Sunday, November 23, 2008

"I Know What a Scoundrel Wants"

We interrupt this Nanowrimo-inspired blogging hiatus to bring you news of a fab contest, hosted by Ann Aguirre (whose excellent GRIMSPACE was reviewed here earlier), known to create inspired buzz. She does so now on behalf of Carrie Lofty, whose debut novel,

WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS

will release with Zebra's Debut Authors program (i.e. titles at a special introductory price) on 2 December.

Apprentice Writer has considered Ms. Lofty on online friend for some time now, having chatted with her about all kinds of things since before 'Scoundrel' was a twinkle in the author's eye. In fact, her inbox probably still has the message that said something like "I watched 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves' last night and had this great idea for a Will Scarlett story...."

Fastforward, and here we are: that idea developed, written, shopped, agent aquired, sold, and converted to concrete, tangible form. Magic!

AW is deleriously thrilled for Ms. Lofty and can't wait to get her hands on her personal copy - even though she much preferred the original title REDEEMING WILL SCARLETT and thinks the cover leaves much to be desired.

Oh, well. But the important part, between the covers, leaves nothing to be desired. Great writing, lovely hero, strong heroine, unusual time period - this one has it all. Go check it out.

Look for Carrie Lofty at http://www.carrielofty.com/ and at http://www.unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/

And for all the details of the Scoundrel contest (mondo prizes!) stop by Ann Aguirre's blog:
www.annaguirre.com/blog

Thursday, November 20, 2008

LOL Regencies

We interrupt this Nanowrimo-inspired blogging hiatus to bring you a good laugh.

Janet Mullany, author of RULES OF GENTILITY, was inspired to create a new LOL category.

Do yourself a favor and head over to "Risky Regencies", to witness gems such as Jane Austen's work process as she concocts one of the most famous literary quotes ever.

http://riskyregencies.blogspot.com/2008/11/lolregencies-and-contest.html

Ms. Mullany is also sponsoring a LOLRegency contest, so Gentle Readers with more photoshop skillz than Apprentice Writer can participate in the merriment. And, in case anyone was wondering: AW feels no guilt in having found this contest by surfing rather than upping Nanovel wordcount, since a) surfing can feed creativity, proven by this excellent idea, and b) Ms. Mullany herself confided that the idea was born while she was Nano-procrastinating! Hey, if it works for funny published authors, it can work for AW.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

It's Here!

November !

NANOWRIMO!

Apprentice Writer is about to set off on the chase for her 50,000 words, to be bagged and brought to the weighing station at National Novel Writing Month Headquarters by midnight 30 November.

Her computer is ready; keyboard polished and space bar reattached after junior apprentice writer #3's repeated detachments.

Her snacks are ready; purloined from junior apprentice writer #1-3's Halloweeen stash.

Her outline is ready; printed off in color coded glory (green for plot developments, red for MC growth, orange for recurring motifs, blue for sublplots).

Her laundry is done and her house is vacuumed; but let's not look too closely at dust-collecting surfaces, shall we?

LET THE WORD HUNT BEGIN!

(a word from our sponsor: due to circumstances beyond our control, blogging will cease for the month of November, and recommence, new and improved, in December. Adieu!)