The Dashner Dude

Catch Up: Bidness and Pop Culture

2012-01-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

2011 was a great year for my career, but I think 2012 is going to be even better:

We've got the prequel to the Maze Runner series coming in August. (What? You didn't hear about THE KILL ORDER? Then CLICK HERE.)

We've got the debut of INFINITY RING from Scholastic coming in September. (What? You didn't hear about that? Then CLICK HERE.)

But that's not all. There's much more to come and to be announced. There'll be a new, and amazing, James Dashner website debuting in a couple of months. A place for all of us to gather. And maybe this is the year that the movie gets green lit for production. Who knows? And I might even have a new book written that you don't know about yet. Lots of fun things to come.

So what's been on my mind lately? I'll do fun things first, then more book-related stuff last. Let's see...

Fun things:

1. This is going to be a great year for movies and I can hardly stand the wait. Hunger Games, Dark Knight, Prometheus, The Hobbit, lots of other stuff. I have two things in my head constantly: the haunting chant from the Batman trailer and the cool song by the dwarves in the Hobbit trailer. Yowza, my level of dorkiness is truly disturbing.

2. By the way, weird thing about me: I don't usually watch trailers. I go to great lengths to avoid them because I HATE the spoilers. But I just couldn't resist with the two mentioned above.

3. What I'm reading: THE LITIGATORS by John Grisham. I know, completely random, but it'd been a long time since I'd read a Grisham book and I used to love them. It's pretty good so far.

4. Let's continue branding my dorkiness: I really, really liked the new Mission Impossible movie. I saw it twice. And I almost cried at the end of the second one solely for the reason that I thought, man, that was truly a masterpiece of tension and suspense. And plus I love Tom Cruise. He's so good at looking scared and anxious. It's good to have him back!!!

4.5. Not coincidentally, I'm imagining the main character in Grisham's book as Tom Cruise from The Firm. Boom.

5. I've also discovered the magic of some TV shows that I missed the first time around. Breaking Bad especially. Besides the holy and hallowed Lost, this is now my favorite show of all time. Excellent on every level. I seriously can't believe how good it is, and I'm so mad that I'm now caught up and have to actually wait for the fifth and final season.

6. Others I've discovered: The Wire, Dexter, and Boardwalk Empire. And, of course, sealing my dorkiness once and for all, I'm so happy to see the return of Downton Abbey. If you don't know what I'm talking about, please don't ask.

7. You may wonder, when does this lazy sack James Dashner actually write books? Well, I take a page from my idol, Stephen King (known to me as Uncle Stevie. And to millions of other people.) I need the creative stimulation of books, TV, and movies to keep my writing juices flowing. For example, an episode of a TV show is the perfect-sized break during the day, and gets my idea factory churning at full speed.

8. Yes, I realize I have the greatest job on Earth. And I NEVER take it for granted. I'm extremely thankful to my readers for allowing me to do the things I love for a living.

9. Let me know what kind of pop culture things you're enjoying in the comments!

Book-related stuff:

1. Finishing up the prequel. I'm very proud of it and I think you guys are really going to love it. It may not be about what you think or assume it will be about. Let's just say there's a whole cast of new characters. And we see first hand all the horrible things that happened to make the events of the trilogy necessary in the first place. How's that for a teaser?

2. Covers. We'll be revealing the covers for the two books mentioned at the top very soon. I've seen the initial one for THE KILL ORDER and I absolutely love it. The artist, Philip Straub, has done all four books, and he's just amazing. (I'm pretty sure THE DEATH CURE will be my favorite book cover of all time.)

3. For you educators out there, I wanted to let you know about a really cool study guide that Random House created for the entire Maze Runner series. It's great for students and discussion. You can view it online, CLICK HERE.

4. I was really honored to have Death Cure chosen as one of nine "Best Books of 2011" for teens by Barnes and Noble. Check it out: CLICK HERE.

5. I've started a new program with my local indie bookstore, The King's English, to sign and personalize books for people who order them through their website. It's a great way for you to have my signature in your book if you can't make it to my events. For more information, CLICK HERE.

6. Is it me, or do we have a lot of links in this posting? It's starting to get annoying, so here's the last one: If you've had an uncontrollable urge to see a corner of my office, today is your lucky day! Scholastic does a feature where they show bookshelves of various authors, and they recently had me on there. Check it out: CLICK HERE.

If you haven't already, be sure and follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Talk again soon...

Don't forget to tell us in the comments about your pop culture likes or dislikes lately! Focus on the likes, actually.

Infinity Ring and Scholastic

2011-12-20T09:08:00.004-07:00

I'm very excited and honored to be a part of a very big announcement today! Infinity Ring, a new 7-book multi-platform series that is a collaborative effort between myself, the great people at Scholastic, and five other incredible authors: Jen Nielsen, Matt Kirby, Matt de la Pena, Carrie Ryan, and Lisa McMann.

I've known about this for a long time, and it's so great to finally share the news with you guys. It's surreal and amazing to be working with Scholastic on a project this big.

There'll be much more to come, but I feel like I can't say it any better than the New York Times. We're on the front page of the Arts Section today, so go pick up a copy!

Or... you can read it online: CLICK HERE.

Also, for more details, read the official announcement on the Scholastic website: CLICK HERE.

The website and online game for this is going to blow you away. It's not live yet, but you can see the cool logo: CLICK HERE.

I'm so incredibly excited about this! I'll blog again soon and give you more nitty gritty details.

Announcement: The Maze Runner Prequel

2011-11-20T23:23:00.014-07:00

I'm very happy to finally share some exciting news that has been brewing for a very long time. It's a story that was born even before The Maze Runner was written.

I can't say it any better than the press release from Random House and Delacorte Books. So, here goes. Be sure and visit the official website for more information (and to play the new Scorch Trials game!): CLICK HERE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Delacorte Press Books

Announces Prequel to James Dashner’s

New York Times Bestselling Maze Runner Trilogy

THE KILL ORDER to be published in August 2012

New York, NY, November 21, 2011— Fast on the heels of the publication of The Death Cure, the third novel in James Dashner’s New York Times bestselling trilogy, comes the news that Dashner will be releasing a prequel to the series, entitled THE KILL ORDER on August 14, 2012. The announcement and acquisition was made by Beverly Horowitz, Vice President and Publisher of Delacorte Press Books from Michael Bourret of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. Krista Marino, Executive Editor with Delacorte Press Books, who worked with Dashner on The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure, is also the editor of THE KILL ORDER. Rights for the audiobook, which will be available on CD and as a digital download, were secured by Rebecca Waugh of Listening Library, a division of Random House, from Lauren Abramo of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares seared the earth and mankind fell to disease. THE KILL ORDER tells the story of that fall. “The prequel is something that has churned in my mind since before The Maze Runner was even complete. It's been hard to keep it a secret! I'm excited to finally share the news and I can't wait for my readers to see how it all began," shared Dashner. Since the inception of the series, fans have clamored to know more. THE KILL ORDER will answer their most burning questions.

There are currently one million copies of The Maze Runner books in print. All three volumes have been New York Times bestsellers. On October 11^th the riveting conclusion, The Death Cure, was published and became an instant bestseller. In the novel, the truth behind WICKED was finally and thrillingly revealed. The first volume in the series, The Maze Runner, was published in October 2009 to both great anticipation and critical acclaim. Packed with intrigue and action, The Maze Runner was a hit upon publication, becoming a standout in the dystopian genre which has since exploded in popularity among young adult readers. The sequel, The Scorch Trials, followed in October 2010, with the story picking up a mere four hours after The Maze Runner left off. The heart-stopping sequel brought further acclaim and a widening fan base to the series.

James Dashner is also the author of the 13th Reality series. James was born and raised in Georgia, but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his family. Visit him at www.jamesdashner.com or follow him on Twitter (@jamesdashner).

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers is an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company. Visit us on the Web at www.randomhouse.com/teens.

Visit TheMazeRunner.com & become a fan of The Maze Runner Trilogy on Facebook

Dave Wolverton - Dystopia

2011-11-07T11:26:00.004-07:00

(QUICK NOTE: I'm signing at the Costco in Sandy UT this Saturday (the 12th) at 1 pm.)

I'm honored to call myself a friend (and student) of Dave Wolverton, aka David Farland. He has a new book out called NIGHTINGALE, and I've read it, and it's awesome. I highly recommend it. Also, he's doing a blog tour and has written a guest post exclusive to the Dashner Dude. On a topic that I chose (Dystopias and why they're popular). In other words, Dave Wolverton is not only a genius, but a major stud.

You can find out more about him and his book at the following website: CLICK HERE. You'll be amazed enough at the website.

Okay, here are the words of the man himself:

Writing in the Ruins

Dystopias sell, and they’ve been on a long run. Certainly, when H.G. Wells wrote the The Time Machine he was dealing with dystopias, but one can go back further than that. Consider Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Doesn’t the story of a boy forced into a workhouse and then escaping to the mean streets of London during an unending depression qualify as a dystopia?

As a child, I recall that many of my fantasies revolved around horrifying scenarios. What if the Russians took over? What if aliens attacked? Wells beat us all to it. What if there was a nuclear war? What if we run out of food and have to start eating each other? What if some weird religious cult took over and tried to force women back into slavery?

You get the idea. There are a lot of ways that the world can end, and all of the scenarios above have been turned into very popular movies and books. So what’s the attraction?

First, I think that we recognize that thinking about the “unthinkable” is a valuable activity. Simply by envisioning the consequences, say, a disaster, we can alter the course of history.

When I was a child, I recall having several school teachers who believed that a nuclear war between the US and Russia was inevitable. Certainly the rhetoric was all there, and Fidel Castro recounts how he begged the Soviet Union to let him launch missiles into the U.S. and start an all-out nuclear war. He says that he knew that Cuba would be wiped off the map in the resulting counter-attack, but he was willing to sacrifice his nation.

But that never gelled. Why?

Probably because a few world leaders understood the consequences all too well. They’d read books by geeky sci-fi writers like me, set a thousand years in the future, where radioactive clouds still swept across the face of a struggling earth, and generations of children, burned and scarred and cancerous, sought to eke out a miserable existence because of their ancestors’ mistakes.

So we dodged a bullet. In fact, we’ve dodged a lot of them. I recall once that a newspaper pointed out during the 1970s that the Russians had enough nerve gas to kill every living creature on the planet 10,000 times over. The next day, President Nixon announced that the U.S. had enough nerve gas to kill everything on the planet 60,000 times over. My, wasn’t that comforting.

It wasn’t long until both countries began destroying their chemical weapons arsenals. In fact, within the next few months, the U.S. will have burned up all of its old munitions—a process that has taken twenty years.

We’ve dodged bullets with industrial pollution, viral outbreaks, and economic ruin over and over again, and much of that success I’m sure comes as a result of the forewarnings by storytellers.

That said, think that readers have other reasons for devouring dystopic fiction. The truth is that when we’re reading fiction, we often enjoy thrusting ourselves into a world, into an imagined scenario, that would crush us in real life. Want to get captured as a child and sold into slavery? Want to die and find out what happens next? Want to see what happens when an asteroid the size of the moon strikes Chicago.

Catastrophes and dystopias make for good fiction in part because they’re not real. No matter how well I write a scene, how well you experience it in fiction, you know that the story isn’t real. (I did have a schizophrenic read one of my novels once, and months later he seemed to believe that he had actually been on another planet and lived through the adventures I had described. Don’t you do that!)

The truth is that all entertainment does roughly the same thing: it puts us in danger, yet keeps us safe. If you watch a football game, you feel a sense of emotional jeopardy as your team is pitted against another. If you jump out of an airplane, you’re putting yourself in physical danger as you wait to see if your parachute opens. Entertaining activities all put us in some sort of jeopardy.

Reading a story is much like any other form of entertainment. Part of our mind accepts the story as truth. Our heart might race when the hero is being chased by a monster. We might weep as the heroine finds her true love. When watching a movie, we scream when the killer leaps from the closet.

When we enjoy a story set in stark and horrifying dystopia, we’re performing an emotional exercise, one that helps us cope with our own real-world problems just a little better. So in a very real sense, reading a story is like going to the gym, where you practice powerful emotional exercises. The setting, the dystopia, is just a part of the exercise equipment.

In short, we enjoy stories set in dystopias because on a subconscious level, we recognize that they’re good for us.

In his latest novel, Nightingale, award-winning, New York Times Bestselling author David Farland imagines a dystopia unlike any that has ever been visited in fiction. Be among the first to discover this thrilling and powerful story. Go to www.nightingalenovel.com.

The Death Cure Trailer, Tour

2011-10-10T17:09:00.007-06:00

I can't believe it. The book finally comes out tomorrow. It's here! Some of you will be reading it in a matter of hours when it becomes available on e-readers at midnight. I know, because you've been telling me on Twitter and Facebook. I'm just as excited as you are!!

To add to that excitement, check out this really cool book trailer that Random House commissioned. To avoid spoilers of the third book, it's a quick glimpse of Thomas in the white room, remembering the terror of The Scorch Trials. Watch it:

CLICK HERE

There's also a cool video game that they've developed that can be played on either your computer or your phone. Look for that soon.

Tomorrow is the day. I thought I'd have an amazing speech and all kinds of profound things to say. But really I just feel kind of surreal. This story has been bouncing around in my head for years, and everyone finally gets to read the ending. I really hope you like it.

I'm going to be on tour the next three weeks, and I want to stay connected with you guys. I'll be doing lots of updates via Twitter and Facebook, giving you a glimpse of what it's like to be out there. Don't follow me there yet? Well, then...

To follow me on Twitter: CLICK HERE

To friend me on Facebook: CLICK HERE

The official Facebook series page: CLICK HERE

The official Maze Runner website: CLICK HERE

And, finally, to check out all my tour dates and appearances, please CLICK HERE. I really want you guys to come out and meet me!!

Please let me know what you think of everything in the comments. The trailer, the book, the tour, whatever. I love to hear from you. Talk again soon, and happy reading!

New Podcast, and Winners!

2011-09-12T13:47:00.004-06:00

Again, with that plural form of the word. Yes, we'll be sending out four copies of THE DEATH CURE to four of you. Sorry, but only four! Thanks for all the amazing comments, compliments, and feedback regarding our new podcast.

Before I announce the winners (heehee), I want to make sure you know that today, as with every Monday, there is a new episode of Wordplay up for your listening pleasure. And this one is especially awesome because we have a guest, and his name is Michael Bourret, and he's my agent. And he knows SO MUCH about the industry. So be sure and tune in!

CLICK HERE to go to the website.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

I'm going to talk about football! Yes, my son had an interception in his game and was named the Defensive Player of the Game by his coaches. Huh? You couldn't care less? Okay.

