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| Image by jayneandd |
Wow. You guys are so close to the finish line for A-Z! I'm waiting for you--in the shade, of course--armed with water, towels, and plenty of air freshener. All you have to do is cross that line...
What's that? Oh, I know you're a bit overwhelmed right now. Don't worry. I've got your update right here. ;)
- Post pictures of your high school dances
- Share your funniest high school dance story
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- Post your first loves:
- First movie
- First song/band
- First book
- First person
As most of you know, I dabble in three categories: Adult, YA, and 'New Adult' (NA). If you just winced at the thought of marketing a book with a college-age protagonist, you already understand why this blog was formed.
For whatever reason, there's an industry stigma when it comes to NA. We hope to change that. :)
Seven of us NA writers have come together (thanks to Jaycee & Victoria), and we're not resting until this category gets the recognition it deserves. Industry news, interviews, advice, promotion, etc. You name it; it's going down at NA Alley.
...And I want you all to be there!
Our first post is scheduled for tomorrow, May 1st, so please head over and find your favorite method of following. Seriously. Don't let the fact that I'm staring at you all creepy-like influence your decision.
*Stare*
What about a giveaway? You like giveaways, right? :D
...Huh. It's true. I really do have no shame.
Okay, enough about that. (You know I get excited about new projects!) Let's hear from you guys. What's going on in your world?
What are your plans for May?
Have a great week! ♥
Already joined NA Alley, I think it's fab!
ReplyDeleteMay for me will be spent polishing what I hope will be my first novel - then waiting anxiously while my CPs read it lol!
You're on it, Kyra! Thanks so much. :D
DeleteOo, best of luck with the CPs!
What will I do in May? I have a deadline at the end of it, so I might step back from blogging for a bit and concentrate on some prose for a while instead. (After I've had a sit down first of course! Phew!)
ReplyDeleteA blog hiatus is perfectly understandable, especially when you have a deadline. :) Good luck!
DeleteYay for us!
ReplyDeleteYay, indeed! :D
Delete*Grabs towel and water* Thanks! I heard your cheering from miles away!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome about the new blog! I'm excited for it, and for the seven of you doing it. It's going to be fabulous!
And can I just say... I LOVE that you're right at home with whatever graphics program you use. Your posts are always so visually stunning! I completely appreciate someone who takes the time to make cool graphic headings or any of the million other little things you do. Seriously awesome.
I'm going to not say what I'm doing in May. If I think that far ahead, it gets overwhelming. Ooo! But I will say that I'm casting for my book trailer in two weeks. Hehehe! I'm a little giddy.
What can I say? I'm a loud one. :D
DeleteWhy thank you, Pegasus! I'm a bit of a Photoshop junkie. (The CS2 version, that is. I'm poor!) Is it weird that I love your posts for the same reason? :D I can't take credit for everything in this post, though. The three buttons belong to their respective owners; the headers and giveaway sticker are mine. Ramble, ramble, ramble... *Grins*
Oh, sweet! I can't wait to see it. I love book trailers! :)
Woah! scary stare! I'll look at it tomorrow! promise!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the more indepth revision bits of my MS, picking up the first draft of the sequel again, amd mulling with a few ideas for a new radio play.
*Grins* Good!
DeleteWhew! Sounds like you're going to have a busy month. What's this about a new radio play? :)
I'm so excited for the new blog! Going over to follow y'all right now :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassie! I appreciate it. :D
DeleteAfter A to Z, I'm going to rest. Have fun with all this other stuff. Sounds like you'll be busy!
ReplyDeleteAnd you deserve it! :) Thank you, Donna!
DeleteI finally get to write again in May! Thanks for mentioning my blogfest. I'll take a bottle of water now, thanks.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo for writing! Oh, no problem. I'm excited to finally participate in one of yours. :)
DeleteWhew! I am so glad to be finished with the challenge, but it was sort of fun, I guess...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I just followed NA Alley, and I'm so excited for you all. I think this audience is tremendously overlooked. I suspect, as the mother of a NA, that it's because they are so busy with college studies that publishers overlook NA as a valid customer. But I also think this will change as the boom of YA readers in the last 5 years looks for something a bit more mature.
As for May, I am already busy writing my sequel. I started a couple days ago and already have 40 pages of outline written. I hope I have to the steam to keep going. If I do at this pace, it shouldn't take very long.
You made it! :D
DeleteThanks, Nancy! I appreciate it, and I think you're right. Shifting demographic representations have a lot to do with what sells. I mean, just look at how lucrative businesses that cater to senior citizens are right now, thanks the aging population of baby boomers. The same can be said for a generation that's grown up with specifically marketed YA books. NA is about to "happen," I know it. ;)
(Not that you have to be in the 18-26 age range to read NA books. Three of my critters are in their forties and seemed to really enjoy Strength.)
