Heather, would always tell the most imaginative bedtime stories and I think that really helped kindle a lifelong love of storytelling.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I was also an avid reader early on. My mother has a Masters degree in English Literature and exposed me to wonderful books in my formative years.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
When I became old enough to babysit my mob of cousins and neighbors, I became popular with the children for my stories. I started to write them down in the form of interactive, choose-your-own-adventure type games. That was a hit and I was hooked.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
All through high school I wrote poems, short stories and personal essays. I enjoyed the process and people seemed to like reading them. I had a lot of encouragement from family and teachers.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Later, as a university student living in London, I was immersed in good literature, interesting people and beautiful places. The very first novel I wrote (which is awful and hidden for all time) was based on that experience while studying abroad.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>Are there themes that you are drawn towards in your books?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I love stories of redemption and self-actualization. The genre doesn’t matter as much to me. It can be paranormal, historical fiction or contemporary realism, but the main characters have to make an inner journey, coming to an understanding of themselves, their own culpability and be empowered by it. It isn’t until a person truly owns their shadow side that they can be at their most powerful and at peace with their potential.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I really enjoy exploring paradigm shifts and moments of enlightenment that build the character and make them more self-aware and “other” aware. I also like to dissect relationships and the effect of amity and enmity on the main character.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>How does your worldview play into your writing?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
I suppose I can’t separate my writing from the way I think. The things that I value or that I’m opposed to, will come across in the stories I write. But I do try to balance what I think and what characters with opposing beliefs and world views would think. Writers, like actors, need to have empathy if they want to be able to write believable characters. I hope to capture authenticity and truth in what I write. By truth, I don’t just mean the perceived absolutes of right and wrong in the universe. Truth is what is. An honest look at the human experience. Sometimes for me, that means writing things that may demonstrate that what I hold as true may have possible downsides or contradictions. Other times it means that things that are generally accepted by our current culture as good are not as innocuous as we tell ourselves. Hopefully, if I write honestly… nobody is safe.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>How do you deal with criticism and bad reviews?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Unless a friend points out–hey listen to this good review–it may be a bad idea to listen to negative reviews. However, if the criticism is sound and comes from a trusted source, I’m all about considering what they say if it can improve my writing. Sometimes, I can be too close to my work and fresh eyes are helpful.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
But you can’t please everyone and some people are just going to hate it no matter what.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>What advice will you have for the teen writers at <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">TABC</a>?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Have fun writing! Learn all you can about the tools of how to write well and to reach your audience.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Write about things that matter to you and never stop working on your craft. Don’t worry about reviews or what people will say—you can’t please all readers and everyone is a critic! Don’t even worry about if you will ever get published. Just write for the love of it and pursue publishing if that is what you want—there are so many options for getting your stories to readers now. Most writers will never achieve fame or fortune. Do it because you love it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong>Tell us about your book. Where can people get it?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Teen psychiatric wards can be “throw-away” places for kids whose parents can’t or won’t deal with them. In Oak Dale, teens battle their inner demons and not all of them win.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
The concept of Against Her Will came from the experiences of co-author, Serita Stevens who has worked in a teen psych ward for many years. It was interesting and fun to develop characters based on some actual patients she had known and put them together into a story line and a plot that will hopefully show the emotional journeys of teens who struggle with mental illness and other challenges.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
The main characters have all experienced different forms of bullying. Cassidy, from a wealthy home, has parents who have no time to show her love. Their primary concern is that she upholds the proper image. Her parents manipulate and shame her until she acts out and makes a string of bad decisions. Rather than trying to understand or support Cassidy, her parents have her locked up. Tony comes from serious domestic violence which has left him feeling powerless so he turns to pyromania to feel in control. Gina, is a defiant trouble maker who becomes a bully herself after enduring a childhood in the foster care system, in and out of unsafe homes. Erin, the anorexic, was horribly bullied and humiliated by peers from school and controlled by her perfectionist mother. And Julia is an endangered child, exposed to drugs and prostitution because of her mother’s lifestyle. They all play off one another within the walls of Oak Dale where unfortunately, some things only get worse.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423751250&sr=8-4&keywords=against+her+will" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;" target="_blank"><b>Get your own copy of AGAINST HER WILL here!!!</b></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<a class="ext-link" data-wpel-target="_blank" href="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/files/2015/03/IMG_20130715_065549.jpg" rel="external nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #0066cc;" title=""><img alt="IMG_20130715_065549" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5375" src="http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/files/2015/03/IMG_20130715_065549-225x300.jpg" height="300" style="border: none; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; max-width: 98%;" width="225" /></a></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-14848234632824455912015-04-21T08:35:00.002-07:002015-04-21T08:43:39.501-07:00Jonathan Ryan's new book, Dark Bride, releases today!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div data-referrer="event_description" id="event_description" style="background-color: #e9eaed; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 14.6181812286377px;">
<div class="_4-u2 _36i5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: rgb(229, 230, 233) rgb(223, 224, 228) rgb(208, 209, 213); border-radius: 3px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 12px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A new release!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0muZSJDEl_FObi3WqWFgijcFXizWhC8fNrgIeVSpoGjSCR-GAW1CFXu9jkW-vra5p6pXIV7aYvMBnG62fyMsOA3ocjGT2DROz3UmgG-YQiFeHUGSOHDz5ex9dbfELEU7UlwnvXmQKJX/s1600/23223720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0muZSJDEl_FObi3WqWFgijcFXizWhC8fNrgIeVSpoGjSCR-GAW1CFXu9jkW-vra5p6pXIV7aYvMBnG62fyMsOA3ocjGT2DROz3UmgG-YQiFeHUGSOHDz5ex9dbfELEU7UlwnvXmQKJX/s1600/23223720.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="_1w2q" style="font-size: 12px; padding: 12px;">
<span class="fsl" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1w2q" style="padding: 12px;">
I read the first book, 3 Gates of the Dead over a year ago and was impressed! It was scary but also, thought provoking. Within a paranormal thriller, Ryan depicts the inner workings of a minister having a crisis of faith with insight and honesty.</div>
<div class="_1w2q" style="padding: 12px;">
I was able to read an advanced copy of Dark Bride, the sequel to 3 Gates of the Dead, which releases today! This book does not disappoint! Jonathan Ryan really steps up his game in this terrifying next installment. As we follow, Aidan Schaefer in his continued struggle against the evil forces around him, a frightening and complex plot unfolds. The book deals with some very heavy topics--the disintegration of a family, human trafficking, dark powers and supernatural evil. The story will will freak you out and pull you along until the last page. You will think about the book long after you put it down. I loved it and hated it! Well played, Ryan, well played.</div>
<div class="_1w2q" style="padding: 12px;">
<span class="fsl">"For those who like to mix deep theological debate with full-throttle horror, there's no better bet than the works of the Benedictine-trained master of the macabre, Jonathan Ryan.”—Robert Masello, best-selling author of The Romanov Cross<br /><br />“[Dark Bride] successfully knits religion, demonology and suspense to produce a tapestry of excitement and originality that will please any fan of the genre.” —Andrew Neiderman, author of The Devil’s Advocate and The Terrorist’s Holiday<br /><br />“A remarkable novel.”—Michael W. Collings, author of The Annotated Guide to Stephen King<br /><br />“A tale steeped in the fantastic and simmered in faith, a book as terrifying as it is profound—Dan Brown collides with Stephen King collides wi<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">th St. Augustine.” —Jack Slay Jr., author of Sleeping Policemen<br /><br />Order Dark Bride, the sequel to 3 Gates of the Dead from everywhere fine books are sold. Released in Print, Ebook and Audio from <a data-gt="{"entity_id":"152441096811","entity_path":"WebEventPublicProdFeedPermalinkController"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=152441096811&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/openroadmedia" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Open Road Integrated Media</a> and <a data-gt="{"entity_id":"90486735811","entity_path":"WebEventPublicProdFeedPermalinkController"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=90486735811&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/audible" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Audible</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Bride-3-Gates-Dead/dp/1497663083/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1422559817&sr=1-" style="font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">ORDER HERE!</a><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-22591939237576399352015-04-16T16:52:00.000-07:002015-04-16T16:52:51.164-07:00Against Her Will and TABC 2015 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQP7N1dk2U6-xMLr2mU3csmz-fkaiAdFDWVr0NKLZ-dOhD5GC_U0AzXJHZLzcVvtmBJKLuQTOWh2epUVBu-prNy9uL1OA1D08fCnHrizND3xLCIw_m39wFcRwHWEjM-eIDY4G2dYPXz7A/s1600/10464399_10152815241779142_6009639359300600444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQP7N1dk2U6-xMLr2mU3csmz-fkaiAdFDWVr0NKLZ-dOhD5GC_U0AzXJHZLzcVvtmBJKLuQTOWh2epUVBu-prNy9uL1OA1D08fCnHrizND3xLCIw_m39wFcRwHWEjM-eIDY4G2dYPXz7A/s1600/10464399_10152815241779142_6009639359300600444_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Last weekend I had a book signing at the Viridian and launched Against Her Will at <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp</a>! I was blown away by the support and enthusiasm shown to me and my book. Thank you to everyone!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNOC7RYBc095oBWc_jPk5Z9sLW5APxGwj7opPwH57fKiad3HMt9GqcfvmjkJwMrCfowMSs8piSYutjUs2S2s50vv59-yVWpKwfq2eajRF4mrwD2MXLC8lkmU58a443tOQQoHA5pF2lwrK/s1600/11109665_10152802048454142_8844711937598248847_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNOC7RYBc095oBWc_jPk5Z9sLW5APxGwj7opPwH57fKiad3HMt9GqcfvmjkJwMrCfowMSs8piSYutjUs2S2s50vv59-yVWpKwfq2eajRF4mrwD2MXLC8lkmU58a443tOQQoHA5pF2lwrK/s1600/11109665_10152802048454142_8844711937598248847_o.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU4LvJf6IUOsuVpdkq023WwvR3D4xzu4rY7YLOM9XHYjgF3UzjacCBV5DKLeI8WR3PGaqVNVP-gpIjKS7dZkGzrsfMHsKxAUYS3PT-fvbyzyMN3a-M9PzsHZU8PscVO6buU6mnXw1wHIt/s1600/11102695_10152801949179142_368697903494745480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU4LvJf6IUOsuVpdkq023WwvR3D4xzu4rY7YLOM9XHYjgF3UzjacCBV5DKLeI8WR3PGaqVNVP-gpIjKS7dZkGzrsfMHsKxAUYS3PT-fvbyzyMN3a-M9PzsHZU8PscVO6buU6mnXw1wHIt/s1600/11102695_10152801949179142_368697903494745480_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f3BniVWIqcsLhXkS2UrjFhb8338eWWfN-U8RgxH4w9pL8pKoJUb2fuLq5lSWUXUD3YCHhiZ3C_Yq80qCew1NCmexxzLmuc4HTO7reE53gtju5i20zYPi0n1EGwgKifQnglk5i_L6V3SV/s1600/11083863_868070183229831_8204212022774557515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f3BniVWIqcsLhXkS2UrjFhb8338eWWfN-U8RgxH4w9pL8pKoJUb2fuLq5lSWUXUD3YCHhiZ3C_Yq80qCew1NCmexxzLmuc4HTO7reE53gtju5i20zYPi0n1EGwgKifQnglk5i_L6V3SV/s1600/11083863_868070183229831_8204212022774557515_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
TABC was epic this year. With a crowd of over 700 people and so many great classes to choose from, it was like a day-long author party! The teens make it the best. Their talent and enthusiasm creates so much positive energy.<br />
<br />
