tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249945772024-03-14T03:30:42.618-04:00Maureen McGowan's BlogBlog for author Maureen McGowanMaureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-80154388677170788362013-11-06T11:00:00.000-05:002013-11-06T11:00:00.136-05:00This Blog has Moved!My blog is now, finally, integrated with my website at <a href="http://www.maureenmcgowan.com/">www.maureenmcgowan.com</a><br />
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All the archives back to early 2006 are uploaded into the new digs and I'm (slowly) categorizing them so that they're easier to find.<br />
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Come on by and see my (still under construction) <a href="http://www.maureenmcgowan.com/" target="_blank">new digs</a>!<br />
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<br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-76229637151268946692013-10-23T12:37:00.000-04:002013-10-23T12:37:18.558-04:00I won!I was thrilled to find out on Friday evening that COMPLIANCE won the Golden Leaf for best YA! (Thank goodness for twitter! I thought the awards were Saturday night.)<br />
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The award is given out by the New Jersey chapter of the RWA. I wish I'd been at the conference to collect the hardware, but alas. :(<br />
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This nomination and win were especially gratifying since COMPLIANCE is the middle book in a trilogy, and it's not exactly a romance... So, I was very pleased that the judges felt that a) it worked as a standalone and b) the romance elements were satisfying. (Worried me in a middle book.)<br />
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I had a friend accept the award for me and I'll have to get together with her soon to get my hands on it! I'll post a photo of the award once I see it. :)<br />
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In other good news, Compliance made the "Best Books" list put together twice a year by the <a href="http://www.bookcentre.ca/" target="_blank">Canadian Children's Book Centre</a>!<br />
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Speaking of the CCBC, I was at the CCBC's awards last night, sponsored by TD Bank. It was a fabulous event and a great time to catch up with lots of author friends.<br />
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Here's a slightly blurry snap of me with author Adrienne Kress (also currently starring in a fun Chum FM commercial if some of you local Toronto peeps recognize her).<br />
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<br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-62428840727243409552013-10-10T06:31:00.000-04:002013-10-10T06:31:00.836-04:00Sara Hantz Cover Reveal!Today I'm revealing not one, but two covers for upcoming books by Sara Hantz. Sara's been an on-line writer pal since -- since forever -- and I'm thrilled that she's got two new books coming out!<br />
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<i>In the Blood</i> releases November 5 and <i>Will the Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up? </i>releases May 6, 2014.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">In the Blood</span></b></i><br />
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For seventeen years Jed Franklin’s life was normal. Then his father was charged with the abuse and murder of four young boys and normal became a nightmare. <br />
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His mom’s practically a walking zombie, he’s lost most of his friends, and the press camps out on his lawn. The only things that keep him sane are his little sis; his best friend and dream girl, Summer; and the alcohol he stashes in his room. But after Jed wakes up from a total blackout to discover a local kid has gone missing—a kid he was last seen talking to—he’s forced to face his greatest fear: that he could somehow be responsible. <br />
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In a life that’s spiraled out of control, Jed must decide if he chooses his own destiny with Summer by his side or if the violent urges that plagued his father are truly in the blood… <br />
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<b>Excerpt </b><br />
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<b>Chapter One</b><br />
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<b>Pedophile</b>: <i>Noun</i><br />
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An adult who is sexually attracted to children.<br />
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Scum.<br />
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Sleazeball.<br />
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Creep.<br />
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Loser.<br />
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Lowlife.<br />
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Asswipe.<br />
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Dad.<br />
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<b>Chapter Two</b> <br />
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Benjamin Franklin. <i>My Dad</i>.<br />
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Not that Benjamin Franklin.<br />
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<i>That </i>Benjamin Franklin.<br />
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Pedophile and murderer.<br />
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Freaked out?<br />
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Did you even know a bastard like that could lead a regular life?<br />
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With a wife and two children. A son and a daughter. No, nor did we. Until it was too late.<br />
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Too fucking late.<br />
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The numbing shock when he was arrested. The disbelief. The conviction that the police had gotten it wrong. Way wrong. Even in the face of damning evidence, we knew that the truth would come out. That the evidence got switched. That there was a cover up, or something.<br />
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<i>Something</i>.<br />
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Then the police found locks of hair belonging to each of those dead boys, so well hidden in the little trinket box my dad’s mom gave him on her deathbed.<br />
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Then we knew. <i>Really knew</i>.<br />
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And that’s when our lives changed.<br />
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Forever.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/18657754-in-the-blood">Add </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/18657754-in-the-blood">In the Blood</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/18657754-in-the-blood"> to your Goodreads shelf.</a> <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Will the Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up? </span></b></i><br />
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Abi Saunders might be a kickboxing champion, but when it comes to being the center of attention, she’d rather take a roundhouse kick to the solar plexus any day. So when her trainer convinces her to audition to be the stunt double for hot teen starlet Tilly Watson, Abi is shocked—and a little freaked out—when she gets the job.<br />
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Being a stunt double is overwhelming, but once the wig and makeup are on, Abi feels like a different person. Tilly Watson, to be exact. And when Tilly’s gorgeous boyfriend, Jon, mistakes Abi for the real star, Abi's completely smitten. In fact, she’s so in love with her new life, it isn’t long before she doesn’t have time for her old one.<br />
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But when the cameras are turned off, will she discover running with the Hollywood A-list isn’t quite the glamorous existence she thought it was?<br />
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<b>Excerpt</b><br />
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“Abi, for God’s sake, concentrate,” Zak shouts. “Fairies don’t look like elephants when they fly. Legs together, arms graceful, and glide. Please.”<br />
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My cheeks are crimson and I want to die. I know he’s the director and has the right to holler, but doesn’t he understand that the louder he is the worse I am? We must have gone over this move fifty times and I still can’t get it. And I know, without even looking, the other guys have lost it with me. It’s easy for them but I’m a kick-boxer, not a freakin’ acrobat.<br />
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And now Zak’s saying something to one of the crew. Let’s all guess what it is: <i>get rid of the silly girl. We couldn’t get anyone more incompetent if we tried. In fact a monkey could do better. </i><br />
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Well, he’s right, a monkey could do better. Then again, a monkey wouldn’t need to wear a harness that cuts badly into its thighs so it can fly across the room. We’re doing wire work, the one thing I was looking forward to. Ha. What a laugh that is.<br />
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At least we’re not filming yet. This is just the rehearsal or, as they say, ‘prepping’. We’re in one of the studios that’s full of equipment with pulleys and wires. I’ve no idea how it all works, except that it keeps me up in the air. I thought we’d be doing this outside but it seems they film wire work stuff indoors against a big screen, and then edit to make it look like it’s outside by dropping in a background. As Mom would say: “the wonders of modern science”.<br />
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What I’m doing is really basic stuff, nothing like the things they did on the Matrix. Which it wouldn’t be, obviously. I remember reading that those actors had months and months of kung fu training even though most of the stunts were done by stunt men.<br />
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Right. This is it. I’m going to really concentrate. I will not be beaten. I can do this. It’s not hard.<br />
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<i>I’m a graceful fairy, </i><br />
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<i>I’m a graceful fairy, </i><br />
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<i>I’m a graceful fairy. </i><br />
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“Ready,” I call, for the first time feeling confident of success. <br />
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The technician holds up his thumb so I know we’re about to go. I take a deep breath, point my toes, bring my legs together and hold out my arms at a forty-five degree angle. So far, so good. I swallow hard as I begin to move.<br />
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Yay, I’m doing it. I’m actually doing it.<i> Please let Zak say it’s ok. </i><br />
