Last call for Airship Squardon Cadets

LAST CALL FOR AIRSHIP SQUADRON CADETS!


I've opened a few more spots on the airship. 

The Airship Squadron is the Aether Chronicles street team -- a group of people interested in helping me spread the word about INNOCENT DARKNESS.

Cadets get a special newsletter, contests just for them, etc.  If you're interested please email me with your name, address and email. (suzannelazear (@) yahoo ) Address is optional, but I won't use it for evil.  Promise.

Cadets can be from all over the world.  :) 

I am especially on the look out for cadets in SoCal, NorCal, AZ, the Saint Louis area, and the Kansas City area, since I have events coming up there and would love help in spreading the word. But you can be from ANYWHERE, who knows, I could be having an event near you in future!

Only a few more days to bid on a critique or prize pack...

The Brenda Novak annual auction to raise money for the cure of diabetes always has some amazing stuff for both readers and writers. 

I have two things up for auction. 

A 50 page manuscript critique (and if you're going to RWA, ALA, or BEA we'll meet for coffee)

And prize pack including a signed copy of INNOCENT DARKNESS (if the bidding gets to $50 I'll doodle in it, if the bidding reaches $100 I'll annotate it), Noli's necklace, and a handmade ray gun. The bidding ends May 31. The bidding on this is *so close* to it being a doodled copy.  All of this is for a really good cause to I encourage you to check out all the amazing stuff. 

If you've pre-ordered Innocent Darkness...

Have you pre-ordered INNOCENT DARKNESS?

If so, I thank you. 

Pre-ordering (either online or through your favorite indie) is really helpful to authors because it lets bookstores and publishers know people actually want to read their book. 

Requesting it through your local/school library is also helpful (and free.). 

If you've pre-ordered INNOCENT DARKNESS, email me a copy of your order (you can black out the sensitive stuff) and your name and address and I'll send you a signed book plate. Let me know who to sign it to. I don't have them yet, but they'll be pretty.  (This is open internationally.)

I know not everyone can (or likes to) pre-order, so I'll do the bookplate thing again at another time, so you all have the chance to get one if you'd like. 

I just wanted to thank everyone who has pre-ordered it so far. It means a lot to me.  ~group hug~

Have an awesome long weekend.

My events at BEA

If you're you're going to BBC/BEA, I will be there Monday and Tuesday only.

If you see me, tell me your favorite kind of cupcake and I'll have some swag for you!  I love being able to put names and faces together.

 I'll be at BBC on Monday. Come say hi!

On Tuesday, I have a meet and greet at the Flux booth at 2:30.  I will have *very special swag*at the meet in greet--something NO ONE has seen yet.

I also have a signing Tuesday at 4 pm at Table 11. There will be ARCS!

 I will not be at the Apocolypsie party, due to schedule conflicts. There will be swag, but not as fun as what I'll have at the Flux booth meet and greet. 

Hope to see you!

The never ending hide and go seek copy edits of doom

Here are the winners of the two goody bags of adult books from RT:

Lauren Geoff and Naomi Hopkins

Congrats.  Please email me at suzannelazear (@) yahoo to claim your prize.

I am very pleased to tell you that the never-ending hide-and-go-seek copy edits of doom have been turned in.

~launches cupcake cannon~

I was sent a hard copy and told to send my notes back as a Word Doc.  I made the mistake of writing on the MS thinking I'd then put it in a Word Doc instead of typing my notes as I went along.

Yeah.  That took  forever.  Not doing that again.

I also don't think my copy editor expected 21 pages of notes.

But I meant it when I said I wanted to write the best possible book I could for you.  In a little more than two months--yes, TWO, until it's out in the world ~bites nails~  This was my last change to fix anything.  From here it goes to print.

You know who ARCs say they're "unedited review copies"?  Every house is different in the process, but with my house, the ARC was really and truly unedited.

