Sometimes people ask me questions. And, rather less frequently, I give good answers.
What is your next book? Are you going to write any more PARANORMALCY books?
ENDLESSLY will finish the trilogy and be out July 24th. I have no plans to write further in Evie's voice.
However! I have four books coming out in 2013 and 2014. In February is a dark thriller called MIND GAMES, the first in a new series. In fall 2013 you can read FLOOD AND STONE, a standalone about the teenage daughter of ancient Egyptian gods.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy my other books as much (or more!) than the PARANORMALCY trilogy. I have a lot of stories in my brain. Regular syphoning is required.
Can you come to my school/library/bookstore/town?
Other than frequent trips to Utah, I am not usually in charge of where I do events. If you are a librarian or a teacher, I am available for Skype chats for a small fee.
How can I find out where you'll be?
Check out the "Appearances" tab--it will always list my next few signings, as well as stores you can order signed copies from.
When is the movie going to get made?
While we have sold the option to make Paranormalcy into a film, movies are a long, complicated process. Rest assured the producer and his team are freaking awesome and doing everything they can to put Evie on the big screen. Recent updates include signing director Ray Kay on!
Which actors do you want for the roles?
I don't think too much about it, because when it comes to casting I will have pretty much zero say whatsoever. That being said, here's a blog post on the subject.
I saw that you're originally from Utah and got your degree from BYU. Does that mean...
That I like green jello? No, not too much. I prefer raspberry.
Oh, did you mean do I snowboard? Not as well as I'd like. Actually, I never enjoyed it very much, so I guess exactly as well as I'd like.
Wait, you were talking about something else entirely. The answer is no, I am not a blonde either naturally or from a bottle.
Also, yes, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known colloquially as Mormons. Not that that's what you were asking, of course.
(And, to answer any further questions, I am neither polygamist nor Republican.)
How can I get published?
The very first step, and some would argue the most important one, is to write a book.
What is your next book? Are you going to write any more PARANORMALCY books?
ENDLESSLY will finish the trilogy and be out July 24th. I have no plans to write further in Evie's voice.
However! I have four books coming out in 2013 and 2014. In February is a dark thriller called MIND GAMES, the first in a new series. In fall 2013 you can read FLOOD AND STONE, a standalone about the teenage daughter of ancient Egyptian gods.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy my other books as much (or more!) than the PARANORMALCY trilogy. I have a lot of stories in my brain. Regular syphoning is required.
Can you come to my school/library/bookstore/town?
Other than frequent trips to Utah, I am not usually in charge of where I do events. If you are a librarian or a teacher, I am available for Skype chats for a small fee.
How can I find out where you'll be?
Check out the "Appearances" tab--it will always list my next few signings, as well as stores you can order signed copies from.
Can you send me swag (free stuff like bookmarks, signed books, etc.) for my blog contest?
Nope. Sorry.
While we have sold the option to make Paranormalcy into a film, movies are a long, complicated process. Rest assured the producer and his team are freaking awesome and doing everything they can to put Evie on the big screen. Recent updates include signing director Ray Kay on!
Which actors do you want for the roles?
I don't think too much about it, because when it comes to casting I will have pretty much zero say whatsoever. That being said, here's a blog post on the subject.
I saw that you're originally from Utah and got your degree from BYU. Does that mean...
That I like green jello? No, not too much. I prefer raspberry.
Oh, did you mean do I snowboard? Not as well as I'd like. Actually, I never enjoyed it very much, so I guess exactly as well as I'd like.
Wait, you were talking about something else entirely. The answer is no, I am not a blonde either naturally or from a bottle.
Also, yes, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known colloquially as Mormons. Not that that's what you were asking, of course.
(And, to answer any further questions, I am neither polygamist nor Republican.)
How can I get published?
The very first step, and some would argue the most important one, is to write a book.
Seriously.
After that, I'm just going to direct you to a blog post I did on this very subject.
Can you take a look at my book/query/synopsis/posted chapters?
No. Sorry. I really, really wish that I could help everyone out as much as they want me to. But I've got my own writing that takes up quite a bit of time, and a group that I already trade critiques with. There's also the whole liability issue, and while I know no one cool enough to be reading the FAQs on my website would ever accuse me of plagiarism, we live in a litigious society and it's a sad fact that authors have to be safe to avoid becoming sorry.
HOWEVER. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have critique partners--good, thoughtful, smart people who a) will be kind and b) will also tell you the truth. I know my writing improved dramatically with the help of my friends, all of whom I found online.