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“Hu-fucking-ray,” booms Zak’s voice. “At last, she’s got it.”<br />
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I’ve done it. I’ve actually done it. I can do wirework. And even Zak’s sarcastic tone can’t spoil it.<br />
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A loud crash, sounding like someone slamming the door, gives me a start and I jerk backwards. My legs splay and I lose all control of my body, until suddenly I’m hanging upside down.<br />
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This so isn’t happening to me. My hair flops into my eyes and my arms dangle in mid-air. And let’s not even think about how shallow my breathing is.<br />
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Crap.<br />
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After what seems like an eternity (which is probably only a few seconds) someone starts a slow handclap. And here’s me thinking it couldn’t get any worse.<br />
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I figure it’s Zak and wait for everyone to join in. Except they don’t.<br />
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The silence is deafening. Until…<br />
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“Look at that crazy bitch. You’re surely not expecting her to be my double.”<br />
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Tilly Winters in the flesh. And none too happy to see me!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18593725-will-the-real-abi-saunders-please-stand-up">Add </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18593725-will-the-real-abi-saunders-please-stand-up">Will the Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18593725-will-the-real-abi-saunders-please-stand-up">to your Goodreads shelf</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Please-Stand-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00FILHCF2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/will-the-real-abi-saunders-please-stand-up-sara-hantz/1117003677">B&N</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About Sara</span></b> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0KJhMxdGbQ/UlXO6FF4MKI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/U9PI04VI_U0/s1600/Sara+Hantz+author+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0KJhMxdGbQ/UlXO6FF4MKI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/U9PI04VI_U0/s320/Sara+Hantz+author+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sara Hantz originally comes from the UK and is one of four children, having three younger brothers. Although she was an avid reader from a very early age, she didn’t get the writing bug until much later in life, though English was always one of her stronger subjects. She’s an avid sun chaser and now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Australia (via 10 years in New Zealand). She writes young adult fiction and her debut book The Second Virginity of Suzy Green was published by Flux Books and made the prestigious list ‘New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age’. Sara has a PhD in Education and lectured for many years before deciding to devote more time to her writing and working in the family hospitality business. She has two grown-up children and w hen not writing, working or online with her friends, she spends more time than most people she knows watching TV - in fact if TV watching was an Olympic sport she'd win gold. <br />
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<a href="http://sarahantz.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sarahantz">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahantzauthor">Facebook</a> <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway </span></b><br />
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In celebration of the reveals, Sara is giving away a $50 Amazon giftcard! Use the rafflecopter below to enter.<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554171/" id="rc-1cb554171" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-46881733210710273672013-09-08T00:47:00.000-04:002013-09-08T00:47:55.480-04:00PrisonersBy far the best film I've seen so far this TIFF.<br />
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In other news...<br />
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Compliance is a finalist in the Golden Leaf contest!<br />
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And today, Deviants hit #11 in the kindle store! And #1 in a whole whack of categories. Very excited and grateful.Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-30063868920926970112013-09-02T14:31:00.001-04:002013-09-02T14:31:37.286-04:00Maureen's TIFF 13 ScheduleBarring moments of weakness when I purchase individual tickets for other screenings (for way too much money...) Here are my picks for this year's TIFF:<br />
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Only Lovers Left Alive<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom Hiddleston,Tilda Swinton, Jim Jarmusch dir<o:p></o:p></div>
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(North American premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom Hiddleston (aka Loki) plays a David Bowie-style rock star. And Jim Jarmusch films are usually very cool -- never mind anything Tilda Swinton is in</div>
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Stars should be there.</div>
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Hateship Loveship<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Hailee Stanfield, Jennifer Jason Leigh (Based on Alice Munro story)<o:p></o:p></div>
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(World Premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stars should be there.</div>
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Horns<o:p></o:p></div>
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Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple<o:p></o:p></div>
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(World premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looks very strange to say the least. Notes say it's "uncomfortable" especially for people with an aversion to snakes. Yikes.</div>
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Stars should be there.</div>
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Prisoners<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman<o:p></o:p></div>
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(World premiere – but I’m at 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looks awesome. I've already seen the trailer for this one in theatres, so it's likely coming out soon. </div>
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Stars unlikely to be there. But one never knows...</div>
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The Double<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska<o:p></o:p></div>
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(World premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looks really interesting. Filmed in Toronto.</div>
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Stars should be there. Plus they are adorable and a couple.</div>
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Mandela<o:p></o:p></div>
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Idris Elba<o:p></o:p></div>
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(World premiere – 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Idris Elba. Nelson Mandela. Enough said.</div>
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Stars unlikely to be there.</div>
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The Grand Seduction<o:p></o:p></div>
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Taylor Kitsch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World Premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
English Canadian remake of an awesome French Canadian film. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars should be there</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Child of God<o:p></o:p></div>
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Directed by James Franco<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(North American premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looks very "challenging"... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Franco will likely be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(work in progress)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't realize this was a WIP when I picked it. No wonder it's so long... About 3 hours. Who the heck knows whether the stars will be here, as the film's not finished yet...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Under the Skin<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlett Johansson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(North American Premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars should be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Third Person<o:p></o:p></div>
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Liam Neeson, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Adrien Brody – Paul Haggis dir<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World premiere – 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars unlikely to be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Tracks<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(North American premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars should be there. This film got great buzz in Venice and sold to the Weinsteins for distribution.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Felony<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom Wilkinson, Joel Edgerton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World Premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars should be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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How I Live Now<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saoirse Ronan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World premiere – 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars unlikely to be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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The Husband<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bruce McDonald (dir)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World premiere)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars likely to be there. But I don't recognize any of the names... Edgy Canadian director.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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The Railway Man<o:p></o:p></div>
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Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World premiere – 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars unlikely to be there. :(</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Words and Pictures<o:p></o:p></div>
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Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(World premiere – 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars unlikely to be there. :(</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Palo Alto<o:p></o:p></div>
