GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Signing with Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong + give away | I Smell Sheep

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Book Signing with Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong + give away

When I heard that Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr and Kelly Armstrong were coming to Chapel Hill, NC for a book signing, well…I decided it was time for a ROAD TRIP! Lucky for me it was only a 1 ½ hour drive to FlyLeaf Book Store.
Hello little sheep with no name

This was the last stop on their three day tour. They had spent the last three days traveling in a Mini Cooper.


Did I feel like a stalker taking this picture? Well, in my defense it was parked right next to mine




There were probably 50 people at the signing, including Jenna Black, author of The Faeriewalker Series and Dark Descendant (snagged some signed bookmarks from her <G>). Since all three authors would answer each question they only had time for 6 questions. That was a little disappointing, but they wanted to make sure there was time for all the signing, and I think they were ready to head home <G>



Unfortunately, no one asked anything terribly original. I got to ask a question and they opted for a funny one when I asked what kind they wanted (at the time I didn’t realize it would be the only question I got to ask). I asked if they let the dog/cat watch while they wrote the naughty parts. They laughed, but weren’t about to touch that <G>. Kelley did say when she wrote on her laptop in public she would just write “insert sex scene” because she was afraid someone would look over her shoulder and see.





Here is some random info I learned:

1. Melissa Marr use to teach English at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. I did my graduate work there!

2. Melissa stared writing when her husband was deployed overseas (Marine Corp). It was either write or worry.

3. When Melissa writes, she wants to block everything else out. She uses different playlists for each character and book to help with this. Kelley admitted to forgetting about her child at school because she was writing. Jeaniene told the story about how she walked out of her house to go to her day job and realized she wasn’t wearing any pants!

4. Melissa couldn’t give any details about the Wicked Lovely movie, but there is a script, director and they have moved to a new studio. They also got their first pick for one of the actresses, but again, she couldn’t say who <G>. They have also signed writers for the Graveminder TV show. Kelley said the rights to Bitten have been sold to Canadian TV.

5. When asked about inspiration Melissa said Folklore from her childhood. She said her next YA book was inspired by the phrase “Carnival of Souls” from a song by the group Murder By Death. Kelley said she got hers from everywhere! Jeaniene told the story of her dream of a half vampire woman arguing with a full vampire male about why she left him as the inspiration for Bones and Cat. The villain in her latest book came from a show she saw on the history channel years ago about the witch trials.

6. They all had the same advice about working with agents. Basically, you need to research and look out for scams. Jeaniene was a victim to a scam early in her career. You *never pay money. Kelley said the money only flows one way, to the author.

7. Melissa told a story about the day her book hit the NY Best Sellers list. She got a rejection letter saying her book was utterly unpublishable and unmarketable. She kept that letter <G>.

8. They all like the idea of the epublishing market, especially for short fiction. Melissa said authors get 8-12% of the money in traditional publishing. Ebooks bring in 15% and once expenses have been covered the rest is profit. It is a win-win for the author and traditional publishers are going to have to be more *fair about what they give to their authors. All three talked about how important editors are and how important it is to be professional. Writing might be all about creativity, but publishing is a business and you need to treat it like one.

Kelley says she has a story for Clay and Elena and thanks to epublishing, has a way to share that one day.

Even though I didn’t hear this…when you put three authors in a small car for three days, there is going to be “talk” of “things” “together”…but I didn’t hear this, okay?

That was about the gist of things. Everyone lined up and got books signed and pictures taken.

Contest


So, what do I have for you guys? I got the first book in each author’s series signed.
Halfway to the Grave, Wicked Lovely and Bitten. There are matching signed bookmarks with each book and a signed bookmark from Jenna Black with each book

I must confess that I screwed up with the Jeaniene Frost book. I accidentally gave her my name and she signed it “To Sharon, Life is short, bite hard”

I will pick three winners, but only one can be an international winner.

1. Tell me which book(s) you want to be entered for (you can enter your name for one, two or all three books)
2. Suggest a name for my little Sheep friend!

*double entries if you are a follower.
(will use the dryer method to pick the winners)

Contest ends: Sept 28 at midnight

40 comments:

  1. Thanks for making one winner international!
    I would like to be entered for Wicked Lovely and Bitten :)

    Sheep name suggestions (I couldn't stop at just one) Pumpernickel or scooter.

    I am a follower- Jet

    ReplyDelete
  2. i would love to enter all three but would love to win halfway to the grave
    thanks for making the comp international its great and loved the information on the authors

    the name i thought of as soon as i seen said lovely sheep ( i want one) is Sisco
    i am a follower

    jenny

    madsheepno1@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love to win Kelley Armstrong or Jeaniene Frost :-) Thank you!

    I don´t know but your sheep looks like a Dexter to me :-)

    sonkad(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would like to be entered for Halfway to the Grave and Bitten. International!
    For your cutie sheep I suggest, Khenzee =)
    gfc follower:blackplume
    blackplum3{at}gmail{dot}com
    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I wouldn't mind winning either of these books as I dont seem to get many author signings around my home here and I am a fan of all 3 authors. As for your sheep friend, she looks like a Cassie to me.

