Kirkus!

So...I don't go looking for reviews (usually). I haven't really seen any for CV (yet, though I know it doesn't actually release for 2 1/2 months. Still, I know there are ARCs out there.)

Anyway, I got an email from my fab publicist with "Kirkus" in the subject line.

Kirkus is a review mag, and they're really a tough nut to crack. Like if they don't hate your book you feel pretty good. (And if they gush, well, you've just won the jackpot.)

Anyway, Kirkus didn't hate CHARMED VENGEANCE! (No, seriously, this is epic.)

Actually, there was some good stuff in there. (Even more epic.)

My favorite?  "...her imagination soars as high as her airship, and it will have readers hooked."

Yep. Cupcakes for everyone. 

Happy weekend.

RT 2013

I recently attended the RT Booklovers convention,which is an amazing reader convention with tons of great writers (including something like 100 YA authors). This year it was in Kansas City.

Here are my highlights.

I had dinner served in a mason jar.

I made my badge sparkly.

Threw a Steampunk Tea Party with yummy goodies

Was on panels with great peeps like Caitlin Kittridge and Leanna Renee Hieber.

Got snowed on.

Had a coloring party with Kiara Cass.

Met author Lurlene Mc Daniel (I LOVED her books when I was a young teen).

And hung out with some great YA authors.

Tomorrow I'll be at the Teen Book Fest  in Ontario, CA, all day. There will be tons of great authors.  More info here

Exciting News

So, I have some exciting news to share.

INNOCENT DARKNESS is a finalist in the YA category of the Prism awards. ~launches cupcake cannon~

This is *very* exciting to me because this award is sponsored by the Fantasy, Futuristic  and Paranormal chapter of the Romance Writers of America, or in other words, my people.

The winner won't be announced until July, but I am just over the moon. I have dreamed of being nominated for this for years. Since these are my peers, it's all I could ever ask for.

Where to find me at RT 2013

The Romantic Times Booklovers Convention is one of my favorite events to participate in. This year it's in Kansas City! If you're going to be there, here are some of the places you'll find me:

Wednesday:

2:30-3:30-- I'm moderating the "Steampunk Sojurn" panel

3:45-4:45 -- I'm on the " Setting the Stellar Steampunk" panel

Thursday:

1:30-2:30 -- Steampunk Clockwork Tea--come join us for tea, cookies, and prizes

2:45-3:45 -- I'm moderating the "It's not about the brass goggles" panel

Friday:

11:15-12:15 -- I'm part of the "Hero Speed Dating" Reader party

Saturday:

11 am - 2 pm --Come see me in Teen Alley at the Giant Book signing. The secret code word "cake" could score you a prize (supplies are limited)

3:45-4:45 -- Speed Reading (Teen Day)

6:15 pm -- Teen Day Party!


If you see me around, please say hi!  I hope to see you there.

Upcoming Classes and Appearances

 Online Classes 

 World Genesis -- Building a world from the ground up Dates: May 6 - 31; Fee: $40
 In this workshop we'll focus on all aspects of worldbuilding, from where and when the story is set to the characters that populate it, the technology (and magic) they use, to their language, government, culture, and beyond. So bring your ideas, put on your adventuring gear, and lets go create a world. For more information click here.

 Appearances 

 The Romantic Times Booklovers Convention -- Kansas City, May 1-5 
 I will be doing *all* sorts of things, including the Steampunk Tea on Thursday at 1:30, and both the giant book signing and Teen Day on May 4th. Come say hi. At the book signing the secret word "cake" could score you a prize (there's a limited supply).

 Teen Book Fest -- Ontario, CA, May 11, 2013 (all day) More info here

  Los Angeles Romance Authors Meeting -- Bridges Academy, Studio City, CA May 19, 10:30 am I'm part of a panel on contests.

I'm looking for a few good recruits!

Hi Everyone!

Some of you know I have an Airship Squadron, these cadets are amazing and have worked hard to promote INNOCENT DARKNESS and the Aether Chronicles series.

Well, CHARMED VENGEANCE is releasing in about three months (eep), and I'm looking for a few new recruits for the Airship Squadron (if you're already on board, you're fine! You don't need to do anything, but feel free to apply for first mate or skipper).

A Street Team is a group of fans who push a writer’s book. They hunt out places in the real world and online and to promote my books and me. These would be brick-and-mortar book stores (both chains and indies), libraries, websites, blogs, bookclubs, and good old word-of-mouth. Basically, the Airship Squadron flies around creating buzz about the Aether Chronicles series—both INNOCENT DARKNESS and the upcoming CHARMED VENGEANCE. It’s a grassroots form of promo and you’ll get a stash of goodies to help you.