Here are the winners. Be sure and get me your email address if you already haven't. Maybe you should again just to make sure I have the correct one. Congrats!!!

1. Melina, Reading Vacation

2. Danyelle Ferguson

3. Bethany

4. Gabriela Villegas

THE DEATH CURE comes out 4 weeks from tomorrow! If you missed the official tour schedule, CLICK HERE.

Tour Dates for The Death Cure

2011-09-07T11:37:00.011-06:00

It's hard to believe, but tour time is almost here again. I'll be visiting all over the country, so I really hope a lot of you can come out and meet me. It's going to be a lot of fun! And, most of all, I'm so excited for everyone to finally find out how the trilogy ends and why it all happened in the first place.

So, here you go. Because we all know how to use Google and Maps, I'm not going to put addresses. Deal? Deal. Giving someone an address went out with the demise of the flip-phone.

Let us know in the comments if you're planning to make it out to one of these events! Can't wait:

Salt Lake City, UT
• October 11, 7:00 p.m. The King’s English Bookshop

San Francisco, CA
• October 13, 7:00 p.m. Rakestraw Books, Danville
• October 14, 7:00 p.m. Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park

Seattle, WA
• October 15, 4:00 p.m. Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park
• October 16, 2:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Lynwood

Phoenix, AZ
• October 18, 6:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Desert Ridge Marketplace

Austin, TX
• October 22-23, Texas Book Festival

Chicago, IL
• October 24, 7:00 p.m. Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville

Milwaukee, WI
• October 25, 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Public Library

Vancouver, BC
• October 26, 7:00 p.m. Vancouver Kidsbooks, at the venue of West Point United Church Sanctuary

Atlanta, GA
• October 30, 2:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Alpharetta
• October 30, 7:00 p.m. Little Shop of Stories, Decatur

Las Vegas, NV

• November 3-5, Vegas Valley Book Festival

I'll also be attending conferences in Billings, MT and Lexington, KY, but I don't think they are open to the public.

If I'm missing your area this time around, I'm sorry! Keep bugging Random House and maybe you'll get on the list next tour. But I'll be sure to stay well connected throughout my time on the road.

Note: Did you enter for a chance to win an advanced copy of THE DEATH CURE? No? Then CLICK HERE to do so. The winners will be announced on Monday the 12th. (Notice the plural usage of the word winner...)

Want a copy of THE DEATH CURE?

2011-09-05T13:12:00.005-06:00

Today's blog will be short.

Our second episode ever of the Wordplay Podcast is now up and running. Our guest this week is Ally Condie, author of MATCHED, and you can actually win a signed copy of it if you go and listen.

I'm also, as promised, throwing in a chance to win an advanced copy of THE DEATH CURE just for fun. To enter for this chance, all you have to do is post a comment on this here blog and tell us something you liked, learned, hated, ANYTHING, about the podcast from either this week or last week.

Simple right?

To go to the official Wordplay website, CLICK HERE!!!

EDIT: For those of you looking for it on iTunes, CLICK HERE

New Podcast!!!

2011-09-01T10:15:00.006-06:00

Hi everyone! It's September 1, the beginning of the best four months of the year. And right on cue, a cool front has come through and the high today will only be 82. Nice.

I know I've promised a contest or giveaway of some sort for an advance copy of THE DEATH CURE. Well, that is coming very, very soon. Like, Monday or Tuesday soon.

But, I wanted to make sure I got on here and announced a pretty exciting thing that I'm involved with. A podcast. A very cool podcast that I think you'll want to listen to every single week for the rest of your lives.

It's called Wordplay, and I'm doing it with two extraordinary (not just ordinary - they are EXTRA ordinary) people:

Jeff Scott Savage, author of FARWORLD and my mentor, who just sold a series to Harper Collins, tentatively titled THE GRIMVILLE CASE FILES. This guy knows more about writing than any other person I've ever spoken to or heard speak. And that's saying a lot.

Nathan Bransford, author of JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW. He also used to be a literary agent and is extremely respected in the industry for his vast wealth of knowledge. Plus, check out the title of his book. I mean, come on.

The podcast will be about anything and everything to do with books, reading, writing, agents, publishers, you name it. We're even going to have a special podcast once a month aimed for teachers and kids. Each one will be about 20 minutes long, once a week, so you don't have to quit your jobs or anything to listen.

Jeff has really taken this thing by the horns and organized it so well. You can learn everything there is to know about it at the website he set up: CLICK HERE. You might want to bookmark that and check back every Monday for the latest episode.

The first one is already up for your listening pleasure. By the way, it's free. And you can even get it on iTunes because we're cool that way. AND, check this out: We just started and yet look at the two AMAZING guests we're going to have in the next two or three weeks:

Michael Bourret, recently awarded the Best Agent Ever award (by me) and a Vice President with the incredible agency, Dystel & Goderich.

Ally Condie, the NYT Bestselling (mega bestselling) author of MATCHED and the upcoming sequel, CROSSED. We plan to have many, many awesome guests on this podcast, and what a way to start.

So there you have it. Check out the website and listen to the first episode ever. You'll quickly learn that I'm the dumbest and goofiest-sounding of the three, but I think you'll enjoy it and maybe even learn something.

Once again, here is the website: www.wordplaypodcast.com

Also, since I've shocked the world by blogging three times in the last week or two, be sure and read my last couple of posts if you missed them, including the great review we got from Kirkus. Talk to ya next week!

Kirkus Review of The Death Cure

2011-08-26T10:12:00.004-06:00

Wow, we are very excited to announce that Kirkus has given THE DEATH CURE an extremely positive review!!! (And yes, I'm aware that I've now blogged twice this week. Booyah.)

I can't tell you how happy this makes me. I've been so scared at how this book would be received since the last in a series is always held up to huge standards with lots of expectations. But this is the strongest validation we could've hoped for at this early stage.

Non-spoiler line: "Dashner again displays his mastery of the action sequence, making readers turn pages even as they become further invested in the well-developed characters.‬ ‪Heart pounding to the very last moment."

The full review is below, but I'm giving you a major warning. This review is FULL of spoilers. Full of them. Big ones. So if you don't like to know that kind of stuff, please don't read it.

SPOILER ALERT

Full Kirkus Review:

An explosive ending to The Maze Runner trilogy.‬

‪Thomas and the rest of the survivors of the Maze and the Scorch Trials are being held at WICKED (World in Catastrophe, Killzone Experiment Department) headquarters. Subjected to even more tests, they’ve learned enough to know that they’re all part of a massive experiment to find a cure for the pandemic Flare disease. But does any cure justify what they’ve been put through? Or the engineered deaths of their friends? It’s hard to believe that “WICKED is good,” even though that’s the message they’re bombarded with.

Discouraged, rebellious and definitely not trusting, Thomas, Newt, Minho, Brenda and Jorge break out and escape to Denver, now a walled city meant to be reserved for the uninfected and the immune. But it’s all too clear that Newt has already been infected and is teetering on the verge of madness. It’s equally clear that WICKED has put a bounty on their heads and won’t rest until they have these survivors back in hand—especially Thomas, who may have been part of all the experiments from the very beginning and is now the Final Candidate. Dashner again displays his mastery of the action sequence, making readers turn pages even as they become further invested in the well-developed characters.‬

‪Heart pounding to the very last moment.

(Science fiction/thriller. 12 and up)‬

Fall Approaches

2011-08-22T12:47:00.006-06:00

Hey everybody! I know it's been a long time since I last blogged. I blame it on a tough, crazy summer. But the best time of the year is approaching, and I can already smell autumn in the air...

Over on twitter (follow me! CLICK HERE), I promised I'd blog today, so here I am. Keeping my promise. The only problem is I have no idea what to talk about. Hmmm...

1. First, I've never really officially announced this, but many of you have asked about the fourth (and last) book in my series, The 13th Reality. Right now it's planned to come out next spring or early summer. I would've really had to rush it to come out this year, and I didn't want to do that. Hopefully, the wait will be worth it. The series is going to have quite an ending, I promise.

2. Lots of people have also asked about what comes after the Maze Runner trilogy is done. Well, for some reason, no one ever lets me talk about anything. But I'll just say this: we have a couple of big announcements coming soon. Really big. You guys aren't getting rid of me yet. Ever, actually.

3. The Death Cure is coming out on October 11th. In case you're calendarly challenged, that's really soon. I'll be touring for three weeks, and I now know which cities: Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Billings, Austin, Chicago, Milwaukee, Vancouver (Yay Canada!), Lexington, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.

4. Until then, I'm just at home, working hard, writing. For my breaks, I've been watching the show called Breaking Bad, now up to Season 2. Holy crap. I love this show. My favorite since Lost.

5. The paperback for The Scorch Trials comes out three weeks from tomorrow, on Sept. 13. Random House has started a new imprint called Ember, and this will be one of the first releases under that imprint. Why? I honestly don't know.

6. How would one or two of you like to read The Death Cure early? Really? Okay, I'll ask my publisher if we can do a contest and send a couple out for the blog. Stay tuned...

7. My eleven year old son is playing quarterback. How cool is that?

8. I thought it was really cool that Elizabeth Banks, who will be playing Effie in the upcoming Hunger Games movie, mentioned my book in her interview for New York Magazine. If you want to read it, CLICK HERE.

9. We also got our first "official" review for Death Cure, by Jason Kennedy from the Boswell Book Company in Milwaukee. It made my day, and they said I could share it with you guys. Slight spoiler warning:

"I was hesitant to start The Death Cure, what more could WICKED put Thomas through? What horrible, what torturous, what painful journey would Thomas have to complete? Would it be enough? In the clutches of WICKED and infected with the Flare, the outlook does not look promising. James Dashner does not disappoint in this bleak and exhilarating finale--I can't wait to see what he comes up with next."

Thanks, Jason!!!

10. Has anyone else out there gotten their hands on an ARC? I'd love to hear what you think.

Okay, more soon. A lot sooner than later. I promise.

BEA Report (with pics!)

2011-06-02T16:57:00.009-06:00

Warning: There is a picture of me with Tyra Banks in this blog post...

Hi, Duders! Did you miss me? You did? I missed you, too. But there's no reason for that because you can totally hang with me every day over on Twitter, where you can join the new #dashnerarmy. The awesome @verbvixen is helping sign up soldiers. CLICK HERE to follow me.

Anyway, on to BEA, where I saw cool things like this:

BEA (Book Expo America) was an amazing week. This is the biggest event in publishing where the publishers present and promote what they have coming. I honestly don't even know where to start. But I know you guys love a glimpse into the mad world of my industry, so here you go. It'll be brief...

Monday: I arrived in NYC. It took an hour and a half to get to my hotel, which was stinky. But then I walked over to Random House HQ and had a lovely meeting with my editor, Krista Marino and the Delacorte publisher, Beverly Horowitz. Much strategizing and laughing occurred. Then there was a yummy dinner where more of this kind of thing went on.

Actually, I just realized this was the WEEK BEFORE when I also went to NYC for the Random House Fall preview event. Haha. I'll leave it. I mean, it WAS a Monday.

Tuesday: I met up with my AWESOME publicist, Emily Pourciau, who would so kindly escort me throughout the week's events. First up: ABC Speed Dating, where I took 3 minute turns at about 35 tables with booksellers and librarians. Quite the whirlwind! Then I had lunch and good times with my superhuman agents, Michael Bourret and Lauren Abramo. Much strategizing and laughing ensued.

That evening was the Random House Children's Books party, where I was incredibly honored to be one of 10 authors among hundreds of book people. It was very swanky and was held on an aircraft carrier. Yep, first time for me, too. It was so fun!

Here are two pictures of me, one with Christopher Paolini (ERAGON) and one with Tyra Banks (the upcoming MODEL LAND). You can guess which is which.

Afterward, Michael and I had a very fun, long dinner where much strategizing and laughing occurred. He's seriously one of my favorite people on planet Earth, and I love hanging out with him.

Wednesday: I did a video shoot at the Barnes and Noble headquarters for some things you'll see on BN.com this fall when the book comes out. Then we headed back to the Javits center for my signing (the chapter samplers). I met lots of cool people! Afterward I did an interview with Justine Magazine.

That evening, I was honored to be part of a panel at the Mulbery Library that included some amazing authors: Lauren Kate, Scott Westerfeld, Maureen Johnson, Ally Condie, and Ellen Hopkins. We spent an hour or so answering questions and telling stories and laughing. Then we signed and met MORE cool people.

Afterward, another great dinner out with Krista and a few others from Random House.

Thursday: I had a meeting with the good people at Simon & Schuster, including the hilarious and Batman-loving Liesa Abrams, the editor for THE 13TH REALITY. I also got to meet fellow client of Michael's and superstar Lisa McMann, who has a big series debuting this fall called THE UNWANTEDS.

I saw the Buzz Panel for middle grade where Lisa and my good friend Matthew Kirby were honored. Matt's book ICEFALL also comes out this fall.

Then I walked the floor a bit with Michael, went back to my hotel, and wrote over 4,000 words before crashing. BEA inspires you to do such things. (both the writing and the crashing.)

Friday: Flew home!

I'll post again soon about what's going on in the Dashner world. In the meantime, here is a picture of me with the three most important people in my author career: Krista, Michael, and Emily.

The Death Cure cover

2011-04-27T21:03:00.009-06:00

I present to you the amazingly awesome combined talents of artist Philip Straub and the Random House CB design team (click on the picture below to see it nice and big). I want EVERYONE to tell me what they think in the comments.

Here is my opinion: I love it!!! It's easily my favorite of the three books, and I loved all of them (hence the three exclamation marks).

Now, what do you think? I've also included the nifty 3D version for your viewing pleasure (no glasses needed).

Please spread the word and link all your friends and family to come and have a look. Also, you can now preorder it at your preferred location: CLICK HERE. This is the third and final book of The Maze Runner trilogy and will be available on October 11th.

Three Days.... And a Story

2011-04-25T11:21:00.004-06:00

Just making sure that everyone knows we'll be revealing the cover for THE DEATH CURE in three days. On Thursday, the 28th, at 7:00 am EST.

Any predictions on what the cover art may look like?

See you then......

EDIT: Oh, and also, Shannon Hale is hosting an event today where a bunch of authors share an embarrassing or humiliating experience at an event. CLICK HERE.

Here's mine:

I'll never forget one of my very first booksignings. It was my first book, A Door in the Woods, which was done with a small indie publisher. I had grand expectations, of course. I mean, I was a freaking published AUTHOR now!

It was the first of many, many signings which taught me that I wasn't all that, or even close to it. In fact, I was pretty much none of that. I sold one book. I basically accosted this person, begging them to take a look at my newest bestest book. It was a pity sale, no doubt.

