Category: writing

PRETTY AMY Cover Reveal

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One of the supercool things I get to do–now that I’m attached to a publishing company–is to participate in things like COVER REVEALS for other Entangled Publishing authors.


This is my first one. And I’m so excited about it. Plus, I’ve sneaked a peek at chapter one, and can’t wait to read the book.


The cover is GORGEOUS. (Which is making me even more thrilled about what my cover will look like someday!)



Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands (earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx) Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing–like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

About the author:

Lisa at her junior prom

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy. 

PRETTY AMY Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy

Amazon pre-order: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330534300&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble pre-order: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786?ean=9781620611197&itm=1&usri=pretty+amy

Additional links to Lisa’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/LisaBurstein

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBursteinAuthor

Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com

PRETTY AMY Cover Reveal

Leave a comment

One of the supercool things I get to do–now that I’m attached to a publishing company–is to participate in things like COVER REVEALS for other Entangled Publishing authors.


This is my first one. And I’m so excited about it. Plus, I’ve sneaked a peek at chapter one, and can’t wait to read the book.


The cover is GORGEOUS. (Which is making me even more thrilled about what my cover will look like someday!)



Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands (earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx) Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing–like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

About the author:

Lisa at her junior prom

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy. 

PRETTY AMY Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy

Amazon pre-order: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330534300&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble pre-order: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786?ean=9781620611197&itm=1&usri=pretty+amy

Additional links to Lisa’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/LisaBurstein

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBursteinAuthor

Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com

Music Monday

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With “Abby Road” off in editor’s heaven, I’ve been able to return to other writing projects. Which is exciting. And a bit dreadful. But mostly exciting. The dreadful part came when I had to decide which still unfinished, or rather terribly unpolished, WIP (work in progress) to dive into. 
I had two choices. 
Mentally, for days I struggled over which to tackle. Because, I love both, and both need lots of TLC. 
When I pulled out one manuscript to simply take a look at it, however, I instantly fell back in love. . . with the story, my MC, my dashing hero, my comic relief, and the setting of my adopted hometown of Dallas. 
Funny, when it came down to it, there really was no choice at all. I have found my happy distraction and am now up to my elbows in writing fun. 
Sharing my manuscript’s title, Shelby Lynne’s “Dreamsome” is a beautiful song; calming in it’s rhythmic repetition, and yet heart-wrenchingly lonely. Which is a very interesting fusing.
My “Dream Some” explores the themes of forgiveness, patience, loyalty and most importantly. . . second chances with the love of your live. Which I’m also finding very interesting to write about. 

And by the way. . . “Did you miss me?”
 

Music Monday

4 Comments
With “Abby Road” off in editor’s heaven, I’ve been able to return to other writing projects. Which is exciting. And a bit dreadful. But mostly exciting. The dreadful part came when I had to decide which still unfinished, or rather terribly unpolished, WIP (work in progress) to dive into. 
I had two choices. 
Mentally, for days I struggled over which to tackle. Because, I love both, and both need lots of TLC. 
When I pulled out one manuscript to simply take a look at it, however, I instantly fell back in love. . . with the story, my MC, my dashing hero, my comic relief, and the setting of my adopted hometown of Dallas. 
Funny, when it came down to it, there really was no choice at all. I have found my happy distraction and am now up to my elbows in writing fun. 
Sharing my manuscript’s title, Shelby Lynne’s “Dreamsome” is a beautiful song; calming in it’s rhythmic repetition, and yet heart-wrenchingly lonely. Which is a very interesting fusing.
My “Dream Some” explores the themes of forgiveness, patience, loyalty and most importantly. . . second chances with the love of your live. Which I’m also finding very interesting to write about. 

And by the way. . . “Did you miss me?”
 

letting go

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Earlier today, I sent off the full “Abby” manuscript to my editor. This is the first of a possible 3-4 editing cycles. 

Being a complete newbee at this, I can only ask around, totally fret, and/or speculate as to what this process will be like. 

In response to my (apparent) totally-fretting, my crit partner sent me this article, by Erin Bowman. . . giving me a little heads-up as to what might be in store for me and my sweet, little book. 

STEP ONE — Revision #1

This is typically the most robust revision round and it begins as soon as the author receives the editor’s revision letter… The letter will outline all sorts of required changes, most of which are wide and sweeping. Chapters will need to be completely rewritten or heavily revised. Plot holes will need filling, characters will need arcing, worlds will need building. This initial revision is a complicated process because as you pull one thread and rewrite it, a dozen more always seem to unravel. Timelines can vary by project, but an author usually has anywhere from 3 – 8 weeks to complete this first revision.

Tips for getting through this round:
  • Brainstorm with your editor. (I jotted a ton of notes right into my revision letter and sent them back to Editor Erica as a word doc. She then left me additional notes and thoughts in the comments and track changes). When changes are large, it’s always best to hash things out before you start hacking the MS to bits.
  • Deep breathes. Sometimes you’ll feel absolutely stuck/lost/hopeless but you will find the answer. Step away. Come back later. You’ll get there.
  • Just start. It’s hard when there’s so much to tackle, but pick something small and run with it. Once you start pulling plot threads, you’ll have to keep fixing them until all of a sudden, voila! Revision complete!   
Holy gulp, batman.
Sounds rather terrifying, no? 
And yet–after a few deep breaths and a cupcake or two–strangely exciting! 

letting go

Leave a comment
Earlier today, I sent off the full “Abby” manuscript to my editor. This is the first of a possible 3-4 editing cycles. 

Being a complete newbee at this, I can only ask around, totally fret, and/or speculate as to what this process will be like. 

In response to my (apparent) totally-fretting, my crit partner sent me this article, by Erin Bowman. . . giving me a little heads-up as to what might be in store for me and my sweet, little book. 

STEP ONE — Revision #1

This is typically the most robust revision round and it begins as soon as the author receives the editor’s revision letter… The letter will outline all sorts of required changes, most of which are wide and sweeping. Chapters will need to be completely rewritten or heavily revised. Plot holes will need filling, characters will need arcing, worlds will need building. This initial revision is a complicated process because as you pull one thread and rewrite it, a dozen more always seem to unravel. Timelines can vary by project, but an author usually has anywhere from 3 – 8 weeks to complete this first revision.

Tips for getting through this round:
  • Brainstorm with your editor. (I jotted a ton of notes right into my revision letter and sent them back to Editor Erica as a word doc. She then left me additional notes and thoughts in the comments and track changes). When changes are large, it’s always best to hash things out before you start hacking the MS to bits.
  • Deep breathes. Sometimes you’ll feel absolutely stuck/lost/hopeless but you will find the answer. Step away. Come back later. You’ll get there.
  • Just start. It’s hard when there’s so much to tackle, but pick something small and run with it. Once you start pulling plot threads, you’ll have to keep fixing them until all of a sudden, voila! Revision complete!   
Holy gulp, batman.
Sounds rather terrifying, no? 
And yet–after a few deep breaths and a cupcake or two–strangely exciting!