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James Franco, Emma Roberts, Gia Coppola (dir)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(North American premiere, 2<sup>nd</sup> screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stars unlikely to be there. :(</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
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Story of my Death<o:p></o:p></div>
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Spanish film about Casanova and Count Dracula <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(North American premiere, 3rd screening)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one just sounded very cool... And I figured it was unlikely to show in theatres, so this would be my only chance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'll try really, really hard to blog about some of the movies this year during the festival.Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-1881490006761645632013-07-22T12:11:00.001-04:002013-07-22T12:11:26.849-04:00All in the AttitudeI returned from the RWA National conference last night. I'll likely post more about the conference later, but I just had a thought I wanted to get down...<br />
<br />
And it's not a particularly original thought, it might even be cliché, but I am struck this morning about how much a positive attitude can affect one's experiences and enjoyment of life.<br />
<br />
I booked a later-in-the-day flight yesterday, thinking I'd do some sightseeing in Atlanta, but a longer-than-planned breakfast, and a long-as-usual to-do list kept me in the hotel until I had to head to the airport.<br />
<br />
Then I went to the airport early, because I spotted someone I knew heading out, and didn't want to get stuck paying a full cab fare myself.<br />
<br />
Here are the things I <i>didn't</i> know when I decided to head to the airport early:<br />
<br />
- the international terminal in Atlanta is a long way away from the domestic one. (Seriously? Are they in the same city?) So, my taxi fare was pretty much what I would have paid on my own, even though I split the fare to the domestic terminal 3 ways.<br />
<br />
- after getting to the airport early, my flight boarded 2 1/2 hours late, then sat on the tarmac for another hour and 45 minutes before we even got into the queue on a runway. We landed 4 1/2 hours late. At least.<br />
<br />
Let's just say that it was a loooong trip home.<br />
<br />
But I was grinning nearly the entire time and woke in a great mood this morning.<br />
<br />
Why do you ask?<br />
<br />
Well, all the misfortunes listed above, led to some interesting and fun consequences.<br />
<br />
First, the cabbie, with whom I got an extra 15 minutes after dropping the other women at the domestic terminal, turned out to be an interesting man, originally from South Sudan who likes books and asked for my card and seemed genuinely interested. Plus, he was nice to talk to after I got past my initial reaction that he was ripping me off when he said it would cost another $13 to go from one terminal to the other. After the trip, I realized why...<br />
<br />
Second, in the airport, I got to hang with five local writers, only one of whom I knew well before. And now I feel like I have four new friends. We had some huge belly laughs. It's amazing how punchy I get on almost no sleep and a 4 hour wait in an airport. Plus we got to watch a fireworks-show-of-a-thunderstorm that was one of the reasons our flight was delayed. Front row seats from inside a wall-to-ceiling glass room.<br />
<br />
Then, on the flight, I was seated way at the back (within sniff distance of the stinkiest airport toilet ever) and next to a very chatty young woman.<br />
<br />
Now, with the wrong attitude, that might have annoyed me. But I set my book aside and chatted back. And she was pretty amazing. Without going into details, she was highly inspiring in what she's gone through and accomplished in her (I'm guessing) 20 or 21 years, and she also reminded me of how much I've accomplished, at a time when I've been thinking the opposite. (It's easy to come back from conference thinking you aren't successful enough, or good enough, or working hard enough, or that the odds are so stacked against all authors that most of us are delusional in thinking we can have a career.)<br />
<br />
Reflecting this morning, I thought, hmmm... somewhere in a parallel universe, another Maureen would have fought with that cabbie over the fare, sat stewing on her own at the airport trying to get work done, and ignored the chatty girl on the plane. In a parallel universe, another Maureen would have been angry and frustrated about the delay and loooong trip home after a tiring week, and translated her fatigue into grumpiness instead of giddiness.<br />
<br />
Glad I ended up in the right parallel universe yesterday. And it was a great reminder that, most of the time, we have a choice of which universe to live in.<br />
<br />
All about the attitude.<br />
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<br />
How about you? Any time you've turned bad luck into a fun day?<br />
<br />
Plus, if you love romance, or more importantly if you tend to dismiss it as trash or "mommy porn" you should read <a href="http://drunkwritertalk.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-open-letter-to-arme-hammer-on-term.html" target="_blank">this post</a> by the fabulous Molly O'Keefe.<br />
<br />
<br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-79051378447724634792013-07-12T14:36:00.000-04:002013-07-12T14:36:00.718-04:00On Writers' BlockI dropped by a #litchat twitter chat a few days ago and the topic was writer's block.<br />
<br />
Opinions on this topic vary wildly. But I've chosen to believe that:<br />
<br />
a) it doesn't exist, you just need to push through, or<br />
b) if it truly does sink in for you, it might be clinical depression and you should see your doctor.<br />
<br />
Writing is hard. If it were easy to finish a novel, everyone would do it.<br />
<br />
If it were easy to revise a lousy or mediocre novel to make it a good or exciting novel, more of the people who complete the first step (already very few), would do the second and there wouldn't be as many badly written self-published books out there. I know there are great self-published books out there, before someone yells at me. :) I know that these days self-publishing is a choice, not a last resort. But let's face it, an awful lot of the stuff out there, especially by writers who were never previously published traditionally, is crap. But back to writer's block.<br />
<br />
Prolific and wildly successful romance author Nora Roberts has been quoted as saying (I'm paraphrasing): There's no such thing as writer's block, just lazy writers. She also says something like: You can't fix a blank page.<br />
<br />
And I've taken those two quotes to heart on the days when the writing isn't going well.<br />
<br />
I've also discovered that, for me, writing can cure writers block. If I'm hating my work, or it seems all wrong or I just can't think of a good plot twist or a clever way to say what I want to say, I just start typing (or writing in a notebook) about how frustrated I am, or about why I think the book's not working, or what might work, or ridiculous ideas of things I know won't work--and almost always (I can't think of a time that this hasn't worked) by the time I'm done ranting on the page, I start back into the work again because I've thought of a solution to the problem I'm having or I start to realize how to fix it. (That is one long sentence. Is there a prize for that?)<br />
<br />
Or somedays, if the right words aren't coming, but I know what's going to happen, I'll just give myself permission to write it badly. Or write detailed outlines of the scenes instead of the actual scenes. Or put in things like "Glory does something that shows she's happy", instead of stopping to think of the absolute perfect and specific thing for my character to do. That works too. At least it keeps me moving forward to a point where my momentum and ability to form words into nice sentences might come back to me. I can fix it later. (You can't fix a blank page.)<br />
<br />
I think the important thing is to keep moving. To treat writing as a job, even if you've never been paid for it, or even if you've been published but also need a day job, or a spouse's income, to make ends meet (as 99% of us do).<br />
<br />
And today I stumbled on this Stephen King quote.<br />
<br />
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<br />
And this really spoke to me, too. Our best work, no matter what style of writer we are, or which genre the industry lumps our work in to, comes from deep inside us and sometimes hurts coming out. But the stuff that hurts, the stuff that's hard, is also usually our best work.<br />
<br />
I also realize that most of these great quotes about not being too precious about your work, and being professional, and just getting it done, come from so-called genre fiction authors, who are often looked down upon by writers deemed more literary.<br />
<br />
Well, okay. I get that it might take longer to write a truly great literary novel. I get that each scene might take more time and more revision might be required when you're writing a book where the words count more than the story. (I don't know if I actually believe this. Story is hard too. Great characters are hard too. Writing emotion is hard too... But whatever. I'm conceding for a moment that literary fiction might take longer.)<br />
<br />
And my point is, no matter what you're writing, ultimately it comes down to "butt in chair, hands on keyboard" at some point.<br />
<br />
I think too many creative people use the word muse as an excuse.<br />
<br />
NB. This doesn't mean I don't get to stare out the window, or play Bejeweled and call it work. Sometimes we need that, too. To let the subconscious do it's thing. Okay.<br />
Just don't whine and call it writer's block.Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-43113537253658966882013-06-17T17:51:00.000-04:002013-06-17T17:51:05.721-04:00Near perfect movie dayYesterday was Father's Day, but my dad was on a train (still is) on the way back from Saskatchewan, and so all I could do was call him. I had plans with my brother and his family, but one of the kids had a fever, so those plans fell through.<br />
<br />
My first instinct was to get some work done. So many things to do... But then I thought, "You deserve a day off!"<br />
<br />
So I gave myself one, and I went to the movies.<br />
<br />
And I saw 3. :) It almost felt like film fest time.<br />
<br />
First stop: <i>This is the End</i>.<br />
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<br />
I loved this movie. I thought I might be making a mistake going to a film like this at noon, and not under the influence of anything but coffee... but I found it hilarious.<br />
<br />
Was it silly? Sure. Was some of the humor juvenile? Of course. Is it Shakespeare? No.<br />
<br />
But it was also a pretty tightly told story, with a lot of snappy dialogue and so many references and cameos I'm sure I'd have to see it a couple more times before I caught them all. Whether you like Seth Rogen or not as an actor, dude can write. And dude is willing to poke fun at himself, his friends, his lifestyle.<br />
