I'm doing an AMA over at the YA reddit today, so go forth and ask me questions.
And I'll figure out the contest winner of the #YASH bonus Kindle contest later tonight and post here/notify the winner within the next day.
The launch party was a blast; thanks to all who came.
If you're here for the #YASH, post is right below this one or click here.
A few very nice things. Girl on a Wire is on some lists for October books:
*beams*
Also, there are new interviews/media things:
Speaking of which, it says you should come to the launch party at the Morris Book Shop tomorrow at 5:30 and get signed books and eat cake and watch circus performances and have SO MUCH FUN. And you should. Look at that window:
If you want signed copies, the best way to get them is to call Morris Book Shop before tomorrow night or contact Joseph-Beth Booksellers Lexington store (where Christopher works, so he can get me to sign 'em and they'll ship for a small fee) (I love both our bookstores! our booksy riches runneth over).
Have a great weekend!
Welcome to this stop of the YA Scavenger Hunt extravaganza!
I'm Gwenda Bond *wave* and my stop on the hunt is being hosted by my wonderful agent sister Paula Stokes, where you can take a gander at a deleted scene from Girl on a Wire (it's from early on the book, so shouldn't spoil things if you haven't read it yet and it's where Jules actually convinces her dad to go to the Cirque, plus there's pie).
If you're new to the hunt, this tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 
72 hours!
Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are SIX contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or both! (Go for two, three, or all! These are pretty amazing prize packages we're talking about here.) I'm a part of the BLUE TEAM–but there are also five other teams with a chance to win a whole different set of signed books.
If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage. (And an extra round of *applause* for organizers extraordinaire Colleen Houck and Beth Revis.)
…
YA Scavenger Hunt Is Afoot! (Plus: Mega-Bonus Contest)Read More »
YA Scavenger Hunt Is Afoot! (Plus: Mega-Bonus Contest) Read More »
*pops out of a cake*
Why, hello there. So unofficial e-release was last month, but now GIRL ON A WIRE is officially a book!
My third, which is a little boggling. I'm so so grateful to anyone who's picked up one of my books, and I very much hope you'll pick up this one too. I know we're not supposed to have favorites, but this is mine of my books so far.
Here are some handy ordering links, if you don't need the rest of this and just want to go. get. the. book:
Girl on a Wire
by Gwenda Bond
Skyscape – Oct. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1477847824
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Powells
The audio book is also out today and if you have the e-book, you can whisper-sync it up. The hardcover and the paperback are both gorgeous. (Also, it's currently still in the top 25 overall on Kindle and #2 in Teen — not too shabby for release day! ACK. All the love to my Skyscape team and y'all. <333)
OTHER THINGS you might want to gander:
Need convincing on the party (or the beateousness of the finished copies), look at this:
We are so proud of our friend @Gwenda! Please join us for the Girl on a Wire launch party, Sat., Oct. 4 at 5:30 pm. pic.twitter.com/gEz7G98ZkW
— Morris Book Shop (@morrisbookshop) October 1, 2014
And I think the best convincing comes from readers, so I'll leave you with this:
This is one of my fave reader reviews so far and a nice one to wake up to on release day. #GirlonaWireDay pic.twitter.com/Jv704Ll3jz
— Ghostly Gwenda BOOnd (@Gwenda) October 1, 2014
It’s ALIVE! Girl Release Day! Read More »
Hello, my lovelies! I'm officially in that pre-launch state where life stuff and book stuff and future book stuff and et ceteras are combining into what can only be a state of madness. (Hopefully the divine variety.) There is not enough time in the day, but somehow, magically, the next week will be lived through and everything will get done.
A few little things:
Are you in the Lexington area? Then come out to the Girl on a Wire launch party — this isn't just going to be any old launch — the details, which were just confirmed and I did a little dance:
Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.: Girl on a Wire launch party–circus-themed, of course–at Morris Book Shop in Lexington, KY. "Join us as we celebrate Gwenda's success with Hors d'oeuvres, drinks and surprise appearances." Come early! Because the surprise is that the Tinderbox Circus Sideshow will be performing (!!!) before I kick off the official portion of the evening, and sticking around to perform later while I sign books. And there will be cake and festiveness!
That's right — fancy circus cake, sideshow performers, books for sale. It should be a memorable time, and fun for all . . . just like the circus itself.
And, by the way, my heartfelt thanks to those of you who've already read the book, and who've reached out to let me know and/or reviewed the book. Word-spreading is appreciated as always if you enjoy it, especially as we enter officially-out-time. Your support, no matter what form it comes in, is always noted. I'm particularly glad so many of you are digging this one. <3
Meanwhile! A few other exciting things:
Speaking of giveaways:
And I think that's it for now. *falls over* More soooooon.
Ack! A Few Quick Things Read More »
Deadlines swarming, needs-to-finish massing, promo squall on the horizon, etc. But quote-y picture-y thing the second from Girl on a Wire:
The road scene is Indiana, of course.
Available in e-book now, in all formats Oct. 1. I just got author copies and they are so. beautiful.
Previously: quote the first.
I'll be sharing some images that inspired and quotes from Girl on a Wire for the next few weeks. Here's the first one:
This is Jules on her hero, Bird Millman, pictured right. (Also at Tumblr, so reblog if you like, or share wherever takes your fancy.) And, of course, the book's out now in e-book, in other formats October 1.
I also commited newsletterdom over the weekend, which you can read here.
Pretty Picture + Newslettered Read More »
A few more Lois-y things:
"@LBardugo: .@Gwenda a Slytherin's work is never done" We can't behave. Send help.