This year I’m going to structure it to make it easier for you to do as much as you want (and make it easier for me so I can write more.)  Take a look at the following positions on the ship and see what works best for you! The goodies you receive will vary depending on your position. These positions will be for CHARMED VENGEANCE, you will have the opportunity to raise or lower your position for book 3.

First Mate

            

How many? 1

Duties: Oversee this airship. Hunt for cadets, keep a database of crewmember addresses and emails. Communicate with cadets. Stay in contact with me (especially in the two months before and three months after a book comes out.) Help promote events, etc.

Prizes: Aviator cap, “first mate” badge, and dinner or lunch with me at some future event we’re both at TBD. Also, all skipper and cadet prizes.

Skipper

How many? Quite a few. One for every country outside the US. Two for Canada (one east, one west), two for each US time zone.

            1.       Eastern time zone: one above the Mason Dixon line and one below the Mason Dixon line.

2.       Central time zone: one north of Missouri and Kansas, one in or south of Missouri and Kansas

3.       Mountain time zone:  one north of Colorado and Utah, one in or south of Colorado and Utah

4.       Arizona: Since Arizona’s an enigma, and I’m originally from there and do a lot of things there, this warrants it’s own position.

5.       Pacific time zone: One above the California and Nevada line, one below the California and Nevada line.

6.       SoCal: Since I live here, I’m looking for a local skipper or two, especially ones willing to also help out with local events, set things up, etc.

7.       Hawaii: Because Hawaii is awesome.  

Duties: hunt for cadets in your area, as well as blogs, bookstores, libraries, schools, etc. Keep in contact with the first mate (more two months before and three months after release.) Will help to organize the addresses. Help communicate info about the books and giveaways. Be a cheerleader for cadets in your area.

Prizes:  Pair of net gloves (sort of like Noli wears on the cover of CV), CV magnet, skipper badge, special giveaways just for you, and all cadet prizes. 

Cadets

How many? As many of sign up!

Duties:  talk up my books up at local libraries, bookstores, schools, and on any blog you can find. 

Promo falls into two categories and you can do as much as you feel able.  Here are some ideas, but feel free to use your imagination:

In Person!
 * Talk the books up and take/send promo materials to friends.
 * Pre-order or buy my books the first week of release.
 * Ask your local or school library to order my books. Give the librarians the title and publisher, also you can give them some bookmarks or promo materials.
 * Go to your local bookstores.  Turn books face out. If my books aren’t on the shelves, ask the bookseller to order it. Take the promo materials you’re sent and give them the booksellers

* Take promo material to your local book club, writer group or other reader-group, and share with them.

Online!
 * Feature links to interviews, reviews, excerpts, etc, (stuff that will be sent to you first, before anyone else sees it) on your blog, web site, Facebook, tumblr, etc.
 * Visit during my online appearances (workshops, blog tours, chats, etc)

*Create Aether Chronicles boards on pintrest, post your favorite quotes (or fan art) on tumbler, etc.
 * Share your (honest) review of the book on Amazon, Barnes&Noble.com, Goodreads, and other places that take reviews. (It is up on Netgalley)

*Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf.

Prizes: A special airship squadron button, both real and for your website. If you show up at an event you get to help at a signing or hang out with me at a panel. You’ll also be sent bookmarks and promo goodies to share (If I have your address on file).  International is okay—though it might take you longer to get your bookmarks.

Other prizes and Special Drawings:  for all crewmembers there will be special newsletter and drawings all year. These could be: signed books, swag packs, slumber party/book club kits, steampunk goodies, and other things. (Ideas can come from you!)

So, I’m inviting you to come aboard the Vixen’s Revenge as a member of my crew and spread the word about Noli, V, James, and the Aether Chronicles books. To give personal recommendations and tell or email your friends about my books. (the more people you tell the better--YOU become the voice of the books.)

This is supposed to be fun, so whatever you can do, even if it’s just one thing, helps SO MUCH.

The first step is to SIGN UP HERE. If you just want to be a cadet, you’re good. If you’re interested in being a skipper or first mate please sign up with this link then email me at suzannelazear@yahoo.com and let me know what position you’re interested in, why you’re interested it, and where you live. 

Thanks again for all your help!

Hugs and cupcakes,

~Suzanne 

All quiet on the homefront

Hi everyone,

I apologize for being so quiet. I'm in the middle of CHARMED VENGEANCE edits, I'm also getting ready for the Romantic Times Booklovers convention which is coming up May 1-5 is Kansas City. I'm captain of the Steampunk Track. (I think I need a captain's hat).