We kicked off the day with a silly video in the manner of Kid History (Bored Shorts) with a little help from actor Richard Sharrah.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bOpfU8QCFqY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bOpfU8QCFqY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The book signing was high energy and the kids had us signing books, t-shirts, notebooks, programs and even arms!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0TrmkJStY-CKMsE9e9Cbc-kZsSUfDdmBsbCIB9NbVDMfYwRjpV-mv1YZZB12XdWtLfp2FZFjMeqdRdIiBIJsAzmTB2zCBMcIgAXIXcj6Cp5l6AW9WZL9MZ5moiZj2GIt2_60k-AAeGNz/s1600/11138167_10152804256639142_2051770578176766292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0TrmkJStY-CKMsE9e9Cbc-kZsSUfDdmBsbCIB9NbVDMfYwRjpV-mv1YZZB12XdWtLfp2FZFjMeqdRdIiBIJsAzmTB2zCBMcIgAXIXcj6Cp5l6AW9WZL9MZ5moiZj2GIt2_60k-AAeGNz/s1600/11138167_10152804256639142_2051770578176766292_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZl-ekHXAEq17hVilCm05HNwvv6k-1cd9OaQYEukf7Efnth6te_Evcy-YOkV09zGJanQjOJhyphenhyphenchZTPXwuWgnClearwmE_k2EL_b5LYtH0EB6KyWVcZBK26FrRCMFLtf773UtNlXZyuEDs/s1600/11149329_10152804256684142_1412998426426214308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZl-ekHXAEq17hVilCm05HNwvv6k-1cd9OaQYEukf7Efnth6te_Evcy-YOkV09zGJanQjOJhyphenhyphenchZTPXwuWgnClearwmE_k2EL_b5LYtH0EB6KyWVcZBK26FrRCMFLtf773UtNlXZyuEDs/s1600/11149329_10152804256684142_1412998426426214308_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_82WjiRNnKjMV9yOAK3Fjg2YmDu0Hvt_numK-8O34TmO0rTOJimXvpsbIAUcjTsCKs8qysr9GbyRLtVAMjs1_GntMiNHMC7EjijjevABNbRnukBWsLNGAspdlzPSmFUhqwZljpj1P4Wl/s1600/11150318_10152804257374142_1571288983122579207_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_82WjiRNnKjMV9yOAK3Fjg2YmDu0Hvt_numK-8O34TmO0rTOJimXvpsbIAUcjTsCKs8qysr9GbyRLtVAMjs1_GntMiNHMC7EjijjevABNbRnukBWsLNGAspdlzPSmFUhqwZljpj1P4Wl/s1600/11150318_10152804257374142_1571288983122579207_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our keynotes, Brandon Sanderson and Jessica Day George were so awesome! Some ninjas (from the dojo where I trained for my black belt) performed a Mistborn inspired routine to introduce Brandon Sanderson and he said it was the best intro he'd ever had. The crowd went nuts over it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpghTofTTeNR_8rTO9rgGHRtwgpzpmH23YuqpqwxUU_XWChXoq-7u3DI8f2CO8MY6lhgpGfi4l7gxV8pbfNK976WbJEwLrS8FRzCmD81bNewosC76SUYC5I7LECUtq215qM5q2eFr9uGl4/s1600/11133658_10152804248879142_898692287746663933_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpghTofTTeNR_8rTO9rgGHRtwgpzpmH23YuqpqwxUU_XWChXoq-7u3DI8f2CO8MY6lhgpGfi4l7gxV8pbfNK976WbJEwLrS8FRzCmD81bNewosC76SUYC5I7LECUtq215qM5q2eFr9uGl4/s1600/11133658_10152804248879142_898692287746663933_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There was also an author lip sinc for a smashing finish to an awesome day. My group, <a href="http://writerscubed.com/" target="_blank">Writers Cubed,</a> puts so much into <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">TABC</a> each year, and it is worth all we do! We are truly grateful for the gang of talented writers who come and participate each year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6JaBQf9TbPgOeqhyphenhyphenE8rkz-GIgt373WMW0sHZ6Mx22D5ysIAq9_ZFYE6X1ayhGwWcVl9_K9KIYJfJbeTSvfVtxMZ1rSc30YUPUqB6zktZ2S-z3W7YCFTPWWOCL67C7bdCbKMjKXNUnE44/s1600/10362829_10206262984163858_6304575985238468173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6JaBQf9TbPgOeqhyphenhyphenE8rkz-GIgt373WMW0sHZ6Mx22D5ysIAq9_ZFYE6X1ayhGwWcVl9_K9KIYJfJbeTSvfVtxMZ1rSc30YUPUqB6zktZ2S-z3W7YCFTPWWOCL67C7bdCbKMjKXNUnE44/s1600/10362829_10206262984163858_6304575985238468173_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-49323717624525222042015-03-30T07:54:00.000-07:002015-03-30T07:54:26.187-07:00AGAINST HER WILL RELEASE DAY! WIN A FREE COPY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQlROgNNsJFlLB8yNgW6k_Xz_fyyZ_y2Sjvsl2C6ChA7xoumFIMFaCJleYy469BKwzb3c9sIlqRKtMvfCxzHwlI8AeqnPkUFQ4Z5Fkm0Gdmo42rjHVN6y-VSxwyvrv68P0OKDpIC3_H-v/s1600/11069876_10152776027249142_4296743808509806331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQlROgNNsJFlLB8yNgW6k_Xz_fyyZ_y2Sjvsl2C6ChA7xoumFIMFaCJleYy469BKwzb3c9sIlqRKtMvfCxzHwlI8AeqnPkUFQ4Z5Fkm0Gdmo42rjHVN6y-VSxwyvrv68P0OKDpIC3_H-v/s1600/11069876_10152776027249142_4296743808509806331_n.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427652296&sr=8-2&keywords=Against+her+will" target="_blank">Against Her Will</a> is a YA novel about teens battling their inner demons in a psych ward and not all of them will win.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm excited to be on a YA panel and signing books at the Viridian events center on <a href="http://www.kingsenglish.com/event/young-adult-panel" target="_blank">April 10th. Come see me!</a></span><br />
<br />
The book will be launched at <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp</a> to nearly 700 teens and authors with prizes and a book signing! It will be a blast!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">The concept of </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427652296&sr=8-2&keywords=Against+her+will" style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">Against Her Will</a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> came from the experiences of co-author, Serita Stevens, who has worked in a teen psych ward for many years. It was interesting and fun to develop the characters based on some actual patients she has known and put them together into a </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">story-line</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> and plot that will hopefully show the emotional journeys of teens who struggle with mental illness and other challenges.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I feel strongly about mental health and also bullying—which is a big problem in society today. Both issues can be misunderstood and affect lives so dramatically that it is always good to have more ways to discuss and examine them. </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">We have a long way to go as a culture, to not stigmatize those who struggle with mental illness and to allow an open conversation without shame attached. Shaming is just a form of bullying and it never helped anyone.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">When the opportunity came to work with Serita last year, I was eager to explore these topics and help to develop a story addressing some of these issues, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">embedding</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> themes of hope and empowerment.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> Kindness to others and to oneself can go a long way to help in the coping and recovery process, no matter what a person has been through or what their struggle may be. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">Be a hugger not a hater.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">(To read more on my views about bullying and the dire effect it can have on the mental health of young people click</span><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2015/01/taking-on-scott-farkus-standing-up-to-your-bullies/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"> HERE</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">.)</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Against Her Will is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427652296&sr=8-2&keywords=Against+her+will" target="_blank">AVAILABLE on AMAZON</a> in paperback or kindle!</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"A heartbreaking
and beautiful combination of suffering and empowerment no one should miss out
on."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">--<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1428821/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Joey King</a>, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Actress
(</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oz_the_Great_and_Powerful" title="Oz the Great and Powerful"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">Oz the Great and Powerful</span></i></a><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">, </span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conjuring" title="The Conjuring"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">The
Conjuring</span></i></a><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">, </span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Down" title="White House Down"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">White
House Down</span></i></a><span style="line-height: 150%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“A compelling glimpse of
life inside the teenage mind, AGAINST HER WILL, was a fascinating train wreck I
couldn't look away from and read in one sitting.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">--<a href="http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elana Johnson</a>, Author,
the <i>Possession</i> series
(Simon Pulse) </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUAvWTEHW25JOzXKHHpG7oRbJHPwPS7fWCQCuzbXTkTHf259QBfTAvmMFbTgFkWmLAMraGVLGY90ixejhSPsO4iuim9-eWbE7i8oVLD7iLvLE_uXz7DDufAXpShQrMqLc_HtpeY-zB6OG/s1600/joagainstherwillFRONT+(1).jpg" height="640" width="422" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427652296&sr=8-2&keywords=Against+her+will" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">My name is Cassidy Connor and my parents hate me. </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Well, they can go to hell. <i>After yet another fight with my manipulative lawyer father and bible thumping mother, I disappear onto Hollywood Blvd among the other street kids. Or so I thought. The cops pick me up for a BS crime I didn't commit, and Dad announces the only way I can avoid charges is to <i>voluntarily<i> admit myself into Oak Dale, a psych ward for crazy teens. I don't belong there -- my parents are the real nutjobs --but it's not like I have a choice.<br /><br />At Oak Dale, everyone is going on about the kid who just killed himself trying to escape. <i>How could they dump me in a place like this? <i>I'm thrown in with my anorexic roommate, Erin; foster care system victim, Gina; and pyromaniac Tony. Guess he likes to light 'em up. All of us are unwanted baggage, here against our will.<br /><br />I quickly learn only the strong survive Oak Dale -- and some of us won't make it out alive.</i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1428821/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank"><img alt=" JOEY KING" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59U5YUv3-uym74Ug99-60q_wHURA5XDudOB0hb7tHRwDLS6KOarMlZaV3Sp0usDLPIU9KfvkCJ7mS7Cem5ljup611KO0AbN8pd6DqBSDm7ogdPms837sEvVujSaSNn1uWEAGMhq4WnuUN/s1600/10422529_10152717620804142_7392806254750422902_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></i></i></i></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><a href="http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" ELANA JOHNSON" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6ZD8q6W6jPM2qAC4S2cQ9z1RZdUCaKMd7YfsF3HHqTR_Gw6AS5rSOu1kAV6H2u9Lwk4PtEfbFFbjCCWeDKjxpVtos57QCNVGjFBRRl3WH2zkWv-60W-21F7zjDW9vEcFkxFjr0qsUyTp/s1600/11058440_862913060412210_6983769630509298514_o.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a><i style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></div>
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;">IN THREE EASY STEPS...</span></i></i></i></i></div>
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;">ENTER A DRAWING TO WIN A FREE COPY!!!</span></i></i></i></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i>1. Follow me and SHARE THIS POST on Twitter with <a href="https://twitter.com/AuthorJSchaffer" target="_blank">@AuthorJSchaffer</a> and #AgainstHerWill</i></i></i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></i></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="font-size: large;">OR Friend me and Share on Facebook and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jo.seableschaffer" target="_blank">TAG ME</a> </span></div>
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;">OR do both to be entered twice!</span></i></i></i></i></div>
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><i><i></i></i></i></i></i></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></i></i></i>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;">2. Leave a comment below here OR in a PM on Facebook, telling me how bullying or mental health issues have affected you or somebody that you love.</span></i></i></i></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></i></i></i>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><span style="font-size: large;">3. Give someone a BIG HUG!</span></i></i></i></i><br />
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><i><i><br /></i></i></i></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-20930926821698074152015-03-05T08:46:00.000-08:002015-03-05T08:46:14.901-08:00Against Her Will reviewed by Elana Johnson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On March 30th, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423751250&sr=8-4&keywords=against+her+will" target="_blank">Against Her Will</a> releases and then the launch party will take place at Teen Author Boot Camp! I'm excited to share this book with the hundreds of teen who will be there--this year our registration numbers are the highest they have ever been. The book brings up important topics such as bullying and how ultimately their own decisions affect their lives more than the decisions of others. It also holds the message that life can be hard and people can treat you bad, but we each get to choose who we'll be and how we let our struggles define us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Elana Johnson, author and friend, agreed to read the book and blurb it for me! I snagged the review she wrote on her blog and am posting it here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn8LPqRLj_AhYL9CjAPdOX5MD5L_C9vVSNd5HdjW3PNj6PcRrfG6jRJE0pWJ2Nkddndu4pYG4KrIfnSRaSSS_60VZpKXBPkcqBcXhwfw_Y0W6tbfNs7-wh30ujTKlmfLDWVxgffaVGpqR/s1600/Against+Her+Will+front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn8LPqRLj_AhYL9CjAPdOX5MD5L_C9vVSNd5HdjW3PNj6PcRrfG6jRJE0pWJ2Nkddndu4pYG4KrIfnSRaSSS_60VZpKXBPkcqBcXhwfw_Y0W6tbfNs7-wh30ujTKlmfLDWVxgffaVGpqR/s1600/Against+Her+Will+front+cover.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">“A compelling glimpse of