...Why can't I stop rambling today? LOL Good luck with Book 2! I can't wait to read it. :D
After commenting on your blog and following NA Alley every way possible (*exaggerated grin*), my goals for May are to pre-schedule as many blog posts as possible and finish (or at least try to) the first draft of my current WIP. Check back with me June 1. I'll either be cheering or moping. LOL :D
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Thanks, Melissa! :D
DeleteCheck back with you in June? Hah! I expect weekly updates on that WIP. *Grins*
I'll be writing and working on getting better... i'll check out NA as well. Good luck
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have you back, Jeff! Thank you. :)
DeleteI think it's awesome that you are helping to launch NA. It's needed!
ReplyDeleteNeeded, indeed! :) Thanks for stopping by, Alleged!
DeleteYAY! So excited for NA Alley -what a great idea. Your buttons looks great, of course. You are such a talent. Mmmm...purpley.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely posting your pretties on my blog ASAP.
Thanks, Melodie! The NA button is Jaycee's, and the giveaway sticker is mine. It's fun having a contrast of styles on the blog. :) Anyhoo, we appreciate your support!
DeleteSweet! You've got info on all the goods! I love it! I do feel a bit exhausted after the A-Z so it's nice to have a reminder of everything that's going on!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helped, Leigh! Now go take a nap. ;)
DeleteOh my gosh! That post your dance picture blog hop sounds SO MUCH FUN! I'd have to like... find a scanner, LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnd fun with the NA, Carrie. There is a bit of a stigma with NA, so I'm proud of you guys. Off to check it out! You rock, girl.
You better find a scanner, Morgan. I refuse to suffer this embarrassment alone! LOL
DeleteThank you! :D
LOL! You're such the "it" girl, Carrie. You always know what's going on, Ms. Popular! :D
DeleteOh, man! Can I have a theme song to the tune of That Girl? "Guest posts... Blog hops... updates... IT GIRL!" LOL
DeleteThank you so much for the towel and water spritz! I needed that. You've been such a super supporter, and I've appreciate that a lot.
ReplyDeleteHave to refresh and then check out what you're up to on this blog hop.
Anytime, Lee! I love cheering you guys on. :)
DeleteRest up! You deserve it.
Thanks for the shout out Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO pumped about NA Ally (Awesome name btw). Joining right now :)
No problem, Kelley! Oh, sweet. Thank you! :D
DeleteMy May is going to be full of editing and revising. Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteNA Alley sounds like a fanatastic idea. You guys have such a niche market. Excellent!
Three cheers for progress! ;) Thank you, Lydia!
DeleteI'm psyched to see your pics. :) Thanks for the shout out, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. Don't be psyched. They're horrible. LOL No problem! :)
DeleteHehehe, I want to see those High School pictures, Carrie!!! :P And yay for us about NA Alley!!!
ReplyDeleteI had bangs in those pictures, Summer. Bangs! LOL I'm dreading it...
DeleteYay for NA Alley! :D
Just followed NA Alley. It looks like an awesome site! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the updates.
Thank you, Eagle! :D
DeleteCongrats on your new blog!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for all the updates on blogfests - haha school dances. I wish I had my old photos but they're back in the East Coast with my dad.
Thanks, Sophia! :)
DeleteAww, man. I would've loved to have seen them! Hmm... you can always participate with a story. ;)
Actually I think this NA thing is a great idea. It nags at me--the fact that all these YA books are wildly popular amongst adults and yet had they been marketed as adult books they'd be pigeon-holed into a specific genre and not have very much exposure and maybe not be so successful with anyone. I feel like there is a whole untapped market out there amongst adults--people who want new adult fiction, they just don't know it yet!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! I'm inclined to believe you're right. (Or at least I freakin' hope so! LOL) :)
DeleteLook at all those great events! I'll be editing like CRA-ZEE.
ReplyDeleteOo, good luck, Talli! :)
DeleteI keep forgetting to tell you, your blog is magnificent. It's so ... what's the word? Attractive? Yes, but that's not what I'm looking for. Exciting? Yes, but no that's not the word either. It's more like a huge gala where everyone gathers to find out what's going on in the literary world.
ReplyDeleteOh, the ice is 3/4 gone!
Is there a word for "huge gala where everyone goes to find out what's happening in the literary world"???
DeleteWow. Thanks, Joylene! That comment made my day. :D If there isn't a word for "huge gala where everyone goes to find out what's happening in the literary world," there should be!
DeleteOh, and geesh! That ice is certainly taking its time! ;)
DeleteWoman, you must be some sort of Photoshop wizard! How else can someone make a blog look this good??!!
ReplyDeleteSadly, Photoshop and I never got along. We tried to make it work but we've decided it's best if we don't see each other any more.
Anyhoo...it's nice to meet you Carrie! Keep up all the good work with the event announcements :) I've added myself to your followers list so I won't miss any.
Thanks, Kristy! Hmm, I wouldn't mind being a wizard, and I do love Photoshop...
DeleteAww, have you tried any of the older versions? I think they were easier to navigate. (I swear I'm not biased because I'm poor and own CS2. *Cough*)
It's nice to meet you, too! I'll be over to your blog soon. (Please don't send your notabat to attack me!) ;)