<br />
Highly recommend if you want a good laugh. My favorite actor send up was either Jonah Hill or Michael Cera. Both really let themselves be skewered in different ways and I found the film versions of them very funny. I guess the Michael Cera send up was a bit reminiscent of Neil Patrick Harris in the first Harold and Kumar movie... But it went a little further and was so, so, funny... Oh, and Danny McBride who I normally hate... His character version of himself was also very funny. So was James Franco's version of himself. And how obsessed he was with Rogen. Okay. Just thinking about this, I'm remembering how funny this was.<br />
<br />
Overall: Had tears of laughter much of the time. The dialogue is surprisingly subtle and smart. Would see it again.<br />
<br />
Second stop: Man of Steel.<br />
<br />
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I liked this movie, too. But wasn't blown away.<br />
<br />
I found out this morning that my great friend Molly O'Keefe hated it, so I might challenge her to a cage match over at <a href="http://www.drunkwritertalk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Storytelling Rules</a>... But for now, things I liked about it were:<br />
- image of Krypton, great worldbuilding<br />
- Lois Lane wasn't just a damsel in distress, but a genuine heroine who wasn't TSTL and affected the outcome of the story<br />
- the villain had strong motivation. It's been a long time since I saw the original Superman and I haven't read the comics, so maybe this motivation wasn't new... but I liked this villain. Michael Shannon is always strong and his motivation was too. He was trying to save his people, Superman was trying to save humans. That's some damn good conflict, IMHO.<br />
<br />
Third stop: Before Midnight.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA5NzgxODE2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTI1NTI0OQ@@._V1_SX214_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA5NzgxODE2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTI1NTI0OQ@@._V1_SX214_.jpg" /></a>If you're not familiar with these movies, Richard Linklater made this quiet little indie film in 1994, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, about a young couple who meet on a train and decide to spend an evening/night walking around Vienna together. He's American and flying home from Vienna in the morning. She's French, and on her way home to Paris. It's called <i>Before Sunrise</i> and it's excellent if you haven't seen it. Very romantic and probably my favorite of the three.<br />
Then about 9 years later, he made <i>Before Sunset</i>, which showed the pair 9 years later, wandering around Paris for a few hours. To say much more about that one, would be spoilerish. But like the first one, it's excellent. The dialogue and acting are actually pretty astounding in these films. And the chemistry between Hawke and Delpy is hot.<br />
<i>Before Midnight</i> is an end to the trilogy... and shows the pair as a married couple, 18 years after they first met on that train. Saying they're married is somewhat spoilerish for the first two films, but I don't think it really ruins anything. Things aren't perfect between the couple, and they spend a good chunk of the film fighting, but the dialogue and acting were once again great, and I loved the parts where they weren't fighting. This is the first film in the trilogy where we see them interacting with other characters, (rather than just themselves), and the dinner scene, with couples of different ages, in different stages of their relationships was probably my favorite part. The shots of the Greek Island they're on were wonderful too.<br />
<br />
Then I went home and watched Mad Men and The Killing. (Forgot about the True Blood premiere...)<br />
<br />
Yes, it was kind of a perfect day. :)Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-56170140645446919152013-06-04T13:15:00.000-04:002013-06-04T13:15:00.297-04:00Compliance release day!Yes, my book with the business-like and/or kinky title (depending on your perspective) has been released into the wild!<br />
<br />
Speaking of the title, I'm busy answering some FAQs for my soon to be revamped website and so I thought I might address the title one right here.<br />
<br />
Q: The title for the second book in The Dust Chronicles is Compliance. What's that about?<br />
<br />
A: To be honest, we struggled to come up with a great title for Book Two. In the world of the series, the defacto police are called Compliance Officers, or Comps. In the second book *minor spoiler alert* Glory is training to be a Compliance Officer so it seemed like an apt title.<br />
Initially, Book Two was called Shredders. Shredders are the sadistic scab-covered monsters that exist in the world, but since they don't play a large part in the plot of Book Two (there will be more--lots more--about Shredders in Book Three) I didn't think that Shredders would properly represent the story, even though I thought it was an awesome title.<br />
<br />
I also like the meaning of the word Compliance and how it fits with some of the themes of the book. i.e. How long will people continue to comply, when the rules and regulations are unreasonable? When do the ends justify the means? And, to risk getting spoilerish, can someone force compliance on others?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s1600/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s320/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">More info or buy now!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" style="color: #006677; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Compliance</a> (The Dust Chronicles #2)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
June 4, 2013 (Skyscape, an imprint of Amazon Publishing)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
ISBN: 978-1477816530</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Spine-tingling danger, heart-pounding romance, scab-covered monsters! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">The Dust Chronicles has it all!</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
To celebrate the release, I'm running a Giveaway!!! Tell your friends. (Even if that might decrease your odds of winning, you'll win karma points, which is way better.)<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2415c010/" id="rc-2415c010" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-78710337932688074752013-06-04T05:00:00.000-04:002013-06-04T05:00:00.809-04:00Compliance Release Day!!!!I can't believe how quickly this release date has come!<br />
<br />
I'm thrilled to announce that COMPLIANCE goes on sale tomorrow, June 4, 2013.<br />
<br />
If you've pre-ordered the kindle version, it might show up on your kindle in less than 12 hours!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s1600/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s320/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">More info or buy now!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" style="color: #006677; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Compliance</a> (The Dust Chronicles #2)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
June 4, 2013 (Skyscape, an imprint of Amazon Publishing)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
ISBN: 978-1477816530</div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<b>Haven Equals Safety.</b> This slogan is emblazoned on the minds of every Haven employee. But for Glory, life inside Haven is anything but safe. Most of all, she must hide her Deviant gift--the ability to kill with her eyes--or face death. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
Training to be a dreaded Compliance Officer, she secretly works undercover to save fellow Deviants, but when people she trusts turn against her and a powerful member of Management takes her under her wing, Glory questions everything she believes and can no longer tell her allies from her enemies.</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Spine-tingling danger, heart-pounding romance, scab-covered monsters! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">The Dust Chronicles has it all!</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBysqVGbyRA/UI44Uudd_9I/AAAAAAAABm8/GA7mmqE25TA/s1600/Deviants+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBysqVGbyRA/UI44Uudd_9I/AAAAAAAABm8/GA7mmqE25TA/s320/Deviants+500.jpg" width="216" /></a><br />
<br />
And if you haven't read DEVIANTS, yet. Great news!<br />
<br />
Your procrastination has paid off!<br />
<br />
DEVIANTS is on sale at Amazon! Both in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">US</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">Canada</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
In Canada, only the audio and kindle versions are on sale, but if you're in the US, or can order from the US store, amazon.com has the hardcover version for DEVIANTS on sale for less than $3.00!!!! Wow. What a bargoon.<br />
<br />
And to celebrate the release, I'm running a Giveaway!!! Tell your friends. (Even if that might decrease your odds of winning, you'll win karma points, which is way better.)<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2415c010/" id="rc-2415c010" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-54068326316683645012013-06-03T16:47:00.000-04:002013-06-03T16:47:03.610-04:00One More Sleep!!!<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Spine-tingling danger, heart-pounding romance, scab-covered monsters! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">The Dust Chronicles has it all!</span></b></div>
<br />
I can't believe how quickly this release date has come! I'm thrilled to announce that COMPLIANCE goes on sale tomorrow, June 4, 2013.<br />
<br />
If you've pre-ordered the kindle version, it might show up on your kindle in less than 12 hours!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s1600/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLNRGqfQgQ/Uaz4qb3iCAI/AAAAAAAAB9A/yf7WKHEtaM0/s320/Compliance-Hitting-Stores.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">More info or buy now!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some advance praise for COMPLIANCE:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"This love triangle will leave readers giddy with anticipation. I’m actually still bouncing up and down in my seat like a five year old." 4 1/2 stars, Read Dream Relax.com</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBysqVGbyRA/UI44Uudd_9I/AAAAAAAABm8/GA7mmqE25TA/s1600/Deviants+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBysqVGbyRA/UI44Uudd_9I/AAAAAAAABm8/GA7mmqE25TA/s320/Deviants+500.jpg" width="216" /></a>And if you haven't read DEVIANTS, yet. Great news!<br />
<br />
Your procrastination has paid off!<br />
<br />
DEVIANTS is on sale at Amazon! Both in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">US</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">Canada</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