life inside the teenage mind, AGAINST HER WILL, was a fascinating train wreck I
couldn't look away from and read in one sitting.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">--Elana Johnson, Author,
the <i>Possession</i> series
(Simon Pulse) <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">About AGAINST HER WILL: </b><i style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">My name is Cassidy Connor and my parents hate me. Well, they can go to hell. After yet another fight with my manipulative lawyer father and bible thumping mother, I disappear onto Hollywood Blvd among the other street kids. Or so I thought. The cops pick me up for a BS crime I didn't commit, and Dad announces the only way I can avoid charges is to voluntarily admit myself into Oak Dale, a psych ward for crazy teens. I don't belong there -- my parents are the real nutjobs --but it's not like I have a choice.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">At Oak Dale, everyone is going on about the kid who just killed himself trying to escape. How could they dump me in a place like this? I'm thrown in with my anorexic roommate, Erin; foster care system victim, Gina; and pyromaniac Tony. Guess he likes to light 'em up. All of us are unwanted baggage, here against our will. </i><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I quickly learn only the strong survive Oak Dale -- and some of us won't make it out alive.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">----</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"I absolutely loved this book in a sort of love-hate way. I couldn't stop reading it, and I wanted to yell at the characters. Things like, "No! Don't do that!" Or "Please eat something." Or "This is a bad idea..." Or "Tell someone! Tell someone!" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">AGAINST HER WILL is an emotionally powerful book -- I called it a train wreck I couldn't look away from. It stuck with me long after I finished it, and I find myself still thinking about it from time to time. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I think the reason it impacted me so much is because it is the polar opposite of my experiences as a teenager. Cassidy's story opened my eyes to things I knew about, but didn't really KNOW about, if that makes sense. It is a fantastic read for anyone -- if you relate to Cassidy's story, if you don't, and anywhere in between.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">AGAINST HER WILL doesn't come out until March 30, but you should </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423751250&sr=8-4&keywords=against+her+will" style="background-color: white; color: #929292; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">pre-order it now</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> so you can devour it then." -Elana Johnson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Her-Will-Serita-Stevens/dp/1628651504/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1423751250&sr=8-4&keywords=against+her+will" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">AGAINST HER WILL paperback version is available for pre-order now! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Also, now available for pre-order on Kindle!</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<br /></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-33783158117195529052015-02-09T08:13:00.000-08:002015-02-10T15:27:40.190-08:00Elana Johnson's ELEMENTAL series cover reveal!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
As a writer and literary agent, there are some writers I read because I love what they write and others I read because I love who they are. With my friend, Elana Johnson, it's both! She's so freaking awesome in every way!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWVeecsRAJmahX4cTAoOdXFMdsHrTw7Iwqdxzh_PyQr_rfgU1Yu9Y2_Cbm31YmHfzbF0-mdYKlC7rS6kCemZC2-6Pnh92UJqDXEgsJVggqVJOPiGMhB4mmgjLLqskOnd0otDVFPc25azZ/s1600/elemental+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWVeecsRAJmahX4cTAoOdXFMdsHrTw7Iwqdxzh_PyQr_rfgU1Yu9Y2_Cbm31YmHfzbF0-mdYKlC7rS6kCemZC2-6Pnh92UJqDXEgsJVggqVJOPiGMhB4mmgjLLqskOnd0otDVFPc25azZ/s1600/elemental+banner.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm so excited about Elana's new YA/NA futuristic fantasy series, which includes <i>Elemental Rush</i>, <i>Elemental Hunger</i>, and <i>Elemental Release</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red;">About ELEMENTAL RUSH:</span></b> Eighteen-year-old Adam
Gillman has trained for twelve years to earn a coveted spot on the Supreme
Elemental’s elite sentry squad. His brother, Felix, is the commander, but Adam
is still thrilled when his official assignment to serve Alexander Pederson comes.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzinIpefZwklDcRKydgxcuCHN-7wXggzsU4yXDw_pnqwvF7awikpOU5cS-EXuUQj7MZmyWfh7tarsuaUeRsriRygzZQWSobJra5O6RN8E3ZHspQ5I5u6-pKkrYXVT-GwvAlaXDosJlZaQ9/s1600/ElementalRush_CVR_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzinIpefZwklDcRKydgxcuCHN-7wXggzsU4yXDw_pnqwvF7awikpOU5cS-EXuUQj7MZmyWfh7tarsuaUeRsriRygzZQWSobJra5O6RN8E3ZHspQ5I5u6-pKkrYXVT-GwvAlaXDosJlZaQ9/s1600/ElementalRush_CVR_LRG.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
He moves into nicer quarters and can stop getting up at four
a.m. to complete his mandated work out time. He still rises early though,
because he needs the solitude of early morning to practice his airmaking
Element—something that Adam has kept secret from everyone, even Felix, because
he can’t be both an Airmaker and a sentry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Alex assigns him to kill a group of rogue Elementals,
he balks at completing his mission for the first time. See, his only friend is
Isaiah Hawking, and he’s the Earthmover on the accused Council. When faced with
the prospect of killing him, Adam finds he can’t do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’s well trained in assassination, but he thought he’d be
murdering bad guys—not innocents. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Alex buries the Elemental Academy—and kills over one thousand
Elementals—in a fit of rage, Adam’s loyalty cracks. When he discovers that Alex
is really a woman, and his brother’s lover, he defects. He hops from city to
city, from Elemental school to Elemental school, always escaping only minutes
before Felix can embed a knife in his heart or a tsunami can make a classroom
his watery grave. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He tries to fight back, but he’s just one Airmaster with
exceptional tracking skills. He does his best to warn those in danger, but as
the last Elemental school goes up in flames, he knows he needs to get some real
firepower on his side. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ELEMENTAL RUSH is a prequel novella to the full-length
futuristic fantasy novel, ELEMENTAL HUNGER.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Goodreads:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063929-elemental-rush">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063929-elemental-rush</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Buy Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFM3JJM">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFM3JJM</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-rush-elana-johnson/1119569676?ean=2940150184190">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-rush-elana-johnson/1119569676?ean=2940150184190</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-rush/id962939892?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-rush/id962939892?mt=11</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-rush-an-elemental-novella-volume-1">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-rush-an-elemental-novella-volume-1</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3SZtBgAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3SZtBgAAQBAJ</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">About ELEMENTAL HUNGER:</span></b> The second installment in
the Elemental series, a new futuristic fantasy for young adults and new adults
from acclaimed author Elana Johnson, ELEMENTAL HUNGER is a full-length novel
that continues the story that began in ELEMENTAL RUSH, an Elemental novella. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkwzt55c-3iQnf2e_2eDumMzZVtAuQWP5xCLX4hy8IOhLhMUbWIJhsox_EFNuXCFrXyfn1g5Gd_dfTxW_xjpxr38pDQTX6GTZCyIn5FNnlZOfvR6pp4nY9hdNmcPvUwAyALsG3-mt6bL3/s1600/ElementalHunger_CVR_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkwzt55c-3iQnf2e_2eDumMzZVtAuQWP5xCLX4hy8IOhLhMUbWIJhsox_EFNuXCFrXyfn1g5Gd_dfTxW_xjpxr38pDQTX6GTZCyIn5FNnlZOfvR6pp4nY9hdNmcPvUwAyALsG3-mt6bL3/s1600/ElementalHunger_CVR_LRG.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from
her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno
that kills 17 schoolmates. When Gabby is commanded to Manifest her Element,
everyone knows what she is: a genetic abnormality. Not to mention guilty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So she does two logical things to survive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. She runs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. She hacks off her hair to assume a new role—that of
“Gabe”, because in her world, only boys are Firemakers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only does she have to act like a guy, she has to pretend
to know everything a Firemaker should know. When Gabby meets Airmaster Adam
Gillman, he believes her act and pledges to serve on “Gabe’s” Council. But Adam
has the mark of a sentry and spent years obeying Alex, the Supreme Elemental.
And Alex wants Gabby-the-genetic-freak dead and gone before she can gather the
magical protection of a full Council. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Adam’s lies that sound like truths and rumors that Alex
isn’t really a Firemaker—or a man—Gabby sets out to charter a Council of her
own. In order to uncover the truth, Gabby will have to learn who she can trust,
how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of
Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If
she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six
feet under. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look for the third and final installment, ELEMENTAL RELEASE,
the final Elemental novella. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Goodreads:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063919-elemental-hunger">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063919-elemental-hunger</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Buy Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWF9PLI">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWF9PLI</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-hunger-elana-johnson/1119673756?ean=2940149745685">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-hunger-elana-johnson/1119673756?ean=2940149745685</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-hunger/id962939784?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-hunger/id962939784?mt=11</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-hunger-an-elemental-novel-volume-2">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-hunger-an-elemental-novel-volume-2</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=HjBtBgAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=HjBtBgAAQBAJ</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">About ELEMENTAL RELEASE:</span></b> Two months after
returning to the capital city of Tarpulin with a Council of his own, Airmaster
Adam Gillman is ready to start repairing the relationships in his life. Up
first: his Councilman and the girl he’d like to be more than friends with,
Gabriella Kilpatrick. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M371Ibo35w2X5QSmgORWjUHiKV6sCWPzcQ50SHWeTOBCCOWjYTMQyzvger0mnAuBsINGXVHODarkXXjmaTDTpsEU3Xuuvy97GGu4fJhPs1vrnYt9xtTCbMqvddaB8EGaB4Wg6FnipYCO/s1600/ElementalRelease_CVR_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M371Ibo35w2X5QSmgORWjUHiKV6sCWPzcQ50SHWeTOBCCOWjYTMQyzvger0mnAuBsINGXVHODarkXXjmaTDTpsEU3Xuuvy97GGu4fJhPs1vrnYt9xtTCbMqvddaB8EGaB4Wg6FnipYCO/s1600/ElementalRelease_CVR_LRG.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
But first, he has to figure out how to be the Airmaster his
Firemaker needs. In order to do that, Adam attends Elemental training and
discovers that to truly command the air, he must first be in control of his
emotions. And in order to master those, he has to grieve for the loss of Hanai,
make amends with his brother, and earn the trust of Gabby. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amidst all that, Adam must also learn how to grapple with
the jet stream, because a dangerous Airmaster is loose in Tarpulin. And Adam
will need to find his emotional center in order to work with the atmosphere and
defeat the threat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Goodreads:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063941-elemental-release">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22063941-elemental-release</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Buy Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4HTBZS">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4HTBZS</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-release-elana-johnson/1121137547?ean=2940150154391">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elemental-release-elana-johnson/1121137547?ean=2940150154391</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-release/id962940235?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elemental-release/id962940235?mt=11</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-release-an-elemental-novella-volume-3">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/elemental-release-an-elemental-novella-volume-3</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3zNtBgAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3zNtBgAAQBAJ</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKX6FxPzsd6_C15Xl3jIQXjvKPCTiLt67Dvf-sHvdecJDjmdbWKWJ5bWb78LMfLsGrJ1izYfzUiVCBEda_cRb935fLgpcONn9Y5nJ72oabITuuVEi-05akj-O2gfCDleGaurSxm_Pnlye/s1600/ElanaJohnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKX6FxPzsd6_C15Xl3jIQXjvKPCTiLt67Dvf-sHvdecJDjmdbWKWJ5bWb78LMfLsGrJ1izYfzUiVCBEda_cRb935fLgpcONn9Y5nJ72oabITuuVEi-05akj-O2gfCDleGaurSxm_Pnlye/s1600/ElanaJohnson.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">About Elana Johnson:</span></b> Elana Johnson’s work,