— Gwenda Bond (@Gwenda) August 29, 2014
Hmm, what else? I have an event this weekend at the Woodford County Library. These are always fun, not least because our PENS ARE ON FIRE (not really, that would be dangerous). The details:
Pens on Fire – Young Adult Authors: Come hear popular Young Adult authors talk about their work, writing tips, and paths to publication. Authors include Gwenda Bond, Sarah Combs, C.C. Marks, Katie McGarry, and Heather Sunseri. Free – Sign up today! 9/6/14, 2-4pm, Main Library.
And last but not least:
You can still enter to win the fancy Paperwhite with the custom 
cover featuring the gorgeous Girl on a Wire cover illustrated and designed by Neil Swaab: just sign up for the newsletter or comment on that post with something you love or hate about the circus. Contest ends Friday at noon.
If you snagged the book on special, read it and like it, please consider dropping a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads or spreading the word wherever you like best. And if you haven't snagged it, well, what are you waiting for? Lee Child totally edged me down in the rankings. *wink* I kid! Feel free to wait and buy a hard copy. Or ask your library to order it. Basically: please to buy or otherwise legally procure wherever you like, read, and let me or the world know what you think. Without you lovely readers, I don't get to do this. And I like doing this.
Now it's our tenth wedding anniversary, so there must be a little celebrating, and there's another book to finish. So *poof*.
Miscellany + Local Event Read More »
By which I mean it's a Kindle First pick this month, in advance of its official release October 1. What does that mean? Besides the fact I did some chair-dancing?
It means it's one of four books that you can read in e-book a month early, if you have a Kindle or use the Kindle app on one of your devices. Prime members can pick one free, and anyone with a Kindle or app can snag one for $1.99. It's that simple.
If your book is chosen for this program, obviously it means that more people are likely to see your book. But it also means that your editor writes something about it. And in my case, Courtney Miller wrote something so gorgeous and beautiful, I hardly feel worthy of it. It's truly been a gift to work with Courtney, Kate Chynoweth, Deborah Bass, Timoney Korbar and the whole Skyscape team, who have believed in this oddball book of mine since the start. And, of course, thanks always to my agent, Jenn Laughran, ringmaster of my career. So, do you like daredevils? Do you like feeling like the normal world is hiding secrets?
Go here to get your copy and read what Courtney wrote (or get one of the others — I'm sure they are all fabulous!).
Don't have a Kindle? Well, this week I'll be giving away this Kindle Paperwhite the publisher had made with an awesome custom cover *and* which is pre-loaded with the book. (I'll give away a couple more later on.)
What do you have to do to win? You can get up to two entries:
1) Sign up for my newsletter here by Friday, Sept. 5 at noon midnight. (If you're already signed up for the newsletter, you are already entered for this one.)
2) Drop a comment below with something you love (or hate — if you're some sort of deviant!) about circuses or daredevils.
U.S. only (as Steph reminded me to clarify in the comments). And if you'd rather have the print or audio edition (why not collect the whole set? ;-), then October 1 will be here before you know it.
p.s. *waves* to any lovely people I met at DragonCon — which was such a treat. More on that later.
ETA: Number four! Um, wow. That is a thing that happened. If you enjoy the book, I'd love it if you left a review at Amazon or Goodreads or otherwise help spread the word. <3
Surprise! GIRL ON A WIRE Is E-arly! Read More »
I'll be at DragonCon this weekend participating in the YA track — I'll happily sign books for anyone after the panels or my reading. I'll be reading from Girl on a Wire (out so soon!), but I also just might give a little sneak preview of Lois too. *whistles innocently* Come so I'm not reading to an empty room + my mom (who's tagging along to Atlanta for some R&R).
My schedule:
Title: Urban Fantasy in YA
Description: We love a little magic, monsters, super powers—but rooted in the real world. What makes a compelling urban fantasy, and what are your faves?
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: A707 – Marriott
Panelists: Delilah S. Dawson, Gwenda Bond, Cinda Williams Chima, Bonnie Kunzel, Mari MancusiTitle: Reading: Gwenda Bond
Time: Sat 1:00 pm Location: University – HyattTitle: Beyond Genre: Behind the Boom of Realistic YA Fiction
Description: The Fault is Our Stars is just the tip of the iceberg—realistic YA fiction is booming, and there’s a lot to love beyond genre.
Time: Sun 11:30 am Location: A707 – Marriott
Panelists: Stephanie Perkins, Gwenda Bond, Debbie Viguié, Michelle Hodkin
And now the news…
I continue to be overwhelmed by everyone's enthusiasm and congratulations about Fallout — and it is that much more fun to now be sharing it with you. It brings a tear to my cold dark-hearted eyeballs (um, might need more sleep, or more coffee) to be proven right about how much love exists for Lois. To those of you who've gone out of your way to tell me you trust me with this, I'm so very grateful. And, of course, I hope you still feel that way once you've read the book. *insert winking emoji here* Yesterday's post with more details, in case you missed it.
So, what are people saying? A little media round-up:
I'm sure I missed a couple. It's refreshing that there hasn't been much smack-talking about YA.
Now also feels like a good time to remind everyone that you should sign up for my newsletter if you want to make sure you don't miss any news. I try to keep them to quarterly, and I'll be sending out an issue next week.
Without further ado, today's teaser. This one might be my favorite. Chills.
I'm stepping out from behind the cape. @DCComics #teaser pic.twitter.com/7ksuyHCAyr
— Switch Press (@SwitchPressPub) August 27, 2014
DragonCon Schedule + Media Round-Up + Lois Teaser Read More »