In Canada, only the audio and kindle versions are on sale, but if you're in the US, or can order from the US store, amazon.com has the hardcover version for DEVIANTS on sale for less than $3.00!!!! Wow. What a bargoon.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
To celebrate the release, I'm running a Giveaway!!! Tell your friends. (Even if that might decrease your odds of winning, you'll win karma points, which is way better.)<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2415c010/" id="rc-2415c010" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-82372349039903426682013-06-01T16:08:00.004-04:002013-06-01T16:52:37.077-04:00Newsletter! Goodreads Giveaway!Well, I've finally done it. Almost. I have a newsletter!!!<br />
<br />
At least I've set up a newsletter signup sheet. It's a start. Next step, an actual newsletter.<br />
<br />
<div id="mc_embed_signup"><form action="http://blogspot.us6.list-manage1.com/subscribe/post?u=614b8bcbc5&id=127257b3df" class="validate" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" method="post" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" novalidate="" target="_blank"><h2>Subscribe to Maureen McGowan's mailing list</h2><div class="indicates-required"><span class="asterisk">*</span> indicates required</div><div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-EMAIL">Email Address <span class="asterisk">*</span><br />
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<input class="required email" id="mce-EMAIL" name="EMAIL" type="email" value="" /><br />
</div><div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-FNAME">First Name </label><br />
<input class="" id="mce-FNAME" name="FNAME" type="text" value="" /><br />
</div><div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-LNAME">Last Name </label><br />
<input class="" id="mce-LNAME" name="LNAME" type="text" value="" /><br />
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<input class="" id="mce-MMERGE3" name="MMERGE3" type="text" value="" /><br />
</div><div class="mc-field-group input-group"><strong>Email Format </strong><br />
<ul><li><input id="mce-EMAILTYPE-0" name="EMAILTYPE" type="radio" value="html" /><label for="mce-EMAILTYPE-0">html</label></li>
<li><input id="mce-EMAILTYPE-1" name="EMAILTYPE" type="radio" value="text" /><label for="mce-EMAILTYPE-1">text</label></li>
<li><input id="mce-EMAILTYPE-2" name="EMAILTYPE" type="radio" value="mobile" /><label for="mce-EMAILTYPE-2">mobile</label></li>
</ul></div><div class="clear" id="mce-responses"><div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display: none;"></div><div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display: none;"></div></div><div class="clear"><input class="button" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" name="subscribe" type="submit" value="Subscribe" /></div></form></div><br />
And there are still a couple of days to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for COMPLIANCE!<br />
<br />
<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget53249"><!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled --><br />
<div class="goodreadsGiveawayWidget" style="border-radius: 10px; border: 2px solid #EBE8D5; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 350px; padding: 10px 15px;"><style>
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text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;
border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif;
background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_button4.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596;
outline: 0; white-space: nowrap;
}
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_button4_hover.gif);
color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;
}
</style><br />
<h2 style="color: #555555; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br />
</h2><br />
<div style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16290046"><img alt="Compliance by Maureen McGowan" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367557264l/16290046.jpg" title="Compliance by Maureen McGowan" width="100" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;"><h3 style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16290046">Compliance</a><br />
</h3><h4 style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0;"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3408173.Maureen_McGowan" style="text-decoration: none;">Maureen McGowan</a><br />
</h4><br />
<div class="giveaway_details">Giveaway ends June 03, 2013.<br />
<br />
See the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/53249" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br />
at Goodreads.</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/53249">Enter to win</a><br />
<br />
</div></div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/53249" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
If you haven't read DEVIANTS yet, here are a few things you should know:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol><li>While the story does go over 3 books, each of them stands alone. So you can enjoy COMPLIANCE even if you haven't read DEVIANTS! (And then maybe you'll be curious enough to read DEVIANTS second to see how it all started.)</li>
<li>DEVIANTS is on a big-time sale right now at Amazon.com (kindle, hardcover and audio) and on Amazon.ca (kindle only on sale, last time I looked.) I'll put links below for your convenience.</li>
<li>I forgive you. ;)</li>
</ol><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wwwmaureenmcg-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1612183670&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=wwwmaureenm00-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00749XXLS&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-29113570555134911612013-05-24T13:14:00.001-04:002013-05-24T13:14:04.243-04:00And the winners are...My apologies to all for taking so long to draw the winners for the COMPLIANCE Cover Reveal Giveaway! *hangs head in shame*<br />
<br />
The winners are:<br />
<br />
Rosemary Krejsa and Nicole Kha!<br />
<br />
Ladies... send me your address and I'll send you the book!<br />
<br />
If you didn't win... :-(<br />
<br />
I'm also doing a Goodreads giveaway (see <a href="http://maureenmcgowan.blogspot.ca/2013/05/compliance-release-countdown.html">blog post below</a>).<br />
<br />
And... of course, the book is available for pre-order in <a gp="" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" http:="" product="" ref="as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank" www.amazon.com="">Hardcover</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BHIFQ3U/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BHIFQ3U&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">Kindle</a> formats.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>11 more sleeps!!!!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-4821212373124877432013-05-22T22:15:00.003-04:002013-05-22T22:15:52.193-04:00Compliance Release Countdown...13 more sleeps!<br />
<br />
Compliance comes out on June 4th!<br />
<br />
And I'm running a giveaway on Gooodreads!<br />
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<h2 style="color: #555555; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br />
</h2><br />
<div style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16290046"><img alt="Compliance by Maureen McGowan" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367557264l/16290046.jpg" title="Compliance by Maureen McGowan" width="100" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;"><h3 style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16290046">Compliance</a><br />
</h3><h4 style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0;"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3408173.Maureen_McGowan" style="text-decoration: none;">Maureen McGowan</a><br />
</h4><br />
<div class="giveaway_details">Giveaway ends June 03, 2013.<br />
<br />
See the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/53249" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br />
at Goodreads.<br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/53249">Enter to win</a><br />
<br />
</div></div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/53249" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more release updates!Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-1253331654401660152013-05-01T12:04:00.001-04:002013-05-01T23:40:18.856-04:00COMPLIANCE cover reveal giveaway!To celebrate my cover reveal, I'm giving away 2 copies of DEVIANTS. Signed if you live in North America, unsigned if you don't. (Sorry... often mailing a book overseas costs $35-$40 and I just can't afford that. But I will send it to you from The Book Depository.)<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2415c08/" id="rc-2415c08" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-qWhOuvqSc/UYE8-gJeVBI/AAAAAAAAB6M/1BJDqBfjOJw/s1600/Compliance_front_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-qWhOuvqSc/UYE8-gJeVBI/AAAAAAAAB6M/1BJDqBfjOJw/s320/Compliance_front_800.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm starting to get excited about this release... I can't believe it's May already!!!<br />
<br />
Oh! And the Spanish version of DEVIANTS (LOS INDESEABLES) was recommended on what my publishers in Spain tell me is the most important cultural TV show in Spain! They made it sound like this was the US equivalent of being featured on Entertainment Tonight, or something. So, Yippee!<br />
<br />
Here is the video. My book's mentioned at about minute 20:50 and it's easy to scroll ahead.<br />
<br />
<div class="VideoContainer" data-assetid="1792528_es_videos" data-idmanager="" data-location="embed_videos" data-permalink="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528/" data-sust="false" itemprop="Video" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/VideoObject">
<span class="hddn" itemprop="name" style="display: none;">Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince</span><object data="http://www.rtve.es/swf/4.1.20/RTVEPlayerVideo.swf" height="239" id="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.rtve.es/swf/4.1.20/RTVEPlayerVideo.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><!-- solo video--><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="flashvars" value="assetID=1792528_es_videos&location=embed_videos"><a href="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528/" itemprop="url"><span class="videoplay"><strong>Ver vídeo</strong></span><img width="425" src="http://img.irtve.es/imagenes/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1367185806342.JPG" alt="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince" title="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince" itemprop="Image" /></a></object></div>
<ul style="background: url('http://www.rtve.es/favicon.ico') no-repeat left 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #999; display: block; font-size: 10px; padding: 4px 0 8px 5%; text-align: left; width: 95%;">
<li style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528.shtml" title="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince"><strong>Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince</strong></a></li>
</ul>
And if you'd like to pre-order COMPLIANCE, here's some linkage.