including <i>Possession</i>, <i>Surrender</i>, <i>Abandon</i>, and <i>Regret</i>,
published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere
books are sold. Her popular ebook, <i>From
the Query to the Call</i>, is also available for <a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/123185124/From-the-Query-to-the-Call-by-Elana-Johnson" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">download</span></a>, as well as a <i>Possession</i> short
story, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106783" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Resist</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her self-published novels include two YA contemporary
novels-in-verse, <i>Elevated</i> and <i>Something About Love</i>, as well as a YA/NA
futuristic fantasy series, which includes <i>Elemental
Rush</i>, <i>Elemental Hunger</i>, and <i>Elemental Release</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find
her online at her <a href="http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">personal blog</span></a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/elanaj/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Twitter</span></a>. She also co-founded the <a href="http://querytracker.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Query Tracker
blog</span></a> and WriteOnCon, and contributes to the <a href="http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">League of
Extraordinary Writers</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Social Media Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website/blog: <a href="http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/">http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ElanaJ">https://twitter.com/ElanaJ</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorelanajohnson">https://www.facebook.com/authorelanajohnson</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tumblr: <a href="http://elanajohnson.tumblr.com/">http://elanajohnson.tumblr.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wattpad: <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/elanajohnson">http://www.wattpad.com/user/elanajohnson</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
League of Extraordinary Writers: <a href="http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/">http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WriteOnCon: <a href="http://writeoncon.com/">http://writeoncon.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elana on Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4044383.Elana_Johnson">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4044383.Elana_Johnson</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Win $10 for
helping to spread the word about the new ELEMENTAL series covers! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="2572e92f80" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2572e92f80/" id="rcwidget_biu9hwem" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">Rafflecopter Giveaway</span></a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-27040129836750849032015-01-21T10:50:00.003-08:002015-01-21T14:54:32.702-08:00Healthy Chewy Chocolate Cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I like to eat healthy, whole foods. I eat organic as much as possible too. I've seen a marked improvement in my health and weight since I made the switch over a decade ago.<br />
A lot of people wonder how I can stand giving up refined sugars and flours. It is not that hard once you detox and replace them with yummy, healthy alternatives.<br />
I've had many people ask me about recipes. So here is a favorite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp6iG0bKAsU9EyD7uQVTWe2h7edDAkx-Tq8ouAp2QLWs0JogAtXKjkTaocwg_fvqXihodl1nrct_UC9cLu8Zch05M-RM4-7Mqj4KDOSOseifLD0JFjIll4q5SvWnYysbcWzznfzqMc9Hx/s1600/20150119_204517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp6iG0bKAsU9EyD7uQVTWe2h7edDAkx-Tq8ouAp2QLWs0JogAtXKjkTaocwg_fvqXihodl1nrct_UC9cLu8Zch05M-RM4-7Mqj4KDOSOseifLD0JFjIll4q5SvWnYysbcWzznfzqMc9Hx/s1600/20150119_204517.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chewy Chocolate Cookies<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½ Cubes Butter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ Cup brown rice syrup<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Cup coconut sugar (if needed add a little agave for more
sweetness)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 egg<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beat that together and then add and mix:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Tbsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then melt together:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another cube of
butter with ½ C healthy chocolate chips of your choice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mix ¾ Cup of cocoa powder with the melted mix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stir all ingredients together and then add:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Cup almond flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 Cups rye or whole wheat flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add chocolate chips and chopped nuts if desired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bake for 7 or 8 minutes at 350 degrees—let cookies be a
little under baked. Let cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Enjoy!</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-89225603411695936472015-01-02T13:48:00.000-08:002015-01-21T14:54:44.808-08:00Against Her Will and the anatomy of a bully <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
My YA novel, Against Her Will, is being published at the end of March. The publisher has made it available for <a href="http://truenorthpub.com/against-her-will" target="_blank">pre-order on Amazon</a> now! An official launch and book signing will happen at <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp</a> on April 11th. The story follows the struggles of teens in a psych ward who battle their inner demons in a place where not everything that happens is for their own good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS6GX2U7Tq0oFEofB39sEozakGOZXu_u_839wm6gbGt7dSrxfOd5IBb_ImzYT_7hY0PpeKD9zppDGRBzh1YwpsI-xEognW4XeY6Yo3bukkguxco44eEGkbwh1s9E6MropZSgdU1WVONG4/s1600/joagainstherwillnewback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS6GX2U7Tq0oFEofB39sEozakGOZXu_u_839wm6gbGt7dSrxfOd5IBb_ImzYT_7hY0PpeKD9zppDGRBzh1YwpsI-xEognW4XeY6Yo3bukkguxco44eEGkbwh1s9E6MropZSgdU1WVONG4/s1600/joagainstherwillnewback.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Co-author, Serita Stevens, is a nurse in a facility where she witnessed the sometimes horrific outcome of young people who have been the victims of mistreatment. The book has strong themes about bullying and the dire consequences it can have.<br />
<br />
Bullying has become a universal issue. Recently, I've had to deal with my own young, special needs son being bullied at school. The affects of bullying can be heartbreaking and sometimes quite serious. Studies have connected bullying to the rise in youth suicides.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html" target="_blank">* <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year, according to the CDC.</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span>
But bullying doesn't only affect young people, it's a problem with adults as well. Most of us have been bullied at some point or other. Whether it be by the kids at school, our peers, a parent, a boss, or even a spouse or the person we're dating, bullying hurts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhaCCI6GkFtYymGxLI99B9wJIaRcD4zHTpusAmASQNc_bJ7F7JXQZzMOUWRJpO9GTBijeSueUAo-D2XuPCUpzeQ1y1jQZiAP0Km12iCOHvIJ4KVa3_5B-CuOFzn53LyIQSOuvChZHT2TJ/s1600/i20A7YcZ0cw8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhaCCI6GkFtYymGxLI99B9wJIaRcD4zHTpusAmASQNc_bJ7F7JXQZzMOUWRJpO9GTBijeSueUAo-D2XuPCUpzeQ1y1jQZiAP0Km12iCOHvIJ4KVa3_5B-CuOFzn53LyIQSOuvChZHT2TJ/s1600/i20A7YcZ0cw8.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
Bullying on a grand scale takes the form of a benign or aggressive dictator, ruling in fear and with supreme control. I recently watched a documentary on North Korea that made me ill. The way the people scrape and bow and cry with "gratitude" when speaking of their beloved oppressor is disturbing. They clearly fear his disapproval and the consequences of his displeasure to the point that they pray to him and pour on the worship. It's chilling to see.<br />
<br />
On a smaller scale, bullying takes many forms from: stonewalling, withholding affection and approval to criticizing, demeaning and physical aggression. Almost always its about control and manipulation. A lot of people find themselves ensnared in an abusive relationship without realizing they are being bullied, because a bully isn't just the scary kid at school who beats you up for your lunch money or the mean popular girl who publicly shames you for wearing last years' fashions. Bullies can be in a position of trust, a person whom we should be able to count on for fair treatment or loyalty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt_nRM92ouLMMv4gx1kA6d8Q2ObadKt0Y_4hIQ5a7jUvSfd80VvhVbe2klM6P8eAcHOhZVJ1cXkLaMzRsEJ1FqMukRXxeD96GfcgXpvKAtTBuqH0yPf8sJuBafqW40UfmRcwagq0PVU2c/s1600/LvLyJdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt_nRM92ouLMMv4gx1kA6d8Q2ObadKt0Y_4hIQ5a7jUvSfd80VvhVbe2klM6P8eAcHOhZVJ1cXkLaMzRsEJ1FqMukRXxeD96GfcgXpvKAtTBuqH0yPf8sJuBafqW40UfmRcwagq0PVU2c/s1600/LvLyJdn.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Some bullies are hard to pinpoint because they are sooo nice and have done so many things for their victim, as is often the case of an abusive parent. Beware of a person if their sticky sweetness becomes, harsh and punitive when you fail to meet the needs or expectation of the bully. No matter who the bully may be in your life, you can choose to say "No". When they threaten and demean you, or try to scare you into compliance--no carrot they dangle or consequence they may bring down on you is reason to allow the continued damage to your core self.<br />
<br />
In researching bullying and abuser behavior these personality traits and behaviors were mentioned over and over:<br />
<br />
Quick/intense attachment<br />
Insincerity (their compliments come at times when they want something or just feel wrong and forced)<br />
Jealousy (threatened by success of others, resentful of your other relationships etc)<br />
Negative thinking (assuming worst, harsh judgement of others, mean gossip, poor sportsmanship etc.)<br />
Controlling Behavior (everything from who your friends are, what you're allowed to say or the micromanaging of a tyrant boss)<br />
Unrealistic expectations (you'd better not mess up ever!)<br />
Isolation (want you to themselves, resent other people or things in your life that may take precedence)<br />
Blame-shifting for their problems<br />
Blame-shifting for their feelings<br />
Hypersensitivity (constantly ready to bite your head off for mostly imagined offense)<br />
Cruelty or Disregard for people of no use to them (children or people without enough power or connection)<br />
Verbal Abuse (shaming, criticizing, blaming, accusing, threats, blackmailing, name calling, sabotage of the reputation of others etc.)<br />
Jekyll and Hyde behavior and mood swings<br />
History of substance abuse<br />
History of unstable interpersonal relationships (repeated dating/marriage disasters, no long term friendships/relationships or only very few close family)<br />
<br />
Not all of these have to be true to mean you have a bully or abuser in your life. If you now wonder if you are being bullied or are in an abusive relationship, consider these points: A bully wants you to kiss their rear, obey them without challenge,they want you to question your own worthiness, they want to feed your paranoia that you deserve what you get and everyone thinks badly of you (This is possibly most apparent in abusive relationships where a partner tries to convince you that you are nothing without them and nobody else could ever see any value in you). "You're lucky I put up with you," is not something somebody who is loving and trustworthy says.Disagreements and arguments are normal parts of life but an abuser will yell, scream and hurl stinging remarks and even if they don't raise their voice their words will be mean and punishing rather than an attempt to find agreement and understanding. And a bully can rarely apologize, but when they do it is an insincere manipulation because they want something or fear losing control.<br />
<br />
If there is somebody in your life who is toxic in this way, reach out for the support of good friends and get help if you need it. Get out while you can. Leave that person behind with a heart full of forgiveness and equity. If it is a family member or somebody you cannot cut loose for some other reason, draw strong boundaries and do not give power to the bully. Let them throw a tantrum but hold your head high. Their behavior is not your responsibility.<br />
<br />
On the other hand... if you read this and are self aware enough to see yourself in the list, you might want to get some help so you don't burn all of your bridges and continue in an unhappy pattern that will only bring a stormy life and ultimately end in loneliness. It's really no way to live to wonder why all your relationships go bad and wondering if you can ever be loved for who you are. Because in the end, a bully is always somebody who feels worthless. You aren't worthless. You can find happiness another way besides owning and controlling other people. You''ll never find true love that way.<br />
<br />
Wise teachers in all cultures agree that real love is: Patient, kind, not envious, not prideful, doesn't put itself first, is not easily provoked or offended, does not think evil and negatively, is full of hope. This is something worth fighting for--both to have and to give.<br />
