Laurie's best blog attempt...
With dragons.
The Contents and Acknowledments Dragon is Getting Angry
Above is the new art for the Contents and Acknowledgements pages in QUEST MAKER: The Last Dragon Charmer #2 and the dragon is getting a bit riled up! It looks like it’s ready to eat someone. ROAR! It’s standing up, wings spread, and reading to attack!
This is the dragon as it is hanging out in VILLAIN KEEPER: The Last Dragon Charmer #1. It’s still a bit ornery, but hasn’t spread its wings or turned to hiss at the reader yet. Those contents and acknowledgments pages must make it hungry. And in book two, it must be ravenous.
QUEST MAKER galleys!
Look at all the lovely box o’ arcs I got in the mail today. I don’t think the UPS person knows how happy he makes me some days. 
My Best Procrastination Tips.
Currently, I need to finish my first draft of my book three (title to be announced). But there are other things I need to do first, both important and not-so-important. And since I like lists – and, really, who doesn’t like lists – I’m posting this as a list of the top ten things that help me procrastinate.
TOP TEN BEST PROCRASTINATION TIPS with estimated time used.
10. Vacuum the house. Clean the bathroom. Wash the dog. It’s hard to get work done when the floor is dirty, the bathroom isn’t spotless, and the dog smells bad. These are also great things to do because they’re the things I put off when I don’t have something more important to finish. (Procrastination time: 1-2 hours)
9. I really need to read a book, some fanfiction, or maybe watch some anime. (Procrastination time: 2-4 hours)
8. Netflix just released a new series so I’m going to watch the entire first season before I get to work. My concentration will be ten times better afterwards. Wait. You’ll see. (Procrastination time: ~14 hours)
7. There is this other book idea I have. I feel totally inspired to write about it. Like I need to write the whole book right now Maybe I’ll make a playlist to listen to while writing it. I’m so ready to write this book that isn’t due at all. (Procrastination time: 3 hours – the amount of time I can write anything before needing a break to vacuum.)
6. You know what really inspires me – The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Although my work is due in mere days, it only makes sense to spend one of those watching Legolas shoot orcs. It’s important. (Procrastination time: ~10 hours)
5. Search for gifs that I can use on my blog. My blog doesn’t have enough. It needs more and it needs them now. (Procrastination time: 30-45 min) NOTE: GIFS ADDED TO POST AT THIS POINT.
4. Think. Stare. Think. Thinking and staring and thinking take time and energy. (Procrastination time: 3-5 hours)
3. Call my brother to chat. For me, this option is only available after midnight. He stalks the night, never in sunlight is he seen. (Procrastination time: 1 hour)
2. Take a nap. (Procrastination time: 1.5 hours)
1. INTERNET. (Procrastination time: Unlimited until food or sleep are necessary)
After all that, it’s time to get to work.
The Fountainhead Bookstore Author Event
On Wednesday, July 15th, I’m going to be at The Fountainhead Bookstore in Hendersonville, NC, at 11am to talk about my book and about writing! Then, in the afternoon, I’ll be at the Hendersonville Library to do the same. It should be a fun day with sword play, magic, and mischief. There won’t be any reading Pokemon tomorrow – at least, not that I know of – but here is a reading Pokemon to hold everyone over until Wednesday’s excitement. More to come later…
Enter the Fearless Fifteeners Halfway Giveaway. Thirty-three debut novels up for grabs. This is a cool contest.
We’re halfway through our collective 2015 debut year, so it’s time for the FEARLESS FIFTEENERS HALFWAY GIVEAWAY!
You have the chance to win one of 33 novels that released January through July. The giveaway opens today and closes July 27. We will ship to addresses in the United States and Canada. On July 27, we will pull 33 winners–one per book until all books are given away.
To enter, all you have to do is click on the link at the bottom of this post, which will take you to Rafflecopter, and click on “Free entry.” For optional additional entries, you can submit a free entry each day during the giveaway. You can also follow any of the authors on Twitter whose name is click-able below. Here’s a look at the titles:
Here’s a list of the individual authors and titles. If you click on the title…
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Cover Reveal and Giveaway!!
Not only can you see the striking new cover, you can win a hardcover of book one! Use the link to view and enter!
The Last Dragon Charmer #2: Quest Maker Cover Reveal
The cover for the second book in my series will be revealed Wednesday, June 24th, at the HarperCollins Children’s Tumblr. The book two cover has great colors in my opinion and is very striking. I can’t wait to link it and show everyone.
Bookish Serendipity :)
I wrote a guest blog post for Jessica at the wonderful Bookish Serendipity. I always start with these ideas I think are great for guest blogs. This time I wrote about my nerves when I meet or approach a bookseller or blogger (or other author, actually) for the first time. Of course, now that I wrote the post, I have fret a bit. Check it out and check out her wonderful blog here. (As it’s 100 degrees here in NC, I’m also including a bookish fountain to cool everyone down!)
A nice Sunday at Malaprops
It’s always exciting to me to visit the wonderful bookstores in Asheville, NC. I’ve never met a bookstore I didn’t like, but the ones in Asheville mean a lot to me because my debut book is set in their city. Last Sunday, I was lucky enough to spend time at Malaprops. It’s a cool store with a cafe. It’s always heart-warming when someone reads and likes my book. I must admit, one of the most exciting things about visit was seeing my book as a staff pick!
The booksellers made me feel welcome. I also got to discuss my book. As a writer, that is always a good time. The other thing about answering questions and chatting about my book is it makes me think about it more. Sometimes, I realize, oh hey, this book I read a long time ago about a girl with telekinesis inspired me some.
If you’re curious about the Malaprops name, they have a nice explanation here.
It looks like my book is in great company, too!
Malaprops vist – June 14th at 3pm
Asheville is a great town with great indie bookshops. I’m so excited to visit Malaprops on June 14th at 3pm. It’s on the schedule here and everything. I have some fun and games I plan to bring. Asheville inspired my series. One of my characters is a metal artist. Whenever I write about her, I think of this sculpture in front of Malaprops!
And there will be books, too!
Laurie's best blog attempt... 