Anyway, I'm working away, but please feel free to talk to me on twitter or facebook. Sometimes I really need a good distraction that's  not covered in frosting.

Also, I know CV is out on Netgalley. If you've read it, I'd love for you to drop me a line. (suzannelazear @ yahoo)

Some of you have been asking about the airship squadron, if you signed up, you're approved. If you signed up for ID, you're still on board for CV. I should be sending out emails this week, we're going to do some new things for CV. Thanks for all your help.

hugs and cupcakes.

~S

Free Chat Tonight

Don't forget, tonight I'm hosting a free chat on Steampunk mashups over at Savvy Authors at 8 pm EST. It's FREE, though you need to register (also free). Please join me so I'm not talking to myself. It'll be fun.

More info.

It's YA Scavenger Hunt Time

The hunt is *over*, thanks for playing!

Welcome to the

You are hunting on

I'm Suzanne Lazear, I write the Aether Chronicles Series (fairytale steampunk). Welcome, have a cupcake.  You can start the hunt here or you can go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage to find out more or if you're stuck. There are TWO contests going on and you can enter one or both! I'm part of the RED TEAM--but there's blue team as well, with a different set of signed books to win. Many authors are also having extra content, not to mention each site in the hunt hosts exclusive bonus content from another YA author.

Book 1, INNOCENT DARKNESS, is out now. Book 2, CHARMED VENGEANCE comes out 8/8/13. Somewhere in this hunt you'll find a playlist for CHARMED VENGEANCE and a video of me trying to sing and play the cups at the same time. 

Also, at the bottom of this page I have a special giveaway.

To enter to win the big prize, collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the blue team, and then add them up.Hint: the secret number is highlighted RED. Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify. Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by April 7, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered. 

See? It's as easy as 123...

And now on to the author I'm hosting today: 

Renee Collins

Renee Collins grew up in Hawaii, where she and her twin sister created countless stories to write and act out in their backyard. She took those stories with her to Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in History. She currently lives with her family in the shadow of the Colorado red-rock cliffs, though she hasn’t unearthed a relic. Yet. Visit her website. 

And her book:

RELIC

True Grit meets The Prestige. Set in a world in which the remains of long-extinct magical creatures are mined and traded on the black market in the red rock desert of the Colorado Territory for their residual magic powers. Maggie Davis must learn how to harness the power of relics in order to survive and protect her younger sister, Ella. But in the rough merchant town, it’s hard to know who to trust. From a roguish cowboy named Landon, to a spirited showgirl with a mesmerizing fire dance, to Álvar Castilla, the wealthy relic baron, nothing in Burning Mesa is as it seems.

Buy the book here

BONUS CONTENT

The hunt is *over*, bonus content has been removed. 

Ready to keep hunting? Time to visit Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Also, here's my special giveaway. Thanks for visiting! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Chat Coming Up

I have a free chat coming up on April 10th over at Savvy Authors. You have to register, but it's free.

Steampunk Mashups 101
Host: Suzanne Lazear. Fairytale Steampunk. Tsarpunk. Pirate punk. Clockpunk with steampunkatude. Putting your story though the genre blender can be a fun and exciting way to put a new spin on your story. But it is for you? Come chat about mashups, steampunk, and discover how braiding genres should be embraced, not feared.
WHEN:	Apr 10, 2013 8:00 PM EST - Apr 10, 2013 9:00 PM EST
COST:	FREE for ALL PREMIUM Members! $0 for Basic Members

Sign up here.

I also have a (not free) class starting April 15 at Savvy Authors. 

Punked
Instructor: Suzanne Lazear. Everyone has heard of Steampunk and Cyberpunk. But have you heard about Biopunk? What about Sandalpunk or Monsterpunk? What differentiates Sailpunk and Clockpunk from Steampunk? How is Elfpunk different from Urban Fantasy? Find out what puts the punk in "punk" genres as well as the nuts and bolts of various types from the technopunks and fuelpunks to the historypunks and creaturepunks. Whether you're writing a "punk" or just curious bring your manuscripts, WIPs, and ideas as we get punked. All types of manuscripts welcome from "I have an idea" to polished and ready, and from MG/YA to steamy.
WHEN:	Apr 15, 2013 - May 12, 2013
COST:	$20 for Premium Members $30 for Basic Members Sign up here.

Reoccurring themes...

I write very fast, and I write a lot. I have TONS of stuff, that you'll probably never ever see.

I've noticed that there are often reoccurring themes across the many stories I've written. These are all unintentional.

