Playing Cops and Robbers at the Writers' Police Academy, a New Book Deal, Ice Cream & More!

The Muses have been busy since our inaugural Muse News Roundup, with multiple sightings reported at a variety of events, from the sharing of publishing journey secrets at writing workshops to an adventurous time at the Writers' Police Academy, and from book launches to catching up with each other at tragically hip ice cream parlors. The Muses are rocking the end of summer!

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Activities!

On August 14th, Katy Longshore spoke at an event for the SCBWI Contra Costa & Alameda County Meeting, joining forces with Cynthia Jaynes Omololu to discuss the “after life” of a debut author.

With humor, and candor, they shared their experiences in publishing their first books—experiences that were sometimes eerily similar, and sometimes quite different. They got into the “nitty gritty” of contracts, money, publicity, and reviews.

During an informal after-party, Katy, Cynthia, regional ARA Keely Parrack, and fellow Muses Talia, Veronica, Kristen, and Beth all went out for dinner...

and then ice cream! Ah, the lives of hardworking writers... I don't know...

Joking aside, this kind of event (the presentation, not the ice cream…oh, fine, the ice cream, too) should be mandatory for all writers, who would be doubly lucky to hear Katy and Cynthia share details of their experiences of life after the book deal!

Kristen Held spent a fascinating weekend at the Writers' Police Academy, which offers "the most hands-on interactive, and educational experience writers can find to enhance their understanding of law enforcement and forensics. This is a one-of-a-kind event, featuring real police, fire, and EMS training at an actual police academy."

Highlights included workshops on interview and interrogation techniques, forensic identification, defensive tactics, murder typology, and street prostitution; a high-risk building search with fellow YA writer Corrine Jackson; a Hazardous Material Team demonstration that involved blowing up a suspicious backpack; a night time felony traffic stop; a presentation by television producer (Bones) and NYT bestselling author, Kathy Reichs on turning real life forensic experience into fiction, and a keynote by suspense novelist Lisa Gardner. 

What a blast! (sorry, I couldn't resist...)

Felony Traffic Stop Demo

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Upcoming Appearances!

Katy will be teaching a creative writing workshop for teens at the Linden Tree Bookshop in Los Altos, California from 7-9 pm on Thursday, September 19th.

Talia and Katy will be discussing "All Things YA" at Face in a Book bookstore in El Dorado Hills, CA on Thursday, September 26 at 6 pm.  And there will be pizza!

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Launches and Sales!

This week has been all about the launch of GOLD, the second book in the captivating Bandia series set in Ireland written by Talia Vance. We invite you to continue the fun by following the GOLD blog tour organized by Rockstar Book Tours to read a series of fascinating posts, including character interviews and an alternative POV excerpt.

About the Book:

Descended from an Irish demigod, Brianna has fled to Ireland to escape destruction at the hands of her sworn enemies, the Sons of Killian. Taking refuge at the estate of her former nemesis, Austin Montgomery, Brianna discovers a rift in time that opens to an era before the feud began. Wrestling with her newfound feelings for the younger Austin--who she meets a thousand years back in time--Brianna begins to wonder if altering the past could change her future. But when Brianna and the present-day Austin learn that the Sons are raising an army of mythical beasts, the pair will need to combine their magical strength to avoid a tragic destiny.

If you'd like to dip into the book itself, you can check it out here:

Goodreads  |  Amazon  | Barnes and Noble  |  Indiebound

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AND, as if all that wasn't enough to be going on with all ready, it's time to break open the bubbly!

A new book! A new book! 

We're so happy to share with you that Veronica Rossi is co-authoring a New Adult Contemporary Romance with her friend, Lorin Oberweger. For those who don't know what New Adult (NA) is, it's like YA but a little edgier/sexier, and centered on college-aged characters. The book will be written under a pseudonym, as it's a co-authoring venture and a different genre for Veronica, who is still writing YA. Veronica also hopes to be able to share news of the YA fantasy series she's working on soon, as well.

The Announcement:

Lorin Oberweger and Veronica Rossi, writing as Noelle August's BOOMERANG, pitched as THE HANGOVER meets THE INTERNSHIP, set in an online dating service that aims to be Match.com for millenials on the rebound, to Tessa Woodward at William Morrow, in a three book deal, in a pre-empt, for publication in 2014, by Adams Literary on behalf of Wildcard Storymakers (World English).

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I can't believe how much has happened in just two weeks! 
Way to go, Muses!