<br />
Despite the heavier themes in<a href="http://truenorthpub.com/against-her-will" target="_blank"> Against Her Will</a>, the prevailing message is that of hope. There is hope for the oppressed and even the oppressor. When people own their life and decide to live consciously no matter what anyone else does, they will become empowered. I believe in the healing power of real love, humility and forgiveness. In the end, our will is something nobody can truly control but us.<br />
<br />
As wisely and beautifully said by Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms ... to choose one’s own way...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one’s freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2782.Viktor_E_Frankl" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Viktor E. Frankl</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://truenorthpub.com/against-her-will" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">CLICK HERE to order Against Her Will.</span></a><br />
<br /></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-48713722457540173352014-11-16T20:41:00.000-08:002014-11-16T20:47:54.369-08:00How the real SpongeBob helped my family at a difficult time...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is a repost of my article on <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2014/11/spongebob-squarepants-is-serious-buisness-how-pop-culture-helped-my-family-through-a-horrific-struggle-with-a-message-from-the-real-spongbob-inside/" target="_blank">The Rogue.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVUMzVL_eTE35_XA6Qo-UvqqVFaEQlhzWxFqIxeLhA_Y_mZoWObx_RFX-eNf4M6x6yi4Mqx7nojQBg80ghGfKJqvBX-DJMm5mwna_A94Dfo5U1Pp0JGZ-8zTMUsee4fellBE4JofFNAEF/s1600/spongebob_happy_place_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVUMzVL_eTE35_XA6Qo-UvqqVFaEQlhzWxFqIxeLhA_Y_mZoWObx_RFX-eNf4M6x6yi4Mqx7nojQBg80ghGfKJqvBX-DJMm5mwna_A94Dfo5U1Pp0JGZ-8zTMUsee4fellBE4JofFNAEF/s1600/spongebob_happy_place_3678.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
Pop culture often gets a bad rap, especially from those styling themselves as intellectuals and “real artists”. Some argue that it dulls the senses, doesn’t encourage “higher thoughts” and deadens the cultural tastes. A few critics would go further to say it poisons our minds. They are right in some ways. Popular culture wields a lot of power in defining the music, food, fashions and even the way we talk to others.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
There is no doubt that pop culture is a giant menu and we get to pick what we consume. What we choose on that menu says a lot about who we are and what we want. What we want often changes with circumstances in our lives. Some days, we want a deep, reflective art film. Other days, we would rather watch a mindless comedy. While it’s important to nourish our brains and souls, sometimes we want something light. At times that’s all we can take when life gets too heavy.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
When my third son came along, nothing was normal. He entered this life through an emergency C-section and nothing has been easy since. Jack was born with multiple birth defects including an open palate. This meant I couldn’t just take him home. I couldn’t hold my baby and feed him as I did with his older brothers. He spent the Holidays in the NICU hooked up to blinking machines. He should have been home with his family and the twinkling Christmas lights on our tree.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
When I could finally bring him home there were monitors and an oxygen tank. Every two hours, day and night, I would use a breast pump. We’d push a tube through little Jack’s nose and into his stomach for feedings. During this time of no sleep, recovering from my surgery and heartbreak I wrestled to come to terms with the immensity of the truth. My child was not “normal”. He would not have an easy life. How do I help this tiny boy? What would his life be like? What would mine be like now? I didn’t know what to do.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
I mourned and I prayed. I researched his condition. I couldn’t take it with my aching heart and on so little sleep. Most of the time, I forced myself to eat more than Jello so that Jack would get the nutrients he needed to live. However, when it came to my pop culture buffet, I loaded up on everything that arty types say is not nourishing. Buffy and Alias were comfort food for the soul.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
During the long hours of pumping and feedings, I escaped into all five seasons of Alias and all the Buffy episodes I could get my hands on. It passed the time and it transported me into the lives of strong women who faced life and death, disappointment and betrayal, setbacks, sorrow and ultimately triumph. Sure, it was cheesy stuff and not exactly intellectually stimulating. However, it truly helped as much as the medication I took to numb the pain and it also gave me hope.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
Time went on. Jack needed constant special care. He grew and developed slowly. Jack’s life was punctuated by frequent doctor visits and discomfort. At a year old, he weighed only eleven pounds. Then there were several surgeries (with more to come).</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
Through this difficult time his personality emerged. Despite everything, he became a sunny, silly boy. His very favorite thing to watch on TV was SpongeBob SquarePants. Many parents I know find that cartoon annoying and off putting. We love it because it made Jack happy. He would smile and laugh at every episode. When he could finally speak, his first sentences came from the show. <span style="font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;">While In the hospital for surgeries, Jack liked to have his SpongeBob blanket and doll. It brought him comfort and grounded him with its familiar, cheery yellowness.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
SpongeBob is a pop culture icon. The cultural references and satirical characters tell us something about who we are. The archtypes are familiar ones: Squidward the pessimist, Mr. Krabs the greedy boss, Patrick the fool, Plankton the megalomaniac, among others.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
However, I love how the star of the show, SpongeBob, is the most irrepressible optimist on TV, perhaps only rivaled by Leslie Knope of Parks and Rec. And that optimistic sponge, who finds fun in everything (and lessons) during hard times, is the character my struggling little boy identified with at a time when pain seemed to be the only thing he knew.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eo-vJ0-nifA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
A couple of years ago, after his most recent surgery, we received a very special surprise. My uncle, comedian Mike Guido, is friends with <a class="ext-link" data-wpel-target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Kenny" rel="external nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none;" title="">Tom Kenny</a>. Tom is the very talented actor who does the voice of SpongeBob. Mike told him about Jack and how he is a big fan of the show. Tom sent us a personalized voice recording as SpongeBob just for Jack. When we played it for Jack post-surgery he was the happiest little patient on the planet. He smiled and laughed and made us all listen to it over and over. It made me cry. To this day Jack enjoys listening to it and quoting it and it always warms my heart. (Listen to hear his message in the video above.)</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
When I thanked Tom he said, “I was happy to do that for Jack. Being able to do things like that is one of the perks of my job that I treasure. Sounds corny, but it’s true. In addition to the fun job, hopefully I get to make people who are dealing with challenges smile for a minute or two.”</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
Tom Kenny’s job is grounded in popular culture. It’s his vehicle for reaching out to others. And the way those messages and feelings are received is inextricably linked to the mode of communication that we call Pop Culture. Because that’s what it is. All commerce, everything that’s for sale, is an expression of wants and needs. Pop culture is a business that provides those things, both positive and negative. But it’s also the language we speak, how we express ourselves and communicate as a culture. Pop culture is the embodiment of our common ground and voice.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
We should celebrate the good and examine the bad in our popular culture. It’s up to each of us to choose responsibly from that big cultural buffet. To quote the yellow sponge himself, “Let go of what kills you and hold on to what keeps you breathing.”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxTd5kWpsq7SSnyOzdmeBgGbTWuEGnpNTkJSbfH4w4Qj1a8XpaxQ68XIzYbl2q4eRNYwFoE67INw7vBLDOWTjIdj6OxgUsU3FrvwFoJFfcgm6tuDv6e5QVe58LArOxsKh7wOCGc8yX-y3/s1600/TomKennySpongebobSquarepants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxTd5kWpsq7SSnyOzdmeBgGbTWuEGnpNTkJSbfH4w4Qj1a8XpaxQ68XIzYbl2q4eRNYwFoE67INw7vBLDOWTjIdj6OxgUsU3FrvwFoJFfcgm6tuDv6e5QVe58LArOxsKh7wOCGc8yX-y3/s1600/TomKennySpongebobSquarepants.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;">Thank you, Tom Kenny.<br /><br /></span></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-606266443456103832014-10-06T11:41:00.000-07:002014-10-06T11:41:00.004-07:00REMAKE by Ilima Todd<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgWnOExdaXiWyhElYk1H0ZlvaWgLFpI7k2z7rz-2Rc9IvQ2mkeDdZ_mTNkjgJXAw5KgOS0Qs6hpoWArre6DYv3VhpmCA1_5k07cL-gQkU-zfSUfGoBjMouAQ_83OikPiie-yfkuSiQQsx/s1600/remake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgWnOExdaXiWyhElYk1H0ZlvaWgLFpI7k2z7rz-2Rc9IvQ2mkeDdZ_mTNkjgJXAw5KgOS0Qs6hpoWArre6DYv3VhpmCA1_5k07cL-gQkU-zfSUfGoBjMouAQ_83OikPiie-yfkuSiQQsx/s1600/remake.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>Imagine a future without family. A new YA novel from a debut author.<br />Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously.</i></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>But Nine isn’t like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day—her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they’ll be.</i></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?</i></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;">Ilima met with me the other day and loaned me an advance reader's copy of her novel. Once I started reading it, I was hooked. Not only was the story a fresh twist on the genre and the characters engaging, it made me think about how </span><span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;">the social issues in the book</span><span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;"> relate to our own society. I considered my own views on what freedom truly is and what makes a person free. </span></span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;">The story also made me examine the complex layers that our culture wraps around the authentic self. Do we over-complicate identity? What makes us who we truly are? Do we define ourselves according to the dictates of trend? And if so... isn't that the opposite of freedom? It also reconfirmed how much I value my family. The joy of being a part of a family and of being a mom is very important to me. What if those freedoms were taken away?</span></span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;">The main character, Nine, is brave but also tender and vulnerable. Torn by so many decisions and conflicting feelings makes her </span><span style="color: #2a2b2c; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px;">relatable to not only teens but anyone struggling to define themselves within the noise of culture and what is considered normal and acceptable. Her quest to see past all of that to find her inner truth is one that makes her both sympathetic and heroic.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With some great world building, memorable characters, adventure, self examination and some romance, REMAKE is a worthwhile YA read with heart that is both fun and compelling. I'm so ready for the sequel.</span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Writers Cubed is excited to have Ilima Todd as one of our Drill Sergeants for </span><a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp 2015</a><span style="font-size: large;"> this coming April. So, read her book and then come and meet her at TABC!</span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #2a2b2c; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Remake-Ilima-Todd-ebook/dp/B00LOXOUSU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412619229&sr=8-1&keywords=remake" target="_blank">Pre-order your copy now!</a></span></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-71477209739071585152014-10-01T13:40:00.000-07:002014-10-01T13:40:19.860-07:00Jessica Bell's, WHITE LADY, contest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">GUESS THE TRUE STATEMENT & WIN JESSICA BELL'S THRILLER,
<span style="color: #cc0000;">WHITE LADY</span>!
(Statement #10) </span></b></div>
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/fiction.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-2f_-8RR41K5FdsFTEYgrBq6Nj9TxkOjz1c3rZmvXfVWKpIPcA7z3KjxdzGMlwwRyVJaUEpiUtqdjNyUyglbILF7dB5hjIbPohFcaplnm-MVZMWsn7xrKDqZCFy-hYwL-7xXWPVYot4/s1600/White+Lady_by+Jessica+Bell_cover.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To celebrate the release of Jessica Bell's latest novel,
<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/fiction.html" target="_blank">WHITE LADY</a>, she is giving away an e-copy
(mobi, ePub, or PDF) to the first person to correctly guess the one true
statement in the three statements below. To clarify, two statements are lies,
and one is true: <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> Jessica Bell’s mother was born in ...</b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>a. </b>Germany<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>b. </b>Australia<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>c. </b>Greece<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you think? Which one is true? Write your guess in
