Best of #NILtribe

It's the very last day of 2013. Whaatttttt? How….? I can't even. Because if today is New Year's Eve, that means 2014 is almost here. Like just a few hours away. Which means . . .

NIL COMES OUT IN 63 DAYS.

AHHHH! *flails*

*breathes*

I'm so excited for y'all to meet Charley & Thad in a few weeks! Like, beyond stoked excited.:) But I thought I'd close out 2013 with a quick #NILtribe wrap-up. Ready?

Ok, here goes!

The #NILtribe officially launched this month. Check out the tab at the top of the page for more #NILtribe deets or this post at Mac Teen Books:) So far we've got torches, tigers, coconut cups, chanting, island bling, awkward tribal dancing, poufy grass skirts that would never fly on Nil (WAY too hard to run in!:D), and of course, BOOKS.  We've already had one #NILtribe giveaway and more to come!

In the meantime, two other giveaways with a chance to win a copy of NIL are still wide open: one over at Icey Books (it ends tonight at midnight!), and the other over at Badass Bookie. And the second giveaway is INTERNATIONAL (woot!) so go enter! I'll wait. ;) *waits* *shares cupcakes* Oh, you're back! Yay! The clock is ticking…;)

Other #NILtribe scoop:

NIL has a new cover!!!!!! And an epic new tagline: How do you escape from an island that doesn't exist?   I totally, absolutely LOVE the new cover. Check it out on the sidebar and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Sneak peeks! I shared a glimpse of Charley's Day One on Twitter…. and the inspiration behind Black Bay and Nil City. ICYMI, here's one of the sneak peeks:

Charley's Day One on Nil

I also shared a sneak peek into Thad's life before Nil. ICYMI, here you go:

VERY different from Thad's life on Nil… *runs away before I spill ALL THE SEKRITS*;)

I talked NIL inspiration with Jessica at Read My Breath Away and shared how NIL was born. That post (with more pics!) is here.  And right now I'm over at Badass Bookie talking with Lisa and sharing sekrit NIL scoop as part of the 2014 Debutante Event. Click here to find out the original title of NIL and other cool NIL scoop.:) (And see the dress I love…worn by JLaw, of course.:D #sherocks)

Remember to follow the hashtag #NILtribe on Twitter for more NIL scoop and sekrits. I've got more interviews in the works, and more giveaways. Soon I'll announce January's #NILtribe prize pack, which includes a copy of NIL, NIL swag, and loads of other books you want (pinky swear).:)

The #NILtribe party is ON! So glad you're in the tribe! :) A quick shout-out to all the #NILtribe members: THANKS FOR ALL THE NIL LOVE. We're gonna have a blast these next few months!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

And we have a winner!

The first #NILtribe giveaway is over, and the Rafflecopter gods have spoken.

But before we get to a winner, let's review the loot:

Awesome swag!
On the count of three, let's all tilt our heads together to look at it…
One, two, three…lol

A galley of NIL!

Books by Erin Bowman, Leila Sales, and Jamie Grey!

NIL swag! 

And Jamie threw in a super cute UVC bracelet too--thank you Jamie!!!

AND THE WINNER IS….

CASSI!

Congratulations!!!!!!

(An email is on its way to you right now with all the deets.:D)

And a HUGE thank you to the #NILtribe! 

For entering…

for spreading the #NILtribe love…for being so enthusiastic!

It's gonna be an awesome few months ahead.:)

Quick #NILtribe update:

Tomorrow NIL's brand-new-so-awesome-OMG-I-Love-IT-cover will be revealed over at Icey Books.

And Friday I'll have the Best of #NILtribe wrap up here on the blog.

*tribal fist bump*

The #NILtribe is Live!

Today is December 4, 2013.

NIL's release date is March 4, 2014. That means . . .

NIL comes out in 90 days.

*crazy happy dance freakout* *breathes*

90 days!

Of course I’m counting the days!!! :) I can’t wait for you to meet Charley and Thad and the rest of the NIL cast, including the island itself--a mysterious place, where days are so important that each one is counted. Where some days are celebrated, others are mourned--but ALL are tallied. Because life depends on it. Charley's life, and Thad's, and the life of everyone else who winds up on Nil.

*shivers*

Before I spill ALL THE NIL SEKRITS, here’s the book synopsis:

On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die. 

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing Charley remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field. 

Lost and alone, Charley hunts for a way out. She discovers desolate beaches and human remains, but no sign of civilization--until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with hidden dangers, their greatest threat is time.

They can’t stop the clock. They can only hope to beat it. 

Think SURVIVOR meets LOST and THE MAZE RUNNER, plus lots of feels.:)

So….back to the days. In 90 days you'll find out Charley and Thad’s fate. Ahhh! 90 days! So far away, right?

