Friday, December 18, 2009

Catch Up (not Ketchup)


Hi everybody! Isn't it so annoying when bloggers promise they've turned over a new leaf and they are going to blog like crazy from now on, and then more than a week passes and you don't hear from them? Yes, that is so annoying.

I hope you guys are enjoying the time of year. I know I am. I really feel like I've turned a corner in my revisions for THE SCORCH TRIALS, so I'm feeling pretty good. My due date is January 4th, so I better be!

A few things:

1. Late notice, but I will be at the Fort Union Deseret Bookstore in Utah tomorrow (Saturday the 19th) from 1:00 to 3:00. It's my last signing of the year, so come one come all. There'll be treats! Well, maybe not treats, but there will be books.

2. I'm very excited that the paperback for Book 1 of THE 13TH REALITY is finally coming out!!!!!! It will be in stores on Tuesday the 22nd (if not already). I received a copy and I love, love, love how it looks. And it's only $7.99. Pretty cheap for 500 pages of good times. That's the cover up top in case you missed it.

3. My good friend and editor, Stacy Whitman (who helped me a lot with THE MAZE RUNNER), is starting her own publishing company. Her goal is to provide more multicultural science fiction and fantasy, which I think is a very noble cause. Take a second and check out her website - you'll be very impressed: CLICK HERE.

4. If you'd like to read or hear an interview with me on The Author Hour, CLICK HERE.

5. If you want to see a very long interview with me on a show called Books Alive that I filmed during my tour, CLICK HERE. I guess I need to accept the fact that I can no longer hide from the world just how big of a dork I am. Sigh. (Barb, the host, was so funny!)

6. I hereby declare and promise that I will never tease about good news again. I'm so sorry! I didn't think it'd take so long to get permission to announce it. Wait, I basically just teased you again. I'm awful. Truly awful. Oh come on, you guys can guess what it is. You're smart. Plus, I've seen it leaked on a couple of websites.

7. I also apologize for being so terrible at Twitter and Facebook. I'll set a New Year's resolution to be better in 2010!

8. Jeremiah, a faithful Dashner Duder, has set up a website for a battle between MAZE and Percy Jackson. I thought this was too cool for words. Please go vote your conscience! CLICK HERE.

9. It's Opening Day for AVATAR!!!!!!!! I'll be seeing it on the IMAX with my son at 3:00. Yeah boy!

10. The Falcons have no chance to make the playoffs. Oh, the horror!!!!

Okay, here are some Q&A from the comments:

First, as always, THANK YOU to those who left nice comments about my book. I never tire of hearing such things! Also, thanks for all the congrats on being chosen as a Kirkus best book of 2009.

Laura asked what my next big thing I'm going to do that's not book related. Hmmmm. My family is going to San Diego in January. Sea World, Legoland, etc. Should be fun.

Stacey asked what I did to celebrate selling MAZE to RH. It was kinda cool. My mom had just arrived from Georgia for a visit and we were all at lunch together when my agent called. That was celebration enough! (I'm going to leave out the part about me screaming like a girl and running around pushing old ladies down with glee.)

Jack Porter asked how many times 13th Reality was rejected. Zero. They'd actually rejected something else but liked my writing, asked for a new proposal. The rest is history! But I've received at least 30 rejections throughout my career.

#1dashnerfan, to find publishers, you need to check out a book called Writer's Market. Very good.

Allison (Well Read Reviews) asked about the title for the sequel to MAZE. It's called THE SCORCH TRIALS and comes out next fall. You're gonna like it!

Aaron, yes, sometimes the drums hurt my ears. :)

And, wow, reading through the comments once again, I have to say thank you one more time. So many nice words! You guys are way too good to me. Thank you.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Oh! Is it the good news that you mentioned earlier this year but said you couldn't mention?!

I'm glad you're having such a great Holiday Season, James. You deserve it. I'll totally be there Saturday but that's because I'll also be there to see Becca Wilhite (author of Bright Blue Miracle) who is there from 12-2. But hey! Now I get a chance to see you too! How awesome is that?

Idea for another blog post: You can tell us how Avatar is. I'm nervous to go see it but I still want to. So if you say it's good, I'm pretty sure it will be because you have excellent taste.

Lyssa(: said...

Hey James!!

I was wondering if your going to go to/host an writers conferences? If so when and where?

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This has been a great year for you, hasn't it? Congratulations!! I've visited a few B&N's out here and they are chomping at the book to get you here for a book signing! (Georgia) They say they can't keep the Maze Runner in stock! How cool is that?

(On a side note, please don't ask Brodi Ashton to 'fetch' anything for you ever again. Yes, I saw her blog. You might want to check it out in case you haven't already.)

Aubrey said...

James, that is awesome. I can totally see you squealing and pushing down old ladies.

And how is it fair that your last signing is before your long awaited paperback comes out? Just saying, that doesn't bode well for my Christmas list...although I will already be out of state on Tuesday so it doesn't matter much anyway I suppose...