If you are looking for help on a query, there are many blogs and websites out there that volunteer advice. You also can't go wrong by reading up on the basics on Nathan Bransford's blog.
If you still insist on sending me something, I will delete it sight-unseen. And feel very bad about it, too, so please don't do it.
Could you take me in a fight?
That all depends on whether or not I have the element of surprise and if I'm allowed nunchucks. Never underestimate small people. Especially small people with nunchucks.
How long did it take you to find an agent? How long did it take you to sell? Is Paranormalcy your first novel?
I queried on and off for about a year with a disastrously boring middle grade project that will never, thankfully, see the light of day. After I wrote Flash (which should answer that question about whether Paranormalcy is my first novel--it is, in fact, my fourth), I queried for about three months before Michelle and I found each other. (45 queries, if you're really curious, and if you're reading this section, odds are you are.)
While Flash was on submission early 2009 I wrote Paranormalcy. When Flash didn't sell (most YA publishers felt the main characters were a tad too old since they weren't in high school), I decided that Paranormalcy was the book to pursue. I spent a few months editing it (and editing it and editing it and editing it), and then sent it to Michelle, who agreed that we had something special.
Fortunately many editors agreed, as well. It was on submission for less than a month when it sold to Erica Sussman (yay Erica!) at HarperTeen in a significant pre-empt.
So, I've been working toward this for a while, but I can't imagine it turning out a better way.
Can I have an ARC or review copy of [Whatever Book Is Next] to review on my blog?
I am not in charge of distributing ARCs and get very few copies myself. I would direct you to the person in charge, but...I don't know who it is.
Not very convenient, is it? Sorry.
Not very convenient, is it? Sorry.
Can you send me a signed copy of [Whatever Book I Want]?
No. Sorry.
Can you send me a signed bookplate?
You can send a bookplate to:
Kiersten White
c/o HarperCollins Children's Books10 E 53rd StreetNew York, NY 10022
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. It'll take a while to get to me, but I do answer all snail mail I receive.
No. Sorry.
Can you send me a signed bookplate?
You can send a bookplate to:
Kiersten White
c/o HarperCollins Children's Books10 E 53rd StreetNew York, NY 10022
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. It'll take a while to get to me, but I do answer all snail mail I receive.
Can I send you a review copy of my novel?
You have a novel! That's awesome! Congratulations!
Now that I've congratulated you, here are some questions:
Is it a young adult novel? If not, it's not really going to do you any good to send it to me since we write for different markets.
Is it self-published? If so, I'm sorry but I can't read it. Please see above entry on liability issues.
Is it self-published? If so, I'm sorry but I can't read it. Please see above entry on liability issues.
Now that we've clarified, here are my acceptance policies:
Have I personally said (via twitter or my blog) that I'd like to read your book? Great! You can ask me directly if I'd like to receive an ARC, and shockingly enough I will probaby say yes.
What if I don't know you/haven't told you I'd like to receive an ARC? Feel free to approach my editor via your editor, or have your editor contact my agent.
Will I blurb my book your book if I agree to read it? Ah. Well. Here's where it gets tricky. We can all agree that taste varies, and I will only blurb books that I unabashedly and enthusiastically love. If I'm going to be willing to put my name and reputation behind it, it's because I freaking love your book. Does this mean I hate it if I pass on offering a blurb? Absolutely not! Even if I don't blurb it, if I enjoy your book and think it's something my readers would, too, I will definitely mention it on twitter when it comes out, and I may even blog about it. And we'll both agree that regardless of whether or not I blurb your book, I think you are awesome and you think I am awesome and there will be no hard feelings, only the companionable solidarity that comes from writing for the best age group around.
Can you give away my [book, product, child] on your blog or announce my giveaway?
As much as I would love to help out, I try to keep my blog as professional as possible (you can tell this is true because of how often I talk about vomit--nothing says professional like vomit!). It's very important to me that if I recommend a book on my blog, my readers know it is because I genuinely love it and think they will, too. I may occasionally link to giveaways or contests if they are for books that I recommend. I won't promote or endorse any products other than Dr Pepper (and I've yet to be paid for that, although I wouldn't complain), and I cannot give away your child on my blog because that would be illegal.
So please don't ask me to host a giveaway for anything, because I'll have to say no and I'll feel really, really bad about it.
What if you didn't answer my question on this page? Which, by the way, you totally didn't.
My apologies. I told you I wasn't very helpful.
Do you have an author photo I can use on my blog post/newspaper article/dartboard?
Why yes, yes I do. Please email me if you need a higher resolution version!
Why yes, yes I do. Please email me if you need a higher resolution version!
