Michael Jackson is dead?!?

... waiting to find out. Right now, they (NY Times, LA Times, MTV, CNN, People.com, etc.) say that he's been rushed to the hospital. No official word that he's passed away.

This is just so sad.

Sometimes when I type ...

I imagine that my fingers are flying across piano keys.

LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

Link Salad, dressing on the side

What do you think of novels where the POV changes from one chapter to the next?

Anywho - just a couple of links for you today

-- Agent Rachelle Gardner talks about how important a platform is for an author

-- I am love with steampunk with a fiery, metalic passion and want to incorporate it as much as I can in my books ... don't know what steampunk is? Here's a great description: http://scifi.bordersblog.com/?p=123

-- A teen talks about what she likes to see when reading YA

Look Ma! Two Posts in One Day!

I know ... sometimes I go for days without a single peep and I'm sorry. I promise I'm going to try to post MORE HELPFUL WRITELY things more often. And perhaps, even some non-writely ramblings as well.

I want to know what's in your To-Be-Read pile.

Do you read The Book Every Agent/Published Author is Talking About (HUNGER GAMES, CATCHING FIRE, GRACELING, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH) or are you reading books that are similar to the book you're working on (for research)?

Are you reading THINGS THAT ARE POPULAR (yes, I'm talking about TWILIGHT) or reading books by successful YA authors to try and determine their sekret sauce (MAUREEN JOHNSON, MELISSA MARR)? Perhaps, you are doing it old-school and going the Classic route (PRIDE and PREJUDICE).

My problem is a global problem: that there isn't enough time in the day. I am still trying to figure out the magic to balancing writing and reading. I'm flying to Philly today and, dude, it was pretty difficult resisting Marr's FRAGILE ETERNITY (I'm half-way through), but I did it. I left it at home. Why? Because last week, I chose to gobble up Marr's WICKED LOVELY so today, I am choosing (forcing myself) to write. Six hours on a flight and no books for as far as the eye can see. Just me and my laptop. Gulp.

I hope my To-Be-Read pile won't miss me too much. I know I'll miss it.

To-Be-Read pile:

DEVILISH by Maureen Johnson (currently reading)
FRAGILE ETERNITY by Melissa Marr (currently reading)
STARDUST by Neil Gaiman (currently reading)
SILVER PHOENIX by Cindy Pon (currently reading)
GRACELING by Kristin Cashore
HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins
IF I STAY by Gayle Forman
2nd and 3rd book in the GALLAGHER GIRLS series by Ally Carter
THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan
DUST OF 100 DOGS by A.S. King
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

Um. That's all I can remember for now. Your turn!

Great Advice for Authors from Seth Godin

Smart, encouraging advice! Don't know who Seth Godin is? Bio, here.
"With more than 75,000 books published every year (not counting ebooks or blogs), the odds are actually pretty good that you've either written a book, are writing a book or want to write one.
Hence this short list:
* Lower your expectations. The happiest authors are the ones that don't expect much.
* The best time to start promoting your book is three years before it comes out. Three years to build a reputation, build a permission asset, build a blog, build a following, build credibility and build the connections you'll need later.
* Pay for an eidtor editor. Not just to fix the typos, but to actually make your ramblings into something that people will choose to read. I found someone I like working with at the EFA.
* One of the things traditional publishers used to do is provide really insightful, even brilliant editors (people like Fred Hills and Megan Casey), but alas, that doesn't happen very often. And hiring your own editor means you'll value the process more."
You can read all 19 advice points here!

Quick! Stop What You're Doing!

Agent Rachelle Gardner is answering all agently, writerly, and publishly questions right this instant (only 30 minutes left)! Go to http://editorunleashed.com/forum and sign up for an account.

Also, check out this amazingly precise and wacky new online dictionary called WORDNIK ... it's seriously pyschadelic and genius: http://www.wordnik.com/words/dog

Two Very Different Words That Begin With The Letter "R"

I just received a request and a rejection. In the same hour.

The rejection makes me very blue (my insides feel like Violet Beauregarde's outsides, post Willy-Wonka-3-course-meal-bubblegum) because it's from one of my *dream* agents (ahh ... the elusive unicorn). Her emails have been super relaxed, straight-forward, and fun - qualities I really admire in a business person.

I hope I get another chance to work with her someday.