Cover Explosion!!!

We promise we'll be getting back to the truths and dares soon. But we've had a recent explosion of cover reveals, and since they're far cooler than anything we could put together, we had to share. I mean, LOOK AT ALL THIS GORGEOUSNESS:

FROZEN, by Erin Bowman

(Sequel to TAKEN)

HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW, by Natalie Whipple
(a brand spankin' new story and world)

SPLIT SECOND, by Kasie West

(Sequel to PIVOT POINT)

LET THE STORMS BREAK, by Shannon Messenger

(Sequel to LET THE SKY FALL)

For more information on any of these books, just click the book titles--they're handy links to goodreads (and hey--you can choose to add them to your shelves, if you want!)

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Shannon Messenger Takes the Dare

Phew--it feels like I haven't posted here in FOREVER! 

*glances at date of last Shannon-post* 

*blushes*

Wow, looks like my deadlines got the better of me for a while. But never fear--I. am. back! 

And apparently I've tweeted a few too many times about a certain frumpy pair of pants I wear when I'm home writing, because when it was my fellow Thirteeners turn to dare me, they jumped right in with a challenge I'd been hoping to avoid: SHOW THE FRUMPY SWEATPANTS OF DOOM. 

*sigh*

All right, FINE. Here they are:

Though I gotta admit: scary as that photo is, it REALLY doesn't capture the true frumpiness of these pants (though it does give me a shocking glimpse of what my bed-hair looks like...)  

Neither did this one--though it was getting a *little* closer:

(Side note: WHAT IS THAT POSE?????) 

You can *kinda* see how the elastic waistband is so stretched out that the pants sag down to like, mid-thigh. But film just couldn't  really seem to capture the full extent of the Shannon Shame. So to make up for it, I thought I'd ALSO share the full range of Oh-So-Fabulous things I wear when I stay home writing. 

I call these my "Work Pajamas" (yes, really):

Basically they're soft, cozy PJs I change into when I wake up, so I get the benefit of staying-in-my-PJs-all-day without the slightly gross side effect of wearing-the-same-clothes-day-and-night. And yes, they have little dogs on them. 

(Side note again: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY HAIR????)

And let's not forget the lovely stretch pants + husband's-Batman-T-Shirt combo that makes an appearance on warmer days...

Bonus: they're capri stretch pants. But I cropped that part out of the photo because my blinding white, haven't-had-a-tan-in-YEARS legs were too much for anyone to handle. It was also hard to tell where they ended and my wall began...

And I know *some* of you (rather kind people) might be thinking the wardrobe isn't THAT bad. But I promise, it is. Especially when you consider that these three outfits are essentially the ONLY things I wear, unless it's one of those rare days when I actually get out of the house and therefore have to make SOME effort to look cute.  The rest of the time, it's this. 

BE JEALOUS OF ALL THE GLAMOUR!!!!

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Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned--among other things--that she liked watching movies much better than making them. So she left LA and moved to suburbia where she would have time to eat too many cupcakes, own too many cats, and write lots and lots of books. LET THE SKY FALL is her first young adult novel, coming in Spring 2013 from Simon Pulse. She is also the author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, book one in a middle grade series launching Fall 2012 (S&S Aladdin). Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.

Today is LET THE SKY FALL day!

I have been looking forward to today for months now. It's the launch day for Shannon Messenger's LET THE SKY FALL! I had the pleasure of reading this book several weeks ago, but now I can finally own my own pretty hardback copy. Trust me, this book is so beautifully written and romantic and action-packed that you all will adore it.

Here's the description:

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

Just check out this awesome book trailer:

And, in honor of how much I loved this book, I decided to compose a song to express how this book made me feel. I really tried to capture the feeling of two people in love, standing together against enormous dangers. Here are some of the lyrics:

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I know I'd never be me witout the security

Of your loving arms keeping me from harm

Put your hand in my hand

And we'll stand....

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall

Okay...I admit it. I didn't write those brilliant lyrics. We have Adele to thank for that, and even though her song and the book have no official connection, they just fit so perfectly that I couldn't help it! If I had any musical talent whatsoever, I would have composed a song, but until that day, I'll always think of Shannon's wonderful book when I hear this...

Congrats again, Shannon!

You can find out more about Shannon from her website or Twitter. Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

Shannon Messenger Takes the Truth

Okay, I know I usually vlog--and I know there's some lovely humiliating Shannon-vlog dares that you guys have submitted for me--but with moving and deadlines I just did not have time this week. So NEXT TIME!

And for now, I'm answering this truth that came in:

What were some working titles for your book that didn't make the final cut?

I picked that one because titling LET THE SKY FALL was ... basically torture. 

I'm glad we went through it because I love love LOVE my title and am soooooo glad my editor and I kept pushing until we got there. But getting there SUCKED.

My original title was WINDWALKER, which is another name for the sylphs in the book and sort of the impetus behind the whole idea for me. (part of me is secretly hoping I can sneak it into the series title somehow, mostly because I STILL slip and call it Windwalker sometimes, and then I wouldn't look like an idiot) (but I'm not holding my breath for that).  I knew early on that it would change, because my publisher wanted something more romantic to match the story better--and I was totally fine with that. But finding something that had a romantic feel without reading like a book that needed shirtless Fabio on the cover was NOT easy. 