One lady asked me where the bathroom is. Another asked me where the cookbooks are. One of the employees stood about five feet from me at one point and kept trying to sell ANOTHER AUTHOR'S BOOK to people as they walked by. I watched as many people studiously examined the store for a way to walk by me without possibility of being engaged in conversation. You would've thought I had leprosy.

I felt about 2 inches tall when it was over. And I swore to always buy a book if I ever saw someone else in the same predicament! Which is why I own some very.... odd books. But they're signed!

See you Thursday.....

Awards, Movies, Events, Announcement

2011-04-07T15:02:00.010-06:00

Hey guys! I have a few things to tell you about. You'll wanna make sure you make it all the way to #10.

1. I'm very honored that my book, The Maze Runner, just won the 2011 Kentucky Bluegrass Award for grades 9-12. I especially love this because it was voted on by the actual students. That means more than anything. Thanks, Kentucky!

2. For all you movie and Hunger Games fans, I did a guest blog today for the website, wordandfilm.com. It's my thoughts on five kinda obscure but awesome films you can watch while you wait: CLICK HERE.

3. Looking for a good book while you wait, too? Check out the latest from my good friend Frank Cole. It's called "The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter" and anyone who likes fantasy, adventure, and humor will enjoy it. CLICK HERE.

4. I know this drives my readers who don't live in Utah crazy, but I have another big event coming up here. (Don't worry, I'll be heading all over the country here and there throughout the year, especially when Book 3 comes out in October.) This one will be in Logan, UT, at the main library, at 6:00 pm, on April 22.

Oh, and it's not just me. Some other little authors you may have heard of: Shannon Hale, Ally Condie, Brandon Mull, Jessica Day George and the illustrator Nathan Hale. Lots of NYT Bestselling authors on that there list. And one Newbery Honor winner. And one guy who's owed me dinner for over a year (Initials BM, which also happens to stand for bowel movement).

5. Other upcoming events: TLA in Austin, TX (April 13-14), Signing at The King's English in SLC (May 4, 5:00 pm), Storymakers Conference in SLC (May 6-7), Battle of the Books in St. Louis (May 10), and Book Expo America in NYC (May 24-26). I sure hope to see a lot of you!

6. I just noticed this a little after the fact, but I wanted to thank all the fans who voted for me as one of their favorite Random House authors. Quite the group! CLICK HERE.

7. You guys really need to "Like" the official Facebook page for the Maze Runner trilogy. There is some really cool stuff on there. Check out the recent youtube videos with dreamcasts for the movies, done by Shay Cohen. CLICK HERE. And friend me if you haven't yet, too.

8. Following me on twitter yet? No?!?!? Do: CLICK HERE.

9. You all need to see the movie, Insidious. Unless you're scared of haunted houses, demons, or faces of creepy old ladies reflected back at you in the window. I loved the music in this film. I also really liked The Source Code and Limitless recently.

10. Announcement: we will officially be revealing the cover for The Death Cure (coming October 11) on Thursday, April 28th, first thing in the morning. That's three weeks from today! You guys are gonna LOVE it.

Oh, and thanks again, Kentucky.

Carrie Ryan in Utah! Greek Cover.

2011-03-29T08:12:00.014-06:00

Calling all Duders in the Utah area: my good friend and fellow author, Carrie Ryan, will be in the Salt Lake City area today (Tues the 29th) and tomorrow (Wed the 30th). Please come out and meet her and get a signed copy of her newest book, THE DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES, the third in her series that began with THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH and THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES.

I happen to know a lot of you are already fans because I've talked about her book before and some have thanked me for the recommendation. So come out!!!! If you're new to the series, I kind of envy you because you won't have to wait a year between books. They are creeptastic and unputdownable.

Here is the schedule:

Tuesday the 29th

Salt Lake City Library

7:00 pm

210 East 400 South

Salt Lake City

Wednesday the 30th

Barnes and Noble

7:00 pm

Jordan Landing off Bangerter

West Jordan

I'll be at one or both, so see you there!

In the meantime, check out Carrie's blog, which has a cool little trailer for the new book and more info about the series:

CLICK HERE

EDIT: I forgot to mention, Carrie and I are both blessed to work with the same editor at Random House, the genius otherwise known as Krista Marino, and we also share the same agency, Dystel & Goderich, which has changed both of our lives. So come out and meet her!

EDIT #2: I also just received the cover for THE SCORCH TRIALS in Greece, which comes out there on April 4th. I LOVE it!!!! What do you think:

The Greek cover for THE MAZE RUNNER:

EDIT #3: I also have another good friend with a book out today. Dan Wells, I DON'T WANT TO KILL YOU. (No, that's the name of his book, not me restraining myself.) You can see him tonight at Sam Weller's bookstore at 6:00 pm in downtown SLC. It's perfect, you can go there at 6 then head over to see Carrie at 7...

Happy March Madness

2011-03-17T10:49:00.007-06:00

With basketball in the air, I figured it was high time I get back on here and blog. I don't really have a whole lot to say because not much has happened other than working my hiney off to write and edit these here books.

I want to say that my heart goes out to Japan, especially any of my readers there. I actually lived there for awhile, and so this has been especially numbing and heartbreaking for me. I love the people there so much - they are kind and intelligent and grounded like no others I've met. And they'd do anything for those in need. Which is why I know they'll pull through this.

As for me, like I said, I'm basically just in a time of working. I have a whole month before I travel again, when I'll be heading out to Austin for the huge Texas Library Association's conference. And then a few scattered things after that.

We've had some recent sales of rights in foreign lands, which always gets me really excited. The latest places soon to be subjected to the rigors of the Glade are:

Italy

Vietnam

Korea

Romania

I would make a joke about that last one, something about Dracula and Thomas kickin' it with a Griever, but that'd be stupid and way too obvious. And an insult to our new friends in Romania, who I'm sure get very sick of that sort of thing.

Hmmm. What else has been happening. Not much.

Well, I did go on a cruise for the first time. And that was pretty cool. And I did have an incredible time at LTUE, where I got to hang out with many of you. And I did make a ridiculously silly appearance during Brandon Mull's launch party presentation for BEYONDERS. And I did save this old lady from getting hit by the Oscar Meyer Wiener truck. Ok, that last one isn't true.

Other than that, I'm just working, on lots of fun things. Stay tuned, because we ARE getting very close to revealing the cover for Book 3, THE DEATH CURE (release date, October 11). As well as some other announcements.

And a quick shout out for a friend: A very happy happy birthday on Saturday to Sam Van Hoose!!!!!

Talk again soon....

Stephen King, Judy Blume, LTUE Schedule

2011-02-15T09:43:00.003-07:00

Before I tell you my detailed schedule this weekend (come see me!!!) at the symposium at BYU, I want to throw out something very random.

I really want to have dinner with Stephen King, my writing idol.

I know there has to be someone who can make this happen for me. Please help. I'm just throwing this out there for now, but I'm actually contemplating and scheming on what I can do to push it along. I'm thinking a charity may need to be involved. Stay tuned.

One of the shining moments of my life was when I had cupcakes and tea with Judy Blume. If you missed my embarrassing write-up on that, CLICK HERE (where there is also a picture to prove I'm not lying). As you can clearly see, this experience can only be topped by dinner with Abraham Lincoln or Stephen King.

Anyway, here is my schedule. Don't miss my reading from The Death Cure on Friday morning!!! All events are in the Harman Building over by the Marriott Center.

THURSDAY the 17th:

3:00 pm Panel: Slush Piles and what not to do when submitting your writing.

4:00 pm Panel: Dystopias and Utopias.

6:00 pm Panel: Marketing - what can you do?

FRIDAY the 18th:

10:00 am READING: First 2 chapters of The Death Cure.

12:00 pm Panel: What is an agent and what can they do for you?

2:00 pm Panel: Character's morals/theology vs. the author's.

6:00 pm Panel: How not to talk down to your YA audience.

SATURDAY the 19th:

11:00 am MAIN ADDRESS: That's me, giving the main address. There will be a Top Ten list!!!

1:00 pm: Signing books in room 1188

2:00 pm: Signing books again in room 1188

4:00 pm: Why write about worlds that don't actually exist?

7:00 pm: LTUE Banquet. (You MUST buy tickets to this before the actual conference. Even though the website says you can't anymore, tickets WILL be available through tomorrow. CLICK HERE to order them.)

I can't wait to hang out with those who come! See ya soon....

Upcoming Events and Etc.

2011-02-04T09:31:00.007-07:00

I wish this post had all the many things I want to tell you about regarding what's coming down the pipeline in my career. Ya know, things like the cover for The Death Cure, what projects might come after that, other... stuff...

But, you'll have to be patient, I'm sorry. Patience is a virtue, ya know. Stay close, though. I don't want you to miss anything. There'll be lots to talk about. Soon.

At the end of this post I give you some absolutely free pop culture recommendations. But first...

There ARE a few events on the horizon, however, and I thought I'd pop in here and make sure they're all laid out. I hope I get to meet some of you...

Saturday, Feb. 5, 1:00 pm

Um, that's TOMORROW

Barnes and Noble, Southtown Mall

Sandy UT, 1:00 pm

This is an Authorpalooza, with over 40 authors, none of whom I'll name because I'd certainly leave out a friend!

Thursday through Saturday

Feb. 17 - 19

LTUE, a symposium at BYU (Harman Bldg)

I'm the Guest of Honor (hey, quit snickering!), so I'll be on lots of panels and will be giving the keynote address on Saturday at 11:00 am.

I'll also be doing a reading (first chapter or two from The Death Cure) at 10:00 am on Friday.

For more details and a full schedule, CLICK HERE.

April 12- 15

TLA (Texas Library Association)

Austin, TX

I'm not sure yet of my schedule, but I DO know I'm going!

May 6-7

Storymakers Conference

Salt Lake City, UT

For details, CLICK HERE.

May 9-10

Battle of the Books

St. Louis, MO

Sorry, I don't know many details, but I'll be there.

June 4

Festival of Books

BYU

Those are the only events that are solid on the schedule, but other things will happen, especially as we get closer to the release of Book 3 this fall.

Absolutely free pop culture advice:

Anyone else watch Downton Abbey on PBS? I am officially an old person, because I loved it. Blame my mother.

I'm reading an incredible book. Matterhorn, by Karl Marlantes. I've always been interested in the Vietnam War, and this is about as authentic as you can get. Not for the faint of heart.

If you want a funny, leave-your-brain-behind movie to watch, go see The Green Hornet. I was pleasantly surprised (but I wouldn't call it a kid's movie) and laughed a lot.

If you'd rather be creeped out and see Anthony Hopkins channel Hannibal Lecter one last time, go see The Rite.

And I can't say this enough: go see The King's Speech. One of the best movies ever. I'm not lying. Ever. Unless you're eight, and then you might be bored.

Finally, I'm officially the last person on earth to join Netflix. I usually see movies in theaters, so I never got around to it. But... what? This is for real? 10 bucks a month? Unlimited streaming of bazillions of movies and TV shows? For real? Way too good to be true. I may have to stop writing books.....

(No, I'm not fishing for "you better NOT quit writing!!!" comments. Don't be silly.)

Have a great day and a great weekend.

LTUE, German Cover, The King's Speech

2011-01-18T08:16:00.006-07:00

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!

Well Hi There...

2011-01-12T11:02:00.003-07:00

Where in the world has all the time gone since I last posted? I blame the holidays! One of our faithful Duders, Jackson, pointed out on Twitter that it's almost been a month, so we better get back on track.

Welcome to all of our new readers here at the Dude!!! A lot of people must've gotten my books for Christmas because the stats here on the blog have gone up quite a bit. Glad to have you. Please leave a comment and say hello!

So. What to talk about? Hmmmm. Better keep it random.

1. I almost soiled my armor with excitement when I saw that it's finally official: Ian McKellan is reprising his role as Gandalf (and Andy Serkis as Gollum) in The Hobbit movies. Never that it was much in doubt, but you never know. Christmas 2012 can't come soon enough.

2. Speaking of Christmas 2012, it's now more important than ever for the Mayans to be wrong about the world ending that month. I can't miss that second Hobbit movie the next year.

3. Speaking of movies, I'm getting asked by many people about the Maze Runner movie, and I don't feel good about simply ignoring all of you. But my official position still has to be "no comment" because nothing is, well, official. However, anyone with a finger (at least one), a keyboard, and Google can find plenty about it that's a matter of public record. Happy searching...

4. And, just for the record, if such a movie were to be made, I'd be so happy I'd probably soil my armor again. (Is anyone getting the reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail here? Please say yes.)

5. I want to thank you all again for making this trilogy such a huge success so far (several months now on the NYT Bestseller list). I'm ecstatic beyond words (no, I'm done with the soiled armor bit), and I'm so thankful to all of you. Thank you.

6. I LOVE the comments/tweets you guys leave about how excited you are for the third and final book (The Death Cure). Especially the ones where you threaten bodily harm to me or yourself (or to cats) because you can't wait. Well, I'm just about done with the first round of revisions, which is always the hardest part for me. The book is well on schedule to come out this fall. Hopefully we'll reveal the cover soon, because it's AWESOME.

7. I'm also getting asked a lot about the fourth book in The 13th Reality series. I promise there'll be an announcement on that coming soon, but you may have to wait a bit longer than you expected. I'll explain why, so don't worry. It's coming...

8. The NFL needs to be spanked. I'm thrilled to see my Falcons in the playoffs, counting down the minutes to Saturday night. But they had the best record in the NFC. Their reward? They have to play the extremely hot Packers while the SECOND seed, the Bears, get to play the weaklings otherwise known as the Seattle Seahawks. All because they won their division (with a losing record!!!). Which is even worse than it sounds, because they had a losing record in a division which is obviously very weak.

I'm fine with rewarding them with a trip to the playoffs. But that should be good enough! Don't give them an undeserved higher seed as well. Thanks for listening.

9. Some great news: The Maze Runner was chosen for the Best Fiction for Young Adults list for 2010 by the American Library Association, as well as the Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list. We are very honored!!! Thank you, ALA!

10. I can't remember the last time I watched a scripted television show. Seriously. It's been months, except for maybe one or two Modern Family episodes. Lost, you've left a void in me that will never be filled. Unless....

11. I'm really hoping that HBO's production of A Game of Thrones, the dark and delicious fantasy series by George R. R. Martin, is good. It can't possibly be LOTR good, but maybe kinda sorta maybe? I hope so.

12. It's cold.

13. Have I mentioned how much I love movies? I need to start reviewing them more on this blog. The last one I saw was How Do You Know with Reese Witherspoon. (hey, my wife chose, so back off!) It was actually unique and entertaining. (I'm not a harsh movie critic. I can enjoy almost any movie on some level. It's a talent I have.)