    +1 GFC: LadyVampire2u
    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please enter me for Wicked Lovely.
    And I think the sheep should be named Fluffikins Woolington

    sullivanmcpig(at)gmail(dot)com
    international

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to be entered for Bitten

    Sheep name should be Baaily or Clayton just because it's an opposite

    jncornette@hotmail.com
    JJ Cornette

    ReplyDelete
  8. yay international!
    any of the books would be awesome, but i do love kelley armstrong...

    and my bf says lambchops.. lol

    alainala@hotmail dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please enter me for Wicked Lovely

    for a name "Baaxter"

    I'm a follower also

    drakenfyre75[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would like to be entered for all three books. Thank you for the giveaway, I'm international.
    GFC follower as Diana
    Name for your sheep: Clara

    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow, there are some great names here Katie! I will have to get them all together pick a few favorites and then maybe have a poll over at the FB group . I can send some sheep swag to the nominees and winner...

    ReplyDelete
  12. You had so much fun! Enter me only for Bitten, please =) I'm INT and GFC follower: Liss125

    Name for your sheep: Kitto or Minga

    Lissette_125 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'd like Halfway to the Grave.
    (I think Baaxter was a cute suggestion.)

    GFC Anne38
    acm05atjuno.com

    BTW for any non-winners of this one, it's supposed to be on sale in e version for $1.99 right now.

    ReplyDelete
  14. How fun! Thanks for sharing your experiences - I've never been to an author signing and wondered what it would be like. The Melissa Marr book looks intriguing (I have the other two).

    I'm suggesting Baartholom-ewe for your sheep (yeah, I know, it's dreadful, LOL)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the giveaway ! I'm a follower (Melliane) and I'm international.

    I would love to win Wicked Lovely !

    For the name, I think I will pick : Emile

    ellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to win any of the three.
    I'm a gfc follower.

    I think the name should be Lizzie.

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. That sounds like it would have been an awesome road trip, even if it was only an hour and a half!

    I would love to win any of the three, I've not read any of them.

    I am a GFC follower

    And as much as I love the commenter above me for suggesting Lizzie (heehee!) I suggest Shooby. I don't know why. I always want to name animals Shooby.

    eaz130@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like a fantastic time!! :-)
    I would LOVE to be entered for Halfway to the Grave, please!
    I think she(?) looks like a Shelby :-)
    I am US.

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wish I could have been there.
    Bitten, please.
    Your little sheep should be "Scooby" since
    You like mystery and bumps in the night!
    Valerie.Eidson@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I want to be entered for all of them :p

    I think you should name you sheep the name of the 1st hero you fell for in a book

    I'm a follower

    ReplyDelete
  21. Enter me for any of the three books thank you.

    I follow.

    I would call the sheep: Barsely.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to be entered for all three but have to say I would love to have Halfway to the Grave more! >.<

    I am a follower. :)(Holly)

    The name Cameron comes to mind for your little sheep’s name. He looks so happy to be with the authors! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing about your fun time and for the lovely giveaway opportunity. Please add a fabric softener sheet to my entry so it does not get caught in the lint trap LOL I would love to read Bitten.

    I think the sheep's name should be Baaaabite :)

    I am definitely a follower (Denise Zaky)

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would have loved to attend this book signing. Please enter me for any of the three books.

    A name for the sheep could be Rover.

    I am international and a GFC follower :)
    Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love book signings, authors rock....name the sheep bookbaabaa. lisapeters at yahoo dot com I follow Lisa thanks bookhimdanno.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm international
    I would like to be entered for Melissa Marr
    name for your sheep: Paffi
    blogmicia@yahoo.it
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Please enter me all 3 of the books!

    I like the name Cooper for the sheepy. Since, you know, your query was rolling around in a Mini Cooper.

    Saph
    saphsbookblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Totally would love to be entered for all three books...love them all!!

    name for your lambie friend: Baaaarney

    I'm a follower
    I'm also international (canada)
    bjkuhl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. AAAH may I PLEASE be entered for Bitten?

    And I like the name Derek for the sheep :)

    Steph
    atira969@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Enter me for any of the three books

    I'm a follower

    Name: Jessie

    aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Please put me in the draw for Bitten or Wicked Lovely I'm international.

    Name could be Shaggy or Wooley (Wally even)

    I'm a follower.

    ticklebear2 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ooooh. I'm so jealous. I'd love for these gals to visit Down Under. Kelley did this year, but she didn't visit my state :(

    Please count me in for them all--thanks for making it international. It means the world to be included.

    Hmmm, I'm thinking the name....Roco, for your little sheepy friend....looks like a Roco to me =D

    I'm a follower!

    rachybee101@live.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  33. 1. I'm international. I'd love to win Bitten!
    2. Sammy the sheep!

    I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for all those fun tidbits about such great authors! I'd love to be entered for all three :D

    IAN is a great name for a nameless sheep - for some reason I think of Ireland/Scotland when I think of sheep.

    brilliant dot love at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please enter me for all three books.
    My suggestion for a name for your sheep Baabaara.
    US
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. All three :)

    Sheeply or Lambert Woolington

    joleene (at) joleenenaylor.com

    I am glad to see the sheep was un-named for a reason, LOL! Looks like a great time was had by all!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Awesome giveaway - sounded like fun *g*

    Enter me into the draw for Wicked Lovely pls(international)

    anywho my name suggestion for the sheep would be "Matilda"

    xander_316(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. contest is closed! Will be picking winners and announcing my sheep baby's name :) soon

    ReplyDelete
  39. Winners:)
    Mary - Half-way to the Grave
    Jacqui - Wicked Lovely
    DeniseZ - Bitten

    ReplyDelete