the comments, along with your email address. Comments will close in 48 hours.
If no-one guesses correctly within in 48 hours, comments will stay open until
someone does. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Want more chances to win? You have until October 31 to visit
all the blogs where Jessica will share a different set of true and false
statements on each one. Remember, each blog is open to comments for 48 hours
only from the time of posting. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you win, you will be notified by email with instructions
on how to download the book. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Click <a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/white-lady-blog-tour-participants.html">HERE</a>
to see the list of blogs. </i><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ABOUT THE BOOK:</b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>*This novel contains coarse language,
violence, and sexual themes.</b></i><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia yearns for sharp objects and blood. But now that she's
rehabilitating herself as a "normal" mother and mathematics teacher,
it's time to stop dreaming about slicing people's throats. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While being the wife of Melbourne's leading drug lord and
simultaneously dating his best mate is not ideal, she's determined to make it
work. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It does work. Until Mia, her lover's daughter, starts
exchanging saliva with her son, Mick. They plan to commit a crime behind
Sonia's back. It isn't long before she finds out and gets involved to protect
them. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But is protecting the kids really Sonia's motive? <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6GuSQPKBOI">HERE</a>
to view the book trailer. </b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Click <a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/fiction.html">HERE</a>
for purchase links. </b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO125ow-3-KMaVKqPgMCsfyP334ayf9YLyO7uiFH0kvrGhRCN0fngrO5MUYlaSiwaEAMtwAD3K3IfGbwKoZv9XtoDT6fPXA-QiVVc5LoneKZS5g-uRpP1kX1X03Dauyfr6jZ-0o-JbC8/s1600/black+and+white_Jessica+Bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO125ow-3-KMaVKqPgMCsfyP334ayf9YLyO7uiFH0kvrGhRCN0fngrO5MUYlaSiwaEAMtwAD3K3IfGbwKoZv9XtoDT6fPXA-QiVVc5LoneKZS5g-uRpP1kX1X03Dauyfr6jZ-0o-JbC8/s1600/black+and+white_Jessica+Bell.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/">Jessica Bell</a>, a
thirty-something Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet and
singer/songwriter/guitarist, is the Publishing Editor of <a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/">Vine Leaves
Literary Journal</a> and the director of the <a href="http://www.homericwriters.com/">Homeric Writers' Retreat
& Workshop</a> on the Greek island of Ithaca. She makes a living
as a writer/editor for English Language Teaching Publishers worldwide, such as
Pearson Education, HarperCollins, MacMillan Education, Education First and
Cengage Learning. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Connect with Jessica online: </b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.homericwriters.com/">Retreat &
workshop</a> | <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>
| <a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/">Vine
Leaves Literary Journal</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell">F</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell">acebook</a>
| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell">Twitter</a></div>
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-60500576030968644272014-09-08T19:04:00.000-07:002014-09-08T19:04:40.008-07:00SLC Comic Con<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Comic Con in Salt Lake City was beyond epic this year! Writers Cubed set up a table for Teen Author Boot Camp to advertise our next event on April 11th 2015! We are excited to announce that our keynote will be Brandon Sanderson!<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vTcY4XH4OfSaRlX1Xd1iN8rGNyHdpCWqNNrPCHeh-nPnWP14i4gdnMriBEsaKjwX82cxpwnwY8svRgDEFkf3xuubuNHCELw90wlh0qIkANB58nM5_VHKKPscOx4vUEg5PXkpVXl5eL0p/s1600/10624797_10152341130124142_8900327199162560594_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vTcY4XH4OfSaRlX1Xd1iN8rGNyHdpCWqNNrPCHeh-nPnWP14i4gdnMriBEsaKjwX82cxpwnwY8svRgDEFkf3xuubuNHCELw90wlh0qIkANB58nM5_VHKKPscOx4vUEg5PXkpVXl5eL0p/s1600/10624797_10152341130124142_8900327199162560594_n.jpg" height="640" width="530" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
We also launched our new book club <a href="http://writerscubed.com/blog-posts/" target="_blank">CubeReads</a>: Book club in a box. Subscribe to get our monthly book recommendations and book club hosting ideas. <a href="http://writerscubed.com/blog-posts/" target="_blank">Check it out!</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was so much to do and see there! The celebrity guest list was huge and impressive. The fans in costume were fabulous to gawk at. I had a great time hanging out with my author friends and interacting with our boot-campers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-TkSjhOiXjT3UqSvmCOv11HDI0N-drYK6Qb5EPQL_B_XaXTdmNRMZVPNZI7WH5MdIn4PsBBQhRhvZ5B3ZHdtdnoXGuVofV19l2vqWEEwGV8Nerh5DmnGVTJEdddc4NOThamib_xEPqg6/s1600/10354167_10152341129359142_3007235756916372682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-TkSjhOiXjT3UqSvmCOv11HDI0N-drYK6Qb5EPQL_B_XaXTdmNRMZVPNZI7WH5MdIn4PsBBQhRhvZ5B3ZHdtdnoXGuVofV19l2vqWEEwGV8Nerh5DmnGVTJEdddc4NOThamib_xEPqg6/s1600/10354167_10152341129359142_3007235756916372682_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors Tyler Jolley and Renee Collins showing our swag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
It was fun to be involved on three different panels at Comic Con with some really great people. The fans are so enthusiastic and the atmosphere totally buzzes with synergy.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFR2jVpVVnEYpsprU73cx0RU6vwp8VLJlTZFtxBcju322NVXS6Cmxi4c7oW1f7Sn2S1KXAOhl2UGgZiApSdLAoo86aY3fbrCZpcTpVzchw8h6bz7UbqsgNYM9y_N0QcK__Co545Yi2Zhk/s1600/10414429_10152342949229142_2919428405016413040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFR2jVpVVnEYpsprU73cx0RU6vwp8VLJlTZFtxBcju322NVXS6Cmxi4c7oW1f7Sn2S1KXAOhl2UGgZiApSdLAoo86aY3fbrCZpcTpVzchw8h6bz7UbqsgNYM9y_N0QcK__Co545Yi2Zhk/s1600/10414429_10152342949229142_2919428405016413040_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and J. Scott Savage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My first panel, Dealing With Rejection: An Artist and Creator Survival Guide, included my good friend, J. Scott Savage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After that I got to be on a panel, Making Your Female Character Strong Without Turning Her Into a Fighting Machine, with my good friend and fellow Cubie, Jennifer Jenkins. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ROF4rZwgnt-5T3dpTuCPaewEiPhoJr_2GE5O3wmm5XbL_NlpY0dkJJ5IaE32gbAkj1hScM82GgUnLbrNZvyvKUjlupiFHPOuVVBatjCl0EwRY2njuNaOQnRw5s5EY2rvUNQ2dbDYaKDi/s1600/10612950_10152344607994142_290689269653275094_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ROF4rZwgnt-5T3dpTuCPaewEiPhoJr_2GE5O3wmm5XbL_NlpY0dkJJ5IaE32gbAkj1hScM82GgUnLbrNZvyvKUjlupiFHPOuVVBatjCl0EwRY2njuNaOQnRw5s5EY2rvUNQ2dbDYaKDi/s1600/10612950_10152344607994142_290689269653275094_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQBCofrnVbFLtuxPAm0rfW6N-ILGnBGfQ6pUiZ4qAseRP9dnIfOAAFul0PWie9ozuD9J9HfpkpOl8-UJxIEHdFIC_MIySF81F6lIGDlF57T6o3RR3vJxxqlG9KftQ-Jxf5JDqx3IYoRDt/s1600/1509314_10152344617754142_3543753829783319461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQBCofrnVbFLtuxPAm0rfW6N-ILGnBGfQ6pUiZ4qAseRP9dnIfOAAFul0PWie9ozuD9J9HfpkpOl8-UJxIEHdFIC_MIySF81F6lIGDlF57T6o3RR3vJxxqlG9KftQ-Jxf5JDqx3IYoRDt/s1600/1509314_10152344617754142_3543753829783319461_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My last panel was my favorite! The Whedonverse: Why Writers and Creators Love Buffy, Angel, Firefly and the Rest. A couple of my author friends, Sara B. Larson and Bree Despain were on that panel with me and I think I love them even more because they love Buffy. =)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlWYTkt3rbVs-K5ed-bn9FTc1bD_BHja8mWTVunTZ6Ua6v-y-BUBn9VvDFvhrZLGPR7C3afl9_JXdDWKBTcgvZIbBlXvXddxqgaAYp91hnheztpvnQykI5qFqZ0kS6UdMLqRYWh3Ev2iU/s1600/10609728_10152344606784142_5325274397060686490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlWYTkt3rbVs-K5ed-bn9FTc1bD_BHja8mWTVunTZ6Ua6v-y-BUBn9VvDFvhrZLGPR7C3afl9_JXdDWKBTcgvZIbBlXvXddxqgaAYp91hnheztpvnQykI5qFqZ0kS6UdMLqRYWh3Ev2iU/s1600/10609728_10152344606784142_5325274397060686490_n.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara B. Larson and Bree Despain with me, talking Joss Whedon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I'm totally excited to participate in next year's Con. It is just too much fun! Shenanigans and hi-jinks with some of the most talented and enjoyable people I know!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFW5FC5cdntM3MSoRof0evKH0fR8ZbKx370gn3MQt_vsvdM_iyKD5BEJCluzz8gOrO0khHwAnTpDuOit7p8GARPYp_duuJPPBbsM6qZgw-yoey8MMSn-uS371vXYpZhKsyFtdhaZut_Jq/s1600/996145_10152341129299142_8772243636786325140_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFW5FC5cdntM3MSoRof0evKH0fR8ZbKx370gn3MQt_vsvdM_iyKD5BEJCluzz8gOrO0khHwAnTpDuOit7p8GARPYp_duuJPPBbsM6qZgw-yoey8MMSn-uS371vXYpZhKsyFtdhaZut_Jq/s1600/996145_10152341129299142_8772243636786325140_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Natalie Whipple, me and Sara B. Larson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJgNh4fIZvsMMheScgNRt4jI9AWcxbflwI33L-mMXBi5xJVteb-_5K85yFJdOEYavO3fJSKkf2rKP2o0SpZmtZ6I6fyVd2A_DCjCAhroLs7ZgIqoePwuAEAVoxRHXST_VNW3dJEwmYR1l/s1600/10383903_10152341129714142_7376284608102544458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJgNh4fIZvsMMheScgNRt4jI9AWcxbflwI33L-mMXBi5xJVteb-_5K85yFJdOEYavO3fJSKkf2rKP2o0SpZmtZ6I6fyVd2A_DCjCAhroLs7ZgIqoePwuAEAVoxRHXST_VNW3dJEwmYR1l/s1600/10383903_10152341129714142_7376284608102544458_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pals Tyler and Connie Whitesides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrn9WhjkBU2uSoPCmtp4UgvLLphOrd4DpEWEBnt_XtySHaBYzUSJ2a2kMW0hirCoTeVpJLu0Pyuskdc3VZyrHqOrJWxOX_AhpeitbStw9_kQFgZ7jlN1GPnzpidZW0lPQOsuEkR43nqrZ/s1600/10628400_10152344607894142_7713613434093019916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrn9WhjkBU2uSoPCmtp4UgvLLphOrd4DpEWEBnt_XtySHaBYzUSJ2a2kMW0hirCoTeVpJLu0Pyuskdc3VZyrHqOrJWxOX_AhpeitbStw9_kQFgZ7jlN1GPnzpidZW0lPQOsuEkR43nqrZ/s1600/10628400_10152344607894142_7713613434093019916_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cubie Margie Jordan, authors Jonathan Ryan and Tyler Jolley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDe0Wp4wR_dnTKSwwVMyU7HGzUV9HDlg3qu8GJGNe5xuLrb7hW9I3_tHEU1l3IZH7XUTFKiVApC6SDynILmKOJxcDzyTdI5JAfPWWdsjkhlluHavY2HjwJsioeff5KQRRbgwHC5atnT9k/s1600/10671466_10152342948249142_3856967882110702582_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDe0Wp4wR_dnTKSwwVMyU7HGzUV9HDlg3qu8GJGNe5xuLrb7hW9I3_tHEU1l3IZH7XUTFKiVApC6SDynILmKOJxcDzyTdI5JAfPWWdsjkhlluHavY2HjwJsioeff5KQRRbgwHC5atnT9k/s1600/10671466_10152342948249142_3856967882110702582_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YESSSS! The Aquabats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91me94GzabLaAbQ6SIOz50HZ2KE42rxUMgprGAvSw3JyhyBtWIi7GnDhfq_5ARNIAQAiQnbuiIm1GEIMPk4roO1W09lMwBH2klei_5ySi6XipE9IDCqalEYh4sde6kdF5wNw2Ui1I4MLk/s1600/10675514_10152344607274142_8075410425189305331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91me94GzabLaAbQ6SIOz50HZ2KE42rxUMgprGAvSw3JyhyBtWIi7GnDhfq_5ARNIAQAiQnbuiIm1GEIMPk4roO1W09lMwBH2klei_5ySi6XipE9IDCqalEYh4sde6kdF5wNw2Ui1I4MLk/s1600/10675514_10152344607274142_8075410425189305331_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my girls, Margie and Lisa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-90564257772571799692014-08-18T10:08:00.000-07:002014-08-18T10:08:19.742-07:00Against Her Will... and what I will and won't do as an agent...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.999998092651367px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
My writing adventure on both sides of the fence continues. As I write and rewrite my own projects and read/review my clients’ manuscripts, I’m amazed at how the time flies by. I stare at the screen until my rear end hurts and then realize I haven’t gotten up to pace in a couple of hours. Are my eyes about to fall out? Maybe. The days go on and on this way. Paddling around in a sea of words, immersed in imaginary worlds. Work, work, work. Luckily, I have a passion for it—even if it can be rather intense at times. It’s exactly what I want to be doing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.999998092651367px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