14. Before that was True Grit, which was amazing and one of my favorites of the year. Coen brothers, I love you.

15. That's all for now. More soon. I hope everyone is having a fabulous week, filled with good food and good books.

My "Other" Books

2010-12-16T09:01:00.004-07:00

I hope everyone is having a fabulous December and looking forward to the holidays. Just thought I'd pop in and say hi, catch up, tell you about my "other" series in case you don't know about it yet.

But first, there are a couple other places you can go to try and win a copy of my book:

1. Friend and author Bree Despain's sequel to THE DARK DIVINE is coming out on the 28th, and she's running a contest on her blog. Not only can you get my book, you can also win a Kindle! CLICK HERE.

2. Another friend, Liz Carlston, author of THE CHRISTMAS STONE, is giving away my book and other cool stuff on her blog as well: CLICK HERE.

Okay, now I can't tell you how THRILLED I am at how the Maze Runner Trilogy is selling. It's beyond anything I could've ever dreamed when I was starting out, and I'm so thankful to all of you for being a part of it. Thank you thank you thank you.

Many of you keep commenting about how you're dying for the third book, can't wait, stuff like that. All of which makes my day every time I hear it. Maybe I have a solution for your waiting angst.

You should check out my other series, The 13th Reality, which is ongoing but still kinda quiet. I know I'm extremely biased, but I really think you guys will enjoy it. The first two books are in paperback, and the third is out in hardback (pb coming in February):

Book 1, The Journal of Curious Letters

Book 2, The Hunt for Dark Infinity

Book 3, The Blade of Shattered Hope

It's a story of quantum physics and alternate realities, riddles and mysteries, hideous creatures and evil people hellbent on gaining power, retro and futuristic weaponry. I know at first glance it appears to be for a younger audience, but I really believe all ages will enjoy it.

I don't mean to sound like a salesman. It's just that I poured a lot of heart and soul into this series and I want more people to discover it. So give it a chance if you haven't yet.

To find out more, CLICK HERE.

And that's all for now. Talk soon.....

Stuff

2010-12-07T11:12:00.008-07:00

Here are some odds and ends for you on this fine day:

1. Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post or two to enter a drawing for a signed book. And the winner is.... Karen Pellett. Congrats! Give me your email address and I'll send you a copy.

2. I know there was a lot of buzz about the Maze Runner movie on Twitter and the Internet last week, and many of you have asked me about it. I just want to comment that my official response is "no comment." Sorry! I'm just not allowed to talk about it yet because nothing is final or official.

3. Here's some good news for you, though: We just sold rights in Italy! I was wondering when that lovely country would join the party. (Hey, did you know that it's shaped like a boot? It is! Really! Look at it on a map!) Anyway, we're very excited, and we've almost accomplished our goal of taking over the continent of Europe in its entirety.

4. There are some recent interviews with me out there that I thought some of you would like to see. They are...

5. This one is part of a "Best of 2010" series, where the questions were very random: CLICK HERE. (You can win my book here by commenting!)

6. This is my first interview ever in Spanish: CLICK HERE. And no, I don't speak the language. They were nice enough to translate.

7. There's also an interview with me up on Amazon: CLICK HERE.

8. We are also happy to announce that Barnes and Noble named The Scorch Trials as one of the 10 Best Teen Books of 2010! Check it out: CLICK HERE.

9. The Falcons are now 10-2. Yeah.

10. We finally bought a snowblower, just to ensure that it won't snow again for the rest of the winter. So far, so true.

Harry Potter and the Maze Runner

2010-11-18T09:06:00.004-07:00

No, that's not the name of the 8th book in the HP series, and no, I'm not trying to start a rumor that there will BE an 8th book. But I did just save a bunch of money by switching to Geico. Haha. Okay, that joke's run old.

By the way, you may have noticed, I've blogged TWICE this week. Where is my applause?

I just wanted to announce something cool that some of you can look for. Do you live in the following cities: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington DC, or San Francisco?

Yes, I understand that you don't live in ALL of those cities. But one of them?

For the next two weeks, they are showing a book trailer for The Maze Runner trilogy before the new Harry Potter movie and giving out DVDs that have the longer trailer and other promotional materials for my books and a few others (Eragon, Nicholas Flamel, Golden Compass, etc.).

That's all I know. I don't know which theaters or anything like that, but I'd love to hear from anyone who happens to be there to witness it. Tell us in the comments! I'm sad that it's not where I live, because that'd be really awesome to see my book up on the big screen in any form. Maybe one day. Wink, wink.

Hey, if you missed my last post, check it out: CLICK HERE. I'm giving away a signed book (a comment here OR there counts)...

And if you don't yet, come follow me on Twitter (CLICK HERE) and/or Friend me on Facebook (CLICK HERE).

Now go and start prepping that stomach of yours to consume as much food as possible next week!

Random Updates

2010-11-16T12:28:00.007-07:00

Hello there, Blogger Nation. I've been working hard on two different projects, keeping busy. But I figured it was high time I got on here and said hi. The following is what I've been up to and what's been on my mind, in no particular order:

1. I had my last event of the year on Saturday, and I want to thank B&N and all the people who came. I was pleasantly surprised by the great turnout - thank you! And here's a picture of Melissa and Matt, who came with the coolest t-shirts ever (btw, I signed those before they put them on!):

2. We've recently had a couple more foreign rights sales, this time in Portugal and Thailand. Every one of these still blows me away, to think of people in another country reading my story in a different language. So awesome!

3. I stumbled across this Maze Runner fanfiction poem on the Internet by Cheerfully Blue. Go check it out: CLICK HERE. There are also a few videos on YouTube that gave me a kick. Find them when you're bored.

4. I'm happy to say that The Scorch Trials has spent its first four weeks on The New York Times Bestseller List. I really want to thank all of you who made this happen. My readers are the coolest on the planet.

5. I'm knee deep in revisions for The Death Cure. Krista Marino (my editor) has reached down my throat and pulled all of my guts out (um, not literally), making this book so much better. I don't know what I would do without her. Probably be an accountant or something.

6. I've also outlined in detail my next project, which is something I can't tell you about. hehe.

7. People keep asking me why they can't find my book at the iBook store. Answer: Random House doesn't yet have an agreement with Apple. If you have an iPad or iPhone, download another ereader app (like Kindle or Nook, for free) and then you can get it.

8. My Atlanta Falcons have the best record in the NFL. Yeah.

9. Anyone out there a fan of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson (and the sequel series, The Second Chronicles)? Those were the first fantasy books I ever read, and they have a special place in my heart (and, literally, in my home). The third book in the LAST Chronicles just came out, and I was excited to buy it and place it on the shelf. I'm waiting for the series to be done before I read them. (I know, I'm a hypocrite, expecting all of you to read mine as they come out. haha)

10. I miss LOST. I miss LOST so much. Oh Jack, your face at the very end still haunts me!

11. We're about to begin the greatest six weeks of the year. My birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas (or your preferred holiday), and New Year's. Do you realize I'm going to be 38 years old? Is that when Social Security starts paying? I can't wait to get my senior discount at the theater...

12. I have the cutest, best kids on the planet. I know you think yours are, or that YOU are. But seriously. No. Mine.

13. Is anyone still reading? I'm shocked. If so, leave a comment telling us one thing you're thankful for (channel Thanksgiving dinner) and one thing you're hoping to get (or give) for the holidays. I'll pick a random winner and send out a signed book...

Have a great week!

Last Event of the Year, Book 3

2010-11-05T09:18:00.003-06:00

Hey guys, really quick post today:

1. My last public event of 2010 will be on November 13th (Saturday) at 2:00 pm. It's a signing/Q&A and will be held at the Barnes and Noble at Jordan Landing in West Jordan, UT. If you live within 3 states distance, please come.

2. I got a lot of questions in the comments about when the third and final book (THE DEATH CURE) of the trilogy would be coming out. That book is currently in revisions and is scheduled to be released in October of next year. (2011 for those of you are date-tracking-challenged.)

3. Last, but not least: my Atlanta Hawks are 5-0 and my Atlanta Falcons are 5-2!!!!! And my Georgia Bulldogs are... Oops, gotta run!

Back from Tour

2010-11-01T10:08:00.003-06:00

Happy November!

It's been three weeks since I last blogged, but I tried to keep everyone updated over on Twitter as I was traveling about the country. You can always go there (CLICK HERE) to catch up on my little tweets.

I had a great time on tour. I went from Boston to San Francisco with several stops in between, and met so many amazing people. I wish I could give a million shout outs, but I'd hate to forget anyone, and I'm sure I would. But a big thanks to all of the literary escorts, teachers, librarians, principals, and bookstore employees who made things happen. Also, huge thanks to my publicists, Noreen and Emily, for arranging such a complex schedule.

Most of all, thank you to all the students and readers out there!!!!! It was just spectacular to meet all of you, and it made me feel on top of the world to see your enthusiasm for my books. Thank you thank you thank you. I'll never forget the experiences I had with you.

My publisher, my agent, and I are thrilled with how THE SCORCH TRIALS has debuted, and I owe thanks to all of you out there. Thank you. It has spent its first two weeks so far on The New York Times bestseller list, and is also a USA Today and Indiebound bestseller. THE MAZE RUNNER is also hitting the lists. So, needless to say, we're all ecstatic, and I'm very thankful to my readers for making it happen.

Now I'm back for a few months, ready to work my butt off. First up is revisions on the third and final book of the trilogy, THE DEATH CURE. I think you're going to be very satisfied with how it all ends.

Anyway, thanks again to everybody out there! I look forward to the next few months of working and keeping in touch with you here, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

And I'd love to keep hearing your thoughts on the sequel, so please let us know in the comments.

The Scorch Trials. Tomorrow.

2010-10-11T11:08:00.006-06:00

Wow, how did it become October 11th so fast? How did my countdown on the blog get to under one day? How did the Braves blow the game in the 9th inning last night?

I feel like I should say something profound today. My book comes out tomorrow, and I'm extremely excited for people to read it and I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you out on the road in the next couple of weeks. I guess that sums it up.

I think you'll like SCORCH. If you liked the first book (and I'm not arrogantly saying that's everyone, but if you DID like it), then I'm confident you'll love the sequel. It begins just hours after the first one ends, and I'm pretty sure you'll never be able to guess the direction it's going. Be sure and let us know here at the Dude what you think!!!!

Have you guys seen the trailer for SCORCH? It's short but really cool. I'll paste it at the bottom of this post.

If you're looking for the tour schedule, CLICK HERE. I hope all who live within a reasonable distance (say... 286 miles) to these events will come out. I wish everyone could make it to the official Launch Party tomorrow night (The King's English in SLC, 7:00 pm, 1532 S, 1500 E), but some of you may live more than 286 miles away.

I'll try to stay very connected as I'm out and about on the tour, especially with Twitter since it's easiest. CLICK HERE to follow me there. I always seem to get very interesting drivers, so you don't want to miss out on that commentary....

You can also friend me on Facebook (CLICK HERE) or follow this blog (CLICK HERE) or "Like" the official FB Maze Runner page (CLICK HERE). So many options!

Tomorrow. My book comes out tomorrow. That's awesome.

Here's the trailer (be sure and watch some of the fan made videos on YouTube. I love them!). If you can't see the whole thing, just go to the actual website: CLICK HERE.

Kirkus Review, Tour Dates

2010-10-05T11:04:00.005-06:00

One week. One week from TODAY! The Scorch Trials will be in a bookstore near you. I'm so excited for all of you to read this book. Extremely excited. Here's hoping you'll like it.

I'm ecstatic to say that Kirkus sure seemed to like it! It REALLY made my month to get the following review. And what better way to preface the list of events of my upcoming tour. If you don't like slight spoilers, you might want to skip it though. I love at the end they label it not only as science fiction, but as a "thriller." That's music to my ears...

Here's the full review:

THE SCORCH TRIALS
Author: Dashner, James
Thomas led the Gladers to safety in The Maze Runner (2009). But after just one night’s rest, the survivors are told that a true haven is still a long way off. To reach it, they have to pass another trial: crossing an expanse of scorched earth while being pursued by the Cranks, humans infected by the Flare, a disease that inflicts madness. If they can just make it to the designated meeting point on time (and alive), they will be met by a rescue team from the shadowy organization behind these trials, receive the cure to the pandemic and never have to face danger again.

Constantly on the run and threatened, the Gladers struggle to win. Thomas tries to protect his friends while searching for Teresa, the lone girl from the Glade, and grappling with elusive returning memories. Taut and bleak, continually intriguing and surprising, this is a solid sequel that keeps both Thomas and readers wondering what is really going on. Hooked readers will hope they won’t have to wait long for the answers that have been promised in the next installment. (Science fiction/thriller. 12 & up)

TOUR EVENTS:

Official Launch Party (Please come and make it big and great!):

Tuesday, October 12th @ 7 p.m.
The King’s English
1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Wednesday, October 13th @ 7 p.m.
Borders
255 Grossman Dr.
Braintree, MA 02184

Thursday, October 14th @ 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
98 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, MA 01803

Friday, October 15th @ 7 p.m.
Boswell Book Company
2559 N. Downer Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53211

Saturday, October 16th @ 1:30 p.m.
Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival (sponsored by Next Chapter Bookshop)
Presentation and signing
Sheboygan, WI

Monday, October 18th @ 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
Greyhound Plaza
14709 US Hwy 31 North
Carmel, IN 14709

October 19th @ 7 p.m.
Left Bank Books
399 N. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108

Wednesday, October 20th at 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
Chesterfield Oaks
1600 Clarkson Rd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017

Thursday, October 21st @ 7 p.m.
Powell’s
2720 NW 29th Ave.
Portland, OR 97210

Friday, October 22nd @ 4 p.m.
A Children’s Place
4807 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland, OR 97213

Monday, October 25th @ 7 p.m.
Kepler’s
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025

Tuesday, October 26th @ 7 p.m.
Copperfield’s
2316 Montgomery Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405-5000

Wednesday, October 27th @ 10 a.m.
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
(In-store with school groups)

3 Weeks! Tour Dates.

2010-09-21T11:31:00.004-06:00

It really hit me today. The Scorch Trials comes out in THREE weeks. That's nothing. That's, like, 21 days is all! Roughly.

Yes, in 21 days, on Tuesday the 12th of October, The Scorch Trials will be available in stores nationwide (USA and Canada only, other countries later). I'm so excited for you all to read this book. So, so excited. The early reviews are very positive (yay Kirkus!!!! review to be shown here soon) and I just can't wait for those who liked The Maze Runner to see which direction the story goes. I can promise you'll be surprised.

I wanted to give some heads up on events over the next month. I'll be a very busy boy, and I hope to meet many of you while out on the road. Please come and see me!

