WINNER: 'Zac and Mia' book giveaway

Aaaaaaaaaand the lucky winner of the Zac & Mia giveaway is ...

LUX 

Congrats! And thanks to all who entered. 

Interview with A.J. Betts, plus 'Zac and Mia' book giveaway!

•••

I was lucky to receive an ARC of the 2012 Text Prize-winning book, Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts. 

As I (and many Aussie YA fans!) have come to expect; Zac and Mia was another triumph for the prestigious Prize, and it's another book I'll be passing on to many friends and family ... and you! Text has kindly offered one copy of Zac and Mia to give away, so do check out the competition details at the bottom of this post. 

And you can check out more interviews with A.J. Betts tomorrow and right up until August 1st, as she's doing a blog tour for the book - see a list of all her stops here.

In the mean time, I give you the author herself - A.J. Betts discussing 'sick lit', Perth talent and the OHMYGOD moment she won the Text Prize.

•••

Q: How were you first published – agent or slush pile?  

I sent my first manuscript (ShutterSpeed) directly to Fremantle Press’s slush pile. Luckily, they took me on.

Q: Are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’ - that is, do you meticulously plot your novel before writing, or do you ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ and let the story evolve naturally?

Both. I spend a lot of time planning, brainstorming, graphing, scribbling, tabling, etc, but then when I'm writing, I allow the characters and story to take over, if they want to. I’m becoming more trusting in the process, and doing more of the plotting in my head (which sometimes means I’m not paying much attention to the real world…).

Q: How long did it take you to write ‘Zac and Mia’, from first idea to final manuscript?

Almost four-and-a-half years. The idea formed in February of 2009. I worked on the manuscript until May, 2012, then with my publisher, Text, for another year. It’s released on July 24, 2013.

Q: Where do story ideas generally start for you? Do you first think of the character, theme, ending? Or is it just a free-fall?

My novels begin with a moment - a snapshot of someone, somewhere. It’s very sensory. This moment is the precursor to whatever happens next. I have a sense of the story which may unfold, but not many specifics. Character and narrative develop in the first few chapters, by which time I usually know the ending. Theme evolves somewhere along the way.

Q: First up: last year’s Text Prize winner was Perth-born Myke Bartlett. You are the 2012 winner, and you’re Perth-based … is there a YA author conspiracy we should know about? Something in the water, perhaps?

Sheer talent ;-)  It's great to know that Perth writers, although so far from the eastern coast, are being represented nationally. Myke has since moved to Melbourne, so I may need another WA Text winner to keep me company.

Q: At what point did you decide to enter ‘Zac and Mia’ in the prestigious Text Prize?

I decided fourteen months prior, in 2011. I was teaching a creative writing unit at Curtin University and was raving about the Text Prize to my students. They responded: Well if it’s that good, why don't you enter it? And the challenge was on! How could I not? The manuscript was already drafted then, but I knew it needed more work if it was to have a real shot. I'm glad I took that extra year.

Q: And on that note: what was running through your head when it was announced that you’d WON the Text Prize?

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. I was shopping with my Mum in Cairns when I got the call. I sat in a flower bed and had a little cry. As soon as we got home, I jumped in the pool.

Q: You are a secondary school English teacher. I wonder if you were inspired by the kids you teach while writing ‘Zac and Mia’? – do you pick up on their dialogue and use fragments of their overheard conversations? Have any of your pupils read the book? If so, what was their reaction?

None of my students have read this book...yet. I prefer to keep the manuscript under wraps as I'm working on it. I hope they enjoy it when it’s released, and I hope they can identify with the characters, as they have with my previous novels. I definitely draw on teenagers’ dialogue, more so conversations I overhear, rather than from those teenagers I know. I love eavesdropping.

Q: ‘Zac and Mia’ is a sad, but hopeful story about hope, fear, love, friendship and cancer. Not too long ago there was a media outcry about ‘sicklit’ and the abundance of depressing stories in YA. What do you have to say to those people who think teenagers shouldn’t be reading such doom and gloom?