What I sent to my editor last September after my edit letter was what they printed in the ARC.  Sure, I read it, my betas read it, but there's nothing like a professional copy editor to really point out inconsistencies, issues, and exactly how many times you used the same exact phrase. She pointed out things I'd never even noticed, especially when it came to Noli. When you've lived with a story for years (and I wrote this in 2009) it can be hard to see things clearly--which is where a fresh set of trained eyes can be really valuable (and betas, I love my betas). 

Line edits and then copy edits came after the ARCs were out. If I'd have known that I might have bribed someone with cupcakes to run my manuscript through grammar boot camp.

Still, the important thing is, they're done, and with those two steps I know the story is so much stronger for you.  As much as I love having contests and talking to you all on social media, my job is to wrote you the best story I can.

It's not that anything super major has been changed but all those small things can make a big difference. 

Now...time to tackle that book 2 edit letter.  Just wait until you see what happens to Noli, V, and the gang...

Have a great week everyone! 

RT Swagbag Giveaway Part II

Thanks to everyone who entered the YAmazing Race!  The race winners are here.

The winners of my contest are:

Delux swag back w/ butterfly clip
Jessica

Surprise YA book from the stash of awesome
Jessica Killian
Becca Fowler
Molly Nudo Frenzel

Please email me at suzannelazear (@) yahoo to claim your prize. 

Anyone going to the Gaslight Gathering this weekend in San Diego?

I will be there on Sat, May 12, doing a bunch of panels and stuff

10:00 am-10:50am – Young Adult Steampunk – Some of the most exciting new steampunk novels have been written for the young adult (YA) audience. Listen as YA authors Belle Holder, Nancy Holder, and Suzanne Lazaer discuss their favorites stories and why adults should pay closer attention to this amazing genre! Belle Holder, Nancy Holder, Suzanne Lazaer – Garden Ballroom Two

1pm-2:15pm – Paranormal Steampunk – Sink your fangs into this amazing panel as our authors discuss the many supernatural species that have invaded the steampunk genre and why readers can’t get enough of them. Scott Farrell, Nancy Holder, Suzanne Lazaer, and David Lee Summers – Garden Salon Two

5pm-6pm – How to Write Steampunk – Get ready to start writing your own steampunk story with some helpful hints from some of our incredible authors on how to get inspired and get your steamy ideas down on paper. James Blaylock, Nancy Holder, Suzanne Lazaer, and David Lee Summers. Brittany Room

If you're there, come say hi!
Okay, now for what you've been patiently waiting for.

I have another RT giveaway.  This is actually two bags full of *adult* books and swag.  This is adult stuff, not YA, just FYI.  It's romance, don't want anyone to be disappointed (or offended). Lots of the bookmarks and stuff show man-chest. 

Here's all the stuff.  It will be divided into two bags.  5 books and lots o'stuff in each bag. 

Here are the two bags

Anyway, here's the rafflecopter.  Have a super weekend everyone.  I'm up to my ears in INNOCENT DARKNESS copy edits.  Trying to make it the best book possible for you all to enjoy.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

YAmazing Race

Welcome! It's once again time for the YAmazing Race with MGnificant Prizes. The race officially starts at 12 noon, EST on May 2nd, so if you're early, please check back after the race starts. You are currently racing with the Giant Space Squid team. The YAmazing Race is a blog hop with your chance to win all sorts of great prizes from lots of really awesome YA and MG authors. For rules and where to start, please go here.
 

Welcome.  I'm Suzanne Lazear and I write fairytale steampunk.  INNOCENT DARKNESS comes out in about three months!

INNOCENT DARKNESS by Suzanne Lazear

Book 1, The Aether Chronicles

August 8, 2012

Flux

Be careful what you wish for...In an alternate version of 1901 Los Angeles sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed to restore his dying world.  Her best friend, V, who has secrets of his own, appears to help Noli escape and return to the mortal realm.  If they are successful, Noli will live, but if she does  the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

 

Bonus Contest:  In addition to the great prizes you can win as part of the race, I'm having my own special contest.  I have three surprise YA books from my stash of awesome and a deluxe INNOCENT DARKNESS swag pack with a pink butterfly clip.  Just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by.  Ready to go on to the next blog? Click here.