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Pre-order Compliance here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20%22" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BHIFQ3U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B00BHIFQ3U&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenm00-20" target="_blank">Amazon Canada</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compliance-The-Dust-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00BHIFQ3U/" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/compliance-maureen-mcgowan/1113838262?ean=9781477816530" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/books/compliance/9781477816530-item.html" target="_blank">Chapters/Indigo</a> <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781477816530" target="_blank">IndieBound</a></div>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-54725270143934544162013-04-29T15:12:00.001-04:002013-04-29T15:18:58.177-04:00Spanish TV Recommendation and HUGE poster!I got some exciting news today.<br />
<br />
LOS INDESEABLES, (the Spanish version of DEVIANTS), was featured on the most important cultural review show in Spain, página 2.<br />
<br />
And, a HUGE image of the cover is displayed along the river in Bilbao, with the Guggenheim museum in the background. At first I assumed it was FX, but I'm told the book covers are actually there. (Unless I'm having translation issues in my e-mails with my Spanish editor.)<br />
<br />
Here's a snapshot taken from the TV show.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89w7mdsoN-E/UX7HlfAiqmI/AAAAAAAAB50/ibRW8su8UAU/s1600/LosIndeseablesonriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89w7mdsoN-E/UX7HlfAiqmI/AAAAAAAAB50/ibRW8su8UAU/s320/LosIndeseablesonriver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And here is the actual program. Go to approximately minute 20:50.<br />
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<div class="VideoContainer" data-assetid="1792528_es_videos" data-idmanager="" data-location="embed_videos" data-permalink="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528/" data-sust="false" itemprop="Video" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/VideoObject">
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<span class="hddn" itemprop="name" style="display: none;">Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince</span><object data="http://www.rtve.es/swf/4.1.20/RTVEPlayerVideo.swf" height="239" id="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.rtve.es/swf/4.1.20/RTVEPlayerVideo.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><!-- solo video--><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="flashvars" value="assetID=1792528_es_videos&location=embed_videos"><a href="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528/" itemprop="url"><span class="videoplay"><strong>Ver vídeo</strong></span><img width="425" src="http://img.irtve.es/imagenes/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1367185806342.JPG" alt="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince" title="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince" itemprop="Image" /></a></object></div>
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<li style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/pagina-2/pagina-2-hector-abad-faciolince/1792528.shtml" title="Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince"><strong>Página 2 - Héctor Abad Faciolince</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
After my book, the presenter talks about the YA Film WARM BODIES.<br />
<br />
This is very cool. Excited...Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-19911664118207377662013-04-24T22:53:00.000-04:002013-04-24T22:53:06.687-04:00Compliance Cover Reveal!!<div>
I'm happy to reveal the cover for COMPLIANCE coming out June 4, 2013.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll be running a contest next week to celebrate, and have some news about signings and events, so check back!</div>
<div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeanqJjPjlU/UXf79kSBmuI/AAAAAAAAB4E/X6bR4qBo-c4/s1600/Compliance_front_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeanqJjPjlU/UXf79kSBmuI/AAAAAAAAB4E/X6bR4qBo-c4/s400/Compliance_front_800.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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I think the cover captures the idea of the book really well. And I think the red on navy color scheme is very "now". At least I keep seeing the color scheme everywhere.</div>
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Pre-order Compliance here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477816534/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1477816534&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20%22" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BHIFQ3U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B00BHIFQ3U&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenm00-20" target="_blank">Amazon Canada</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compliance-The-Dust-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00BHIFQ3U/" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/compliance-maureen-mcgowan/1113838262?ean=9781477816530" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/books/compliance/9781477816530-item.html" target="_blank">Chapters/Indigo</a> <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781477816530" target="_blank">IndieBound</a></div>
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And here is the cover for the Spanish version of DEVIANTS, aka LOS INDESEABLES.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZNFBpAoRfE/UXf78JJFloI/AAAAAAAAB38/orfEfEaGD0g/s1600/frontal_indeseables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZNFBpAoRfE/UXf78JJFloI/AAAAAAAAB38/orfEfEaGD0g/s400/frontal_indeseables.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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I have to say, I kind of love this cover. The back is cool too. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfgZOk2Jflk/UXgQ5qAhaDI/AAAAAAAAB4U/bJ9NnwsBU24/s1600/indeseablesback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfgZOk2Jflk/UXgQ5qAhaDI/AAAAAAAAB4U/bJ9NnwsBU24/s400/indeseablesback.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can order the Spanish version here: (sorry, I don't know any other Spanish retailers)</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.es/LOS-INDESEABLES-CR%C3%93NICAS-HAVEN-Narrativa/dp/8494112317/" target="_blank">Amazon Spain</a></div>
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Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-14733977184456676062013-04-04T02:00:00.000-04:002013-04-08T11:29:45.035-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt! Spring 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>The Hunt is now over! Thanks for hunting!! </b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgyE-ZOgXpI/TtUZg0OKQ8I/AAAAAAAACQg/YK80Abuf7EE/s1600/scavenger+hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgyE-ZOgXpI/TtUZg0OKQ8I/AAAAAAAACQg/YK80Abuf7EE/s320/scavenger+hunt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.tigerscursebook.com/">Colleen Houck</a> 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.<br />
<br />
Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive <b>one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team</b>!<b> </b>(You can also play to win the prize package from the red team too!)<b> </b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>And... check out my bonus contest at the bottom of the post!</b><br />
<br />
But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3sZFnRChV0/T2Ar3slJ0aI/AAAAAAAACnA/Z707dxupYXI/s1600/team+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3sZFnRChV0/T2Ar3slJ0aI/AAAAAAAACnA/Z707dxupYXI/s320/team+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the <span style="color: blue;">BLUE TEAM</span>--but there is also a red team for a chance to win a whole different set of twenty-five signed books!<br />
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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<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html"> the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage</a>.</div>
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: blue;">blue team</span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by<span style="color: magenta;"><b> Sunday April 7th</b></span>, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</div>
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT POST</b></div>
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I'm pleased to be hosting, Tara Fuller!</div>
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Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novels and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.</div>
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Find out more information about Tara by checking out her <a href="http://www.tarafuller.com/" target="_blank">website</a> or find more about her latest book BLURRED <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blurred-Kissed-Death-Tara-Fuller/dp/162061085X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364091360&sr=1-1&keywords=blurred+tara+fuller" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mltZhW5TJQs/UP058ACVa0I/AAAAAAAACRg/_NT-ngGmqtw/s1600/Blurred+-+1600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mltZhW5TJQs/UP058ACVa0I/AAAAAAAACRg/_NT-ngGmqtw/s320/Blurred+-+1600px.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">"Cash is haunted by things. Hungry, hollow things. They only leave him alone when Heaven’s beautiful reaper, Anaya, is around. Cash has always been good with girls, but Anaya isn’t like the others. She’s dead. And with his deteriorating health, Cash might soon be as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">Anaya never breaks the rules, but the night of the fire, she recognized part of Cash’s soul—and doomed him to something worse than death. Cash’s soul now resides in an expired body, making him a shadow walker, a rare, coveted being that can walk between worlds. A being creatures of the underworld would do anything to get their hands on.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">The lines between life and death are blurring, and Anaya and Cash find themselves falling helplessly over the edge. Trapped in a world where the living don’t belong, can Cash make it out alive?</span><span style="color: #0000ee;">"</span></div>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>EXCLUSIVE CONTENT</b></div>
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You lucky hunters get a sneak peek at the prologue from Tara's upcoming release, BLURRED (Kissed by Death #2)!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 200%;">The exclusive content is no longer available, but check out and pre-order Tara's book BLURRED <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blurred-Kissed-Death-Tara-Fuller/dp/162061085X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364091360&sr=1-1&keywords=blurred+tara+fuller" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<b>DON'T FORGET TO ENTER!</b></div>