I think teenagers, like adults, can read what they want, when they want, how they want. I was reading a lot of fantasy - historical and comedic - when I was a teen. If they want doom and gloom, however, Zac and Mia probably isn't for them. It's not a book that will depress readers. Cancer is the catalyst that brings my characters together, but isn’t a main focus of the book. The book doesn’t have melodrama, but it does have heart.

Q: What’s the appeal in writing for young adults? 

I'm writing as younger versions of myself, which is liberating and fun. Also, I probably haven’t grown up a lot...

Q: What are you working on right now, and when can we expect it to hit shelves!?

Right now I'm having a timely break (I'm actually answering these questions while on a cycling tour of France) but I have begun work on a novel set 300 years in the future...near Tasmania. It won't see daylight for a few years, I expect!

Q: Favourite author(s) of all time?

Still my childhood obsessions: Roald Dahl, Robin Klein, Douglas Adams. 

Q: Favourite book(s)? 

Impossible!!

Q: What advice do you have for budding young writers?

Keep reading. Write every day. Write a journal. Remember: not everything is supposed to be published. Maybe 0.5% of my writing makes it to print. Publication is not the only goal. Travel. Live with a curious mind and an open heart. Be vulnerable, but fearless.

•••

I have one copy of Zac and Mia to give away, kindly provided by Text Publishing.

How to enter:
☼ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

☼ Leave a comment on this blog post

☼ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

☼ One post per entrant

☼ This is a giveaway for AUSTRALIAN resident’s only!

☼ Contest closes August 15
I will announce the lucky winner on August 17

Aussie YA playlist for the Australia Day Book Giveaway Blog Hop

This is my post for the very special Australia Day Book Giveaway Hop, organized by the incredible Book’d Out and Confessions fromRomaholics.

•••

A song is a sense of time and place – for me, Elvis Presley’s ‘If I Can Dream’ will be irrevocably linked to driving through Rosebud on a burning summer day with my best friend. Likewise, Crowded Houses's 'Don't Dream It's Over' tastes like salt tears and takes me back to my Year 12 graduation ceremony. 

Songs hold memories and people, and for that reason whenever I read and love a book, I find a special song that encapsulates that story and those characters for me. Sometimes the book and the song are already entwined, like Paul Kelly’s ‘How to Make Gravy’ being the ballad of the Finch-Mackees, for youngest son Joe: “Hello Dom, it's Joe here”. Sometimes I’ve asked authors what songs they listened to while writing, as I did with Laura Buzo who introduced me to the artist Holly Throsby. Other times, it’s my unique reading and interpretation of the book that finds the song and forms its own connection. 

Below is a collection of my favourite Australian young adult novels, and the songs I associate with them. I would love to know if you associate songs with books and characters, and if you want to give me a little listening/reading recommendation, I’d be thrilled!

  Aussie YA playlist

·      The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta: listen to Paul Kelly ‘How to Make Gravy’ 

·      On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: listen to ‘Flame Trees’ (original song by Cold Chisel, also a cover song by Sarah Blasko) 

·      Chasing Charlie Duskin by Cath Crowley: listen to Clare Bowditch ‘When The Lights Went Down’ 

·      Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley: listen to ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ by Hunters and Collectors 

·      Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar: listen to ‘Overture’ by Patrick Wolf 

·      Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams: listen to ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles 

·      Holier Than Thou by Laura Buzo: listen to Holly Throsby feat. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - 'Would You?' 

·      Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield: listen to ‘Dark Storm’ by The Jezabels 

·      This is Shyness by Leanne Hall: listen to ‘Howl’ by Florence + The Machine 

·      Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood: listen to The Six Parts Seven ‘Song of Impossible Things’ 

·      Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell: listen to ‘With God On Our Side’ by Bob Dylan 

·      Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan: listen to ‘Alone Apart’ by The Swell Season 

•••

The book I'm offering up for the Australia Day Book Giveaway Hop is Margo Lanagan's epic 'Sea Hearts'. 

Here are the details for how you can win:

How to enter:

☼ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

☼ Leave a comment on this blog post, with a way to contact you (e-mail addy or Twitter handle is fine)

☼ One post per entrant

☼ This is an INTERNATIONAL give-away

☼ Contest closes midnight on January 28^th 
I will announce the lucky winner on January 30^th

'Alien vs Alien' international give away! One week only!

