What’s New...Blog Roll Style

In case you’re wondering what’s been up, I’ve got a couple of events planned, but summer is usually when I catch my breath and spend time with my family. Have I mentioned how much I love the summer?

But if you want to see me, you can find me in the following places:

This Sunday, June 29^th, I’ll be at the Clackamas (Portland, OR) Barnes & Noble at 4PM with Suzanne Young. We’re being wrangled moderated by Sara at Novel Novice, so a good time will be had by all ;)

Then in July, I’ll be at the Pacific NW Writer’s Conference on Thursday, July 17^th on a Young Adult panel with Richelle Mead and Margaret Stohl (two dazzling writerly ladies!).

And the following week I’m off to San Diego Comic Con, where I’ll be appearing on Friday, July 25^th with a whole slew of awesome authors, doing an incredible panel on villains! You can get all the details on my Events Page.

But for now, the fantastically awesome Alyson Noel has tagged me in a blog roll to talk about writing, and the writing process. (She talks about hers here...and I loved her answers!).

1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON –

I just finished revisions on the second book in THE TAKING series, and am planning to start the third (and final) book in the trilogy.

2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

I think one of the things I have a hard time doing is staying within the boundaries of any one particular genre. THE BODY FINDER was part mystery, part romance, and part supernatural. THE PLEDGE was dystopic, fantasy, and romance. And with THE TAKING it’s kind of a contemporary, grounded Sci-fi, with (what else?) a strong case of romance.  

3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?

I’ve always been drawn toward teen protagonists, even before there was a YA section in the bookstore. I like the rawness of their emotions and experiences. Not just that they’re experiencing “firsts,” which they are, but that their emotions are so surface-level and ready to make an appearance at a moment’s notice. Having teens myself, I know that they can have “the best day of their lives” and “the worst day,” all within the span of five minutes. I love that kind of passion.

4. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?

Each book idea forms in a different way, but essentially it all plays out the same. I’m not an outliner, so I generally know the beginning, the ending, and several large scenes I want to hit along the way. Then I just sit down and write.

5. AND THE OTHER PART OF THIS QUESTION, HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS NOT WORK?

Because, like I said, I’m not an outliner, I often veer off my intended path along the way—the story will just...take an unexpected twist—and then I have to rework the story in my head before I can keep going.

So now I'm tagging three more authors!

Up next is Suzanne Young, because she's one of my favorite people. And she's adorable. And I heart her books, two of which, THE PROGRAM and A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, I loved enough to blurb!

SR Johannes, whose book UNTRACEABLE I also blurbed, and who just happens to by my crit partner, and who I also <3 font="">

And CJ Omololu, who I also love, and who is also one of my favorite people (are you noticing a trend here?). 

These are all authors who, if you haven't read their books yet you definitely should!!!

Happy Summer, you guys. I hope you're all taking some time to enjoy the sun, a cold glass of lemonade, and family time!

Fancy Things Said By Fancy Folks!

                        
                      I love this so hard, you guys!!!

Get taken by THE TAKING

THE TAKING Is Here!

It's official, I have my very own shelf:

THE TAKING looks pretty damn good with the other books if I do say so myself! And today it's finally available at booksellers EVERYWHERE!!!

You still have a few more days if you want to get in on the pre-order deal:

And don't forget I'll be heading out on tour this Thursday, May 1st, so if you're in (or near) any of the following cities, try to come see me--I'd LOVE to meet you (check out my EVENTS PAGE for a full listing of times and locations):

Salt Lake City - May 1st

San Diego - May 3rd

Dallas - May 6th

Oklahoma City - May 7th

Kansas City - May 8th

St. Louis - May 9th

Chicago - May 10th

New Orleans (RT Booklovers Convention) - May 14-18th

AFTER THE END Blog Tour (Truth or Dare!)

Welcome to the AFTER THE END blog tour!

Amy's Truth or Dare 

This is one of Amy's special author-hosted Truth or Dare stops. (The truth-or-dare theme is particularly relevant to AFTER THE END, since Juneau's oracle has said she has to tell the truth or she won't find her clan.) I opted for "dare," giving Amy the mission to ride this merry-go-round:

 

while wearing a tiara and waving an American flag. 

Amy's response: "I actually didn't think this dare would be a problem - I borrowed a tiara from my 6-year-old daughter, printed off an American flag and taped it to a paintbrush, and booked it over to Trocadero with some friends to take the pictures. But once I got there, paid for my ticket and put the crown on I was feeling pretty stupid.

 

And then, by the third time around I had lost all sense of pride and started enjoying it...

 

They basically had to tear me off my horse and force me to take off the tiara once the ride was over. Okay, not really. But it wasn't as bad as I had feared. In fact, who knows...maybe I'll go back and do it again next week. P.S. Never ask Kim Derting to give you a dare. She had WAY too much fun thinking this one up!" And now, on to the juicy info about AFTER THE END + prizes!