But since I can’t stop the clock--or rush it!—in the meantime, you can join the #NILtribe.

What is the #NILtribe you ask?

FINALLY, I CAN TELL YOU!!!!

But first, a definition.:)

tribe: noun \ˈtrīb\*: a group of people who have the same job or interest

If you love books, especially thrillers, packed with mysteries, islands, secrets and ALL THE FEELS, then #NILtribe may be for you!

All you have to do is tweet . . . or post to Facebook . . . or post on your blog . . . or comment on my blog: “I joined the tribe!” and add the #NILtribe hashtag. And that’s it! You’re in.:)

Over the three months, follow the #NILtribe hashtag on Twitter and Facebook for chances to win galleys of NIL, copies of other YA books I love and sweet NIL swag . . . and to discover NIL sekrits. Each day I’ll tweet using the #NILtribe hashtag. I’ll share cool facts about the characters, island sekrits, author interviews, giveaway links, etc. Each week I'll share new goodies that will be up for grabs by members of the #NILtribe in upcoming giveaways (spoiler: creepy bone cuff bracelet anyone?!) Each month will bring more opportunities to win NIL galleys, NIL swag, and after NIL’s release, signed hardbacks.:) And in the last month before release, all #NILtribe members will get swag-to-be-revealed… just by joining the #NILtribe.:)

And to all those readers-who-love-thrillers-and-islands-and-sekrits-and swoon? Feel free to use the #NILtribe hashtag as often as you like! Post anytime using the hashtag! You can countdown to Nil’s release, repost any of my posts, or post about why you're excited for NIL, Waiting on Wednesday style. Just remember to use the #NILtribe hashtag, and you’re golden. Welcome to the tribe.:) And feel free to grab the #NILtribe button on the sidebar of my blog!

A quick shout out to Melody Simpson…an honorary #NILtribe member from Day One. Melody was the first reader to comment on my blog and to share my excitement for NIL. *GIANT HUGS MELODY*

So join the tribe! The first #NILtribe giveaway is LIVE. Up for grabs? A perfect holiday prize pack!

One lucky tribe member will win . . .

a signed galley of NIL

Eep! The clock is ticking…:)

And some sweet island bling: hemp twine shell bracelets . . . one to keep and one to share

Or keep both! I won't tell.:) Aren't they so fun?

Plus this awesome trio of 2013 YA debuts I loved!

TAKEN by Erin Bowman

ULTRAVIOLET CATASTROPHE by Jamie Grey

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

Welcome to the tribe, sweet readers! And not just ANY tribe… the #NILtribe. Where the bling is island fresh and all readers make it back alive. :)

Books make the best presents, don’t you think?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you Merriam-Webster free on-line dictionary.:)

Less than 24 hours until #NILtribe

As y'all know, time is critical on Nil, a place where you have exactly 365 days to escape--or die.

I'm counting the days too!

91 days until NIL's book birthday…

and one day until the start of #NILtribe. Eep!

#NILtribe deets in less than 24 hours…here, and over at Mac Teen Books.

See you tomorrow! *runs away before I spill ALL THE SEKRITS*:)

The clock is ticking...

Happy Monday y'all!

So much book goodness in the works this week!:)

Here's a clue:

365: days you have on Nil to escape--or die

92: days until NIL's release

2: days until the launch of #NIL tribe

That's right. TWO DAYS.

In TWO DAYS, you can join the tribe. If you love thrillers, islands, mysteries and ALL THE FEELS, not to mention chances to win ARCs of NIL, copies of my favorites books, NIL swag, and find out NIL sekrits.:) Cool, right?

Right.:)

The clock is ticking…

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Yeah, I know, I'm one day early. But who cares? Let's make up our own rules today! Let's talk turkey, and pie, and what-we're-thankful-for. Time to count our blessings.:) Because seriously, I feel so blessed that I want to do this:

But yeah, Jimmy does it better. :) (FTR, I LOVE Jimmy Fallon. And am so thankful for his skits with Justin Timberlake I can't even stand it. They are just that awesome.) 

So talking thankfulness here. I've got SO much to be thankful for. Like...

My husband, who is my first reader, my love-at-first-sight, and my wingman for life.

My boys, who make me laugh and cry and make each day more fun than the last.

My friends and family, who fill my world with love and shenanigans.

My fellow writers, critique partners, and sweet YA Valentines, who make my writing journey so much richer and keep me sane.

All the authors who write books that inspire me and give me all the feels.

Bloggers and readers, who love books and make ALL THE WRITERLY THINGS worthwhile.

