Thursday, August 22, 2013

Highlighted VOYA Review of IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS

I'm thrilled beyond words to announce that VOYA Magazine has given In the Shadow of Blackbirds its fourth starred review! VOYA, which stands for Voices of Youth Advocates, is the leading library journal for YA librarians, and it has its own unique rating system. Unlike other trade review publications, they technically give highlighted reviews instead of starred reviews, and they rank a book's popularity on a scale of 1P to 5P, with 5P meaning "Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday." I actually just learned all of this info after I received the In the Shadow of Blackbirds review, and I'm extremely honored that the magazine gave the book a highlighted review and such high rankings.

Here's an excerpt:

“All of the historical elements—fascination with séances, women working long days in factories, young men severely disfigured by the war—are rolled naturally into Mary Shelley's quest to discover Stephen's fate. Romance fans will love Stephen's ghostly visits to Mary Shelley... Mystery lovers will enjoy the satisfactory resolution of the puzzle. Of particular interest is Winters's treatment of the condition of 'shell shock,' which becomes relevant each time there is a war. Recommend this title to fans of Libba Bray's The Diviners.”
VOYA Magazine, Diane Colson 4Q 5P J S

For more trade reviews, please visit my Reviews page.

Monday, August 12, 2013

New: A Fan Art Page

I've just launched The Embers Gallery: a brand-new page for In the Shadow of Blackbirds artwork, spirit photography, and book trailers, all made by fans of the novel. The gallery is located at www.blackbirdsnovel.com/p/embers-gallery.html, and it's a little sparse right now, but I really wanted to start showcasing the readers who have already paid tribute to the novel. I greatly appreciate fans' creativity and enjoyment of In the Shadow of Blackbirds.

Here's the very first piece of fan art I received:

"A Happy Ending," by Danielle-chan
I love it! Feel free to send your own In the Shadow of Blackbirds artwork and reader-inspired book trailers to catwintersbooks AT gmail.com. You must own the rights to anything you submit.

Thank you, readers!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Booklist's Top 10 Horror Fiction for Youth

I'm thrilled beyond words to announce that In the Shadow of Blackbirds made Booklist's Top 10 Horror Fiction for Youth list, available in the August 2013 "Spotlight on Horror" issue. My little novel was included with books by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (one of my modern-day literary heroes), Daniel Kraus, Gretchen McNeil, Rick Yancey, and other extremely talented YA and middle-grade horror novelists. I'm absolutely speechless.

Thank you, Booklist, for once again showing In the Shadow of Blackbirds some love!

Other Booklist spotlights on the novel:


Saturday, August 3, 2013

More Details about THE CURE FOR DREAMING

As part of the second annual Authors Are Rockstars Tour, I'm divulging more details about my next novel, The Cure for Dreaming, at the wonderful Carina's Books. The book won't be available until Fall 2014, but over at Carina's site you can learn a little more about the plot and discover which classic horror novel plays a role in the storyplus I'm revealing the name of my young hypnotist character for the very first time. I'm also offering an In the Shadow of Blackbirds/The Cure for Dreaming signed swag giveaway.

My talented Amulet Books editor, Maggie Lehrman, will be sending her editorial notes for this new book in the next month or so, which means I'll soon be ducking away to work on her suggested revisions. She's extremely excited about the novel; I'm extremely excited about it, and I can't wait to share even more info about it.

In the meantime, definitely check out my Authors Are Rockstars post, and if you so desire, have a listen to the song that frequently runs through my head when I'm talking about this historical hypnotist novel of mine...