'Alien vs Alien' is the new, stellar space opera from Gini Koch - the sixth book in her epic 'Katherine "Kitty" Katt' series.

I loved this book so much, and I was very lucky to receive two uncorrected proof copies of the novel! So if you can't stand the hair-pulling wait until 'Alien vs Alien' is released on December 4 - never fear! I'm going to give away my extra copy of the book to one lucky follower.

All you have to do is follow the instructions below, and answer me this question: 

Which two famous aliens would you like to see battle it out?

★

How to enter: 

★ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

★ Leave a comment on this blog post, answering the question: "Which two famous aliens would you like to see battle it out?"

★ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine) additionally, you can also leave your twitter handle if you check that more often than your email.

★ One post per entrant

★ This is an international give away - so anyone can enter!

★ Contest closes November 7th - it's a very quick, week-long give away to ensure a copy of the book arrives before the official December 4 release date (otherwise, what's the point?) For this reason, if the first winner I draw doesn't get in contact with me within 24-hours, I will have to re-draw and find a new winner.

★ I will announce the lucky winner on November 9th

Five copies of 'Team Human' to give away!

I would like to give a big THANK YOU to Allen & Unwin who have kindly supplied five copies of new novel 'Team Human' to give away! All you have to do is answer the question below (the same one I put to authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan!) : "Where do you stand on vampirism? If you could, would you choose to be turned?"

This contest is restricted to Australian residents only!

Good luck! 

How to enter:

+ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

+ Leave a comment on this blog post, answering the question: "Where do you stand on vampirism? If you could, would you choose to be turned?"

+ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

+ One post per entrant

+ This is a give away for AUSTRALIAN residents only!

+ Contest closes July 31st
I will announce the lucky winners on August 2nd

GIVE-AWAY: Australian Women Writers 2012

Hello Darling Readers,

I thought I'd start 2012 off with a BANG, and a lovely little book give-away!

To start the New Year off right, I am giving away a prize pack of SIX books to one lucky person! But this is an Australian resident’s only competition, I’m afraid.

Let’s see what’s up for grabs . . .

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

For as long as Josephine Alibrandi can remember, it’s just been her, her mom, and her grandmother. Now it’s her final year at a wealthy Catholic high school. The nuns couldn’t be any stricter—but that doesn’t seem to stop all kinds of men from coming into her life.

Caught between the old-world values of her Italian grandmother, the nononsense wisdom of her mom, and the boys who continue to mystify her, Josephine is on the ride of her life. This will be the year she falls in love, the year she discovers the secrets of her family’s past—and the year she sets herself free.

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Taylor Markham is not a popular choice. She is erratic, has no people skills and never turns up to meetings. Not to mention the incident when she ran off in search of her mother and only got halfway there. But she's lived at Jellicoe School most of her life and as leader of the boarders that's her greatest asset. Especially now the cadets, led by the infamous Jonah Griggs, have arrived. The territory wars between the boarders, townies and cadets are about to recommence.
But Taylor has other things on her mind: a prayer tree, the hermit who whispered in her ear, and a vaguely familiar drawing in the local police station. Taylor wants to understand the mystery of her own past. But Hannah, the woman who found her, has suddenly disappeared, leaving nothing but an unfinished manuscript about five kids whose lives entwined twenty years ago on the Jellicoe Road . . .

The Gorgon in the Gully by Melina Marchetta

Beyond the basketball courts and classrooms of St Raph's is a gully where everything disappears forever. Danny Griggs has heard stories about a creature that lives down there. So why does he volunteer to face the Gorgon when he's been petrified of everything all his life?
A gentle story about overcoming fear and looking at things from all angles, from best-selling author Melina Marchetta.

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta

Blood sings to blood, Froi . . .
Those born last will make the first . . .
For Charyn will be barren no more.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home - or so he believes.

Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.

And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

In Ixion music and party are our only beliefs. Darkness is our comfort. We have few rules but they are absolute . . .

Retra doesn’t want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night, ever-youth and never-sleep. Retra is a Seal – sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn’t crave parties and pleasure, experience and freedom.

But her brother Joel left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. Braving the intense pain of her obedience strip to escape the only home she’s ever known, Retra stows away on the barge that will take her to her brother.

