IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Twitter Chat!

On April 2 (PUBLICATION DAY!), the amazing and talented Lauren DeStefano will be hosting a Twitter chat with me at 4:00 pm EDT/1:00 pm PDT. To follow along and ask me questions, please join us at that time, using #blackbirdsnovel. The chat will likely run for about an hour.

Lauren blurbed In the Shadow of Blackbirds a while back, and ever since then she's been like an unofficial publicist for this novel. I'm so incredibly grateful for her help! Thank you, Lauren!!!

Make sure you also check out the In the Shadow of Blackbirds Blog Tour, which runs from now until April 6. Five finished copies of the novel are up for grabs in a giveaway. You can also enter a recreate-the-cover contest at The Mod Podge Bookshelf.

PUBLICATION DAY IS ALMOST HERE!!!!!!!

The IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Blog Tour!

The In the Shadow of Blackbirds Blog Tour is now underway! Gabrielle at Mod Podge Blog Tours has helped me arrange 13 haunting days of guest posts, giveaways, and interviews.

Here's where I'll be visiting and what you'll find at each stop:

March 25 - Recreate the Cover Contest @ The Mod Podge Bookshelf

March 26 - Interview @ Icey Books

March 27 - Review @ Novels, News & Notes

March 28 - An Introduction to My Ghost, Stephen Embers @ Two Chicks on Books

March 29 - Interview @ Hobbitsies

March 30 - This or That Questions @ Carina's Books

March 31 - Interview @ Book Whales

April 1 - Character Interview with Julius Embers, Spiritualist Photographer @ Read, Write and Read Some More

April 2 - PUBLICATION DAY! The Strange Story of Spirit Photography @ Mundie Moms

April 3 - This or That Questions @ Ink Skies

April 4 - In the Shadow of Blackbirds Trivia @ Teen Librarian

April 5 - Interview @ A.L. Davroe

April 6 - Character Interview with Mary Shelley Black @ IB Teen Blog

We'll be giving away finished copies of the novel and other treats!

Library Journal Spotlights IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS

"[A] gorgeous production...The book’s historic setting is as much a star as the plucky Mary Shelley..."

—Library Journal

Yesterday I was thrilled to discover that Library Journal ran an article spotlighting six debut YA novels, including In the Shadow of Blackbirds. They reviwed the book, and they also featured novels by two of my fellow members of The Lucky 13s: Kasie West (Pivot Point) and Leila Howland (Nantucket Blue).

You can read the full article at http://reviews.libraryjournal.com.

How to Pre-order Signed Copies Online

If you can't make it to my In the Shadow of Blackbirds launch party at Powell's Books on April 6, but you still want a signed copy, I have a shiny-new option for you:

Pre-order a signed copy at Powells.com!

I'll be signing the pre-ordered copies at the event, and then Powell's will ship the books to customers.

If you can attend the launch party, there's no need for you to pre-order a copy. I will sign your book in person directly after the reading. Here are the details for the event:

In the Shadow of Blackbirds Launch Party

Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing

Beaverton, Oregon

Saturday, April 6, 2013

4:00 PM

Reading, signing, giveaways, 

ghostly historical photos, & cupcakes! 

Getting closer...

FREE COUNTDOWN WIDGET

I'm busy writing guest posts and responding to interview questions in preparation for the book's release. Next week I should have some info about ordering signed finished copies.

Check back soon for updates...

Behind the Scenes: The IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Cover Design

Today at The Lucky 13s, I'm interviewing Maria T. Middleton, Associate Art Director at ABRAMS, about her cover design for In the Shadow of Blackbirds. Find out what TV series' opening credits inspired the title type, learn how the ghost on the cover was created, and view cover shoot photos and the initial cover comp:

Cover Scoop: In the Shadow of Blackbirds

More Giveaways!

Here are the latest In the Shadow of Blackbirds giveaways:

Lenore Appelhans of Presenting Lenore is hosting a joint review discussion of In the Shadow of Blackbirds with Christina at A Reader of Fictions. Five advance copies of the novel are available to win in a giveaway that ends March 8, 2013.

A Reader of Fictions has selected In the Shadow of Blackbirds as the March Book of the Month! Head over to her site to enter to win a finished hardcover copy of the novel.

The Young Adult Connection is hosting my "Why YA?" guest post and running an international In the Shadow of Blackbirds charm bracelet giveaway. Ends March 7, 2013.

Thanks so much to everyone who's helping me promote this novel's rapidly approaching release date!

If you're interested in purchasing a copy the novel, it's available to pre-order at most online bookstores, including Amazon.com, BN.com, IndieBound, Powell's, and Book Depository. Or request a copy for your library through WorldCat.org.

Coming Monday, March 4:

A behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot and design decisions that went into creating the In the Shadow of Blackbirds cover!