And then after forever and yet all of a sudden I’m staring at the cover of a book with my own name on it. My most recent project has been to co-author a realistic YA called Against Her Will with Serita Stevens. The story takes place in a psych ward for teens and is based on some real things my co-author observed while working as a nurse for many years. The book releases in Spring of 2015! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.999998092651367px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_a4FTxv0-xUDKjXS7SsHSMRB84UZDetcTZLMWyZDYAg2oEzwVJuTBN_ZYJtkjhpv8Zz2sdeAinOI1QMI49tIYv9dQtDoPYuPcoPH1ttU9J13jMYRSLjrYMLwqwkmA3pU9GgZcLhOtKH/s1600/joagainstherwillFRONT+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_a4FTxv0-xUDKjXS7SsHSMRB84UZDetcTZLMWyZDYAg2oEzwVJuTBN_ZYJtkjhpv8Zz2sdeAinOI1QMI49tIYv9dQtDoPYuPcoPH1ttU9J13jMYRSLjrYMLwqwkmA3pU9GgZcLhOtKH/s1600/joagainstherwillFRONT+(1).jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.999998092651367px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;">Speaking of wills, each of us decides what we will and won’t do. As an agent I will read for countless hours if I believe in the writer. I will give my honest opinion about what I read, and I will dedicate my time and energy into getting a project ready for submission. But there are few things I’ve decided I won’t do. I won’t rewrite or line edit for a client and I won’t submit anything I don’t have faith in... (to see full article read original post on<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2014/08/against-her-will-and-what-i-will-or-wont-do-as-an-agent/" target="_blank"> The Rogue</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2014/08/against-her-will-and-what-i-will-or-wont-do-as-an-agent/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE4Bb8BbGYBPw0mCALCB4aCeNUoOhyf9fgUxWWHa_EevzvJExUP2_dImWMmfjolVVj6f66dW9NMoFpvlyI4Bw4GNIsR_RuqHqg3akQZoFtN4QRN9qvPyLhWSBmC6BXBPipf9xj9iy-5aw/s1600/rogueavatar.png" /></a></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-42325858177740712702014-07-26T15:02:00.003-07:002014-07-26T15:02:37.986-07:00 Indiana Jo: Connector, Archaeologist and Agent <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlGne342cPfaznPc90lgdwHNaAI-zpF_i2T7tBW39a6sEQHBqDbyM9rKNBhFqWqRa4RnR8B4ohyphenhyphenCT3P7UORHZpp4AWJ1iO7gSaKtxGtXPQM2eAuRGLKFYSyoPvhDzBNu02-5O0jbJaxEi/s1600/2014-07-26+14.42.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlGne342cPfaznPc90lgdwHNaAI-zpF_i2T7tBW39a6sEQHBqDbyM9rKNBhFqWqRa4RnR8B4ohyphenhyphenCT3P7UORHZpp4AWJ1iO7gSaKtxGtXPQM2eAuRGLKFYSyoPvhDzBNu02-5O0jbJaxEi/s1600/2014-07-26+14.42.08.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
My brilliant friend, author <a href="http://loisdbrown.com/" target="_blank">Lois Brown</a>, recently told me she was reading about different personality types in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tipping_Point" target="_blank">The Tipping Point</a> and that she thought I was a Connector. I looked it up and thought about that...Do I thrive on synergy?<br />
<br />
I do love to find ways to connect people, bring ideas together, and help create situations where individuals can benefit from the knowledge, skills or "hook ups" of one other. I tend to see the world as a web or a puzzle. I literally delight in finding ways to fit people and projects together and to see how people can help each other along their journeys. I instinctively feel that we're all the same in so many ways and can look to humanity as a whole for understanding.<br />
<br />
Perhaps that's why my first major in college was Archaeology. To dig and search through the layers of dirt and through ruins to find connections to the past. Uncovering evidence that we are the same as the people who lived, worked, played, fought, loved and died before us. Looking for commonalities--proving that we are not alone in who we are. Sounds like why we read too. "We read to know we are not alone."<br />
<br />
Owning that I am a Connector, it makes sense that my career has taken the direction that it has. Being an agent is a bit like being an adventurous archaeologist. The research, study and digging to find that special piece that should be shared with the world. Surviving the darts of edits and the crushing boulders of rejection--for the excitement of discovery and the motivation to find things that resonate with the collective conscious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBHlJsELv26_pYGpZ-AFw2A_6qeMO3NQ9ONtNeUMw1vEAAQ3dMBAMWoDPli6R3q7f_xcHV_Edd00rSNplD-NMgkEbyG8Lj5FNJ7Dg1NTIZ6dfhSi63JQDK0au-uBwLyV_xGaMx2D1DJL3/s1600/old-library-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBHlJsELv26_pYGpZ-AFw2A_6qeMO3NQ9ONtNeUMw1vEAAQ3dMBAMWoDPli6R3q7f_xcHV_Edd00rSNplD-NMgkEbyG8Lj5FNJ7Dg1NTIZ6dfhSi63JQDK0au-uBwLyV_xGaMx2D1DJL3/s1600/old-library-1.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel very lucky to have found the clients that I have. They each have a different voice, but they all have something good to say--and they say it well. Their stories entertain, but also show us that we're all in this together and have much to learn from one another. You'll want to read these books. They belong in the big old library that holds our human story. Stay tuned...<br />
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-21519182725555724622014-06-05T15:42:00.000-07:002014-10-09T12:43:33.144-07:00That moment when... I became a literary agent.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkaXAKtWyMDvB7ascuBJo2U8NhKc6ae1QbzhYCgXtUDhmKeSvlc1RR3DQuGlNB6kNzXRhsrD79eO6x4vl3XrcgX4fx2clbbrzrSlyCWBRm_9vRmQki_9nfbgA3WwJ8P977h_GM7pzSLxK/s1600/1079128_10152269885910432_1776950431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkaXAKtWyMDvB7ascuBJo2U8NhKc6ae1QbzhYCgXtUDhmKeSvlc1RR3DQuGlNB6kNzXRhsrD79eO6x4vl3XrcgX4fx2clbbrzrSlyCWBRm_9vRmQki_9nfbgA3WwJ8P977h_GM7pzSLxK/s1600/1079128_10152269885910432_1776950431_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My passion has always been writing. And over recent years I've realized that I have another passion...other YA writers. Ever since being a part of founding and running <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">Teen Author Boot Camp</a> which, in the near future will be spreading to other locations, I have known that finding talented writers and helping them along is something I love to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So...I pursued this idea, and over time, one thing led to another and now I'm Junior Agent at <a href="http://gatewayliterary.com/" target="_blank">Gateway Literary</a>.This will be a journey. I know I have a lot to learn. But I feel certain that this is the path for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I plan to focus on YA writers exclusively with particular interest in young writers, like the ones we see coming to TABC every year.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned... because I'm sure I will have more to say along the way about this new phase in my career.</span></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-89425750984279578122014-05-14T08:19:00.002-07:002014-05-14T08:19:36.102-07:00My Journey To Black Belt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The statistic is for every 1,000 white belts who enter the dojo, only one black belt emerges.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I am that one.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="640" src="//flipagram.com/f/CXkhteP2vF/embed" width="540"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Commitment, sacrifice, practice, endurance, sweat, pain, perseverance... attainment. </span></b></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-3746556535854792532014-05-12T08:04:00.001-07:002014-05-12T08:04:16.725-07:00Michelle D. Argyle's book If I Forget You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend, and talented author, Michelle, has released a new book! Check it out!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqevPzCs8wgLAEYnQYoClFZ3vYPeimN01MKQJsDDK15K5IQSG2140B4TlHZVujv_AAhaQRSk2hTwSnfGgE8yg5sSsu87Mdz4bzyLp5EXjSUdzugHc6hyFPuDmp7baNthn8IRZYzzC5Lvw/s1600/michelle-d-argyle-if-i-forget-you-med-front+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqevPzCs8wgLAEYnQYoClFZ3vYPeimN01MKQJsDDK15K5IQSG2140B4TlHZVujv_AAhaQRSk2hTwSnfGgE8yg5sSsu87Mdz4bzyLp5EXjSUdzugHc6hyFPuDmp7baNthn8IRZYzzC5Lvw/s1600/michelle-d-argyle-if-i-forget-you-med-front+(2).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Avery Hollister is a little more than absentminded. She has trouble remembering faces, names, and dates without her piles of lists and Post-it notes. When she heads off to college it takes her a week to realize the guy she's crushing on is, in fact, three different guys. With a faulty memory and three men who have no idea she's mixed them up, Avery doesn't know how to fix the mess she's made. But she knows she has to try, even if it means losing a love not even she could forget.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Get this book and find out why other authors are saying great stuff! <a href="http://www.mdabooks.com/books-3/if-i-forget-you/" target="_blank">CLICK</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="su-quote su-quote-style-default" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0.5em 3em; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="su-quote-inner su-clearfix" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Beautiful prose, interesting characters, and sizzling romance make this book simply unforgettable. I adored it." | <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.kasiewest.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #ec5e57; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kasie West</a></strong>, a<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">uthor of </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Distance Between Us</em><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em></div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em></div>
<div class="su-quote su-quote-style-default" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0.5em 3em; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="su-quote-inner su-clearfix" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Avery may have a bad memory, but I will never forget this book." |</span><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #ec5e57; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Natalie Whipple</a></strong><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, author of </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The House of Ivy & Sorrow</em><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="su-quote su-quote-style-default" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 3em; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="su-quote-inner su-clearfix" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Achingly sweet and beautiful, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If I Forget You </em>stole my romantic reader heart."|<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://readingwritingandlovinit.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #ec5e57; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cassie Mae</a></strong>, bestselling author of <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Switched</em></div>
</div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-75611749303762460292014-04-22T23:25:00.000-07:002014-04-22T23:25:01.211-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A Great Big World - I Don't Wanna Love Somebody Else (audio): <a href="http://t.co/n3kB4DkJYK">http://t.co/n3kB4DkJYK</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube">@YouTube</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lovesong&src=hash">#lovesong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23awww&src=hash">#awww</a></p>— Jo Schaffer (@AuthorJSchaffer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AuthorJSchaffer/statuses/457204534872268802">April 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-47578543326836862922014-03-12T10:13:00.001-07:002014-03-12T10:13:51.212-07:00Teen Author Boot Camp 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2-dm58XkcV7FkfqhVr2jUHYYBI7s_K5OQbeEkU54Oe1940KhYffrQgjw3kun8QICM3b7yBzuaTieL-LrqjhcTT9etYq2wJMZlOPnxbBTkaY7DI3KR6r8SlqyCloixSXJ7DpL0Qymqs9F/s1600/1507587_665314260201563_90351607_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2-dm58XkcV7FkfqhVr2jUHYYBI7s_K5OQbeEkU54Oe1940KhYffrQgjw3kun8QICM3b7yBzuaTieL-LrqjhcTT9etYq2wJMZlOPnxbBTkaY7DI3KR6r8SlqyCloixSXJ7DpL0Qymqs9F/s1600/1507587_665314260201563_90351607_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Another awesome TABC has come and gone!<br />
<br />
This year was especially epic. In the months leading up to the conference <a href="http://writerscubed.com/" target="_blank">Writers Cubed</a> spent endless hours preparing for the almost 500 attendees who would descend upon Utah Valley University to attend the fourth annual writing conference just for teens.<br />
<br />
Once again we joined host, Rebecca Cressman on KSL radio to talk about the upcoming TABC and our amazing line up of authors. Author <a href="http://sarablarson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sara B. Larson</a> came onto the interview with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOSnWt_n0LrPcf51VRHdgv2VDbmDfJEhmFGE27xpdeIQsvVdAK4X9kN8eAVoP7deu2bqyK3lEvlsqPF3JwS7XIhyEEpiNmga_JPtEp8ARROp613nBmx0bK2EXxHWeoJ1j98bOjqQ0b6lc/s1600/1896988_10151959963549142_192371562_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /><a href="http://www.fm100.com/?sid=132038&nid=6" target="_blank">Click to hear the interview</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The day of the conference was high energy and exciting. The teens came ready to learn and have fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMtpAVppaIeH7u6goZ8J2DSi-fW0Q9qQ49Ksguga9jue05j6GERAkBNViicjGuW__ajdpJjdL7WGFhkCcH1FqlrLgpTn_DTw0oo_ObwPTP_VMCoRA5cFziUgn3pOUIDGR5sAfgB7hu_Ir/s1600/1912534_665309956868660_908649393_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMtpAVppaIeH7u6goZ8J2DSi-fW0Q9qQ49Ksguga9jue05j6GERAkBNViicjGuW__ajdpJjdL7WGFhkCcH1FqlrLgpTn_DTw0oo_ObwPTP_VMCoRA5cFziUgn3pOUIDGR5sAfgB7hu_Ir/s1600/1912534_665309956868660_908649393_n.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
They filled the Grand Ballroom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1cnkK3ME8Ej68wEllvH-_mJ1Osrx49ZyGb0vH39V3YzvFqk5oCazes4EfdZUaRoE7rpo39GD_8ouc7Q9GPhfmNPCG14k88NnSKPOoKDaS4VN7Uo3hIKSsRpTnJozipRTx8hPJY5jCb9z/s1600/1796490_665316363534686_1511065106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1cnkK3ME8Ej68wEllvH-_mJ1Osrx49ZyGb0vH39V3YzvFqk5oCazes4EfdZUaRoE7rpo39GD_8ouc7Q9GPhfmNPCG14k88NnSKPOoKDaS4VN7Uo3hIKSsRpTnJozipRTx8hPJY5jCb9z/s1600/1796490_665316363534686_1511065106_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When our awesome authors filed in the kids went nuts!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsfoSSrdqExZA45DSzFNHQRbDSnIDONpMLRNBsNSnwS_H9jypqOibC-QxfgywLTWVQVdEBOSCAUdN9zYQ59grom33YcWfX2cl2g9Fir6PAAWuLuFvUGPUyXGWJnCN1ihhFbmJLi6oNwJW/s1600/1012278_665311270201862_5088383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsfoSSrdqExZA45DSzFNHQRbDSnIDONpMLRNBsNSnwS_H9jypqOibC-QxfgywLTWVQVdEBOSCAUdN9zYQ59grom33YcWfX2cl2g9Fir6PAAWuLuFvUGPUyXGWJnCN1ihhFbmJLi6oNwJW/s1600/1012278_665311270201862_5088383_n.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