First up, for those of you in Utah, I'll be at the Orem library tomorrow (Wed the 21st) night at 7:00 pm.

Then I head to Toronto for the Teen Read Awards sponsored by the Indigo bookstore chain, as well as a few prepublicity events for TST. Sidenote: I'm very excited to meet Ally Carter!

After that, it's Austin TX for the big book festival on October 2nd. Anyone out there coming to that?

And then comes the official release tour. My release party will be held at the amazing King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City on October 12th (Tuesday) at 7:00 pm. To all my faithful and long time readers and friends in Utah, please come. Please come!

And then I head off to several cities. The schedule isn't set in stone yet, so look for that in the coming days. But I CAN tell you which cities I'll be visiting, and the dates, so you can mark your calendars. We're trying to go to different places than we did last year. More details to come...

Boston, 13th and 14th
Sheboygan Book Festival in Wisconsin, 16th
Indianapolis, 18th
St. Louis, 19th and 20th
Portland, 21st and 22nd
San Francisco, 23rd - 27th

I really hope to meet a lot of you. Be sure and let me know if you're a Duder!

More soon...

Finally, we've now spent two weeks on the NYT Bestseller List. Two is twice as good as one! Stay tuned for lots of fun stuff and information leading up to Release Day.

Sidenote for comments: What did you guys think of THE EVENT series premiere? I want it to replace LOST for me, even though I know that's impossible. I had mixed feelings. It's no LOST, but it was definitely intriguing.

The Limit by Kristen Landon

2010-09-08T09:36:00.004-06:00

Hey guys. THANK YOU for all the congrats on hitting the NYT Bestseller list!!!! A lot of you have been hanging out here from the beginning, and you helped my book get there. So thank you very, very much.

Today I just wanted to give a quick shout out to a book that is now released and in a store near you.....

It's called THE LIMIT, by Kristen Landon. I had the fortune of reading this book early, and I absolutely loved it and gave it a blurb, which just so happens to be on the back cover! Here is a little more info:

An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .

With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn’t let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt’s family over their limit–and to change his reality forever.

“The Limit depicts a frighteningly familiar world with an unsettling twist . . . will keep readers guessing all the way to the end as they cheer on Matt’s ingenuity and his relentless search for answers.”
- Margaret Peterson Haddix, bestselling author of the Shadow Children series

“The Limit is a wonderful book. This glimpse into a possible future becomes all the more frightening because of Landon’s incredibly developed characters and setting, making the whole experience feel all too real. Fast paced, full of great humor, adventure, and surprises, this is sure to be enjoyed by all ages.”
- James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner and The 13th Reality series

For more information, go check out Kristen's website: CLICK HERE.

You guys should all read it!

Maze Runner a NY Times Bestseller!

2010-09-01T16:15:00.003-06:00

Today's been a good day for three very big reasons.

1. It's September 1st. To see how I feel about this date, go back and read my post from last year: CLICK HERE. Ignore all the stuff after the first bit.

2. I just turned in my manuscript for The Death Cure, the third and final book of The Maze Runner trilogy.

3. My agent called and gave me the news that The Maze Runner is now a NY Times Bestseller!

I have to admit, that last one hit me a lot harder than I ever would've thought. After all the years of hard work, all the rejections, all the revisions, all the disappointments, it really smacked me over the head and I got a little emotional. I'm so thankful to all the people who believed in me and helped this happen. ESPECIALLY all of my readers!!! Thank you.

Paperback, Facebook, Articles

2010-08-25T08:10:00.003-06:00

Well hi there everybody! I hope your week is turning out just swell.

Just a few cool things:

1. The paperback of THE MAZE RUNNER is officially in stores! I'd love to hear from anyone who has picked it up, discovered it for the first time, what you think of the bonus material, etc. Speak!

2. Random House has put up an official Facebook page for the MAZE RUNNER trilogy, and I need all my Duders to show your presence! Check it out: CLICK HERE.

3. I owe a TON to the HUNGER GAMES trilogy. Though my series was sold to Random House well before the first book even came out, I was in the right place at the right time because the dystopian/post apocalyptic tale has really surged because of Suzanne Collins' books. Thank you Ms. Collins!!!! How has it helped me, you ask? Here are two examples:

4. I was mentioned in this USA TODAY article about the release of MOCKINGJAY: CLICK HERE.

5. As if that wasn't cool enough, a few days later, I was mentioned in this NEW YORK TIMES article: CLICK HERE.

6. Both of those were very surreal to me. I know I'm still acting like a giddy rookie, but I am and I can't help it!

7. Random thought of the day: I love my new iPad more than my children, but I would never tell them. Doh!

First Draft Done, Scorch Preview

2010-08-16T10:10:00.002-06:00

I would just like to publicly announce (calmly and collectively) that I'm officially done with the first draft of THE DEATH CURE, the third and final book of THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy. I'm happy about this, but I'm choosing to act like I've been there before and not make a fool of myself. There'll be no giddy rants or silly phrases about dancing or jumping or kissing complete strangers, and certainly nothing about knocking over old ladies in the park, my old standard.

And now I have an incredibly busy two weeks of revising and editing before I send it off to my editor.

To celebrate, I thought I'd reveal the little summary thingamajig that will be on the inside cover flap of THE SCORCH TRIALS, because I've noticed it's not available anywhere on the Internet yet. Honestly, I don't know why. But since it'll be on the book, I'm assuming it's okay to share with you guys.

It's always impossible to make these things perfect. As I read the paragraphs, some things in it are KINDA true, but when you read the book you'll see it from a different perspective. But it definitely gives you the flavor of what the book is about. And it contains a lot of spoilers.

Personally, I don't think you should read it. I never do. I like to go into a book knowing absolutely nothing, which is the same reason I refuse to watch movie previews. But then again, most people think I'm weird about this, so whatever. If you want to read it, read it. If you don't, STOP NOW!

!SPOILER ALERT!

The Maze was only the beginning...

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more Variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety... until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, much of the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated--and with it, order--and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.

The Gladers are far from done running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder--does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

!END OF SPOILER ALERT!

I really think you guys will like it. It's very different from Book One, and you really start finding out what's going on behind the scenes, the bigger picture of WHY they're being put through these trials. Not everything, but a lot is answered. Of course, new questions arise...

Less than two months away!!! And remember, the paperback comes out in one week!

Quick Updates

2010-08-11T12:26:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to drop in and give a few tidbits of information:

1. I'm participating with a BUNCH of authors in a "Writing for Charity" event on Saturday, August 21st at the Waterford School in Sandy, UT. All proceeds go to buying books for under privileged children (and that's a good thing in case you're wondering). Some of the authors include Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Bree Despain, Brandon Sanderson, Jessica Day George, Dan Wells, Wendy Toliver, Sara Zarr, Anne Bowen, Emily Wing Smith... okay, you get the point.

If you have any interest in writing, or just like to meet authors, check it out. The evening event will be a lot of fun, and, ahem, yours truly will be serving as the MC, so you never know what might happen. For all the details, CLICK HERE.

2. I'm working hard on the third and final book of the MAZE trilogy, THE DEATH CURE. I'm writing the climax right now, which is very bittersweet because it means I'm almost done with this story. Boohoo.

3. The paperback for THE MAZE RUNNER comes out in two weeks!!! (Tues, August 24.) That's the same day as MOCKINGJAY, so at least I know a lot of people will be in the stores. The first two chapters of THE SCORCH TRIALS are in the paperback of MAZE, and there's also another little surprise that I'm not allowed to share yet...

4. Speaking of SCORCH, it comes out in two months! (Tues, Oct. 12.) I'll be going all over the country that month, so hopefully I'll get to see/meet a lot of you. Looking forward to it.

5. If you live in the United Kingdom (that's not Disneyland, for my less educated readers), MAZE is now available there. I'd love to hear from some of our UK Duders if you've seen it, read it, whatever. I know you're out there!

6. My wife has officially agreed that I can get a brand new iPad as a reward for something that, ahem, I'm not allowed to tell you about yet. (I do love throwing that around. I really do.) I would just like the world to know that I'm very excited about this.

7. I swear I had more to talk about, but I should cut it short anyway. Lots of writing to do!

8. Have a wonderful day.

9. Oh, this just in: a soon-to-be giveaway of the SCORCH ARC from our very own faithful Duder, Dave: CLICK HERE.

And the ARC goes to...

2010-08-06T11:38:00.002-06:00

Alas, our fun and exciting contest has come to an end. (Don't you hate when people use the word alas?) I'm kinda sad because I really enjoyed reading about all the good deeds you guys have been doing out there. I know they were things you would've done anyway, and it makes me proud of my Duders. You're all good people.

This wasn't easy. We had over 350 entries! Through a joint collaboration of my family's efforts, and combining randomness and goodness, the winners of an ARC for THE SCORCH TRIALS are as follows:

Shallee

Scott Pollack

Jenny Granola

Eric

Leesie

Congratulations!!!! Please let me know your email address, and we'll contact you to get your mailing address. And be sure and let us know what you think! (especially, ahem, if you, ahem, like it.)

Note: For those of you who know me personally and entered, we purposefully didn't pick you. Sorry about that. I figured you can come over and borrow it. Haha.

More ARCs!

2010-08-05T11:17:00.002-06:00

Wow, over 250 comments for our giveaway contest!

My publicist has graciously allowed me to give away FIVE ARCs instead of just one! That's five times the number that I thought originally. (Because at first I was only going to give away one. And five times one is five.)

Because of this switcheroo, I'm extending the contest by 24 hours. Not just to give more people a chance, but because I need to put some thought into the winners. It was going to be random, but now I think I'll do a mix of random and judging your deeds for some that stand out. Maybe I'll let my kids decide one...

For those of you who haven't entered yet, feel free to leave the comment on this post. Both will count.

I have to tell you guys. Wow. I've read each and every entry, and I'm really blown away. There's been a lot of good done in the world for this, and I say thank you!

The Scorch Trials ARC Contest

2010-08-02T09:50:00.002-06:00

As promised, today begins the official contest to win an advanced copy of the sequel to THE MAZE RUNNER. It's very simple:

I want some good to come out of this, so here's how you enter. Leave a comment telling us about a good deed you plan to do/have done this week. It doesn't have to be big or elaborate. Just something simple. Make another person's day. Make a donation. Save the world. Convince the NFL to move to 18 games. Whatever.

The contest will be open until Thursday (Aug 5) at noon (MST), at which time I'll announce the winner. Good luck!!!

ARCs!!!

2010-07-30T12:40:00.006-06:00

Look at this beautiful chunk of paper I got in the mail:

I love it! I can't wait for the hardback now. Just over two months to publication. I'll run a contest to win an ARC beginning Monday, since a lot more people seem to check in on that day. Be sure to come back and enter.

In the meanwhile, it's been a long time since I've mentioned the incredible book trailer that was created for MAZE. Has everyone seen it? Check it out:

Inception by Christopher Nolan

2010-07-26T10:12:00.006-06:00

I'd like to share a quote from the acknowledgements of my second 13th Reality book, which was written way before I'd ever heard of a movie called INCEPTION and before THE DARK KNIGHT came out.

"Thanks to the mother of Christopher Nolan for going through the pain of birthing him."

I'm so glad I wrote that. I knew I loved the genius of this man just after three movies: MEMENTO, THE PRESTIGE, and BATMAN BEGINS. (And a lot of credit goes to his brother as well, Jonathon, who has co-written some of the scripts.)

And then came INCEPTION.

I love movies. If anything, I love movies even more than I love books (which is pure blasphemy so pretend you didn't hear me just say that). I see any movie that has even the slightest, remotest chance of being good, including the many great indies. Most of my best writing sessions happen right after I've gone to the theater and been inspired by a brilliant movie. Or sometimes even a dumb one.

Among these countless movies, I have those that I call "Event" movies. These are the ones that go to the top of my list as soon as I hear about them. I'd say there are only four or five of these a year. When I first heard about INCEPTION, I was hit by an instant trifecta of information: Christopher Nolan, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the words, "Your mind is the scene of the crime." I knew I had an "Event" movie, and started counting down the days.

I saw it the day it came out. And then again the next day. Cuz I'm like that.

And I wasn't in the least bit disappointed, even after all that build up. I absolutely loved every single minute of it, both times. It's firmly entrenched in the James Dashner's Top Five Movies of All Time list. (I actually couldn't name you those top five movies, I just every once in a blue moon give a movie that designation. It just might be more than five by now. Yes, it makes sense. Go with it.)

INCEPTION is utterly brilliant. I feel like I can't do it justice. If you haven't seen it, do so immediately. And then do it again because it's even better the second time around. Every single aspect of this movie is brilliant. And I can't go on because I don't want to spoil it and I don't want to use the word "brilliant" too many times. You don't need to know anything else: just go see it. The less you know, the better the experience you'll have.

Why can't more people make movies like this? Trippy, visually stunning, creative, mind-bending, well cast, well acted, well written, heart-wrenching, the MUSIC (yay Hans Zimmer!), brilliant brilliant brilliant. Oops, sorry. I won't use that word again, I promise. A day hasn't gone by since last weekend where I haven't thought about it. Now that's an Event movie.

I only want to comment on three more things about it.

1. I had a major epiphany about the creation process in this movie. (This isn't really a spoiler, so don't worry.) Leo and Ellen Page have a conversation about how the mind works during the process of creating a dream. Leo draws two curved arrows that point at each other, forming a circle. He says the mind simultaneously CREATES and PERCEIVES, and the two become indistinguishable from each other.

Never in my life have I been able to describe how I write books until that moment. It became even more clear when Ellen responds by saying that when she designs architecture, she feels as if she's DISCOVERING it, not necessarily creating it.

This is how it is for me. I can sit for hours and hours, trying to come up with good ideas, but they usually doesn't flow until I sit at the computer and start typing. Then I feel like it becomes just as Leo described it. I can't tell the difference between my mind creating ideas and perceiving them. I honestly can't. They happen simultaneously, feeding off each other to form the story. It really is like discovery more than creation.

I don't know if that seems as cool and mind-blowing to anyone else, but to me it was a real life changing realization. Food for thought.

2. I won't spoil anything, but I loved the way the movie literally ends, right before the credits. If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. It couldn't have ended any other way, and I love the many layers of small questions it brings up. For me, that was the final stamp on how perfect a movie it was. Just how old were his kids, what were they wearing.......

3. I've heard several people rip on the trailer for this movie. Say huh? That, I just don't get. Now, you all know I try to avoid trailers because they spoil movies, but I've watched this one several times since going. I think it's one of the greatest trailers ever. That loud, tonal, booming sound. That's my new favorite sound.

Anyway, there you have it. INCEPTION is a movie that I will own, that I will watch many times. I plan to see it in the theater again. I really, really loved it, and I hope everyone will go see it.