My amazing editor and agent, who made my debut not only possible, but better.

Good music and great artists (Imagine Dragons, Blondfire, Snow Patrol, John Coltrane, BareNaked Ladies, U2, Muse, Jack Johnson, Jack's Mannequin, Arcade Fire, etc.) who fuel my creative muse.

My health, my home, my country, and my freedom.

Yummy Thanksgiving Day food--like sweet potato casserole and pie. ALL THE PIE.:)

And my dad, who handed me my first Anne McCaffrey novel when I was a teenager and opened my eyes to a whole new world of reading. I miss you Dad, and am so thankful I'm your daughter. I think you'd like NIL if you could read it.

*breathes through my tears*

Okay! *wipes eyes*  I'm also thankful for chocolate, wine, Girl Scout cookies, the beach, the sweet sound of waves breaking onshore, sunny days, rainy afternoons, ALL THE BOOKS, pie, good movies, the smell in the air after a good rain, blank canvases and fresh paint, the rush of starting a new novel, the burn in my legs after a good run, the sloppy kisses my 6yo gives me, phone calls from friends when I need them the most, and the fresh possibilities each new day brings.:)

What are you thankful for?

*shares pie*

How to Not Suck at Social Media :)

This summer when we sent our 11 year-old off to summer camp, my husband hugged him, knelt down, and gave him some very simple advice.

"Be kind. Be brave. Be You."

I love that advice. The thing is, our 11 yo IS sweet. He's kind, compassionate, and gentle. It's his nature. He had a great camp experience, probably not because of our advice, but because it's how he lives anyway.

We should all live that way.:)

My blog posts tend to be about books. Books I loved reading, books I'm working on, or NIL, my debut that I'm SO excited for you to read in '14! But I rarely give advice, because I don't feel very qualified to give it. So today is a big ole exception.:) (Not that I feel all that qualified...I just feel compelled to talk. LOL) Lately I've seen harsh comments on Twitter and/or Goodreads that made me cringe...and too much spam. Lots of noise, I guess.:) There is always noise on the internet, but you can choose how much to hear and when to walk away. And when to chime in with something meaningful that is not just--noise. The beautiful thing is, it's all up to YOU.:)

Here's my basic guide to social media.* Because for me, it's not about the number of followers or hits, it's about connections. :) So here goes...

7 Ways to Survive Enjoy Social Media:

Be Kind. To others on Twitter, to the agent who passed on your query or MS. To the writer who put her soul into her MS and asked for your feedback. To the author who's book you read but didn't love. Remember words are powerful, and can sting. Use them wisely.:) And for goodness sake, resist the urge to publicly rant. Never use the internet (Twitter, FB, blog, etc.) to vent.

Be Considerate. To the agent or writer who has your query or MS. To the writer you offered to beta-read for. Remember they are sharing their time or precious work with you. Honor that. Give them the time they need, and use your own time wisely as well. Communication is key. Again, no public rants. EVER.

Be Present. If you join Twitter, reach out and connect. If you read a blog post that hits home, leave a (kind) comment. If you read a book that touches you, share your joy with the author. We all ninja-lurk from time to time, but if you only lurk, no one will know you're there.

Be Consistent. If you blog, try to post on a regular basis. (Guilty.... still working on this one.:D)  If you tweet, or use Tumblr, or Facebook, do it regularly. I'm not talking 24/7. Social media can be a timesuck too, but it's hard to forge connections with people if you're never there, or worse, only occasionally there. Find a balance that works for you and stick with it.

Be Brave. Join. Start. Send that query, join Twitter, jump into Goodreads, create a blog, whatever. It might be scary, or overwhelming, or intimidating, or all of the above, but be brave. If you write a 300 page novel, you can craft a 140 character tweet.:) (And incidentally, Twitter is awesome for encouraging brevity.:D) And it just takes one tweet to start.

Be Real. It's not a popularity contest, it's about connections. How can you really connect with anyone if you're trying to be someone you're not? So what if you're not blessed with Will Ferrell's wit? No worries, there's already one Will Ferrell. He's got that Ferrell mojo covered. :) Just like a writer must find his or her own voice, you've got to figure out what to blog about or tweet about that might interest/engage others. But you've got to be authentic, or what's the point?:)

Be You.  The most important one of all. I'll leave this one to you.:)

That's it.**

Did I miss anything? Oh, and if I had to leave you with a top three?

Be Kind. Be Brave. Be You. :)

*Although this post is geared toward writers--writers starting out, writers in the trenches, writers seeking publication, writers reaching out--I think it can work for anyone. :) 

**Of course, it was a list. You know how I love lists! As always, feel feel to ignore anything that doesn't work for you.