How to get signed books for the holidays

Hey friends-

Just a quick note to let you all know that I will be attending The King's English Bookshop's annual Holiday Party this Thursday (December 6th, 2012) from 5-7pm.  I'll be mingling with customers and the plethora of other wonderful authors who will be in attendance--and of course signing books!

The event is free and open to the public, so come on down if you can!  (The best part is that you'll get 20% off your purchases during the party!)

However, if you can't make it, and would still like a signed copy of any of my books, just contact King's English before Thursday evening, and I will gladly sign (even personalize, if you want) books for you--and the bookstore will gladly ship them!

Here is TKE's contact information:
The King's English Bookshop

1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Phone: 801-484-9100
Fax: 801-484-1595

Or you can order online at http://www.kingsenglish.com (just be sure to indicate in the comments that you want your copy signed).

FYI #1- This is my last signing for 2012 (and probably for a few months after that since I am busily working on my new series).

FYI #2- Haven't heard anything about my new series? Click HERE for the deets!

FYI #3-  I get asked by a lot of people how they can get signed copies of my books.  The King's English is your best source as they are my local indie bookstore.  I visit the shop often, so if you ever find yourself in need of a signed book by me, just give them ring (or order online) and I will find the time to go sign the book for you.

My Big News (a.k.a. What I've been up to the last few months)

Hi Friends!

So I know I've been pretty quiet in the blogosphere for quite some time, but I'm breaking my blog silence so I can share some big news.  In fact, it's news that I've been sitting on for MONTHS now.  And I am not a patient person.  Nor am I any good at keeping a secret. (Hence one of the reasons I've been so silent on this here blog.)  But the official announcement finally came out in Publisher's Weekly, which means I can FINALLY share it with you guys.

So here's what PW had to say:

Despain Goes Greek for Egmont
Greg Ferguson at Egmont U.S. bought North American rights to a trilogy called Into the Dark by Bree Despain. Ted Malawer at Upstart Crow Literary represented Despain (author of the Dark Divine series). This paranormal series is a reimagining of the Persephone myth, delivered in dueling narratives. In the myth, Persephone (daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest) is kidnapped by Hades; here, one thread follows a character named Daphne (based on Persephone), while the other narrative follows Haden (standing in for Hades). The first book in the series is scheduled for 2014.

And here are some things I have to say about it all:

1. I am thrilled that I can finally tell you about my new trilogy!

2. The PW description is kind of different than how I would have put it.  Here's the way I like to describe the book (in my head, at least): "It's kind of like PERCY JACKSON meets AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER meets BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER meets Bree Despain-style romance."  Does that make any sense outside of my head?  *Let's pretend it does.*  (Note: This is NOT the official synopsis for this book.)

4.  Fun fact: I actually started writing this story about seven years ago, after finishing an early draft of THE DARK DIVINE.  After TDD sold to my publisher, I had to put this book aside so I could work on THE LOST SAINT and THE SAVAGE GRACE.  I am so excited to get to work on this story once again--and bring to it all the things I've learned over the last few years.  I don't know that I could have done this story justice if I HADN'T put it aside for so long.

5. While I know there are other Persephone books out there, one of the reasons I've been dying to write a modern reimaging of this myth is because I wanted to explore a Hades-esque character's point of view.  Kind of a "his side of the story" take on it all.  But as PW said, I also get to follow Daphne's POV, too.  These are two very different characters who look at the world in very different ways.  It's kind of an exploration of destiny vs. choice, love vs. duty, and what it really means to have honor.

6. *snicker* *snicker* I just said "duty." *snicker*

7. This book has been a CHALLENGE.  I've never done a dueling POV narrative before, and writing from a guy's POV (especially a guy who knows nothing about girls or, you know, what it means to be human) is kinda HARD.  But I am hoping you guys will love Haden and Daphne as much as I do!

8.  Book one doesn't come out until early 2014.  Why so long?  Because I'm not done writing the first book yet!  (I know I've said previously that my next book was slated for Fall 2013, but things have changed.  But I really hope you all will think it's worth the wait!)

9. I can't tell you how happy I am that I will be working with my fabulous editor, Greg Ferguson, for three more books!  Six books together is kind of a big deal in this ever-changing publishing world.  And many thanks to my agent, Ted Malawer, for brokering the deal.

10.  Because I went to nine with this list and it felt weird not to go on to ten.

Hope you're all having a great week!  I, for one, am enjoying the fact that my kids are finally back in school after a month off-track.  As a reward for staying sane, I sneaked in a screening of SKYFALL in the middle of the day on Monday.  Has anyone else seen it?  What did you think?

