Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Giveaway May B



Lots of buzz lately over Caroline Starr Rose's brilliant novel in verse MAY B. 

My five star review on goodreads.

I'd like to help celebrate by offering an ARC giveaway. Randomly selected. Just leave a comment here before Feb. 4 and you will be entered to win.

Please include your email if it isn't linked to blogger!

Winner announced Feb. 5


Speaking of survival stories - has anyone seen the new release, The Grey, with Liam Neesen?  Besides being full of annoying Hollywood-ized untruths about wolves, it's a great adventure. Leave a comment, I'd love to chat about it.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Wolves and Bears and Contracts, oh my!

Thought it's time to share the story of when I got my offer from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

And when you live in the middle of a wildlife preserve, most everything is a story...

dramatic recreation.

There were two publishers interested in making an offer for my YA novel, ICE DOGS. So we knew the date it was to happen. As you can imagine, I was a bit of a basket case that day.

Hubby was hanging around, not helping with the nerves, so before it all went down, I suggested he take the dog out for a walk.

At the exact moment the offer came in, I glanced out the window to see my dog running for her life down the driveway with a freaking Timber Wolf on her tail. The wolf got right to the bottom of the stairs of the deck before it wheeled around and ran off.

And my man was missing.

So forget about the fact I just had the offer of a lifetime, and all my dreams come true. Instead of celebrating, I had images of my man surrounded by a wolf pack somewhere.

I think my exact words were, "Gotta go... the wolves!"

Turns out, while on their relaxing walk, the dog spotted a bear with two cubs, began a chase that didn't really work out for her, and came running back to my Hubby. All Hubby saw was teeth coming at him.

He scrambled up the closest tree and stayed there to wait it out. The dog continued running home, and somehow picked up a wolf along the way. (I swear, I'm not making this up!)

So the dog got chased by a bear AND a wolf on the same walk!

Leave it to MY DOG to steal my thunder!




Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ever wonder where deer sleep in a snowstorm?

... on my snowshoe trail apparently!

We had a mother of a storm here yesterday. When I went snowshoeing today, I found these deer beds on my trail. You can see where they dug down, and then how much snow fell while they were all comfy in bed.




see the frozen indent made by the deer's leg in the middle of the bed?

What cool things have you found on your trail?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Weather fit for napping - or critting...

photo credit here Nap how I want



It's minus thirty four wind chill outside. That's -34 C. Winter has arrived. And that means it's time for DOGSLED RACES!!!

Or napping.

Or writing.

And since I'm not doing any of those lately, I'd like to use this weather as an excuse to celebrate my good fortune of selling ICE DOGS to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

I didn't do it alone! I had lots of help. And so...

I'm offering to critique the first three YA or MG chapters of the first three people who comment.

  • Must let me know in the comment that you would like to take me up on the offer.
  • Either send me your email address, or leave it in the comments.
  • Must have chapters ready to send right away.
  • I'll send it back to you within three days of receiving your chapters.

edited: I had no idea that would go so fast! Sorry - offer is now expired. I have my victims volunteers already!

Michael
Sophia
Marcy
Angela

Send me your chapters!

I will absolutely do this again the next time I have a few days free.

Thanks everyone!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

May B a good day

HUGE congrats to my debut author buddy Caroline. At long last, her book comes out today!!




I watch the wagon
until I see nothing on the open plain.
For the first time ever,
I am alone.

Starred Review from Kirkus
Starred Review from Publisher's Weekly
Junior Library Guild Selection
Amazon Best Book of the Month for kids Selection



Also out today, another debut author buddy,

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges



What a good day for books!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Interview


I'm over on fellow author Mindy McGinnis blog today Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire where I intelligently discuss writing goob.

Mindy and I both have books coming out in fall 2013. It's nice to have someone to wait with.

To add Mindy's book to your Goodreads list check it out, NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Wolf Toy

Had to do a quick post to show you what the wolves have been up to on the lake.

Bite marks on our bouy marker. Size comparison with our dog's toy.

We attached a new bouy this summer marking a log sticking out of the water on our lake. Once the lake froze, the bouy sat on top of the ice. It apparently looked like a new toy. The wolves ripped it off its rope, and played soccer with it across the lake.

We retrieved it this morning on our walk. The number of wolf tracks surrounding it looked like dozens of wolves had played the game , but we've only seen three - a spectacularly large and lush wolf with two smaller ones.


our lake view from the porch.

Now I want to tie more balls to the dock to watch the wolves come and play with them. I wonder if they like squeaky toys.

Happy New Year to everyone!