Because it's brilliant. Doh!

The Dude is Back

2010-07-22T16:20:00.002-06:00

This is a teaser blog post. I'm officially announcing that I'm going to be back and at it beginning next week here on the Dashner Dude. I'm looking forward to hanging out with you guys more often as we get ready for the release of THE SCORCH TRIALS.

On Monday I'm going to discuss INCEPTION, one of the greatest movie going experiences (twice) I've had in a long time. And it also gave me an epiphany on the creation process, which will be fun to talk about.

See you soon.......

Covers: Spanish and Portuguese Maze Runner

2010-07-08T09:59:00.008-06:00

Hi everybody! We're coming up on some exciting things in the world of The Dashner Dude as we inch closer to the paperback release of THE MAZE RUNNER (Aug 24) and the hardback release of THE SCORCH TRIALS (Oct 12). Soon we'll have an advance copy giveaway, as well as a lot more information about the sequel. (By the way, it IS a direct sequel, beginning four hours after Book 1 ends.)

But today I want to show off the INCREDIBLE covers from V&R publishing in Brazil. These books are going to be released this fall and available anywhere in Latin and South America. I absolutely love the artwork and the design. Thanks to Maria Nazareth from V&R for sending these to me. I can't wait to get copies!

Here they are. The artist's name is Marcelo Orsi Blanco (check out his website: CLICK HERE), and he's awesome. What do you guys think?

Indigo Teen Read Awards

2010-06-23T11:05:00.003-06:00

I'm happy to announce that THE MAZE RUNNER is a nominee in the first ever Teen Read Awards presented by Indigo, the largest bookstore retail chain in Canada. I'm very honored!

There are several categories, and MAZE is nominated in the category of "Best Hero," along with some pretty good company: Holly Black, Scott Westerfeld, and Ally Carter. I'm a long shot against such established talent, but I'm just happy to be included. No, really! (I know, sounds like the pathetic rant of a guy about to lose.)

The hero is, of course, Thomas. Poor guy. Memory wipes, Griever stings, has to run all those miles and miles. I'm glad he gets something in return. Especially right before he has to go through all the crap in THE SCORCH TRIALS.

The part I'm most excited about: I get to go to Toronto for the awards gala in September! I've never been there and I can't wait to visit. See, I KNEW Canada was awesome.

To learn more about the awards, and to, ahem, vote, please CLICK HERE. If I win, I'll give 37 billion dollars to charity. (Like I said, I'm just happy to be nominated!)

The New Yorker and etc.

2010-06-15T13:04:00.003-06:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! We are back from our vacation to visit my family in Georgia, and I've settled in for a long summer of hard work. Here's a random list of the latest...

1. The main task at hand is writing THE DEATH CURE, Book 3 of THE MAZE RUNNER. It now stands around 15,000 words and I have a long way to go. But thanks to my editor, who made me outline this one as part of our revisions for Book 2, it should be a smooth and fairly quick experience.

2. I'm really excited to share that my book and I are mentioned in an article in the current issue of THE NEW YORKER. It's a special 2-week issue, so you should be able to buy it on newstands or in bookstores for the next week or so. Or, you can read it online: CLICK HERE.

3. Funny story about this article. When my publicist told me about it, she seemed extra excited. Then my editor did as well. Then Random House sent out a special email about it. Finally, I realized maybe I just wasn't quite getting it when my agent emailed me and asked if I ever thought I'd be in the New Yorker. I told him I didn't know it was such a big deal, and he only responded with, "Oh, James, that's what I love about you."

Anyway, I've repented and I'm thrilled and thank you New Yorker! I'm honored. And I bought 4 hard copies.

4. THE SCORCH TRIALS is just about complete, and I imagine we're only a few weeks away from ARCs. I've gone through the copyedits and I imagine it's already been typeset by now. It'll be out in less than 4 months!!!!

5. I enjoyed everyone's reaction to my thoughts on the LOST finale. I only have one more thing to say about it. Some people were disappointed because not every single little thing was answered. For example, WHY is the island the heart of the world? HOW does it work? WHAT is the smoke monster? Yada yada.

To you I say this: Were you satisfied when George Lucas explained to us how the Force works, mitachloriyabbadabbadoians, and all that? It was much better when we just knew the Force was magic and really cool. LOST was not about nitty gritty explanations. It was about characters and fate and redemption and speculating, all of which would've been ruined by a seven hour finale where all was explained in detail.

6. So I'm kind of keeping up with the World Cup. And I think I'm the only one on the planet that actually likes the sound of those beehive horns. It just creates a cool atmosphere that makes me feel like something really important is going on. I just wish people actually scored in soccer. That'd be nice.

7. I haven't seen a movie in like three weeks. This shames me to no end.

8. We're getting our backyard done and it'll finally be done by tonight. My kids can finally play outside without getting ticks, spider bites, or weed rashes.

9. I'd like someone to please invent a big machine that causes the Earth to have no humidity without causing damage to the environment. My kids couldn't handle it in Georgia. We kept trying to do things outside and they'd beg to go back in. We left Georgia in the 90s with 110 percent humidity and arrived in Utah with no humidity and 60 degrees. I love it here.

10. Dear Bud Sehlig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball: I've analyzed your decision not to award Armando Galarraga a perfect game even though the obvious bad call came on the last out. And my official conclusion is that you are a d bag.

Back to work for me!

My Thoughts on LOST Series Finale

2010-06-01T14:16:00.003-06:00

I know I'm officially the last person on Earth to do this, but here's what I think. Don't worry, no serious spoilers until the last section, which will be properly labelled.

I absolutely loved the series finale. I honestly can't think of one thing, not one, that I would change. It was heartbreaking, brilliant, moving, awesome. I just don't understand the haters out there. They baffle me. Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion, it's just really annoying when they're wrong.

The whole series was an experience I'll never forget. Easily the best thing I've ever seen on television, by a trillion light years the best, and probably tied with the LORD OF THE RINGS movies and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and LES MISERABLES in terms of media / entertainment that affected me on a superhuman level. I'll never forget it, especially the finale, which still haunts me as I write this.

Jack!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Jack. Jackity Jack Jack. Your face in the final scene has made me half depressed and half in awe since your eye closed. And the music! And the writing! And the acting! And the directing! Everything about that finale and the series itself can only be summed up by one word in my (sadly) limited vocabulary. (Hey, I'm just an author.) That word is BRILLIANT.

I can't get over it. I didn't think something could be that good. The writers and creators should be given a special award that no one else ever receives. And that award should be called the YOU'RE MORE BRILLIANT THAN ANYBODY ELSE EVER AWARD. I don't say any of this lightly. I see tons of movies, watch lots of shows, read lots of books. And LOST is one of a kind, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'll never never ever ever forget it.

I'm really glad that we watched it, week by agonizing week, year by agonizing year, from the very first airing of the pilot. That waiting and expecting and speculating was half the fun. We plan on waiting about five years and then watching the whole thing over again with our kids. I can't wait!

SPOILER ALERT

There's a lot of debate out there about what happened in the finale. I think it can be summed up pretty easily. Just like Jack's dad said, everything, every single thing that occured on the island really did happen. It is the heart of the world and in the end Jack saved it. He died to save it. His best friends escaped and lived out happy lives back home. Hurley and Ben safeguarded the island for many many years, maybe centuries. All these people died at different times along an extensive timeline.

Once they did, all at their separate times, their souls entered an alternate reality which they collectively created, their very own Heaven, where past, present, and future are the same. Just like Jack's dad said, "there is no now, here." They all discovered each other once again, in several scenes that I can't imagine have ever been topped in the happy tears department. And then they gathered and went to some special place beyond.

Ben wasn't ready, still had things to atone for. That's why he didn't go.

That's about it. And how incredibly BRILLIANT is it that the very first shot of the series was Jack's eye opening, and the very last was that same eye closing. I know it's simple, but it's just really really awesome, too.

SPOILER ALERT OVER

I don't know what else to say. I'd love to hear any thoughts you guys might have. Even from those who for some reason feel like it's their role in life to tell everyone how stupid LOST is, even though the vast majority of them haven't seen even half the episodes because it got too "complicated." Ya know, some things you just shouldn't admit to people.

Sorry if I sound petty or defensive. I just love this show so much that I feel like it's my kid or something, and it hurts to see people rip on it. And usually they have nothing intelligent to say, just, "Man, that show is so lame. I'm gonna go watch CSI: Kentucky."

And lost in all this (ha, sorry for the pun) is the effect the show has had on my own writing. I took something away from every single episode. The writing, the structure, the plotting, the character development. How they end episodes, even commercial breaks. The visuals. All of it helped my writing more than perhaps any other one identifiable thing.

Which leads to my final thought: to the creative talent of LOST, every one of you, both behind and off the screen, I say thank you. I can only hope that somehow you get neurotic in the middle of the night and google your own show and find this blog post. I can only speak for myself, but you gave me something, a six year experience, that changed my life and will remain with me FOREVER. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

Time to Catch Up

2010-05-20T09:32:00.002-06:00

How's everyone doing? I thought it was high time I play catch up and answer some of your questions as well. So here we go, in no particular order...

1. I've never been so excited for and yet dread something so much: the series finale of LOST, coming up this Sunday. I'm going to be so incredibly sad when it's over, and yet I'm dying to see the last episode. But it's the last one EVER. Oh the pain. The horror!

2. Speaking of TV, we've fallen completely in love with the show MODERN FAMILY. It is so so so good!!!! We actually look forward to it more than THE OFFICE, which I can't believe just came out of my mouth, or fingertips, or whatever.

3. I'm finally reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. It has me very captivated, although I can't really say why.

4. For those really faithful Duders, I thought I'd give you an update on my ACL surgeryified knee. It's doing really well. I've been jogging a lot and it feels good. Two more months until I can play basketball and ski again!!!! (Although I'm doubting we'll have much snow to ski on in July.)

5. Oh, you want some book related stuff? Okay, I can do that. We went through a lot of revisions and fine tuning for THE SCORCH TRIALS, but I believe we are finally done. And I'm very proud of the final result, and thrilled with what Krista pulled out of me to make it better. I can't believe it comes out in 5 months!

6. We'll only have teaser chapters at BEA, so I'm sorry if that disappoints anyone. Here's my schedule by the way: Signing TST chapters at 9:00 am Wednesday in the Random House booth, then signing THE 13TH REALITY Book 3 at 11:00 am Wednesday in the main autographing area. On Thursday I'll be signing in the ABA Lounge at 10:30. I'll also be doing lots of luncheons, dinners, and other fun stuff. Can't wait!

7. I am now working very very hard on THE DEATH CURE, the third and final book in THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy. It's always so fun to be in first draft writing mode. Story and characters and creativity are all that matters at this point.

8. It's been a lot of fun for me to work with some of the translators doing my foreign versions of MAZE. I had never thought about how hard it can be to translate things like shuck and shank and WICKED and Griever into other languages.

9. I get asked this a lot, so in case you don't know: MAZE comes out in paperback on August 24th (same day as MOCKINGJAY!) and SCORCH comes out on October 12th.

10. My family has become obsessed with fish tacos. We eat them whenever and wherever we can. I'm not sure this is normal.

11. I had a great tour for Book 3 of 13TH REALITY. Thanks to all the students, teachers, bookstore employees, and readers I met in Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Austin, St. Louis, and Salt Lake City. I really had me some good times. No more touring until October!

12. Thanks to Morgan for pointing out that Rick Riordan said on his blog that his son loved MAZE. The fact that this made me giddy is further proof that I'm still a fanboy and will probably never change.

Okay, so here's some Q&A:

First, as always, THANK YOU for all the nice comments about my books. Those never fail to make my day! I really appreciate each and every one.

Sally T, I'm sorry you missed me in Dallas!

Shelli, I AM coming to Atlanta to visit my family soon (counting down the days actually), but alas, no events are scheduled. Maybe next time!

Shaun Barger, thanks for the awesome writeup on apocalypse writing!

#1, Sorry, my schedule is just too crazy right now. :(

Jackson, we'll be catching up on 24 once LOST is over. I can only handle so many shows! And thanks for providing me with so many laughs in the comments.

Several have asked about ARCS for SCORCH. I don't really know much about when they'll be done and how many will be printed. But I'm sure I'll give at least a couple away on this here blog once I have some. And you can always request one through your channels with Random House. If you have said channel.

Someone started a forum for 13TH REALITY. Check it out: http://www.realitants.com/forum. Also, someone started a site for MAZE fans: http://www.thegladers.info. Thanks, guys, I'm honored and I hope people visit you.

Dave, I'm not into FLASHFORWARD or V. I don't commit to anything now until they prove they won't be cancelled!

Anonymous, yes, I used to teach at SLCC. That was fun while it lasted for a very short while.

Julie Belnap, I'm sorry I won't be at the teen writer's conference! I think they like to shake it up on who comes every year.

Traci, I'm sorry I missed a chance to sign your book. Crazy schedule lately!

Matt Hayes, I actually don't know the title for Book 4 of 13TH yet. I'll probably reveal that this fall.

Brin, I thought it was very cute how you asked me to explain quantum physics. Keep reading 13TH and you'll find out a little, but I'm not smart enough to explain it any more than that!

Christie asked about how you get published. Scroll down on the right side of my blog and you'll see links to lots of stuff I've written about that. Best of luck!!!

Michelle, it would really be hard to commit to something next March because I'll probably be on tour. Maybe contact me again as it gets closer?

Anonymous, all of my books are on the Kindle and Nook and other ereaders now.

Cupcake wants to know when I'll come to Canada. No plans as of yet. Maybe push a bookstore there to request it through Random House.

Mary, as we get closer to the UK release, that would be great! Maybe towards the end of July?

Morgan asked how long the Gladers had been around before Thomas showed up. There was an original group of about 25, and Thomas came two years later.

Brian asked about that panel I did in NY with Scott Westerfeld, Michael Grant and Carrie Ryan. Ya know, I never did hear if that got put up on the Internet. Could someone google that and try to find it for us?

June asked about Group B and WICKED's true intentions. I... can't... say... a... word... about... it...

For those of you asking about interviews, appearances, etc., please forgive me for not responding. If you're still interested, try again in late June or July, as that's when my schedule will calm down quite a bit for awhile. Thank you for your interest.

Wow, long post. I love you all!!!!!

Houston and Austin

2010-05-09T21:30:00.002-06:00

Guys, I know I've been quiet, but I promise to be more active on the blog soon!

Meanwhile, for those of you in Houston and Austin, this is where I'll be Monday and Tuesday, each time with FABLEHAVEN's Brandon Mull:

Monday
5:00 pm
Blue Willow Bookshop
14532 Memorial Drive
Houston TX 77079

Tuesday
3:30 pm
Book People
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin TX 78703

Come see us!!!!

