Unraveling

By Elizabeth Norris

 

This book is amazing, and that blurb above is a perfect description. A mix of X-Files and Veronica Mars, but also ... and ... and I'm not going not to tell you--because I'm like that. You'll just have to read the book to discover the awesomeness for yourself. So go out right now. Find it. Oh wait, it doesn't come out till April 24. But you can it pre-order it here.

Bitterblue

Check out this post on The Enchanted Inkpot for a great interview with Kristin Cashore and a chance to win an ARC of Bitterblue.

I loved Graceling and Fire, and can't wait to read this next book.

Awesome Articles

I just read two great posts from Adventures in YA & Children's Publishing. I'm posting them here not only to share with other writers, but also so I'll be able to find them again.

Crafting Memorable Scenes in Fiction 
Contains a great checklist of everything a scene should do and include. Extremely helpful for both first drafts and revisions.

Sometimes Revision Means Rewriting
Debut novelist Talia Vance (SILVER, Flux, 9/8/12) shares her revision-filled journey to publication.

Contests

For writers with completed manuscripts:

March 1 - Mystery Agent on Operation Awesome

March 5 - Secret Agent on Miss Snark's First Victim

March 1-15 - Liz Norris Pay It Forward Writing Contest on Janet Reid's blog


For anyone:
 
Through March 3 - Win a copy of Balthazar by Claudia Gray
 
Through March 6 - Win a copy of Black City by Elizabeth Richards (lots of giveaways and great reviews on Presenting Lenore, so be sure to check out all the recent posts)
 
And the contest to win a copy of Insurgent (the sequel to Divergent) has ended, but check out the entry by finalist #8. :)

Incarnate

By Jodi Meadows

Loved this book, though when I first started it, it wasn't what I expected. Since I kept hearing about it in the context of all the dystopian novels coming out this year, I expected another of those. But Incarnate is much more fantasy than futuristic.

A few elements reminded me of Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown, one of my favorites. Fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and Fire should also enjoy this book.

This interview on Miss Snark's First Victim gives a bit more info about both Jodi Meadows and her debut novel.

Eliminate the Frame

A simple thing, but so important. Check out this post from Agent Mary Kole for a tip to tighten your writing and make it as strong as possible.

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

I read this book over Thanksgiving break and I couldn't put it down. Loved, loved, loved it, and I wish I didn't have to wait till May to read the sequel.

It's a YA dystopia, and my best description is that it's a mix between The Giver, the first Harry Potter and Hunger Games.