My answers to your frequently asked questions

Hey all-

I've been getting A LOT of questions lately via the blog, twitter, Facebook, and email.  Even though many different people from all over the world are doing the asking, most of the questions are the same.  Therefore, I thought I'd answer the most frequently asked ones in one tidy blog post, so everyone can have the answers.  If you've asked me a question recently, you will probably find the answer below.

FAQ 1:  Is THE SAVAGE GRACE the last book in the Dark Divine trilogy?  Will there be a fourth book?  Why does it end the way it does if there's no fourth book?

Answer:  Yes, TSG is the last book in the Dark Divine trilogy.  Right now there are no plans for a fourth book.  I once heard a famous fantasy author say that the ending of a series should feel like "just the beginning" to readers, so that way the characters and story can live on in their minds and hearts.  I ended TSG the way I did because I wanted the series to feel like "just the beginning" of an epic superhero tale.  I wanted to show you how the arch villian became the arch villain, and how the good guys became the super heroes.

That all being said, I am not opposed to the idea of there being MORE Dark Divine books--or possibly spin offs.  If there was enough reader demand, and you know, a publisher wanted to publish a fourth installment in Grace's story, I don't think I would say no to the project.  I've even thought of writing a few short stories for the blog.

The biggest issue with writing more TDD books, is that eventually the young adults in the story will no longer be young adults...and their cares and problems will no longer be of a young adult persuasion.  This is my most teen shows kind of start to suck once the characters enter college.  And I definitely want the Dark Divine series to go out with a bang, rather than a whimper.

So yeah, I'm not going to say that there will NEVER be more TDD books--but for now, I am content with how the story has played out, and I hope readers will use their own imaginations to come up with how the rest of Grace's adventures play out.

FAQ 2:  Are you working on a new book?  You're not DONE writing, are you?

Answer: Yes, I am working on a new book!!  And I have MANY more ideas in store for many more books to come.  I don't think I could stop writing even if y'all begged me to.  If you tied my hands behind my back, I would probably still find a way to write.  The new book doesn't have a title yet, and I don't even know if I'm allowed to talk about it yet--but I can say that the new book is slated for publication in Fall 2013 from Egmont USA.  Also, I am going to be working my butt off to get it finished by the end of the summer.

FAQ 3: Why hasn't THE SAVAGE GRACE been published yet in the UK or AU/NZ? I've been looking for it everywhere!

Answer:  Thank you so much for wanting to read TSG!  Unfortunately, my UK/AU/NZ publisher, Egmont UK, has not yet opted to purchase and publish THE SAVAGE GRACE.  I have absolutely no control over their decision, and I am so sorry that you are still waiting for TSG.  Hopefully, they will decide to bring the final installment of the Dark Divine trilogy to my UK/AU/NZ readers soon.

FAQ 4:  When do THE LOST SAINT and THE SAVAGE GRACE come out in my country?

Answer:  Honestly, authors pretty much know nothing about foreign release dates.  My guess is that TLS will come out one year after the first book did.  And TSG will (hopefully) come out a year after the second book.  It is always up to the foreign publisher as to whether they decide to publish the sequels to the first book--and my publisher in your country ma or may not opt to do so.  I hope they do!  I hate leaving readers hanging.  So just keep you eye out for the books in your bookstore, or you can always contact the publisher for your country and inquire with them.

FAQ 5:  Do you have more signings coming up? 

Answer:  Yes!  I have two more events (and possibly a third one) coming up soon:

May 24th, 7 pm
San Francisco, California
Books Inc
"A Very Steamy Evening" with me, Brodi Ashton, & Cynthia Hand
hosted by Not Your Mother's Book Club
Details: http://bit.ly/yBfddK

June 2nd, 11am-3pm

The Dalles, Oregon

Klindt's Bookstore

"Got Books?" Event for Young Adults

Come see me, Colleen Houck, Brodi Ashton, M.T. Anderson, Cynthia Hand, Inara Scott, and MORE at this great celebration of YA fiction! 

For more info and to see the full line up, click HERE. 

Las Vegas, Nevada--We are working on rescheduling the event that got cancelled at the Rainbow B&N earlier this month.  Possibly near the end of May.  We shall see.

FAQ 6: What if I don't live near where you are doing signings? How can I still get a signed book from you?