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Don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Tara Fuller, and more!<br />
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To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: magenta;">33.</span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: blue;">blue team</span> and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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<b>CONTINUE THE HUNT</b></div>
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To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author! <a href="http://lisabursteinauthor.wordpress.com/" style="color: magenta;" target="_blank">Lisa Burstein</a>!<span style="color: magenta;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ENTER MY BONUS CONTEST!</span></b></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2415c07/" id="rc-2415c07" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-6398113506364773642013-04-02T19:01:00.000-04:002013-04-03T01:13:16.919-04:00It's YASH time again!!!!I'm super excited to be part of YASH again! The hunt starts on Thursday!<br />
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Here are the deets:<br />
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<b>How To Hunt</b></div>
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Participating in the YA Scavenger Hunt is easy! Here's all you have to do:</div>
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<b>On April 4 at noon (Pacific Standard Time), the hunt is open. </b></div>
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During that time, you can go to the participating authors blogs and websites--<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html"><span class="s1"><b>you can find them all here</b></span></a>. The first thing on the page should be their hunt information--there you can find out about new authors and get exclusive content.</div>
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<b>Take note of the highlighted number on each author's hunt page.</b> You need that number to enter the contest!</div>
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<b>Each author is on either the </b><span class="s2"><b>RED</b></span><b> Team or the </b><span class="s3"><b>BLUE</b></span><b> Team. </b>Add up the numbers of all the authors on the red team, and you have the secret code you need to enter the contest. The prize is all the books from the authors on that team! You can only enter once, and your entry only counts if you have the right number, so make sure you get the right code! Break out those calculators!</div>
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<b>You have to submit your entry by April 7, noon, Pacific Standard Time. </b>You can submit your entry for each team <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html"><span class="s1"><b>HERE</b></span></a>.</div>
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On April 8th, we'll announce the winners! There's one winner for the red team, and one for the blue team. The hunt IS open internationally, to all ages, so you have no excuse to not join in the fun!</div>
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<b>See you April 4!</b><br />
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<b>I'm on team BLUE along with these other amazing authors! What a line up!</b><br />
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<b>Amber Argyle</b></div>
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<b>Josephine Angelini </b></div>
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<b>Kate Avelynn </b></div>
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<b>Lisa Burstein </b></div>
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<b>Tera Lynn Childs</b></div>
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<b>Kate Evangelista</b></div>
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<b>Tara Fuller</b></div>
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<b>Rachel Harris</b></div>
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<b>Colleen Houck</b></div>
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<b>Justina Ireland</b></div>
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<b>Ellie James</b></div>
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<b>Carrie Jones</b></div>
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<b>Jessica Khoury</b></div>
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<b>Cindy Madsen</b></div>
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<b>Megan Miranda</b></div>
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<b>Erica O’Rourke</b></div>
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<b>Diana Peterfreund</b></div>
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<b>Amy Plum</b></div>
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<b>Beth Revis</b></div>
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<b>Gina Rosati</b></div>
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<b>Victoria Scott</b></div>
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<b>Jessica Spotswood</b></div>
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<b>K.A. Tucker</b></div>
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<b>Lisa Voisin</b></div>
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Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-52782186616679880982013-03-19T16:00:00.000-04:002013-03-19T16:00:28.216-04:00High School WritersToday I talked for an hour to a grade 12 writers arts class in Toronto. I was invited by the teacher of the daughter of a friend of my sister's. (How's that for a complicated relationship.)<br />
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It was really great and inspiring (for me), and I hope, most of all, that I didn't completely discourage them from seriously pursuing writing... Because I told the truth--mostly--about publishing.<br />
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Looking back at myself at that age, I would have loved to meet a published author and ask questions. But since I didn't have the guts to try writing as a career back then, hearing the truth about how difficult it is to earn a living as an author probably would have just reinforced what I'd already decided. To do something else...<br />
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But still, I really hope that I didn't say anything today to discourage these budding young writers.<br />
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It took me a lot of years to discover (or admit to) who I really am. Here's hoping the kids I meet today get there sooner. :)<br />
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<br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-48952795673298832542013-03-11T20:39:00.003-04:002013-03-11T20:45:46.095-04:00The Great (and Terrible?) 3D OzOh, how I wanted to love this movie. And oh how it disappointed me.<br />
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I've been trying to put my finger on why and here are a few thoughts:<br />
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1) This is a movie that used 3D in the worst kind of way. I love how movies over the past few years (notably Hugo, Pina, Avatar) used 3D to put you in the scene with the characters (or with the dancers in the case of Pina). And how they used the technology to make the world seem more real. Awesome.<br />
But this movie uses it to make things come out of the screen toward the audience. In that respect it reminded me of all the really bad 3D movies from the past. Or Joe Flaherty in a vampire costume moving his face toward the camera in old SCTV sketches.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8SJY6w0HD50" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Fast fwd to about the 2 minute mark to get the first example of what I'm talking about. These old sketches were hilarious. But long... Oh, 1970's Canadian TV.<br />
Back to Oz: It felt as if the action sequences were planned with the central question being: How can we maximize the number of objects that shoot out into the audience's faces? Rather than: How can we make this scene exciting and further the plot?<br />
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2) The film felt really juvenile. Now, I get that people probably want to take their kids to this movie. But really little kids will be terrified. Big, scary-toothed flying gorillas coming out at you from the screen... (And I thought there could be nothing scarier than flying monkeys...) And yet the tone and dialogue and character development felt like it was aimed at 5 year olds. Or 4 year olds. I've seen movies aimed at 5 year olds which entertained me more than this did...<br />
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3) They had too many character arcs. I feel like the witches' stories got badly short changed. I get that it was a story about how the <i>wizard</i> of Oz ended up in Oz... but they why try to tell the wicked witch creation story at the same time? It just didn't work. Now that I'm typing this, I realize there have been tons of films where the writers successfully told both a hero and villain creation story in one (just about any comic book movie, for example) but this one did not succeed. Maybe because they spent too much time trying to be cute. Or giving us winks to things. Don't know. But the transformation of the Mila Kunis character from good to evil seemed like an incredible wasted opportunity. And I'd have loved to know more about the Rachel Weisz character too. And the politics of the good vs wicked sides of the witch world... And why witches are in charge in Oz etc. etc. So many interesting things, unexplored.<br />
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4) I've decided James Franco can't act. This might be heresy, but it's how I feel at the moment. I remember seeing him in that James Dean biopic years ago and being blown away. And the critics and everyone from that point on seemed to take it as fact that he was the next coming... But looking back on his filmology, I think he's annoyed me as many times as I've been impressed. It's like squinting and talking through his teeth, which worked for Dean, is the main tool in his actor's chest. Now... I did love him in 127 Hours... And I do admit that the Oscar hosting gig, when he acted like he was so above it all, might have turned me against him. But it does say something that I reached this, "Huh, Franco can't act," conclusion in the middle of watching Oz. I almost felt like he thought the entire movie was a big goof. Like I was watching Franco on SNL or something, doing a spoof on an Oz prequel, rather than watching him as a character in a movie.<br />
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5) Bad romance. Wow. I just thought of this while composing this post. But it was another big problem. First, they start to develop a romance with the Mila Kunis character. And we start to care about her and them. And see problems on the horizon for their relationship because clearly she's more invested in him than he is in her (which fits his philandering character to this point). So those of us who like romance subplots are rubbing our hands together thinking, this could get interesting! And then we're yanked out of that romance subplot. And another witch is tossed in his path. And for no reason other than they're on the same side in a fight, and she looks like a girl he tossed aside back in Kansas, (and she's blonde?) we're supposed to believe he's going to fall in love with her. And her with him. Insta-love. Does not work.<br />