J. Scott Savage, Tyler Whitesides, Frank Cole, Sarah Eden, Peggy Eddleman, Tyler Jolley, B.K. Bostick, Renee Collins, Kasie West, Jonathan Ryan, Lisa Mangum, Amy Jameson, Bree Despain, Sara B. Larson, Ally Condie and our first keynote of the day, <a href="http://jamesdashner.com/" target="_blank">James Dashner</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqLBL9LPi6-U3jPxuCl74X7k6HXl6u7u53wjuraxJpaIbqByGhyItyK8RacMvitQhd2NUnjnxU5NOXn2F2uHhbmQSIThH-dIHb_qZTJrohv_nr_scrP6oixBjomQ72JagZP1ULKRls5Ch/s1600/10003492_665311520201837_1578571936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqLBL9LPi6-U3jPxuCl74X7k6HXl6u7u53wjuraxJpaIbqByGhyItyK8RacMvitQhd2NUnjnxU5NOXn2F2uHhbmQSIThH-dIHb_qZTJrohv_nr_scrP6oixBjomQ72JagZP1ULKRls5Ch/s1600/10003492_665311520201837_1578571936_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Dashner gave a terrific presentation that kept the kids riveted. We are all excited to see the movie version of his book, The Maze Runner, out this fall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJHtE3YT8d3cuKh2Qr-su8SrzZYOXyXjDwyOgdQX6Pxp_Hf0fl5rHtlRtU-GJSCwoAU5GSBV4st0lnOrsIkMKBaBAl6o_hFi_Wj_BTDLogFRNVRkZS4Xwr9zfYDGDV4_e77vVvIcmFa5n/s1600/1800397_10151992730944142_894736370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJHtE3YT8d3cuKh2Qr-su8SrzZYOXyXjDwyOgdQX6Pxp_Hf0fl5rHtlRtU-GJSCwoAU5GSBV4st0lnOrsIkMKBaBAl6o_hFi_Wj_BTDLogFRNVRkZS4Xwr9zfYDGDV4_e77vVvIcmFa5n/s1600/1800397_10151992730944142_894736370_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a good time getting to hang out with all of our authors. Dashner and Savage are rock stars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVu9L6RpbeQ44r5yIueFVmm2odCpPUQ4h565XjXIUsBrcEquvVxzILaof4YRnXSVarIeEajRfLfPzkkbOaCgxuAEKwaO6iobQbhMg6_vfC7jwD-g6kABSAWpxTASrNzqQRUk4pWyyPvmz/s1600/1898057_10151992731854142_2109464429_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVu9L6RpbeQ44r5yIueFVmm2odCpPUQ4h565XjXIUsBrcEquvVxzILaof4YRnXSVarIeEajRfLfPzkkbOaCgxuAEKwaO6iobQbhMg6_vfC7jwD-g6kABSAWpxTASrNzqQRUk4pWyyPvmz/s1600/1898057_10151992731854142_2109464429_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My friend, actor <a href="https://www.facebook.com/richardsharrahfan" target="_blank">Richard Sharrah</a> popped in to say Hi and the kids swamped him for pictures. And my buddy, author Jonathan Ryan flew out from Ohio to present a great class on writing scary stories to make your reader pee their pants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMYXOqBwvdScHM5ZqhMtzsUh3sKzUA8mJDhJ8o07N7hXNlD66v1S39VH3fWBxz80fPN-yg8bb1n4T3NbUHI7Nz8pzTL3fScaeh5xHDdbEx17p6sttNJjXv5VINIMGksQAxLD4glp_H9cQ/s1600/1965013_665313643534958_338345339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMYXOqBwvdScHM5ZqhMtzsUh3sKzUA8mJDhJ8o07N7hXNlD66v1S39VH3fWBxz80fPN-yg8bb1n4T3NbUHI7Nz8pzTL3fScaeh5xHDdbEx17p6sttNJjXv5VINIMGksQAxLD4glp_H9cQ/s1600/1965013_665313643534958_338345339_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://allycondie.com/" target="_blank">Ally Condie</a> presented at the end of the day. She is one of the coolest, nicest people on the planet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkq-GBEraUEgl03WXrjYM_MS7UKcPXmLi3uiv9hrvrrVJH0qrPw05cwaPj_9hyphenhyphenAqUHU4DWDJfmXT4iou3A1d7HyrZkooRlyfpRnlOJ7opGKY6drLMZQ-PJmxEslA0ofYHZsoy5qubZNai/s1600/10001482_665315426868113_1532121238_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkq-GBEraUEgl03WXrjYM_MS7UKcPXmLi3uiv9hrvrrVJH0qrPw05cwaPj_9hyphenhyphenAqUHU4DWDJfmXT4iou3A1d7HyrZkooRlyfpRnlOJ7opGKY6drLMZQ-PJmxEslA0ofYHZsoy5qubZNai/s1600/10001482_665315426868113_1532121238_n.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
She even wore camo for the occasion! (=<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoVWDXk7QiQ_Ju4bSxSGmqF_rp57rJIab7F60LqoBgZrPTePMkLeIWgov_kqTcQc47aH_627by06HYYGqtqlRBQNg5YvvXl5k6NTlX4coV-Z4LfLKXHIuKwmGiBPRYtQt7rAUhimwMhAQ/s1600/1922202_665313980201591_1743985946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoVWDXk7QiQ_Ju4bSxSGmqF_rp57rJIab7F60LqoBgZrPTePMkLeIWgov_kqTcQc47aH_627by06HYYGqtqlRBQNg5YvvXl5k6NTlX4coV-Z4LfLKXHIuKwmGiBPRYtQt7rAUhimwMhAQ/s1600/1922202_665313980201591_1743985946_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every year we are so impressed by the caliber of writing we see in out First Chapter Contest entries. These are talented teens! We absolutely love the kids and enjoy providing this awesome day for them. They are the bright future of writing and they have a lot to teach us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9BjzCa6ioMDX8SPAbEHEoBqovhQCV6EwbW3ywwDbJrjtxn0Xxp7Av_X8EwDt0Auf96ZSYHgTwu6Q4r-ZtakIE991zhyphenhyphenCHmYExLSJn6P3Siw8yLnfVw-r-QIBbC5uMztKgKnp7yeFeeOe/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9BjzCa6ioMDX8SPAbEHEoBqovhQCV6EwbW3ywwDbJrjtxn0Xxp7Av_X8EwDt0Auf96ZSYHgTwu6Q4r-ZtakIE991zhyphenhyphenCHmYExLSJn6P3Siw8yLnfVw-r-QIBbC5uMztKgKnp7yeFeeOe/s1600/cover.jpg" height="121" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We couldn't do it without our fabulous, crazy, author friends. Every year just keeps getting better!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMHTZK2BQkB9V0ZZMb6XMP5vGvZHUo0kONdw30NcojwzWF-69B2mB7f1MIOq6d-dSwJBuTTwqz7bzYs3t0buIN2qXlmtO1VpErHEu6hAd5KVFo_mlWf9IvvISSnCKy6_lbbgYgwC9yK_x/s1600/IMG_1676-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMHTZK2BQkB9V0ZZMb6XMP5vGvZHUo0kONdw30NcojwzWF-69B2mB7f1MIOq6d-dSwJBuTTwqz7bzYs3t0buIN2qXlmtO1VpErHEu6hAd5KVFo_mlWf9IvvISSnCKy6_lbbgYgwC9yK_x/s1600/IMG_1676-retouch.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the classes were recorded. We will be posting presentations from TABC on <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/tabc-tv/" target="_blank">TABC TV</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Check them out!</span></div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-21257712809384124272014-02-12T22:15:00.002-08:002014-02-12T22:15:32.052-08:00Actresses Joey King and Ariana Guido think Teen Author Boot Camp is awesome!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6dQS3yvzeQY" width="459"></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXmQ7GiSmWcTJBuNF-nSmhS6gCyL7rJclhWZcTFYWB2j7LNWORYZ30SAfG0J-QUA-cecuN4-C-EIXowZAVBa79MVU3kLnD8ko28bGNa2YkWIMr983Har294taHmhwhxayxwvypVByD0A4/s1600/Logo-Dark-Text.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXmQ7GiSmWcTJBuNF-nSmhS6gCyL7rJclhWZcTFYWB2j7LNWORYZ30SAfG0J-QUA-cecuN4-C-EIXowZAVBa79MVU3kLnD8ko28bGNa2YkWIMr983Har294taHmhwhxayxwvypVByD0A4/s320/Logo-Dark-Text.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Teen Author Boot Camp is coming up! We are all so excited! This will be a big year!
Check out our awesome line up of authors at the <a href="http://teenauthorbootcamp.com/" target="_blank">TABC website!</a></span></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-7749277531478982562014-01-09T18:57:00.000-08:002014-01-09T19:52:14.478-08:00Geek Goes Rogue...Tribute to Grant McCune...Star Wars FX artist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As some of you may have heard, I am a new contributing writer on the blog <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2014/01/a-long-time-ago-in-a-fx-shop-far-away-a-tribute-to-grant-mccune-star-wars-world-maker/" target="_blank">Geek Goes Rogue</a>. Follow me there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50lFotOWDIKK9cuV4XZDzOitoJ019KWZlSn3sVlVAMwcJM5edvSWaqxgpmFLkeDv9tbbH14obWGItki-C0KFPHHHb6RREf_XylIOkV-BboKKgw9pK-e6SEpP49Fstu6nxRL78FyCXsD-K/s1600/grant_mccune_2010_a_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50lFotOWDIKK9cuV4XZDzOitoJ019KWZlSn3sVlVAMwcJM5edvSWaqxgpmFLkeDv9tbbH14obWGItki-C0KFPHHHb6RREf_XylIOkV-BboKKgw9pK-e6SEpP49Fstu6nxRL78FyCXsD-K/s1600/grant_mccune_2010_a_l.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
(As the next Star Wars Trilogy is being filmed, we here at Geek Goes Rogue are holding our breath. One of the things that made the original trilogy so great is that the worlds looked “lived in”, unlike the shiny worlds of the new trilogy. Here is a tribute who made that look possible, Grant McCune written by our brand new writer, Jo Schaffer)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
When my husband,Clark and I lived in LA he had the absolute dream job for two Star Wars geeks like us. Working as Art Director for a Visual Effects shop called, Grant McCune Design put us at the very epicenter of all things Star Wars (and I do mean the original canon not the shiny knock offs that came later.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Even a lot of die hard fans have no idea who Grant McCune is. In the 1970s when George Lucas started ILM he hired Grant to make the models for A New Hope. Grant had previously been working as a lab technician at a hospital and at that point had only done models as a hobby. But when his buddy, John Dykstra landed his job with ILM he dragged Grant along...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geekgoesrogue/2014/01/a-long-time-ago-in-a-fx-shop-far-away-a-tribute-to-grant-mccune-star-wars-world-maker/" target="_blank">(For more of this article visit the original post at patheos.com)</a></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056617300824158534.post-5618105377099539522014-01-07T14:44:00.002-08:002014-01-07T14:44:38.822-08:00Death In the House of Life by Roland Yeomans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27000" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
I've enjoyed reading the mystical adventures of Sam McCord... and he's back. Roland Yeoman's latest book, Death In The House Of Life, is available now. Get it today on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DEATH-HOUSE-LIFE-Roland-Yeomans-ebook/dp/B00HIU5O38/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1389046018&sr=1-1&keywords=death+in+the+house+of+life">Amazon</a>!</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27000" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DEATH-HOUSE-LIFE-Roland-Yeomans-ebook/dp/B00HIU5O38/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1389046018&sr=1-1&keywords=death+in+the+house+of+life" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8FUyOvm7iyJFyF0yN0IRGzxLGCG1iW1QUo8dvh9cLu5hSoKs22flx1umitgneFeHpCe12dziVPyi6dW647_MpFYduNKrMLuZCF8H0UBUCTXhp-0C2xVqhQydyfqNq1sj4JQQjZqSDEJJ/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27004" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27061" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Before Indiana Jones ...</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27057" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27056" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Before Alan Quartermain...</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27059" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> There was ...</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27009" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Samuel McCord</span></div>
<div align="center" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27009" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27012" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27011" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Join the cursed Texican as...</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27012" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> He clashes with the last survivor of an extinct species in the Missouri of 1848.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> He communes with the Spirit of the Earth in the Hawaii of 1866.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> He is betrayed into the hands of the British government in 1895 Cairo.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27018" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27017" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Thrill to his escapes from ancient death traps in the ruins of the lost city of Tanis.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Match wits with him </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> As he duels grey aliens and seeks to decipher the mysteries left behind by the aliens who were the basis for the gods of Ancient Egypt.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27015" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27014" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> As he seeks to save the world and his marriage from the monster that is the eternal beauty, Meilori Shinseen …</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> The Empress of a race from beyond the stars</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27021" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27020" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;"> … and his wife.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27053" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27052" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">DOC SAVAGE had no wilder crew to back him up than does Samuel McCord –</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27050" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Mark Twain … Oscar Wilde … </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27024" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27023" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">The genius Nikola Tesla<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27035"> </span>…</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27033" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27032" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">The undead Ada Byron, creator of the first computer language in the 1840’s.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27038" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27037" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">And the incomparable <i>She Who Devours</i>, the model for the Sphinx …</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27041" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 24px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389041306145_27040" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Empress Meilori Shinseen … McCord’s beloved wife.</span></div>
</div>
Jo Schafferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.com3