Answer:  Good news!  My local indie bookstore, The King's English, can hook you up with a signed copy of any of my books.  You can even request to have it personalized.  Just say so in the comments when you checkout on their website.  To order signed copies, click HERE.

Upcoming Tour Events (with updated locations and corrections)

It's early in the morning and I haven't been able to sleep most of the night. Why? Because I'm leaving on a jet plane in a couple of hours . . . and hopefully coming to a town near you!

Yep, it's that time . . .

Tour time!

Here is where I will be in the next month. Check out the list of events to see if I am coming your way. If I'll be near you, please come see me. I'll sign your books, talk literary crushes, dissect the Hunger Games movie with you, whatever. I may even have bottles of TSG nail polish to give away at some of the events.

Upcoming Tour Events:

4/11-4/15
Chicago, IL
RT Booklovers Convention
I'll be a featured author at the YA SLUMBER PARTY, TEEN DAY PARTY,
and I will be signing books in YA Alley that Saturday.

4/17; 4 pm
(Please note the time change. I've been saying 7pm, but it is much earlier at 4pm.)
Jackson, MS
Lemuria Books

I'll be signing at Lemuria Books with Brodi Ashton!

4/18; 6 pm
(Please note the time change. I've been tweeting 7pm but it's actually 6pm)
Memphis, TN

Booksellers at Laurelwood

I'll be signing books. Please come see me!

5/3; 7 pm
Las Vegas, NV
Book singing at the Rainbow Barnes and Noble
with Brodi Ashton and Lindsey Leavitt!

5/5: time TBD (probably 11 am or noon)
San Diego, CA
Mysterious Galaxy
I'll be one of the featured authors at the bookstore's birthday bash

5/24; 7 pm
San Francisco, CA
Books Inc
"A Very Steamy Evening" with me, Brodi Ashton, & Cynthia Hand
hosted by Not Your Mother's Book Club
Details: http://bit.ly/yBfddK

Winners and TSG Launch Party Recap

First item of business: The winner of my Dark Divine prize pack in the YA Scavenger Hunt give-away is: Crystal A.!

Email me at readbreecontests(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize. You have 30 days to claim your prize or it becomes forfeit and I give it to somebody else.

Right, so now on to THE SAVAGE GRACE launch party recap. I've been meaning to do a post about the launch party for almost two weeks now, but that's just how crazy it has been lately. I was nervous going in because I honestly just didn't know if anyone was going to show up.

Why, you ask? Well let me tell you.

1.) By a rather unfortunate turn of events, TSG's launch was scheduled for the same night as another local author's launch party. But not just any other local author. Brandon Mull was launching his second book in the BEYONDERS series. And if you've ever been to, or heard about one of his launch parties, you know they are nothing short of epic.

2.) This was book 3. My boys are perfect barometers of the attitude I feared. At my first launch party they were climbing all over me because they were so excited and happy for me. Now when I tell them I have another book signing I get "Do we HAVE to go?" Of course, my neuroses was convincing me that everyone else in Salt Lake was feeling the same way.

3.) Did I mention that Brandon Mull was launching his book the same night, just 20 minutes away?

So, yeah. I was a little nervous the party was going to consist of me giving a presentation to just my hubby and my slightly put out kids. However, luckily and gratefully, people actually came and fun was had by all! (at least I hope it was fun... I had fun... you guys had fun, right?) So, you wanna see some pictures?

(Look! People actually showed up! Family, Friends, and Fans. The three best F words.)

(All the lovely people who waited in line)

(Of all the times to be allergic to gluten :( Raspberry Chocolate TSG Cake! Huge thanks to The King's English for providing the treats.)

(The Six showing their love and support in coral pink.)

(Signing books for some new blogger friends at TKE. Have I mentioned how cool of a book store The King's English is?)

(Hubby, Kid Z and Kid A)

(My best friend, and the talented photographer for the event, Michelle. Love you babe, and thank you for all the wonderful photos. I wish I could have shared them all. You guys should check out her work here: MichelleSallayPhotography.com)

Oh, and I almost forgot. We had a special celebrity guest appearance that evening by the one and only Brent Sallay - the inspiration for Brent the Werewolf.

(Brent showing his sarcastic scary powers)

Huge thanks you's go out to everyone who came, The Kings English (obviously), Michelle for the pictures, Brick for procuring a slide projector and screen at the last minute for me as well as being my roadie, and of course to all my family and friends.

Now that the fun has been had, it's time to get back to business. I've got a manuscript due soon and I gotta get my butt in gear. If only I could remember how to write a book...