And nothing on here about not remembering to show up at B&N for a signing the other night? That was awesome by the way. ;)

Do I need to ask one of my friends who has a writer's market account to look for your unannounceable news?

Matt Hayes said...

How long will THE SCORCH TRIALS be? Just wonderin'.

Anonymous said...

The 13th reality is finally real eased in Canadian stores w00t!! ~happy dance~
I picked it up, I'm only on the 5th chapter and I already love it!

~Tina~

Erin G. said...

January 4th. Same day Spring semester starts. At least I'll have something to be excited about that day. Haha. ;)

So, basically you're amazing AND cruel. I can't speak for the rest of the duders, but I am not smart enough to figure out your great news on my own. Please tell us soon? Pretty please? With a cherry on top? :)

Anyway, as always, you rock. Love your books and your blog. Have a nice holiday! :)

Jeremiah said...

You should do a short review of Avatar for a post or something. And wow! The number of votes on Maze Runner vs. The Lightning Thief tripled since you posted this. And the Maze Runner is winning!

It's going to be so hard waiting for The Scorch Trials. 290 days to go... In my opinion, The Maze Runner was the best book I have ever read. It was incredibly awesomely amazing. Keep writing stuff, because all your books are in my list of top favorites!

Unknown said...

I just finished reading "The Maze Runner," I actually got ahold of an ARC from a school I substitute teach at. I will have to buy a copy for my future classroom library. If you could/can I would like to have some e-mail dialogue with you so I can ask some questions. I am certified as a literacy specialist for grades 5-12, any contacts or extra info from great writers in this genre is very important to me. Thank you thank you for a great book to stimulate boy readers (and girls). As you may know it is hard to find quality literature that will get boys excited about reading! My Gmail address starts with mitchell7443. Hope to hear from you!

ronna15 said...

Congratulations to all your blessings Mr. Dashner! You truly are an amazing writter. Happy Holidays.


P.S. AVATAR RULES!!!!!!!! The King--James Cameron--is back! Watch it in 3D, IMAX 3D if you can. You'll just be missing like have the movie if you didn't see it in 3D. It was sooooooooo cool! Me and my sister watched it @ the midnight showing. It was insane! Gonna see it again in IMAX 3D with my sis next week. Enjoy!!

;D

-ronna

Tina Lynn said...

I didn't know you had a blog! I was lucky enough to get to chat with you on LateBloomer the other night. So cool!

Bonnie said...

I meant to comment last time, but I figure it's better late than never. You said one of the cool things about being an author is getting to hang out with other authors. I have to admit that I'm jealous of that. So I'm working on changing that!

Hopefully finances are going to work out and I will be able to rub noses with the fabulous authors that are scheduled to be at LDStorymakers in April! I would love to get the chance to hear you and Scott in your presentation there.

I'm thrilled for your success and can't wait for your next books to come out.

Bonnie Harris :)

Vanessa M. said...

Get permission. Now. I don't care what you have to do just get permission! I need to know what you won't tell us!

Mazerunner is still winning.

Didn't you once before say something about running around naked in the park pushing down old ladies in celebration?

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

cant wait for scorch trials!

Magenta said...

I just saw your Books Alive interview. So cool! What a great way to spend 30 minutes, and procrastinate writing my Icebreaker speech for my Toastmasters meeting on Tuesday. =P

The lady sure asked you a good many questions. She even mentioned your blog! How funny. ^_^ You're an inspiration to me, Dashner. You know the things you said about Stephen King? I'd say the same things about you if I ever get to your level of fame. ^_~

Tawnni Jensen said...

Oh boy! I can't wait to read "The Scorch Trials"! Just the title is getting me excited! Can't wait.

John Picacio said...

Happy Holidays, man! I just did a Twitter/Facebook post about THE 13TH REALITY cover. Pimped your book and hope folks go out and buy it.

Very best in 2010,
John Picacio

Amy Minton said...

(from Jakob-the book cover boy)

Thanks for being able to sign the book for me! And happy holidays!

Mary Gray said...

I'm so excited to read your books! I'm adding them to my "to read" list on goodreads. :)

ShelfLife said...

Just finished The Maze Runner - finished it in one sitting! It was absolutely amazing and I will definitely be giving it an all-star review on my book review blog, ShelfLifeReviews.com

Keep up the amazing work; I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I can't wait to read more of your work.

Missy said...

Hi James. I just wanted to stop by and say that I recently discovered your work (at least, The Maze Runner) and am now officially hooked!
My brother bought me The Maze Runner for Christmas specifically because Brandon Sanderson recommended it, and he's an addict for all things Mr. Sanderson.
I raced through your book in two nights, completely unable to put it down. Even last night, as I read the dreaded words, "End of book one," I lie awake for hours afterward just thinking about it.
My heartfelt congratulations on such an amazing job well done, and I have already recommended it to many of my friends.
Now, if I can just wait until October 2010...

kanishk said...

I'm pretty sure it will be because you have excellent taste.

Work from home India