About the Book

By: Amy Plum, Published by: Harper Teen, hitting shelves on May 6, 2014 Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound Find out more about the book

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness.

They′e survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact.

Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she′s trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

  About Amy Plum

Amy Plum is the author of DIE FOR ME, a YA series set in Paris. The first three books—DIE FOR ME, UNTIL I DIE, and IF I SHOULD DIE—are international bestsellers, and have been translated into eleven different languages. The fourth book is an eNovella, entitled DIE FOR HER. The first book of Amy’s new series, AFTER THE END, releases in May 2014.

Amy grew up in Birmingham, Alabama before venturing further afield to Chicago, Paris, London and New York. An art historian by training, she can be found on most days either daydreaming or writing (or both) in a Parisian café.

Visit her on: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

  The Giveaway

Each stop on the tour will be hosting a giveaway! We're giving away: - 13 SIGNED After The End books - 6 iPhone After the End shells. *This is open Internationally* To enter, please be sure to fill out the form featured on each stop along the tour. a Rafflecopter giveaway The first 300 people who pre-order AFTER THE END and show proof of their pre-order will receive one of these limited edition After The End water bottles. *see below*

Please be sure to send your mailing address and receipt to katieloumercier@gmail.com.

The Big Book Launch Recap (in Pics!)...

So yesterday was the big launch party for THE TAKING, and holy wow...what an amazing-amazing-amazing day! Thanks so much to those of you who came out to show your love. You guys truly rock!

 

The B&N Cafe put together a special drink just for THE TAKING. You gotta love the blue whipped cream!!!

My two favorite guys came out to support me (the father and son Derting Duo)!

One amazing reader made this awesome THE TAKING themed necklace for me, complete with alien and fireflies!

And of course, everyone rocked the alien headbands:

(Even this sweet little doll played along!)

You can check out more launch party pictures over on my Facebook page :)

Free Stuff!

Anyone who purchases ANY version of THE TAKING before midnight (Pacific Time) on Saturday May 3rd, will receive a signed bookmark and stickers if you email a copy of your receipt to admin@kimberlyderting.com by May 15th.

We're just a week away, people. This is go time!

You're Invited to THE TAKING Book Launch!!!

I can hardly believe it's 2014 already, let alone April! But it is, and that means THE TAKING is almost here! And for those of you who don't already know, THE TAKING kicks off an all-new series about a 16-year-old girl who disappears one night and is returned five years later, yet she hasn't aged a day.

THE TAKING officially hits bookstores on April 29th, but is available for pre-order NOW! (See below for all the ways to order signed books and get free stuff!)

To celebrate the release, we've planned a launch party at 1:00PM on Saturday, April 26th at the Barnes & Noble in Federal Way, the same place where the café named special drinks after DESIRES OF THE DEAD and THE PLEDGE. We'll have prizes, goodies, and of course, lots and lots of books! And because the launch party is April 26th (three whole days before the actual release date!), you can get your copy of THE TAKING before anyone else! How cool is that?!?! (Answer: So cool.)

And if you're not in the Seattle area, I will be heading out on May 1st to the following cities: Salt Lake City, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Dallas, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and New Orleans. For a full listing of bookstores, dates, and times, check out my EVENTS PAGE. If you're in the vicinity, I'd love-love-love to see you!!!

If you're just too far away from my tour stops, but you still want signed copies of THE TAKING, you can order personalized copies from the following stores BEFORE I arrive:

The King's English in Salt Lake City
Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego
Barnes & Noble in Federal Way

Or you can get signed-only copies from:

Books of Wonder in New York
Blue Willow Books in Houston

And for those of you who've already ordered your copies, or who prefer ebooks or audiobooks, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! Anyone who purchases ANY version of THE TAKING before midnight (Pacific Time) on Saturday May 3rd, will receive signed bookmarks and stickers if you email a copy of your receipt to admin@kimberlyderting.com by May 15th! See, everybody wins!

  

Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see all you very soon!

Kim

And by the way, check out what some of my FAVORITE authors had to say about THE TAKING:

"Kimberly Derting is an amazing writer and a master storyteller. THE TAKING will have you hooked from the very first pages."
   —Richelle Mead, #1 New York Times bestselling author of VAMPIRE ACADEMY

"Equal parts romance and suspense, THE TAKING is a sexy blend of conspiracy theory and sci-fi."
   —Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author of UNBREAKABLE and co-author of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

"THE TAKING is an action-packed, heart-filled ride. I loved it."
   —Melissa Marr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of WICKED LOVELY

"Kimberly Derting does it again! THE TAKING is an exciting, fast-paced thriller with an eerie and intriguing paranormal mystery at the heart of it. You'll want to read it as fast as you can and then DEMAND the next book NOW!"
   —Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of BLUE BLOODS and WITCHES OF EAST END

"With pitch-perfect prose, swoon-worthy romance, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, THE TAKING kept me reading late into the night. This is Derting at her best."
   —Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE IMMORTALS