Sunday, October 26, 2014

#SundayFundayNovel Update


A few months ago I had this fun idea: to start a project that I work on only on Sundays. A Sunday Novel. My goal? To write fast and free, without edit, and only for me. To write like I’m the only one who’s ever going to read it.

It’s been 12 Sundays, and here’s how things are progressing:

1.)   I’ve only missed one Sunday.

2.)  I’ve written 21,000 words. That means at least 1,750 words per Sunday.

3.)  I spend 1 to 2 hours writing each time.

4.)  Which means I’m writing WAY faster than I usually do. About twice as fast.

5.)  And most importantly: I’m having SO MUCH FUN.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun with a project. You know how it feels when you start reading a book and you love it and you can’t wait until you can sit down and read another chapter? That’s the feeling. I look forward to every Sunday writing session.

I can do whatever I want with this story. It’s mine. Yes, I’m published and I’m planning on publishing more novels, but this one is just for me. If it turns out to be for you too, then great. But right now it’s mine and I’m have a great time with it.

If you want to start a #SundayFundayNovel, connect with meon Twitter

Monday, October 20, 2014

I kill people for a living--but I didn't kill the YA Scream Queens!


Who me, kill a YA Scream Queen? 

Oh, please. If I was going to kill someone, don’t you think I would be capable of planning the deed so I wouldn’t be implicated? I’m a writer, for heaven’s sake—I kill off characters all the time.

Now, if I was going to kill someone I’d make sure to have a solid alibi. Have I mentioned that I’ve been at Disney—the happiest place on EARTH—for the last week? Every single Disney princess can vouch for me. I think I still have glitter in my hair.



I’d also never do the actual deed myself. Leave possible traces of my own DNA evidence behind at the scene for some plucky CSI detective to find? Hello…I’m not an amateur here.

That leads us to the, ahem, for-hire specialist. If I wanted to permanently silence someone, I would most definitely make sure I employed someone who would be meticulous and--best of all--quiet about their chosen profession. Think along the lines of The Transporter. And if that makes you think of Jason Statham, well, that’s never hurt anyone, right?



So in short, to be accused of killing a YA Scream Queen is just plain insulting. I do hope they find the real killers. Then again, if someone like me planned their murders, it’s highly unlikely.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

YA Scavenger Hunt! RED TEAM




Hi all!

I'm Page Morgan, author of The Dispossessed series—dark, romantic novels about shape-shifting gargoyles in Paris at the turn of the last century. Think demon hunters, gargoyles, and the girls who love them ;-) Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the 9th Annual YA Scavenger Hunt! For those of you new to the hunt, check out how to play here



Today I’m hosting Rin Chupeco, author of THE GIRL FROM THE WELL. Welcome Rin!

 


Before we get to Rin’s exclusive content, let’s get to know her a little, shall we?

About the girl: 
Rin Chupeco once wrote obscure manuals for complicated computer programs, talked people out of their money at event shows, and did many other terrible things. She now writes about ghosts and fairy tales, but is still sometimes mistaken for a revenant.

About the book: 
Okiku is a lonely soul. She has wandered the world for centuries, freeing the spirits of the murdered-dead. Once a victim herself, she now takes the lives of killers with the vengeance they’re due. But releasing innocent ghosts from their ethereal tethers does not bring Okiku peace. Still she drifts on.

Such is her existence, until she meets Tark. Evil writhes beneath the moody teen’s skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. While the neighbors fear him, Okiku knows the boy is not a monster. Tark needs to be freed from the malevolence that clings to him. There’s just one problem: if the demon dies, so does its host.

And now for Rin’s exclusive content! Here’s a scene from the upcoming, yet-to-be-titled sequel to THE GIRL FROM THE WELL:

I’m no hero, believe me. I’ve never rescued babies from burning buildings. I’ve never volunteered to save humpback whales or the rainforest. I’ve never been in protest rallies, never fed the hungry in Africa, never righted any of the eighty thousand things wrong with the world these days. Heroism isn’t a trait commonly found in teenage boys.

Stupidity, though. We’ve got that in spades.

Stupidity is why I’m huddled up behind a large sofa-bed, underneath a heavy blanket already partially drenched in my own sweat despite the AC humming in the otherwise silence. The television is tuned to the least scariest show I could find: a Jersey Shore rerun - horrifying in its own way, but not in the way that matters, which is the most important thing. I’m keeping an eye on the TV screen, and not because I’m eagerly awaiting Snooki’s next freak-out.

I’m watching the screen because I want to know when it’s coming to find me.