Thanks to everyone who entered the YA goody bag contest.  I do have 2 adult book goody bags to give away.  I will put them up eventually.  Sorry, I have copy edits and stuff and it's a bit hectic.

Anyway CAMERON Y, you are our lucky winner.  Email me at suzannelazear (@) yahoo to claim your prize.

Have you entered my gadget contest for a chance to win an ARC of INNOCENT DARKNESS?  Seriously, you should, even if you don't think you have a chance.  Really, just enter.

Now, this may only be funny if you're over thirty, but I laughed my butt off at this parody of "We are young", aptly titles "We're not young." 

Have a great weekend everyone! Anyone doing anything fun?

YA Goody Bag Contest

I picked up a ton of stuff at RT -- most to give away here in the months leading up to my book release. (Which is good because hubby will have fits if we keep all these books. He'd have to build me another bookshelf.)

 I will have some adult book goody bags up later, probably next week.

But here's my YA goodbag stuffed with swag I collected over the course of RT as well as two books:

• An ARC of VENOM  by Fiona Paul (October 2012)
• BODY AND SOUL by Stacey Kade

 So, here's the rafflecopter...you know the drill.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

RT Adventures

So, I'm running an online writing class called "Punked" about writing across the punk genres in May.  It's only $16.  Details are here. 

Have you entered the gadget contest over at Steamed yet?  You have until the end of the month. 

I'm back from RT and had a fab time.  It's always great to meet up with friends, meet new ones, and put names and faces together. 

The YA Sleepover was a fantastic event.  Author Truth or Dare was hysterical.  I think we'll have to try to do this next RT. 

That was the only event where I wasn't running around in full steampunk attire.  (Panda Wilson made this outfit in a few days, with scraps she had laying around, and sent it with her mom to RT so I'd have it.  Isn't that awesome.)

Here's me, Eden Bradley, RG Alexander, and PG Forte at our Steampunk panel. 

Here's me and Leanna Renee Hieber.

It was awesome hanging out with other YA authors.

I also got to fangirl a little.  Here's me and Nancy Holder with (squee) Francine Pascal, author of the Sweet Valley High books. 

Besides attending some great panels, being on a few of my own, and meeting other authors, I picked up some great goodies.  I'll be posting a few giveaways in the next week or two with some of the awesome stuff I thought you'd enjoy.

Have a great rest of the week!

I'm off to RT....

I'm off to RT!  I hope to see some of you there.  Don't forget to check out Steampunkapalooza.

Have Hat, WIll Travel

I spent part of the weekend packing and finishing getting ready for RT. 

Packing for RT is complicated and requires four pairs of gloves, three hats. three pairs of boots, a fan, wings, a bustle, a Victorian nightgown, three corsets, a ball gown, and numerous other interesting things.

 

 

 If you're going to RT, say hi.  If you tell me your fave kind of cupcake, I may have swag for you.

Wed
1-2 pm--Steam and other punks panel
11:45 pm - 1 am -- YA slumber party (wear your slippers!)

Thurs
2:45-3:45 --Gaslamp Gathering (There will be cookies)

Friday 
1:30-2:30  -- Writing, Selling, and Marketing Steampunk Panel (moderator)

Saturday
3:45-4:45 -Steam and other punks panel (for Readers, part of Fan-Tastic day)

 6:15-7:30 -- Teen Day party

Also, I'm have a contest for an ARC of Innocent Darkness and other great prizes over at Steamed as part of steampunkapalooza.  You might want to check it out.

INNOCENT DARKNESS ARC Contest!

All right, you've been waiting for this.  I have one lone ARC of INNOCENT DARKNESS to give away.

Yes, one.  I only got two ARCs and had to beg for them as it was.  I don't even get to keep one to pet randomlly. 

But...

You can win one along with neat stuff. 

Here's the grand prize.  Like?

There's a signed ARC, a facinator, Noli's necklace and some swag. 

