ALA Amazingness

Last weekend, I went to Seattle.  I adore Seattle.  I spent a year almost living there (ask me about this sometime, and I'll tell you about it) and always assumed I'd moved there.  But then moved to England instead.  (hey, the weather is the same!)

The Washington State Conference Center hosted the American Library Association mid-winter conference.  My Corsets, Cutlasses and Candlesticks sister, Cat Winters was going to be signing.  My editor and agent sibling (and now good friend) Stasia Ward Kehoe, offered a place to sleep in her wonderful home where I got to meet her delightful family.  And my editor arranged a pass.  So of course I jumped at the chance.

For two days, I was surrounded by books and book people.    Publishers, agents, writers, sales reps, and, of course, librarians.  Lots of librarians.  (And you know, I love librarians).  My Class of 2k12 sibling, Jennifer Shaw Wolf, author of BREAKING BEAUTIFUL, picked me up at the airport, showed me some Seattle sights, wandered the exhibits with me and we both killed our feet in our fancy boots.  I picked up galleys of some fabulous spring and summer books.  I attended book buzz panels to see what publishers are interested in.  Stasia and I met the Penguin sales rep (the delightful Colleen Conway) for coffee.  I went to a session where I learned which books of 2012 the local teens loved the most (and the least).  My favorite quote?  "Scarlet (from AC Gaughen's Robin Hood retelling, SCARLET) is the best female character since Hermione Granger."  I couldn't have put it better myself.

And I met writers.

I had dinner with several authors, including Allyson Valentine, author of the forthcoming HOW (NOT) TO FIND A BOYFRIEND, Helen Landalf, who wrote FLYAWAY, Karen Finneyfrock (another editor sibling) whose THE SWEET REVENGE OF CELIA DOOR is coming out this month.  We were joined by J. Anderson Coats, author of the fabulous THE WICKED AND THE JUST, and another 2k12 sib.  And also the lovely book blogger, Jean Vallesteros.

This weekend, I'm catching up on my revision for Book 3.

Follow Friday -- Historical Fiction Edition

Before I got an agent, before GILT sold, I can't tell you how many times I heard "Historicals don't sell."  Or how many agents and editors I heard at conferences tell the room, "Just don't send me any historical fiction."

It can be a little discouraging, I tell you.

But I had to write what I write.  I love the process.  Digging deep into the history to find as many facts as I can, the puzzle pieces from which I can build a picture.  But it's like the picture is merely a pencil drawing (and often an unfinished one at that) and it's up to me to fill in the color and life.  I love it.

And others do, too.  Apparently there are several agents and editors out there who didn't get the memo about historical fiction.  Or maybe, just maybe, times are changing.

SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen debuted on Valentine's Day.  It's a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, but steeped in the history of the period.  I loved it, and blogged about it over on the YA Muses.

I'm currently reading GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers and wow.  Just wow.  Gorgeous history, fascinating characters, awesome premise.  And a truly kick-butt heroine.  Love.

I'm dying to read THE WICKED AND THE JUST by J. Anderson Coats.  It's set in Medieval Wales and knowing Coats, is full of wicked quips and unfortunate situations.  Plus it's been getting starred reviews.  Do I really have to wait a month?

And later this year, expect to VENOM by Fiona Paul.  Gorgeous gowns, enigmatic masks and a mystery.  Lush and full of visual detail from Renaissance Venice.

Any historical novels you're looking forward to this year?  That you've read already and can't wait to read more?