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So, in spite of all the above, I actually didn't HATE this movie. And I thought some things were really cool. (like the way they eventually create the Oz illusion.) But overall, I was disappointed.<br />
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Has anyone else seen it?<br />
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Feel free to disagree. :)Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-5923607454473820112013-01-02T15:19:00.000-05:002013-01-02T15:19:55.963-05:00Kindle Daily DealIf you haven't yet bought a copy of DEVIANTS, have no fear!<br />
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Today, DEVIANTS is a kindle daily deal!<br />
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Only $1.99 in the amazon.com store <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deviants-The-Dust-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00749XXLS/" target="_blank"> Buy now</a>.<br />
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And only $1.97 in the amazon.ca* store. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Deviants-The-Dust-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00749XXLS/" target="_blank">Buy now</a>.<br />
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* (Exchange rate and all that.)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></div>
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<br />Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-65218611762339802052012-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-06T08:00:08.239-05:00Telling Stories with Images<br />
I recently saw a few movies that made me think about how it's possible to tell great stories with images, or how significantly images can enhance a story.<br />
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Last night I saw Life of Pi.<br />
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Full disclosure. I LOVED this book. Loved it. Loved how it made me think about the power of faith and/or how the human mind uses storytelling to cope with not only the unknown (God) but also to cope with traumatic experiences...<br />
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And the movie did the same, if maybe in a more heavy handed way. This movie is an interesting one for this topic because, while I think a big part of the appeal of the movie was the images, I also think images were a big part of the appeal of the book. The writer was able to describe things in such a way that we saw them as a reader... I must go back and take another look. It's been nearly a decade since I read the book.<br />
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Good news is that I loved the movie, too. The story is framed differently than the book, (I'm pretty sure... **see I haven't read the book in a decade) but the framing worked and added some context and a sense of reality and was a more interesting framing than a boy in a hospital bed talking to Japanese businessmen. Which, if I recall, didn't actually frame the book, just ended it... (And the framing in the movie meant we got some nice shots of Montreal.)<br />
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The other two I want to mention are probably a little harder to find: Beasts of the Southern Wild and Samsara.<br />
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Beasts of the Southern Wild I actually saw months ago and meant to talk about it then. If you can find this one somewhere, I highly recommend it, and also highly recommend seeing it on a big screen if you can.<br />
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It's the story of a little girl named Hushpuppy living in a swamp called the Bathtub. I'm not 100% sure, but I got the impression it's an area that was purposefully left partially flooded and unprotected after Hurricane Katrina. The government tried to move everyone out of the area, but some people refused to move. And still refuse to even when another storm approaches and floods them again.<br />
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But it's not really about that. It's about this very little girl (5 or 6?) who's almost living on her own. Her dad is around, but he makes her live in her own dwelling and barely takes care of her and he's not doing too well and often she needs to take care of him. The girl has been learning about prehistoric animals and imagines danger in the form of these great mastodon-sized pigs. And that image/idea comes to a head near the end of the film in an inventive way and shows the great bravery of our young heroine.<br />
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Great movie. Try to find it.<br />
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And Samsara. This one is purely visual. I'm not sure if there is a word spoken during this movie. It's a series of spectacular images set to music and it's mesmerizing. Wow. Hard to describe. Try to find it in a good movie theatre. And Go. :)<br />
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This trailer intrigued me enough to want to go, but it doesn't do the film justice.<br />
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Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-55135203329116335912012-12-04T12:16:00.002-05:002012-12-04T12:16:55.513-05:00Where is Deviants?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYPFXU_Wee4/UL4u_C_dP9I/AAAAAAAABwU/xo-r9YZkCuc/s1600/question_mark_naught101_02.svg.hi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYPFXU_Wee4/UL4u_C_dP9I/AAAAAAAABwU/xo-r9YZkCuc/s320/question_mark_naught101_02.svg.hi.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, that's actually a good question.<br />
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If you're heading out to your local big chain book store, or even indie... spoiler alert... the chances of finding <i>Deviants</i> on the shelves are very, very low.<br />
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Why is that you ask?<br /><br />
While there can be a lot of reasons that a particular book doesn't end up in stores (small publisher, bad distribution, not a "commercial" enough title or genre, no sales push from publisher...) in my particular case it's none of the above.<br />
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Bookstores in the US and Canada banded together to boycott my publisher, Amazon Children's Publishing. The official reason stated by the big US-based chain who started the boycott was that the publisher is only making the e-books available in the kindle format (not Nook, or Kobo, or the more generic e-pub), but I suspect the reasons go deeper than that. But that's not really what this post is about.<br />
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This post is supposed to answer the question: Where is <i>Deviants</i>?<br />
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Drumroll..... <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Answer</b></span>: <br />
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To buy the e-book (currently only $3.99!) you can buy it at the kindle store here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00749XXLS/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00749XXLS&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20%22%3EDeviants%20(The%20Dust%20Chronicles)%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwmaureenmcg-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00749XXLS" target="_blank">Deviants on Kindle</a>.<br />
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If you don't have an account with Amazon.com yet, set one up. It's easy. You will need a credit card but it's probably one of the most secure retail sites out there. Amazon pioneered this online retailing stuff. They're good at it. Very. (One possible reason the other retailers are scared and boycotting the book released by the publisher they own..)<br />
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Don't have a kindle? No problem either. There are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" target="_blank">free kindle apps</a> for your computer, tablet or smart phone. <br />
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To buy the hardcover, (prices vary), you can order from most online bookstores. They will ship them directly to you (possibly for free if you order other things too--or, say, multiple copies. ;) ) or you can have them shipped for pick-up at a local store. Here are a few suggestions:<br />
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deviants-maureen-mcgowan/1111204310?ean=9781612183671" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Deviants-Maureen-McGowan/9781612183671-item.html" target="_blank">Chapters/Indigo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenmcg-20" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1612183670/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=1612183670&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwmaureenm00-20" target="_blank">Amazon.ca</a><br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781612183671" target="_blank">IndieBound</a></div>
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And if you live in Southern Ontario and/or the Kingston area, the following stores have <i>Deviants</i> in stock. (Many copies at these stores are even signed! *note to self* get up to Yorkdale to sign more of their stock.)<br />
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Indigo Yorkdale</div>
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Chapters Brampton</div>
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Chapters Barrie</div>
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Chapters Belleville</div>
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Not being on bookshelves makes it harder for me to help readers find my book. Want to help spread the word? If you've read <i>Deviants</i>, please consider posting a review at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca or wherever you post reviews. Tell your friends about it. Tell strangers about it. ;) Ask for it at your library. Ask your local bookstore to order it.<br />
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This has been a public service announcement from the Where's <i>Deviants</i> Task Force (WDTF).Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24994577.post-88207897029380942022012-12-03T13:14:00.000-05:002012-12-03T13:14:14.599-05:00Well That Was Fun!The scavenger hunt is over!!<br />
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I'll be picking the winner of my bonus giveaway today and the overall winners of the hunt will be announced on December 5th!<br />
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Thanks to everyone who participated in the #YASH hunt, and good luck!Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com0