Earlier that night, I’d taken a raggedy-looking doll, cotton stuffing already scooped out, and replaced it with uncooked rice and a few fingernail clippings. I sewed it up again with red thread - when you’ve done this enough times as I have, sewing becomes as good a weapon as any. Then I waited for 3 am to roll around before filling the bathtub up with water and sticking the doll inside.

“Dumbelina, you’re it.” The name was not my idea, but it was what I had to work with. Using the same name from the ritual Sondheim and his girlfriend started and never finished - that’s how it knows you’re singling it out specifically, to play with. Just to ensure there were no misunderstandings, I said ‘You’re it.’ two more times.

The doll, like most dolls, said nothing. It gazed up at me from beneath the water, a drowned ball-jointed Ophelia made in some obscure sweatshop in China. Synthetic brown hair and plastic eyes in a yellow broadcloth dress. Common enough, the kind that could have been a knock-off of a knock-off.

But then the air changes. Then comes that invisible spider crawling up my spine, the one tickling the hairs behind my neck. That invisible spider I have grown to know these last couple of years, the one that whispers there’s something else in the room; breathing with you, watching you, grinning at you.

I hate that damn spider.

For one moment, the stringy brown hair glittered a shiny black sheen underneath the florescent lights. For one moment, I saw the doll’s glassy gaze take on just that faintest tinge of malicious self-awareness. For one moment, that damn thing’s head broke through the water’s surface, and looked at me.

I switched off the lights. I backed out of the bathroom, closed the door. I hid.

It sounds pretty idiotic, playing hide-and-go-seek with a doll. It’s not. It’s part of the rules I gotta play by.

The first rule is this: I have to finish the game. No matter what happens.
--------------------


AHHHH, Rin! Thanks for sharing that scene with us, though I'm officially FREAKED OUT. It has at least 26 scary things about it. *wink wink*

For more about Rin, visit her website and of course, order up the fabulous sounding THE GIRL FROM THE WELL! 

As a BONUS GIVEAWAY, leave a comment and add my blog to your G+ circle (or follow me Twitter) for a chance to win a signed hardcover of THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED! I'll choose a winner on Oct. 6!

And now, Hunters, you’re off to visit another Team Red author, JENNIFER MCGOWAN!


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Chapter by Chapter Book Rave!

If you're anywhere near New Rochelle, New York this Saturday, make plans to come see me and dozens of other YA and NA authors at the Chapter by Chapter Book Rave. I'm so excited, guys! This one's being hosted by the prolific and awesome Jennifer L. Armentrout. And if you ever wanted to see how a bunch of authors do at bowling, this is your chance. I know, I know, calm yourselves ;-) Check out all the stuff happening this Saturday and follow #CBCBR on Twitter for updates!


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Cover Reveal: THE WONDROUS AND THE WICKED

So, this green beauty has been creeping around the internet for about a month now, so I figure it's about time to post it officially. Presenting the cover for the third and final book in The Dispossessed series, THE WONDROUS AND THE WICKED!


What do you think? I hope you like it as much as I do :-) This series has been such pleasure to write and Delacorte Press/Random House has been a fabulous publisher. These covers!! So happy with them.

In case you want to place a pre-order for TW&TW (due out April 2015!) here is a link. Save your receipt, since I'll be holding a pre-order giveaway in the month or so leading up to its release!

Monday, July 28, 2014

The #SundayFundayNovel idea

About a week ago, I had a vivid dream. It was about an alien invasion starring Kiefer Sutherland as the evil alien guy. It was so real, I actually looked Kiefer up on IMDB.com to make sure I hadn't seen a commercial advertising a new alien movie he was in. When I was certain the dream really had been my imagination, I wrote down everything I could remember--and of course, couldn't stop thinking about it.


(Jack Bauer knitting? Yes please.)

The timing could be better.

I'm working on another project that I'm really excited about (check out my Pinterest board for it!) and it's really difficult for me to switch between projects every day. BUT THIS IDEA! It wasn't leaving me alone. It kept rolling out in my head whether I wanted it to or not.

In Stephen King's On Writing, he advises to write when the fire is there. If you lose it, you might not be able to find it again later on. So I'm going to dedicate one day a week (Sunday) to writing this book. I'm calling it my #SundayFundayNovel. The goal? To write as much or as little as I want without worry, without edit. It's just pure fun, and right now, it's just for me. I'm not thinking about my agent or editor or critique partners. I'm not thinking about demographics, deadlines, or selling it. I'm only thinking about this story that I think would be a fun one to tell.



Do you have a #SundayFundayNovel idea? Maybe it's completely different from anything you've written before, or anything you're currently writing. Or maybe you've been meaning to start a novel and want to dedicate a set time to work on it.