When she can’t find Joel, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. Come to me, whispers a voice in her head. Who are the Ripers, the mysterious guardians of Ixion? What are the Night Creatures Retra can see in the shadows? And what happens to those who grow too old for Ixion?

Retra will find that Ixion has its pleasures, but its secrets are deadly. Will friendship, and the creation of an eternal bond with a Riper, be enough to save her from the darkness?

Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams

Imagine your name is John Lennon, only everyone calls you Beatle.

And then you meet your Dream girl and her name is Destiny McCartney.

But what if you're already with the perfect girl?

A novel about change, chance and everybody doing the wrong thing.

☼

This isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill, books-up-for-grabs comp. If you’ll kindly notice, all of the books in the prize pack have a few things in common. One is that they are all young adult books. Two, is that they are written by Australian women! Which leads me on to my ulterior motive with this little give-away . . . the ‘Australian Women Writers 2012: National Year of Reading Challenge!’


I blogged about this earlier in December, that there is a great initiative going on in Australia throughout 2012 – and that is to promote Australian Women Writers. In case you’ve forgotten, here is the reasoning behind the year-long event;

Objective: This challenge hopes to help counteract the gender bias in reviewing and social media newsfeeds that has continued throughout 2011 by actively promoting the reading and reviewing of a wide range of contemporary Australian women's writing. (See the page on gender bias for recent discussions; also this page for the rationale behind the challenge.)

Readers should approach this challenge with a spirit of willingness. There are no failures, just personal goals. Reviews can be long or short, favourable or "this book is not for me". Hopefully, along the way, we'll all discover some future classics and perhaps a few surprises among genres we're not familiar with. The main aim is to have fun.

I am already participating in the challenge (with two reviews to come!) but I thought a little book give-away would be a great way to encourage people to get reading and support the cause.

This is an Australian resident’s only competition, I’m afraid. And I do have one teeny-tiny request of the winner (whoever that may be). And that is that whoever wins, I'd love it if they could review one of the books in the prize pack. If the winner has their own blog, it would be fantastic if they could post their review there. Or if they are blog-less, I'd be happy to let them borrow mine and I’ll post their review as a ‘guest post’ (never before done on ALPHA reader!). The prospective winner shouldn’t panic about the review though, as the challenge stipulates: ‘Reviews can be long or short, favourable or "this book is not for me".’

So that’s the give-away. Now how to enter . . .

How to enter:

☼ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

☼ Leave a comment on this blog post, answering the question; “Who is your favourite Australian female author?”

☼ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

☼ One post per entrant

☼ This is a giveaway for AUSTRALIAN resident’s only!

☼ Contest closes January 31st
I will announce the lucky winner on February 2nd

P.S. - Happy New Year!
I hope 2012 treats you all fabulously!

Interview and Giveaway - Danielle Weiler, author of 'Friendship on Fire'

I just finished reading Danielle Weiler's 'Friendship on Fire' and loved it! So I was very lucky that the (brilliantly-named) author was willing to have a chat with me about her creative process, day job and how to write a good love triangle.

But I have even better news! I have 2 copies of 'Friendship on Fire' up for grabs, in a format of your choice! Follow the instructions at the bottom of this interview for your chance to win.
Without further ado, I give you the lovely Danielle Weiler! Woo-Hoo!

☼

How long did it take you to write 'Friendship on Fire', from idea to final manuscript?

3 months, while working full time as a teacher. It was a bit mad, but we were poor that year so we didn’t have much to do for fun, so I wrote as much as I could, even Saturday nights, because Daisy had something very important to say. And she can be very persistent. Other manuscripts have been much shorter, but I could really immerse myself in Friendship on Fire because no one knew I was writing it. There was no hurry.

Are you a plotter or a pantser when it comes to writing? Do you plot meticulously, or fly by the seat of your pants?

Mmm definitely not a pantser. I always have an idea in my head before I start writing but I also leave a lot of room for interpretation or for characters to change the story. For example, I wrote a scene for my latest ms where the two lovebirds meet after school at the girl’s house and I’d planned for them to take advantage of the empty house and have a small shag…but as I wrote the scene, I realised that the girl was actually more vulnerable than what I planned and instead she cried on his shoulder. So I had to write the intended scene in a little later. So I plot, but I’ve learnt to be flexible too.