Turkey, Poland, and Tour oh my!

2010-04-20T22:51:00.003-06:00

Well hi there! It's been a day or two (or thirteen) since I last blogged, so I figured I better get on here and give you guys an update. I've been very busy with the release of the third book in 13TH REALITY, with lots of good times. And other stuff.

So, without further adieu, here's one of my infamous numbered updates of randomness:

1. We recently sold rights to THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy in Poland and Turkey, which I think is just pretty cool.

2. Off the top of my head, here is the current list of languages/ territories in which you'll soon be able to read about Grievers hurting young people:

United Kingdom
France
Germany
Russia
Taiwan
Spanish (Spain)
Spanish (Latin and South America)
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greece
Poland
Turkey

Hmmmm. Am I forgetting somewhere? I think this it.

3. We've had some great events since I last blogged. The launch party in Utah, schools and signings in the Dallas and Phoenix areas. For all those who came, THANK YOU. It really means a lot to have such awesome support. I hope you like those books you bought!

4. The Hawks are up 2-0 in their series with the Bucks, the first time they've been up in a series 2-0 since 1970. Oh yeah.

5. The Braves have a winning record. All is well so far in the sporting world.

6. I'm really excited for the Storymakers writing conference in Provo UT this weekend, mainly because my AWESOME INCREDIBLE SUPERHUMAN editor Krista Marino will be there from Random House. It'll be fun to hang out with her and let her tell me in person what I'm doing wrong in my latest book. I'm also excited to see all my "regular" friends who go way back at this conference.

7. There are still a few stops on the tour coming up, including Denver, St. Louis, Houston, and then New York City for BEA. For details (that I have so far), CLICK HERE.

8. Phoenix is hot. It's April, and it's hot. I don't think I'd like to be here in July.

9. Leesie from the comments: you seem very sweet and kind. And you keep asking me to respond to an email. I'm sorry to say I have not received said email. I'm really sorry!!! Maybe you used an old address or something? I don't use author@jamesdashner anymore, by the way. Tell me what you're looking for in the comments and I'll see what I can do to help. Sound good?

10. Which reminds me, a lot of you have asked questions in the comments, and some good ones at that. I promise I'll get to them as soon as possible. Just not tonight because my eyeballs feel like sandpaper covered lima beans. I'm tired I guess.

11. I'm ashamed to say that I'm way behind on LOST and 24. Very ashamed. By the same token, I can't believe my good fortune that I have so many episodes to watch! No spoilers or I will hunt you down and make you watch Family Matters reruns.

12. I'm reading a fascinating book that I'm just loving, and it's not my usual kinda book. It's called PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follet. It's about the 1100s and the building of a cathedral. Life tweren't easy back then. And I'm pretty sure everyone smelled like armpits and doodoo. I'm very thankful for my Degree Deoderant and toilets.

13. Just one more shout out and thank you to all the incredible people I've met so far on this little tour. I don't dare start naming names because I will leave out someone and get hunted down and have to watch reruns of Family Matters. But you've all been so great and so nice to me. Thank you.

Until next time, nanu nanu!!!!!!

Launch Party Tonight! And Misc...

2010-04-09T07:43:00.005-06:00

Book 3 of my series THE 13TH REALITY (THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE) is officially out, and we're going to celebrate tonight with lots of food and good times. There will also be giveaways, including 30 t-shirts. I hope all of you can make it. That's right. All of you. There'll be dancing grannies and six-legged bears!

The fun begins at 6:30, Barnes and Noble, West Jordan UT. The one at the Jordan Landing shopping center.

Also, if you live in Utah and want to see me make a fool of myself, tune in to the 5:00 Channel 2 news and you'll see a piece on me. They invaded my home and even made me play the drums in my office. Okay, that might've been my idea, something I'm sure I'll regret the rest of my life. Hopefully it didn't make the cut!

I'll also be coming to Dallas, Phoenix, Denver and St. Louis soon. For details on those events, CLICK HERE.

Finally, you have to read this article that appeared in the New York Times. One of our most faithful Dashner Duders (Thanks Dave!) was interviewed about his family's blog, and he mentioned THE MAZE RUNNER with high praise. I'm proud to say I was his very first interview. CLICK HERE to read it.

Oh, one more thing. Or two more things. MAZE has received another couple of bits of good news: It's been nominated for the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults and the Kentucky Bluegrass Awards. Thank you ALA and state of Kentucky!!!

See you all tonight. You heard me. All of you.

Tour Details and Misc.

2010-04-01T10:28:00.002-06:00

Since it's coming right up on us, I figured I better get my tour dates and details out there for everyone to see. But first, a couple of interesting things you can go read:

1. I did an article for the Guide to Literary Agents website, called "7 Things I've Learned So Far." If you're an aspiring writer, you might want to take a look. CLICK HERE.

2. I can't really say much more, but the end of this article in VARIETY magazine gives a glimpse into where we are with film rights to THE MAZE RUNNER. CLICK HERE. More as I can share it...

Now, onto tour details for the release of Book 3 in THE 13TH REALITY: THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE.

The official launch party will be held at the Barnes & Noble in West Jordan, UT (Jordan Landing Shopping Center) on Friday, April 9th, at 6:30 pm. Angie Wager, the CRM there, has been supporting me since before pretty much anyone else. We're going to make this a lot of fun with giveaways, good food, a reading, etc. Please, if you live anywhere close, try to make it!!!

I'm also happy to announce that Simon & Schuster is sending me and Brandon Mull (FABLEHAVEN) on a little jaunt to Houston (May 10) and Austin (May 11) Texas, where we'll be presenting and signing together. Details coming.

Here is a list of my other upcoming events:

Wednesday, April 14
6:30p.m.- Signing
Barnes & Noble
861 North East Mall Blvd.
Hurst, TX 76053
817-284-3243

Monday, April 19
Signing- 6:00p.m.
Barnes & Noble
1758 S. Val Vista Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85204
480-454-8514

Tuesday, April 20
6:30p.m.- Signing
Deseret Book
1350 S. Gilbert Rd. #4
Mesa, AZ 85204
480-926-3234

Tuesday, April 27
6:30p.m.- Signing
Barnes & Noble
8374 South Willow St.
Lone Tree, Co 80124
303-706-9660

Saturday, May 1
2-4p.m.- Signing
Barnes & Noble
330 East University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
801-224-3526

Tuesday, May 4
6:30p.m.- Signing
Deseret Book
1110 E. Fort Union Blvd. 4M
Midvale, UT
801-561-8777

Friday, May 7
Signing- 6:30p.m.
Barnes & Noble
721 Gravois Rd.
Fenton, MO 63026
636-326-4619

Scorch Cover, 2009 Sales

2010-03-22T09:00:00.002-06:00

Two quick things today that are interesting.

First, the cover for THE SCORCH TRIALS is NOT final, but it's popping up all over the Internet somehow, so I wanted to make sure I let you know about it before you heard it from another source. You can CLICK HERE to see it on Amazon, and I've seen it on a few blogs as well. There will be changes to make it even better, but that's basically it. What do you think?

The word "Companion" will be replaced with "Sequel" because it's most definitely a direct sequel. Also, the colors will be more vibrant and the sky amped up a bit. Once we have a final version, I'll put it up on the blog more officially.

Second, Publisher's Weekly did an article on sales numbers for 2009, and I'm ecstatic to see that THE MAZE RUNNER is included in the Top 100 (#97) for new hardcovers! Considering the competition and the fact it was only out for 3 months of the year, I'm thinking that's not too shabby! We've sold a lot through things like the Scholastic Book Fair, which don't show up on Bookscan, NY Times, etc., so this number really surprised me and made my day.

Here is the article if you'd like to see it: CLICK HERE. Fascinating stuff. I'm not quite in Stephenie Meyer's league yet. Haha.

I hope everyone is off to a great week so far...

UK Trailer, Latest Q&A

2010-03-16T10:11:00.003-06:00

I thought I'd answer some of your questions from the comments today.

If that bores you, then go check out the UK trailer for Maze Runner, coming in August from Scholastic/Chicken House. CLICK HERE. It's basically the same as the U.S. one, but some of you may have not even seen that one.

Onto the questions...

Several people asked about the next book after Maze. It's called THE SCORCH TRIALS and comes out on October 12th. There's a countdown on the right side of the blog. Hey, we're almost down to 200 days!!!

Emma wondered where I got the ideas for Maze. Well, besides my crazy and slightly disturbing imagination, I always say the book was definitely inspired by two of my favorites growing up: ENDER'S GAME and LORD OF THE FLIES.

Thanks for all the yays from those in cities I'm visiting on tour, and the boos from those I'm not. Both make me feel good and appreciated! I really hope to meet a lot of you. Unless you're the lady from MISERY.

Rue from Dallas wants to know where you can find specifics about my upcoming tours. As soon as I have them, they'll be posted here, so stay tuned.

Dave asked about New York, and I did forget to say that I'm coming there for BEA at the end of May, but I don't think I have any events outside of that.

Mary at The Sweet Bookshelf wants me to come to the UK - I would love to!!!!! Who knows. I've never been to Europe, but I really want to go sometime soon. We'll see if one of the publishers there brings me out, or I guess I could arrange a couple of events if we go on vacation. We shall see! Do they like Americans?

Magenta wondered who came up with the UK cover. Well, I don't really know - the design team there, I guess. But I do love it!!!

Arning asked what my book is about. Well, the best thing would be for you to read the little teaser printed on the book flap, which is also available all over the Internet. Google is your friend!

Morgan wants to know how many books are planned in THE 13TH REALITY series. Five. So two years from now both of my series will be done and who knows what'll come next...

Graham Bradley asked when we'd be able to see the cover for SCORCH. Soon, my friend. Soon. It's really cool.

LuAnn Staheli's middle school class wondered why Sato is on the cover of Book 3 of 13th. We're kind of going with a theme, a different character on the cover with each book. Tick, then Mistress Jane, and now Sato. He might be my favorite character, by the way.

Jennifer Jenkins was nice enough to ask me about my knee. It's recovering nicely, except I must've done something to it because it's swollen and stiff today. I hope it's nothing serious!!!

Debbie the Nerf Goddess (nice name!) brought up a good point. The US and Greek covers both use the same awesome artwork by Philip Straub, but show different angles, the Greek one showing the sky above. Why? I don't know. Different tastes. I can't decide which one I like more.

Juliet Crane asked how far in the future MAZE is set. Excellent, excellent question! Well, it's never really revealed in the books, but in my mind it's over 200 years.

Alyssa hoped I could post the first couple of chapters of SCORCH for everyone. Well, not yet. But I think Random House will do that within the next couple of months.

Taffy asked about the last amazing movie I watched. I really loved THE GHOST WRITER, and not just because I have a mancrush on Ewan Mcgregor.

Ender wanted to know how I'm liking LOST so far. Love it as always. Though I'm actually behind on the show (I know - shame, shame), so I might talk about it more once I'm caught up.

There ya go. Thank you again for ALL the comments. I love reading them and staying in touch with you guys. My next post will be a full update on all the little things going on in my life. Talk soon...

Upcoming Chat on Twitter

2010-03-12T07:38:00.004-07:00

I wanted to let you guys know about an online chat in which I'll be participating with a bunch of huge YA authors (figuratively speaking of course). The incredible Georgia McBride (author of the upcoming urban fantasy series PRAEFATIO in 2011) founded YALITCHAT, and the biggest one yet is coming up on April 14th and 15th.

Look at this lineup!!!

April 14th: Melissa Marr, A.S. King, Becca Fitzpatrick, Lisa McMann, Ellen Hopkins, Margaret Stohl, Carrie Ryan, Alyson Noel

April 15th: Holly Black, Michelle Zink, Scott Westerfeld, Kami Garcia, Cassandra Clare, Bree Despain, James Dashner, Sarah Rees Brennan

I'm honored to be included, and excited to make a fool of myself in such company!

Details:

Both evening chats take place from 9:00 to 11:00 pm EST.

It all takes place on twitter under the hashtag of #yalitchat.

The official website for yalitchat: http://yalitchat.wordpress.com/

Here's the link for it on Ning: http://yalitchat.ning.com/

To follow along you simply search for #yalitchat on twitter then keep up! We'll be answering your questions so be sure and pipe in.

If you're not following me on twitter yet, please do! CLICK HERE to do so.

May everyone have a most joyous and non-sucky weekend. Talk to ya next week.

Tour Dates and TDD Winner

2010-03-08T08:37:00.003-07:00

And the winner of THE DARK DIVINE by Bree Despain is...

Jackson Porter!!!!

Congratulations, my friend. Throw me an email address and I'll contact you. You're gonna love the book!

I also wanted to announce the dates and cities for my upcoming tour for Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. I don't have any hard details yet, but at least you can hopefully set aside the day to come see me. Please don't make me beg.

Dallas TX: April 13, 14

Phoenix, AZ: April 19, 20

Denver, CO: April 26, 27

Salt Lake City, UT: May 1-4

St. Louis, MO: May 5-7

I'm also happy to announce that Random House has told me I'll be visiting the following cities this fall when THE SCORCH TRIALS is released in October (all tentative):

San Francisco, CA
Boston, MA
St. Louis, MO
Portland, OR
St. Paul, MN
Madison, WI
Salt Lake City, UT

I love it that I'll be going to a lot of new cities this time around. And I hope to meet many Dashner Duders along the way.....

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Oscars last night. I love Steve Martin and really wish he was my uncle. And a huge congrats to Kathryn Bigelow and everyone involved with THE HURT LOCKER. Amazing movie.

Countdown to THE PACIFIC on HBO: 6 days.

UK Cover for The Maze Runner

2010-03-02T08:20:00.003-07:00

What do you think? I absolutely love it. Feels like a movie poster to me, which is pretty much the highest praise I can give something.

This book will be coming out in the UK in August from Scholastic/Chicken House. I had the good fortune to talk to a lot of the people responsible there on a phone conference, and they are wonderful!!! I wish/hope I can go there at some point and meet them and all my new readers. And I want to see castles. And Big Ben, Parliament... (what movie?)

Check out their website page for the book and what else they have to offer (CLICK HERE). They're incredible, and they'll also be publishing TMR in Germany. Chicken House rules!

I'm knee deep in my second round of revisions this week for THE SCORCH TRIALS. Krista always knows how to step it up and pull things out of me I didn't know I had! I'm also mourning the end of the Olympics. *sniff*

If you missed seeing the cover for Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY or you want to enter the contest to win Bree Despain's THE DARK DIVINE, then CLICK HERE. I'll announce the winner later this week. (Coming soon: tour dates and Q&A from the comments.)

Back to revisions...