Every Sunday I'll be on Twitter (@PageMorganBooks) with the hashtag #SundayFundayNovel and I'd love for you join me!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

RT 2014!

One day after the release of THE LOVELY AND THE LOST (yay!!) and I'm packing for my first trip to New Orleans and the annual Romantic Times Convention. I've been watching the convention from the sidelines for a few years now, following all the Tweets and blog posts, and I'm so excited to finally be going!

If you see me, I'd love for you to stop me, say hi, and ask if you can have one of these:



Oh, and I'll have my gargoyle mask on hand in case you want to take a selfie wearing it! You will look fierce as a gargoyle, I promise. Just look at these YA authors...can you guess who they are??









(ha, that last one's a trick--it's me!)

Kayla DeGroote, the winner of last night's #LovelyLost Author Masquerade Chat on Twitter, will be receiving a signed copy of The Lovely and the Lost AND the gargoyle mask--but not until after RT!

Where I'll be at RT: 

On a speed reading panel Saturday with some amazing authors like Victoria Scott, Sarah Fine, Sophie Jordan, Rachel Vincent, and Terra Lynn Childs to name a few. (click the link for details)

At the FAN-tastic Day Party on Saturday from 7:15-7:45 p.m. (at the Marriott Hotel, 2nd Floor, Preservation Hall).

In YA Alley at the Giant Book Fair on Saturday signing paperbacks of The Beautiful and the Cursed and shiny new hardcovers of The Lovely and the Lost!

Follow my Twitter account @PageMorganBooks and Tweet me if you're around and want to know where I am.

Guys, I AM SO EXCITED FOR RT!!!

If you'll be there, let me know in the comments :-)



Tuesday, April 1, 2014

THE LOVELY & THE LOST pre-order giveaway is LIVE! Win a Kindle Paperwhite!


Pre-ordering a book is one of the best things a reader can do to help launch a new book. By placing a pre-order, you're not only letting the author know you're excited for their book to release, you're also telling the author's publisher, editors, sales and marketing teams, etc. that you're excited. That can often mean a stronger marketing push for the book, more buzz, and best of all, strong sales numbers on that exciting first week of release. 

To help launch THE LOVELY AND THE LOST, the second book in my Dispossessed series, I'm hosting a giveaway with multiple prizes, including signed hardcover and paperbacks of THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED, Dispossessed series swag for every pre-order entrant, and a grand prize of a Kindle Paperwhite e-reader! 

To find out more and enter the giveaway, the pre-order page and contact form is live on my website! It doesn't matter if you pre-order online or through a local Indie store, all pre-orders are welcome!

Leave questions in the comments and THANK YOU for helping me celebrate THE LOVELY AND THE LOST!


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

My Writing Process Author Hop


I’ve been invited to take part in the "My Writing Process Blog Tour" by the always amazing YA author Amalie Howard, whose latest novel, THE ALPHA GODDESS just hit shelves last week! Congrats on your new release, Amalie and thank you for asking me to join in. On to the questions:

1) What am I working on?

Right now I’m finishing up revisions on the third and final novel in The Dispossessed series. I can’t believe I’m all done with it when THE LOVELY & THE LOST doesn’t even release until May! I’m also working on a new YA novel, a middle grade novel, and a picture book, too.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

YA Gothics are on the rise and I’ve read a number of them lately. I don’t think I’ve read one I didn’t enjoy. Perhaps my work differs because of the multiple POV characters, or the fact that the setting (an ancient Paris abbey) is almost like a character in itself. And while The Beautiful and the Cursed has a romance and horror element, there is also a strong mystery element as well.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I write the stories that intrigue me, the ones that won’t leave me alone. I write the stories that I want to read again and again. I also like to try new things, like the few picture book manuscripts I’m working on. I have no idea if they will ever pan out, but it’s fun to change my pace and my focus every now and again.

4) How does my writing process work?

I can’t write every day, but I do think about my stories and writing every day. I have a writing cabin that I like to retreat to a few nights a week and during the day sometimes, and I usually aim for between 1,000 and 2,000 words. I also like to leave off in the middle of a scene so the next time I sit to write, I can get back into it easily. Also, I'm a crazy outliner. My last outline was 30,000 words!

-----
           
I’ve asked the two following YA authors to join me on this author hop, so next week you’ll see their writing process posts on their blogs:

Amy K. Nichols has been crafting stories for as long as she can remember. Her first novel, young adult sci-fi thriller Now That You’re Here, will be published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on December 9, 2014. Amy is represented by Quinlan Lee of Adams Literary. She is a member of SCBWI and SFWA, as well as the Class of 2k14 debut authors. Visit her online at http://www.amyknichols.com


Bethany Hagen was born and raised in Kansas City. She grew up reading Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, and all things King Arthur, and went on to become a librarian. Landry Park is her debut novel.