I sent my poor editor list upon list upon list of suggestions--all of which were rejected. (to be fair--I am TERRIBLE at titles, so they were all pretty much crap). I emailed friends who'd read, begging for ideas. When those didn't help I sent a short synopsis to friends who hadn't read. Still nothing. My publisher and I seriously went through HUNDREDS of options. And as tends to happen, I liked some ideas that they didn't, they liked some ideas that I didn't, and since we were all committed to finding THE ONE, we kept going. For MONTHS. 

So during that stressful process I couldn't help throwing a few fake ones in the mix sometimes, just for giggles (or temporary-thesaurus-induced-insanity). Here's a few of my favorites:

The Fast and the Flurrious

Blown Away

Cold Front

First Drafts

Squall Is Lost

Though my FAVORITE was one I even made a mock cover for (and yes, I sent this to my agent and editor at one point--like I said, temporary-thesaurus-induced-insanity)

(photo credit: layoutsparks)

Right????

I mean, it's a fart joke, a wind pun, and a TWILIGHT reference in one!!!!!!

So yeah... this is why I'm not allowed to name my books. (or design my own covers, for that matter)

My middle grade (KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES) was actually titled by my agent's daughter (my editor made a couple of tweaks to her suggestion and viola! After months of me making terrible suggestions) and LET THE SKY FALL was a suggestion from Karsten Knight. I am 0 for 2!!! 

And seeing as how book two of my middle grade series is still labeled "UNTITLED KEEPER 2" I'm guessing I am not going to be much help with that one either. Let the title torture begin!

Thanks so much for reading, guys. And if any of you would like to submit a truth or dare for us to tackle, you can do that HERE. (And please do--we LOVE the awesome things you guys come up with)

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Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned--among other things--that she liked watching movies much better than making them. So she left LA and moved to suburbia where she would have time to eat too many cupcakes, own too many cats, and write lots and lots of books. LET THE SKY FALL is her first young adult novel, coming in Spring 2013 from Simon Pulse. She is also the author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, book one in a middle grade series launching Fall 2012 (S&S Aladdin). Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.

Shannon Messenger Takes the Truth

Phew--it's been a CRAZY week (and I ALMOST forgot that it was my turn!) But I remembered just in time, and I decided to tackle a truth (despite having SEVERAL evil dares in the queue with my name on them *ahem*. I will get to one of those next time, I promise!)

Anyway, I'm tackling a question a LOT of you asked, so I hope you enjoy!

Got any burning questions you're dying to ask us? Or maybe you have some terrifying dares you want to torture us with. Feel free to submit as many as you want by going HERE. And come back next week to see April take on a truth or dare.

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Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned--among other things--that she liked watching movies much better than making them. So she left LA and moved to suburbia where she would have time to eat too many cupcakes, own too many cats, and write lots and lots of books. LET THE SKY FALL is her first young adult novel, coming in Spring 2013 from Simon Pulse. She is also the author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, book one in a middle grade series launching Fall 2012 (S&S Aladdin). Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.

Shannon Messenger Takes The Truth

Looks like I'm up this week--and I left things up to random chance again and ended up with a "truth" from Alyssa. Hope you enjoy!

Got any burning questions you're dying to ask us? Or maybe you have some terrifying dares you want to torture us with. Feel free to submit as many as you want by going HERE. And come back next week to see Ellen Oh take on a truth or dare.

Also... Don't forget to tune in next Tuesday when our next mystery author will be announced...

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Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned--among other things--that she liked watching movies much better than making them. So she left LA and moved to suburbia where she would have time to eat too many cupcakes, own too many cats, and write lots and lots of books. LET THE SKY FALL is her first young adult novel, coming in Spring 2013 from Simon Pulse. She is also the author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, book one in a middle grade series launching Fall 2012 (S&S Aladdin). Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.

Shannon Messenger Takes The Dare

I WOULD be excited about my first post here at Friday the Thirteeners--if it weren't for the whole: make the new girl tackle a dare straight away thing! (okay, fine, I'm STILL excited--but I'm also nervous because I KNOW what you're about to see...)

See, here at Friday the Thirteeners, we talk about books. We talk about writing. And sometimes, apparently, we share really really embarrassing things. But that's kind of writing related too--because all that shame and humiliation = EXCELLENT FODDER FOR WRITING ANGSTY SCENES. And thanks to Jaye Robin Brown's lovely dare, I now have PLENTY of angst to draw on.

I really have no words for what you're going to learn about me--except maybe:
BLAME JAYE!



Yeah...

 Thanks a LOT, Jaye!

No really, THANK YOU. We really do appreciate people who submit truths or dares--this blog would be rather boring without it. (so if you're reading this, please, feel free to go HERE and submit some. I mean really, how often do you get a chance to torture a group of YA authors, huh? HUH?)  And to reward you for your efforts, Jaye, I'm going to give you a $13 amazon or B&N giftcard (your choice). Just email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com so I know where to send your prize.

That's all for me for now--I won't be back for a few weeks. But make sure you stop by this Friday to watch another of us get tortured tackle a truth or dare! You never know what we'll have to do/share next!

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Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned--among other things--that she liked watching movies much better than making them. So she left LA and moved to suburbia where she would have time to eat too many cupcakes, own too many cats, and write lots and lots of books. LET THE SKY FALL is her first young adult novel, coming in Spring 2013 from Simon Pulse. She is also the author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, book one in a middle grade series launching Fall 2012 (S&S Aladdin). Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.