1) My characters eat a lot of cake and/or bake
2) They often play musical instruments, usually the piano, which I don't actually play (I play the flute)
3) Most of them start off liking the color blue (one of my fave colors)
4) They tend to be good at some king of dancing (I was a competitive dancer)
5) They have long hair
6) They like to read

What sort of reoccurring themes do you see in your writing?

Birthday Giveaway!

So, it's my birthday. And I'm going to have a giveaway to celebrate. ~launches cupcake cannon.~

All these books are adult romances, not YA, just to warn you. I've picked them up at conferences and stuff. I might stuff some extra swag in there, too.

Yes, this *all* goes to *one* lucky winner, because I love you.

Unfortunately, this one is North American only. (International peeps, I am so sorry, I still love you, too.) However, the YA scavenger hunt starts April 4th and I'll have both US and international prizes. They'll be YA friendly, too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

School Visits

This is a post that's long overdue.

School visits. It's something many who write for teens and kids do--but if you've never done one, they can be daunting.

My very first school visit was to my old high school, for some of my old teachers. I was terrified. I asked the teachers in advance what they wanted me to talk about and what the kids were reading. In some ways, speaking to kids at my old school was easy because my favorite English teacher had just retired so they;d all had him. I could crack jokes about me being a band nerd, tell embarrassing stories about having my romance novel taken away during class and how I actually used Allegory of a Cave in graduate school.

I asked a lot of advice along the way from my author friends. Some make powerpoints, some have particular "lecture" topics, others see their job as to entertain, not inform. I realized that school visit processes vary as much as writing processes. Also, what you write and who you write for will guide your school visit. I probably couldn't ask teens to crow like roosters and decorate spoons with glitter the way a picture book author might (okay, I actually think with the right class a glitter craft could be fun).

I had to find what works for me. Powerpoint, where I like to use it for conference workshops, it doesn't work for me for school visits. I tend to be more on-the-fly, tailoring my talk to the class. If they look interested, I'll continue, if they look bored, I'll move on to something else. Every group is different, sometimes I'm in a classroom with twenty kids, sometimes it's an auditorium with a hundred.

Unless the teach requests it, I try to make it more than just a craft talk. I talk a little about my process and my books and craft. I ask a lot of questions to make it interactive. I talk a little about what I learned in high school what was relevant to what I do now. I tell silly stories about the famous authors I've embarrassed myself in front of.  I leave lots and lots of time for questions. I get a lot of interesting questions, from very serious ones about fan-fiction and plotting to things like am I a natural blonde, have I ever failed English, and am I Team Jacob or Team Edward. (yes, no, I plead the 5th)

I also bounce around a lot and throw things (which is probably one of the most entertaining things because I'm not good at throwing things.) Yes. I have bribes. Whenever someone answers my question (or asks one), I throw out a button. (They're little things, that say things like My Other Car Flies, and Why Be Normal When You Can Be Paranormal and my website, I like buttons because they often put them on their backpacks). I always preface my talk with (I throw things and I'm bad at it, so I apologize in advance if I hit you in the head with a button). I bring book marks and magnets, too. (I actually get asked for magnets  so I've been bringing them. I used to save them for conferences.)

I also dress up -- I don't wear full-on steampunk gear unless they specifically ask, but I do wear a "steampunk lite" outfit, usually with really cute boots. I have a readers guide, so I usually give it to the teacher in advance, just in case they want it.

Where my book is for high schoolers, and I prefer to speak to high schoolers because of that, I recently spoke to a 3rd grade class. Yep, Missy's teacher asked me if I could talk to them about what authors actually do. This was interesting, because I couldn't promote my book to third graders (nor would I want to. I actually had to tell Missy that no, she couldn't lend her copy of Innocent Darkness to her friend (and she hasn't read it, but it's on her bookshelf for when she's older).)

For them, I tried to use examples from their world, also, the talk was on both the lifecycle of a novel and what authors actually "do." They had just learned about manuscripts and rejection letters. I was asked if I'd ever gotten a rejection letter so I read them one of mine. About half the class want to be authors. When I asked them to name genres, they listed so many. It was one of the most entertaining author visits I'd ever had and where I did get some odd/rambling questions, I got some very good ones ranging from where ideas come from to wherever or not I feel Zombies are overdone. It was pretty fun to see that some of the authors that influenced me as a pre-teen (Ann M. Martin, R.L. Stein) are still being read today.

So, do you have any school visit questions for me? Ask away!

Charmed Vengeance is now on Netgalley

Charmed Vengeance is now on Netgalley. So, if you're a book reviewer, you can now request it.