Side note: I scored a signed Landry Park from Bethany at the Tucson Festival of Books and it is just as gorgeous in person as it is online. Can't wait to read it!


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tucson Festival of Books!

In a few days I'll be heading to Arizona for the Tucson Festival of Books! This will be my first visit to Arizona and I'm excited -- Sun! Books! Authors! I'm lucky to be on panels with some authors like Morgan Rhodes, Colleen Houck, Aprilynne Pike, Chuck Wendig, and Nicole McInnes.

My signing/panel/presentation line-up can be found HERE.

And in between panels and signings, I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the author line-up.

If you're in the Tucson area, please come out to this wonderful festival and say hello!






Saturday, March 1, 2014

A new outlet

Many years ago at a New England SCBWI conference, Laurie Halse Anderson was the keynote. She gave a piece of advice that has stuck with me since. I'm paraphrasing, but she said even if you're not writing, to be doing something creative or exposing yourself to something artistic. Whether it's visiting a museum or listening to music, reading or painting or knitting, it's important to always have the creative side of your mind open and learning.

My dad is an extremely talented artist. He does mostly colored pencil and pen and ink but he's tried out watercolors and oil pastels here and there. I've always admired his work and his ability to create something visual. I've also always told myself (and others) that I didn't receive his talent for art. The thing is, until last summer, I hadn't truly tried. I took a set of watercolors with me to a lake house where I'd told myself I wasn't going to write, but just try something new. I had no expectations. I told myself, yet again, I could never achieve the perfection of my dad's work. And I most certainly did not! But something else happened. Something more important. I HAD FUN. So much fun.

So over the next few months I worked some more here and there on other projects. I'm still learning and still having fun, but I think I'm also getting (slightly) better. Just like with writing, the more you do it, the better you get. Anyway, here are my watercolors, progressing from my lake house week to just a few days ago:







 So try something new every now and again. You just might surprise yourself. I definitely did!


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Exclusive excerpt from THE LOVELY & THE LOST live on RT Book Reviews

I've been hearing from readers lately that they either have or have not been approved for an ARC of THE LOVELY & THE LOST via NetGalley. For those of you who have: Yay! And I hope you enjoy it! For those who have not: I'm sorry! I wish everyone who wanted to read and review the book could receive a copy. It means so much to me to know that you're excited for this second book. If you are denied an ARC, please email me with your mailing address and as soon as I get my Lovely & Lost swag in, I will send you some.

Meanwhile! RT Book Reviews has posted an exclusive excerpt (the prologue and first two chapters!) from THE LOVELY & THE LOST! I've also included a short post talking about Grayson Waverly and his larger role this time around.



I am SO excited for this book to hit the shelves. I enjoyed writing it (dare I say more than the first book?), getting to know the characters better, and meeting some new characters who will carry on into the third book. I believe the title for that one is settled on and it will be released soon!

Let me know what you think of the teaser and please feel free to share the link on your blog/Twitter/Facebook. As always, the more views, the better the buzz, and Ingrid, Luc, Gabby, and Nolan will thank you :-)




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Picture This


I’m thinking about picture books lately. Probably because I’m in the middle of writing my first one and I honestly have no idea what I’m doing. It’s a story, yes, but the stories I’m used to writing usually come in at 100,000 words—not 200.

Just like my ideas for 300+ page books, this picture book idea took years to come together. I finally wrote it, revised it, sat on it, revised it again, and then finally just sent it to my agent. Thankfully he likes it! We’re revising right now, and meanwhile, I’m paying closer attention to picture books than I ever have before.

Some really well-loved books in my house include We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Goodnight Moon, Jamberry, A Quilt for Baby, Snuggle Bunnies, and anything by Sandra Boynton. Some of them are really well known, like Llama Llama Red Pajama and Where the Wild Things Are. 



Others not so much, like Snow Day and Finklehopper Frog. Our shelves are loaded with picture books but like all kids, we have our favorites and we go back to them time and time again.

One of the things I love in a picture book is an unexpected point of view. In Snow Day for instance, there is a rather big twist at on the very last page. (Sorry, no spoilers! You’ll have to read it!) 



In We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, a whole family is telling the story, not just one character. And really, who would have ever imagined a llama in red pajamas?

The 2014 Spring/Summer Picture Book Preview just came out and there are a bunch of fantastic looking books featured. My little book may not ever happen, but it's been fun trying something new.

What are some of your favorite picture books? What are you tired of, and what would you like to see more of?