There are other cool prizes, too, like this:

and this:

Both courtesy of the awesome peeps at Think Geek

The details aren't here.  They're actually over at Steamed, the group steampunk blog I run.  This month is Steampunkapalooza, the month long blog party we hist every April.

It's not a rafflecopter, but I promise you it's not as hard as it seems--AND the more people who enter, the more prizes there will be.

Here's the link to the contest.  You have all month.  Good luck!. 

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks everyone!  The Scavenger Hunt was a huge success. Check the main page for the big winners.

The winners of my scavenger hunt contest are:

Here are the winners of my contest:

Noli's Necklace

• Tanya Contois 

Book from the stash of awesome + an Innocent Darkness swag pack:

• Gabrielle 
• Kat Hallowell 
•  Nicole Miniuk 
•  Dana Cuadrado 

Also, here are the winners of my Birthday contest:

Noli's Necklace:

•   Becky 
 

Innocent Darkness Preorder:

• Tiffany Webb

 Innocent Darkness swag pack:

• Gabi
• reading mind
• Gaynor Thomson
• Shauna Olen Buck
• Julie Klumb

Like contests and Steampunk?  All April long on the Steamed blog we'll be running Steampunkapalooza--a month of guests, contests, and mayhem. 

Also, my newletter will be going out soon--probably tonight.  I'll announce the INNOCENT DARKNESS ARC contest formally on April 8, on the Steamed blog, however, newsletter subscribers will get a sneak peak at what the contest is about and a look at sketches of Noli and Charlotte. 

Did everyone have a good weekend?  I'm getting ready for RT, which is next week in Chicago.  The YA Sleepover is going to be epic.  Anyone going? 

Welcome to the YA Scavenger Hunt!

Welcome to the YA Scavenger Hunt! 

I'm Suzanne Lazear, come, have a cupcake.  

 You're currently hopping with...

Lost?  Stuck? Confused? Go here.  

If you have no idea what's going on, this page is part of a giant scavenger hunt where, not only do you get access to exclusive content from YA authors, but if up the clues, and you can enter for our prize -- one lucky winner will receive TWENTY signed books, one book from each participating author on my team. I'm on the YELLOW team, but you can also follow the red and blue teams, for a chance to win their prizes as well.  Also, lots of authors are hosting their own contests, so there's tons of chances to win stuff.  (You might have to click "read more" to see the rafflecopter form to enter my personal giveaway since it's at the bottom.) But the hunt and content only last 72 hours.  Go here for details and where to start.

I am hosting the super fabulous  Bree Despain!  (If you're looking for my bonus content, a sneak peek at the boys of INNOCENT DARKNESS, keep hopping, because it's not here.) 

Here's Bree's Bio:

Bree Despain is the author of the Dark Divine trilogy. Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner-city teens from Philadelphia and New York. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two young sons, and her beloved TiVo.  All three books in the trilogy, THE DARK DIVINE, THE LOST SAINT, and THE SAVAGE GRACE are now available.

In the hunt she's featuring her book THE SAVAGE GRACE:

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

Wow.  You can order THE SAVAGE GRACE here.

And now, what you've all been waiting for...more cupcakes.  Um, I mean, Bree's bonus content.

~~~~The scavenger hunt is over and Bree's content has been taken down. Thanks for playing!~~~~

 For more info on Bree and her books please check out her website.

Now, for the prizes.  Hidden within the post is a single letter that is yellow. It's part of a scrambled phrase. Once you go to all the author sites of the yellow team, you'll have all the letters you need to complete the puzzle and enter the contest.


Entry Form: Once you piece together all the clues to the hunt, make sure you fill out the form HERE to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the completed phrase will qualify.

Thank you so much for visiting. And now, to go to the next site on the hunt, click here to visit Rae Hachton.  Why don't you bring her a cupcake?

 

Before you leave, you can enter to win something special here, too.  Noli, my main character, has a special necklace, which V gave her. You can win one, or a book from my stash of awesome along with some INNOCENT DARKNESS swag.

a Rafflecopter giveaway