Cover Reveal: Prized (Birthmarked #2)
Take a look!
Here’s the cover of Prized, the sequel to Birthmarked, which is due out November 8, 2011. April Ward at Macmillan worked with Tim Green of faceout studio on the design, which I think is fantastic. If it seems like a departure from the first book in the series, take a look at what has been done for the paperback of Birthmarked, due out in October.
Pretty sweet, huh?
Pondering Next Ideas with Agent
Ever since I talked to my agent Kirby Kim last week about what to write after the Birthmarked trilogy, I’ve been feeling optimistic and encouraged, both about the ideas themselves and the open-ended direction of my writing. I’m normally optimistic anyway, but I did wonder if Birthmarked was a fluke. Now I believe my brainstorming is leading me in good directions, and I’m grateful once again that I have a great agent to work with.
Food for Thought
As far as I know, there’s no prescribed way… Continue reading
Idealists At Large
Will LoTurco, Tom Connor, and Michael Kochol, editors of .45 Magazine
At my local independent bookstore, the UConn Co-op, a group of UConn students gave a reading last Thursday to celebrate the publication of a new literary magazine. Welcome to the world, .45 Magazine. Tom Connor, one of the spearheading trio who conceived of and edited the project, began with a heartfelt letter about the power of art and how, in a time when many think the print magazine is dying, written art remains real and vibrant.… Continue reading
The Rowdy Book Groups
Over the past year since Birthmarked came out, I’ve talked to twelve book groups (two via Skype) about the novel, and I’m meeting a week from today with another book group, a group of teens, at my old high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. That should be cool.
I'll be Skyping with the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Book Club in Duluth, MN soon.
Talking to a book group is a curious experience for me, especially when the people are all friends already. Some of the groups have… Continue reading
The Paris Book Fair: Quite Fun
Audrey Petit, Caragh O'Brien, and Sarah Millet in Paris, 2011
My French editor at Mango, Sarah Millet, kindly fetched me from the airport in Paris a couple Fridays ago, and we were joined by Audrey Petit, the sci-fi series editor of Mondes imaginares, for lunch at La Marlotte, a quaint restaurant in the 6th arrondissement. Sarah was friendly and engaging from the first hello. She spoke of how she came to Paris to study, stayed on to work in publishing, and has grown to enjoy the busy… Continue reading
Behind the Scenes: A Note on the French Translation
My daughter and I met Hélène Bury, the French translator of Birthmarked, in front of the Hôtel de Ville in Rennes at 10:00 Saturday morning and instantly bonded. Hélène is funny, smiley, and genuinely nice, and what’s more, she and I have certain things in common that sealed our friendship: we both prefer hot chocolate to coffee and adore Colin Firth.
C. O'Brien and H. Bury, in Rennes
I’m particularly grateful that Hélène was chosen to translate my novel. In the first place, she has lived in… Continue reading
Ari & Milo, my serial novel, is now up on Wattpad! I drew illustrations to go with each chapter, and best of all, it’s free! Because of problematic themes, this novel is for mature readers age 17+.
Book Trailer for Promised