Where does story begin for you - with characters, plot or theme?

I think I’d need a little of everything. A main character in mind, with a few of his/her friends, a very thin main plot, and a theme/genre so I know where it’s headed. I wouldn’t write if I was confused about any of these things. That alone would be enough to do my head in. I need some sort of structure. Friendship on Fire began with Daisy alone and then her story became the plot as well as the theme.

Where do you write? Do you have a creative space?

Besides the couch? Anywhere where the TV isn’t on to distract me. And where I can’t get RSI from the awkward angle of the laptop on my lap.

What is so appealing about writing for YA?

I’ve wondered about this for a while now. I think it’s as simple as saying it’s what I’m good at. I just don’t think I could write anything else as confidently or as convincingly. They are the characters who come into my head and tap on my skull and tell me to hurry up and write their story.

You're also a teacher - what grade to you teach, and how much do your students influence and inspire your writing?

I’m a high school teacher so I teach years 7-12 – it varies each year – mainly in History and English (and the odd Geography and Maths and PE stuff). The kids don’t influence my writing at all – I don’t write about their stories or anything but there are a few kids who read my manuscripts and they inspire me with their enthusiasm about the story and push me to be better at my craft. I love having that support and feedback whenever I have a new idea. And if they don’t like it, they don’t hesitate to tell me it’s crap.

Is it odd to have your students read your work? Especially the lovey-dovey stuff?

Yes and no. I always wonder what they’re going to think of me or my stories, as if they’ll associate me with the characters or something. Mostly the girls can relate to it and shrug their shoulders. They understand that it’s just a story. But one boy said ‘I didn’t know girls thought like that’ and I couldn’t bring myself to cuff him over the ears. Funny story – I was doing a guest lecture/class for the English year 12s this year and one of the boys was new to the class and had only started reading FoF. So here we are discussing all the important themes and someone very passionately called out that they hated the fact that ______ had shagged ______ and their reasons why they felt strongly about it and this poor boy is having the entire story ruined for him blow by blow and he snaps his head up and says, ‘What! _____ had sex with _____?’ and one of the girls says, ‘Yeah, I’ll prove it. Miss, what’s the chapter it’s in?’ So we all go hunting for this scene and the kids look at me expectantly to read it out when we found it. So I did, maintained composure and a straight face and hoped they weren’t thinking differently of me. It can be a bit worrying to show a different side of yourself to your students e.g. I don’t live my entire life marking and photocopying and planning their lessons. I am young and I have a life.

What do you think are the key rules to writing a good love triangle?

Tricking the reader! Well I suppose it’s not as simple as that. If you’re writing about 2 guys and a girl, you need different attractions for each, so that even the reader would have a hard time choosing between them. They need qualities that are easily relatable and lots of twists and internal dialogue for the main character. Stomach churning, omg-I-can’t-put-down-that-book kind of yummy stuff.

What are you working on now?

At present I have an idea but I’m deciding if I have the energy to research for it. So I’m in between books and that’s very OK with me. Maybe if I didn’t work full time…I could live in fairyland with my stories.

Favourite books of all time?

When I was about 12 or 13 I discovered Tamora Pierce and her Song of the Lioness series. I adored it so much and have re-read them at least 3 times since. I really love Melina Marchetta’s books and any book that can get that gut-wrenching reaction out of me.

Favourite authors?

I do like Jodi Picoult even though her books are quite formulaic. As I said above, I like Tamora Pierce and Melina, and all Aussie YA authors. I just love reading.

☼

International giveaway!

I am absolutely delighted to announce that I have 2 copies of 'Friendship on Fire' to give away, courtesy of the lovely & generous, Danielle Weiler

If you win, you have a choice of receiving an eBook of 'Friendship on Fire' straight away, or opting for a paperback to come via snail mail!

How to enter:

☼ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

☼ Leave a comment on this blog post

☼ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

☼ One post per entrant

☼ This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!

☼ Contest closes December 31st
I will announce the lucky winners on January 2nd