The very first step, and some would argue the most important one, is to write a book.

Seriously.

After that, I'm just going to direct you to a blog post I did on this very subject.

No.  Sorry.  I really, really wish that I could help everyone out as much as they want me to.  But I've got my own writing that takes up quite a bit of time, and a group that I already trade critiques with.  There's also the whole liability issue, and while I know no one cool enough to be reading the FAQs on my website would ever accuse me of plagiarism, we live in a litigious society and it's a sad fact that authors have to be safe to avoid becoming sorry.

HOWEVER.  I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have critique partners--good, thoughtful, smart people who a) will be kind and b) will also tell you the truth.  I know my writing improved dramatically with the help of my friends, all of whom I found online.

If you are looking for help on a query, there are many blogs and websites out there that volunteer advice.  You also can't go wrong by reading up on the basics on Nathan Bransford's blog.

If you still insist on sending me something, I will delete it sight-unseen.  And feel very bad about it, too, so please don't do it.

That all depends on whether or not I have the element of surprise and if I'm allowed nunchucks.  Never underestimate small people.  Especially small people with nunchucks.

I queried on and off for about a year with a disastrously boring middle grade project that will never, thankfully, see the light of day.  After I wrote Flash (which should answer that question about whether Paranormalcy is my first novel--it is, in fact, my fourth), I queried for about three months before Michelle and I found each other.  (45 queries, if you're really curious, and if you're reading this section, odds are you are.)

While Flash was on submission early 2009 I wrote Paranormalcy.  When Flash didn't sell (most YA publishers felt the main characters were a tad too old since they weren't in high school), I decided that Paranormalcy was the book to pursue.  I spent a few months editing it (and editing it and editing it and editing it), and then sent it to Michelle, who agreed that we had something special.

Fortunately many editors agreed, as well.  It was on submission for less than a month when it sold to Erica Sussman (yay Erica!) at HarperTeen in a significant pre-empt.

So, I've been working toward this for a while, but I can't imagine it turning out a better way.

Yes, yes, and yes.  I love bloggers and blogging.  I promise I like you and will be more than happy to answer questions.  I'm better at email than phone, though, unless you like the sounds of a three-year-old boy screaming, "COME WATCH STAR WARS WITH ME NOW!" in the background.

I'm currently about a month behind on answering interviews, though, so please don't ask me for something you are hoping to post that week.  It's not going to happen.  I also ask that you limit all interviews to five questions for the sake of my sanity.  (Which is an increasingly precious commodity these days...)

Nope.

Not because I don't like you (I like you very much!) but because I simply don't have it.  If/when I do have bookmarks made I will announce it, but if I mailed stuff to everyone who asked me to I'd have already spent hundreds on postage (not to mention the hundreds of dollars it costs to produce promotional materials).  So keep that in mind when you ask authors to send you stuff.  There's a cost behind these things--someone always has to pay for freebies, and it's usually the author.  I prefer to use my own money to travel to more places for appearances and signings, because I'd much rather meet you.

I will, however, have bookplates made at some point.  When that happens I will announce it and you can write me to request a signed bookplate for your copy of Paranormalcy.  I would be more than happy to send you one!

Nope.  Sorry.  They're officially gone.  I know, I've checked.  But the good news is it'll be out August 31st, and the hardcover version is even prettier than the ARC!

If you email me and ask for an ARC I will not respond.  I'm sorry.  It breaks my heart to say no to so many awesome people.

The Paranormalcy series will be three books.  Why?  Because trilogy sounds much better than octology.

Seriously though, the story that I want to tell fits neatly into three books (each with their own complete story arc but an overall theme/story) so that's what we sold to HarperTeen.  I'm not interested in writing any more books in Evie's universe just yet.

I've finished Supernaturally, the first sequel, and it's scheduled to be published Fall of 2011.

In the meantime, you can check out my "Writing" page for info on other projects I'm willing to talk about.  I'm always working on something.  Otherwise I get bored, and when I get bored, bad things happen...

You have a novel!  That's awesome!  Congratulations!

Now that I've congratulated you, here are some questions:

Is it a young adult novel?  If not, it's not really going to do you any good to send it to me since we write for different markets.  I would even extend this and say that if your novel doesn't have paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi/other-elements-that-are-not-reality in it, I'm probably not a good fit.  My audience might not have as much crossover for a contemporary novel as would do you any good.  That doesn't mean I won't potentially love it (some of my favorite YA novels are contemporary), it just means you could be better off trying to find a super cool contemporary YA author to read it.

Is it self-published?  If so, I'm sorry but I can't read it.  Please see above entry on liability issues.

Does it contain "mature" themes and language?  This is a fine line to walk, but even if I love a book I won't offer a blurb if I feel like it contains elements too mature for my target audience--which is twelve- to eighteen-year-olds.  That's a big spread, and I'd hate for a twelve-year-old fan to see my name plugging a book and pick it up only to find material far, far too mature for them.  Does this mean I won't read it?  Nope!  I'd love to.  It probably means you won't get a blurb, although if I love it I will still talk about it online and on twitter.

Now that we've clarified, here are my acceptance policies:

Have I personally said (via twitter or my blog) that I'd like to read your book?  Great!  You can ask me directly if I'd like to receive an ARC, and shockingly enough I will probaby say yes.

What if I don't know you/haven't told you I'd like to receive an ARC?  Feel free to approach my editor via your editor, or have your editor contact my agent.

Will you blurb my book if you agree to read it?  Ah.  Well.  Here's where it gets tricky.  We can all agree that taste varies, and I will only blurb books that I unabashedly and enthusiastically love.  If I'm going to be willing to put my name and reputation behind it, it's because I freaking love your book.  Does this mean I hate it if I pass on offering a blurb?  Absolutely not!  Even if I don't blurb it, if I enjoy your book and think it's something my readers would, too, I will definitely mention it on twitter when it comes out, and I may even blog about it.  And we'll both agree that regardless of whether or not I blurb your book, I think you are awesome and you think I am awesome and there will be no hard feelings, only the companionable solidarity that comes from writing for the best age group around.

As much as I would love to help out, I try to keep my blog as professional as possible (you can tell this is true because of how often I talk about vomit--nothing says professional like vomit!).  It's very important to me that if I recommend a book on my blog, my readers know it is because I genuinely love it and think they will, too.  I may occasionally link to giveaways or contests if they are for books that I recommend.  I won't promote or endorse any products other than Dr Pepper (and I've yet to be paid for that, although I wouldn't complain), and I cannot give away your child on my blog because that would be illegal.

So please don't ask me to host a giveaway for anything, because I'll have to say no and I'll feel really, really bad about it.

My apologies.  Please feel free to shoot me a question through the contact page.  I'll either email you back or add your question to the FAQs.  Thanks!

Why yes, yes I do.  Please only look if you don't scare easily, because it is HUGE.