Three really cool things today:
1. Any aspiring writer or fan of fantasy and science fiction in the Rocky Mountain area is very aware of the annual conference held at BYU called LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything). Each year it seems to get bigger, and I've been attending since my very first book came out from a small publisher back in 2003. (Lo, those many years ago.)
Imagine the blow-me-away honor I felt when they invited me to be their Guest of Honor this year! I almost thought they were kidding. I'm extremely excited about it, and it means I'll be on lots of panels and will be giving the main keynote address (on Friday, I think).
It's a very surreal thing since this conference has been such a part of my writing career, both before and after any kind of success. Feel free to refer to me as GOH Dashner if you'd like. Just don't shorten it to GOHD because that sounds like who they worship in the south. (Hey, I'm from Georgia, I can say that.)
Anyway, if you live anywhere in the area, I hope you can make it. The conference goes for three days (Feb 17-19) and I'll be there the whole time. You can find out all you need to know at their website: CLICK HERE.
2. My book is coming out in Germany (April) from Chicken House (same publisher as UK), and I'm amazed at all the things they're doing to promote it. They are selling one of those metal-ball-in-a-wooden-labyrinth games and this is the coolest: an online game where the book itself is a joystick (using a webcam). It's really awesome.
You can check out the website, but you can't play the game unless you get the book: CLICK HERE. Of course, I don't read German, so I'm not sure. But I played the game and so far I suck at it. Yeah!
Anyway, here is the cover, which is so different from any of the other foreign versions. I absolutely love it:
3. I saw an amazing film last week, and I can't shut up about it (ask my mom and my wife). The King's Speech. One of the best ever in terms of writing, acting, emotional pull, etc. The Dashner Dude may have gotten a little choked up, especially when I came home and listened to the real speech on YouTube. Long live King George VI!!! And Colin Firth. And Geoffrey Rush. And everyone else involved in that film.
Please go see it. Even mature kids (there's only a really short burst of swearing that his speech therapist makes him do) if your parents approve.
4. Bonus item: I bought 57 books that are 80-100 years old for 57 dollars. Luckiest find of my life. They look so good on my bookshelves!
Have a great day!
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33 comments:
I hope The Kings Speech wins the Oscar. It was a superb example of outstanding directing, acting, and editing, and very importantly, scriptwriting. I am amazed at how carefully the team crafted the film to sensitively portray the difficult life George had which caused him to stammer. This is one to own.
I want to go and see The King's Speech. HUGE Colin Firth fan and I love everything Geoffrey Rush does.
I love the German cover...SWEET!!!
Oh my GOH Dashner. (haha, almost said it. ^,~) Congratulations.
Whoa! The German Maze Runner cover looks scary. 0,o Cool that they made the book itself a labyrinth game, though! I remember playing that kind of game loads of times a couple years ago, and I was very good at it. ^,~
57 antique books for $57?! A dollar a book? That's amazing!!! What a find!
I'll be coming to LTUE again. You may remember my friends and I from last year. (Or maybe you've tried to forget. . .)
Just know that we were your fangirl groupies before you were GOH Dashner. ;)
Wow that cover is fantastic. I can't believe you are the GOH either. hehe Weren't we just joking about that last year? And now look at you.....
I'm so proud. :-P
See you in Feb....
I want to see the King's Speech! Glad you liked it. That is high praise.
I LOVE the German cover. I was in Germany a few years ago and went to a big book store (their version of B&N it seemed) and I LOVED all the covers of books that I could recognize in the YA section.
You're the GOH? How exciting! I will be there too. I'm on a couple of panels. See you there!
I want to come to LTUE so bad! I'll be volunteering... if I can afford gas money. Cross your fingers for me!
That is so cool about LTUE. Congrats. That's where I first met you. You had just written the first book in the 13th Reality series and had quit your job as an accountant. I was so inspired. In fact you've been my inspiration in my road to becoming a published author ever since. Thanks.
Very cool cover. Am I allowed to say I like it better than the English version? This is not to say I don't like the English version, just the German cover is more enticing to me. But the English one is good too. Ok, I'm gonna shut up. Pull foot out of mouth.
Don't forget #4: Your book Maze Runner made it to Round 2 of our Coffee For The Brain Middle School Book Tournament. It is causing quite a stir in the library. Check it out at www.coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com
If those books are leather-bound, keep them in a cool, dry place to keep the binding from decaying. I work with old books at my college library, and red rot is gross.
Hey! Thank GOHD I can finally talk to you! Lol, I was wondering if u could help me out with book ideas. I'm a young aspiring author and you maze runner books pretty much inspired me. I'd be honored if you would reply :D
You're the GOH this year? Congrats. There have been some awesome key-note addresses in recent years, I'm sure you'll stack up well. I wasn't planning on attending this year, I'll have to reconsider now. And that is a sweet cover.
Very cool, the Dashner of Honor. May you fill the shoes wearing socks.
Dang I wish I could be there this year. They did have to go and move the dates around...dang dang dang.
James, your GOH speech will be on Saturday at 11am. We're so glad you could be GOH!
I'm hoping to be at LTUE again this year. I look forward to YOUR speech! :)
I love old books. They smell so good, as well as look cool on the shelf. Good Luck at LTUE! I'm hoping to be there at least Saturday. I'd come the other days but for work.
Laura - Cedar Fort
Sadly, no way I can make it. Very Devoted to my studies and my Drama class needs me (Don't get me wrong we need everyone, thats all). However, I love the Cover! Man isthat really what Thomas looks like? I was WAY off. I'll look into the movie.
BTW, 57 antiques for $57?!?! What a steal! Where was this place I'm paying them a visit... after I make some space on my shelves.
Update--I'm totally coming. See you there! :D
holy cow! that cover is kinda creepy... sorta made me think of Avatar... all blue...
Ancient books and awesome front covers, my fav. :)
Wow, that cover is creepy-cool.
Cool German cover--what old books did you get?
Please don't rush the Death Cure! Better to have a quality book to end the trilogy than to meet a deadline. Mockingjay was a little bit of a let down compared to the first two. It read like it was little hurried out the door. I hope you are able to work on your book until you are happy with it and end on a high note.
good luck.
Cool cover! I would love to go to LTUE but sadly I live on the other side of the country...
Wow......XD i take byu classes and am moving close to Denver its also funny how my aunt who i visit alot lives in rock springs. soon....(Southern Wyoming) i currently live in northern wyoming =P pretty funny how my favorite author is going to be so near oh and congratulations =]
Crap..Typos =[ sorry anyways im moving to southern wyoming :P
I am new to reading your blog and was also looking for hints of the release date for The Death Cure!!!
I just realized that you are originally from Georgia and can't wait for you to come back through for a signing! Keep up the amazing work! I wish there were more authors who had your talent!
Great cover! I wish I was German so I could look like that.
Hope to see you soon, early April if not before. :)
PS: Kings Speech releases April 19 - mark your calendar.
I just saw The Kings Speech! I agree that it was really good. The german cover looks great!
I'm a YA librarian and mom in Indiana. I run a lit. guild for the teens in my small library and just finished reading the first two books of Maze Runner trilogy. It was like being on a roller coaster- WOW! I read a lot of YA and this is some really good stuff. I'm looking forward to book three and would love a signed copy of Maze Runner to give as a prize to raise interest among my teens. Thanks!
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