Book 3 Cover, Giveaway: THE DARK DIVINE

2010-02-25T09:22:00.006-07:00

Well hey there.

Two things today:

1. I can finally show you the cover for Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY (coming April 6). It's by Brandon Dorman, and I love, love, love it! For the record, that's Sato on the cover.

2. To celebrate, I'm giving away a signed copy of my good friend Bree Despain's book, THE DARK DIVINE. To be eligible, all you have to do is leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new cover. Or Bree's cover. Or the techniques of curling.

I'll announce the winner next week, at which time I'll also be announcing my tour cities and dates for the release of Book 3 in April. So, without further ado, here is the cover:

13th Book 2 Paperback: Come and Get it!

2010-02-23T10:37:00.004-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that the second book of THE 13TH REALITY is now available in paperback.

I said this when we first revealed the new cover, but I'll say it again: I love, love, love it!!! Kudos to the artist, Owen Richardson. The inside illustrations are the same as the hardback, done by the equally talented Bryan Beus.

We continue to get a steady stream of newcomers to the Dashner Dude, so I'll just give a quick recap of this series. Book 1 (THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS) and Book 2 (THE HUNT FOR DARK INFINITY) are now available in paperback. Book 3 (THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE) comes out on April 7th. We should be revealing that cover here on the blog very, very soon.

I have two publishers for this series. The hardbacks are done by Shadow Mountain, the people who brought you FABLEHAVEN. The paperbacks are from Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and they've decided to have different covers, but keep the inside illustrations. It's scheduled to be five books in total.

The basic premise: a group of scientists called the Realitants study alternate realities. In the Thirteenth, they've discovered that science has been mutated into a dark magic. Very bad things happen.

How's that for short and sweet?

Many of you found me through THE MAZE RUNNER. If you liked that, I hope you'll give THE 13TH REALITY a try. I'm really proud of it, especially as it gets deeper and deeper into the story. Enjoy!

I'll answer your questions from the comments in my next post. I hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics. Pretty sure I've watched more coverage than anyone save Bob Costas. Curling rocks! So does biathlon! And all the usual stuff. The Alpine skiing is my #1 favorite though. And hockey. And short track speed skating.

Talk again soon...

Greek Cover for Maze Runner

2010-02-18T07:32:00.004-07:00

In Greece, the book will be called THE TEST. What do you guys think?

Some quick background: The book is coming out in March (I think) from Platypus Publications, the same publisher that did Twilight and Hunger Games in Greece. They told me that The Maze Runner didn't sound very cool in Greek, hence the title change. Also, they decided to use more of the full cover art by Philip Straub. I really love it!!!

LTUE and Great Pub

2010-02-16T10:41:00.002-07:00

I had so much fun at LTUE (the scifi and fantasy symposium at BYU). I don't know how else to describe it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I served on some great panels, mingled with many writers and Duders, had a wonderful book signing, and read a couple of chapters from THE SCORCH TRIALS to a very enthusiastic audience.

Just a sampling of my favorite moments:

1. I was honored to record a couple of live podcasts of WRITING EXCUSES with Brandon Sanderson (MISTBORN, WHEEL OF TIME), Howard Tayler (SCHLOCK MERCENARY), and Dan Wells (I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER). These guys are hilarious, and all three of them are very good friends. So you can imagine the fun we had, especially fed by the crowd of people that was hundreds if not pushing a thousand. You can listen, for free, to the result by CLICKING HERE. You can also learn more about these three yahoos who made me the butt of all their jokes.

2. Speaking of being the butt of jokes, I was also "honored" to be the main buttster for Brandon's keynote address on Saturday, also in front of many people. Best line: Brandon squinted at his notes and said, "This is getting too dry, make fun of Dashner." He looked at me and said, "You stink." Then he said, "My notes actually say that, 'squint at notes and then tell Dashner he stinks.'" Hey, any publicity is good publicity!

3. Brandon's address was really, really, really good. The basic gist was that there is some great stuff in speculative fiction and people who say differently are stupid (though he said it much more intelligently and inspiringly). Boo yah! I don't think I ever realized just how funny Brandon was until this conference, where he was Guest of Honor and really let himself go.

4. Serving on a panel and talking with L.E. Modesitt Jr., one of the most successful scifi/fantasy authors ever. I've known him for several years now, and he's always been so real and down to Earth and inspiring.

5. What I mostly enjoyed was seeing and hanging out with the attendees at the conference. It gets better every year, and I really had a great time. Hello to everyone I met, saw again, ate with, talked with, discussed writing with, etc. Especially to the Duders who came!!!

I also wanted to share a couple of cool articles in which THE MAZE RUNNER was mentioned, especially since these are both huge publications:

1. The L.A. Times: CLICK HERE.

2. Publisher's Weekly: CLICK HERE.

Q&A from the Comments

2010-02-09T09:03:00.002-07:00

Time to catch up on some of your questions! Before we get to that, just a reminder that I'll be at the LTUE event at BYU this weekend (11th-13th), including a signing on Friday at noon in the bookstore and a reading of THE SCORCH TRIALS on Saturday at 6:00. I'll also be speaking on several panels. For details, CLICK HERE.

As for the Superbowl, I didn't care who won since my Falcons weren't there. But I really, really wanted overtime so I was very upset when Mr. Manning threw that interception instead of tying up the game. Boo.

One more thing: We're very, very close to revealing the cover for THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE, Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. Stay tuned!

Okay, onto your questions...

First off, as always, THANK YOU for all the nice words, congrats, etc. in the comments that continue to perk me up throughout the day. I read them all and love getting them!!!

Quite a few people asked when my next two books will be coming out. Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY comes out April 6, and Book 2 of THE MAZE RUNNER comes out October 12th.

Charles: Is the latest generation more or less creative because of all the visual media that is so prevalent now? I would say more only because I feel that movies and television really influence my writing, just as much as books in terms of IDEAS. Though if you want to be a writer, reading books is first in priority because that's the best education on HOW to write.

Anonymous: Will there be a 13TH REALITY movie? Nothing in the works as of yet, I'm afraid. However, THE LIGHTNING THIEF comes out this Friday, so we can all be happy!

Erin G: How important is research to your writing? Well, I make most of my stuff up, so I only do a little. However, when I do reference something that needs to be authentic, I look it up. And I always try to have the proper background for the science I throw in.

Karen: Will you be coming to Honolulu anytime soon? Nothing on the schedule, but maybe I need to do something about that! I've never been there, would love to visit.

Emchien asked about more specific details on LTUE. Basically, you just need to know that everything is on the 3rd floor of the Wilkinson Center, and you can find everything from there pretty easily. EXCEPT for the signings, which I believe will be in the bookstore.

SPOILER ALERT! "It's what I want to be" asked who Minho and Zart were named after in TMR. Well, since this book is in the future, I purposefully had a couple of the names come from people who don't exist yet. Like Minho. But Zart is named after a famous composer. Begins with a Mo. END SPOILER ALERT!

Epsilon: How do you pace your writing during the day so as not to get burned out? When I'm in full first draft writing mode, I like to do an hour or two first thing in the morning, then do another session that afternoon, sometimes after seeing a movie to juice up my creativity factory. Other things to do in between are answering email, blogging, taking care of author business stuff, etc.

Aubrey (aka Stacey): How was your trip to California? We had a great time! We got really lucky because the big series of rain storms didn't hit until we were just about done. Although that did make our flight get cancelled and force us to stay an extra day and watch the rain. But we had perfect weather for Sea World and Lego Land. Kids loved it! Dad (that's me) ate lots of junk food!

Libby D: Any events in SoCal soon? I think there's a very good chance I'll be coming there for one of the tours for my releases this year. Stay tuned for the schedules!

Anna: How do we go about booking you for a school visit? Well, due to the time constraints of trying to have two series going on at once, I'm really only doing school visits during the release tours. The best way to make that happen is to go through your local bookstore, and have them go through their contacts with Random House or Shadow Mountain/Simon & Schuster. Thank you for your interest!

Jessica: What was your inspiration for TMR? I think the three things that shaped my ideas for this story the most are: The books ENDER'S GAME and LORD OF THE FLIES, and the TV show LOST.

Jan von Hartz: THANKS for including me in the St. Louis Book Battle. That's so cool and I'm very honored!

Editor Tyler: Any way I can get your autograph? I do lots of events, so stay tuned and try to catch me sometime, okay?

SandPMom: Any relatives in Maryland? Well, I have two brothers and a couple of cousins in that area...

That's about it for now. Thanks again for hanging out with me here, and we'll talk again soon. I hope to see some of you at BYU this weekend!

Happy Superbowl Weekend

2010-02-05T08:30:00.002-07:00

Hey everybody - be happy, the weekend is here! The Game is coming. Yeah, that's right. All those awesome commercials and the tasty party finger food. Maybe even some football.

A few things:

1. I'm very honored to be a nominee for a Whitney Award this year (Speculative Fiction). Thanks to everyone on the Whitney committee!!!

2. Don't forget: I'll be at the Southtown Mall Barnes and Noble in Sandy, UT tomorrow (Saturday the 6th) starting at 1:00, with many other authors. Come see us!

3. Also, remember the LTUE symposium next weekend (11th, 12th, 13th) at BYU. My reading has been changed to 6:00 on Saturday night, where I'll be doing the first chapter or two from THE SCORCH TRIALS. My signing is still Friday at noon. For more details, CLICK HERE.

4. LOST. I know I've ranted and raved about this show before, and I'll do it again. I've been looking forward to this, the finale season, for many months and years. During the season premiere on Tuesday, I sat riveted the entire time. Honestly, I don't even care what the resolution is or what's behind it all. The sheer brilliance of every aspect of the show is enough for me. I love it as much as any type of entertainment I've ever experienced. Maybe the most.

If you are a writer, you can learn a lot from this show. Character development. How to reveal the layers of a mystery. How to structure chapters. All in all, just how to tell a story. I love LOST. I love it love it love it love it.

5. What have I been working on? I received the typeset pages for THE 13TH REALITY Book 3, so I've been going through those, almost done. I've also seen the cover and the inside illustrations, done by the very talented Brandon Dorman. (Not to worry, Bryan Beus will be back for Book 4!) Hopefully we'll reveal the cover next week, and the book comes out on April 6! In the meantime, go check out the paperbacks for books 1 and 2.

6. My knee is recovering well from ACL surgery. I've been a good boy and gone to physical therapy 3 times a week (Hi Drew, Chevelle, and crew!) and done lots of exercises at home. It's still swollen and hurts, but not too bad. I really appreciate all the well wishes on Twitter, Facebook, and in the comments. Thanks!!!

7. I'm past due to answer your questions from the comments. Here is a Dashner Gare-On-Tee: I'll do that early next week. So if you have more, let me know. I love hearing from you guys.

8. I'm reading a book that you will all hear about this summer. It's called THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin. It is amazing. Unique, deep, scary, brilliant. Comes out in June. I also just received the ARC for Book 1 in DJ MacHale's upcoming new series, MORPHEUS ROAD. It's about ghosts!

Well, gotta run for now. Have a great weekend and we'll see you on Monday!

A brand new... ACL!

2010-01-26T09:08:00.003-07:00

How's everyone doing out there? I just wanted to say hi and tell everyone that I'm recovering nicely from my ACL surgery. Doctor Cooley told me to keep weight off of it and keep it iced until I go back in tomorrow. Therefore, I'm slowly going insane.

I remember coming home Friday, woozy and giddy from drugs, thinking this was gonna be the best few days in history. Being forced to sit around and do nothing but read, write, and watch TV. Yeah, that was fun for maybe a day. Or two. Now I'd like to saw my leg off and go hop around outside, going all Jackson Pollack on the snow till I bleed to death.

Okay, that was kinda gross. And just to be certain, I'm kidding. But I'm so anxious to get up and move around that my brain has quit working properly.

Modern medicine amazes me. Did you know they took one of my hamstrings and used it to rebuild my ACL, all by barely cutting me open and sending me home just a couple hours after it was complete? I really hope it works! I miss basketball and skiing.

Having said all that, I've had no problem keeping a proper perspective with all the terrible things that have happened in Haiti. What a tragedy. However, it always amazes me the stories of hope and unity that come out of such things. Some inspiring stuff on the news lately. I hope everyone is finding a way to give what they can to help down there.

What else...

I haven't made much progress on THE DEATH CURE (Book 3 of THE MAZE RUNNER). I don't know why, but it's just hard to feel creative in this situation. I expect to get back on it in a big way very soon.

I have a couple of big events coming up soon:

On Saturday, February 6, I'll be signing with a bunch of other authors at the Barnes and Noble in Sandy Utah (by Southtown Mall). It begins at 1:00 pm.

On February 11-13, I'll be at the BYU event called Life, the Universe, and Everything (LTUE), a three day conference that is absolutely FREE. It's a science fiction and fantasy symposium, but many of the panels and workshops focus on writing. Brandon Sanderson is the Guest of Honor and will be giving the keynote address. I'm on quite a few panels and will also be doing a signing (Friday at noon) and reading (Saturday at 3:00, at which I will be reading the first chapter or two of THE SCORCH TRIALS, sequel to MAZE).

For details on LTUE, please CLICK HERE.

I'm still planning on doing a giveaway of the new book, THE DARK DIVINE by Bree Despain, very soon. Stay tuned.

Finally, I still haven't been given word that I can officially announce this, but you might find something at the end of this article in VARIETY magazine interesting: CLICK HERE.

Have a great day!!!

Updates and Weber State

2010-01-11T08:51:00.003-07:00

Good morning, world. Before we get to the updates, I want to tell you guys about an event coming up this Wednesday (the 13th).

I'll be a guest at Weber State University, doing a lecture for students at 12:30 and then speaking at 6:30 that evening (which is open to the public). Please note the use of the word "lecture." That was their word, not mine. And I think it's pretty cool. I'd like for all of you to call me Professor Dashner from now on.

Details: The event takes place in Ballroom C of the Union Building. And it's free (I just heard a lot of people perk up). Here is a link to the campus map if you're interested: CLICK HERE.

I promise I won't bore you. There'll be plenty of funny pictures and lame jokes. And you'll get to hear the magnificently fascinating story of how I got published and how I write books (wait, I just heard a lot of people perk down! Stop that!). Please feel free to bring my books if you have them and I'm sure I can sign afterward. Hope to see some of you!

Now, on to updates.....

1. I'm starting to feel the rhythm of THE DEATH CURE (Book 3 of THE MAZE RUNNER). I've only written about 2,000 words, but I've done a lot of thinking and brainstorming. It's been basically mapped out for a long time, and my agent and editor have really helped refine and improve the story. We want to make sure you guys aren't disappointed after investing time and money in a whole trilogy!!!

2. SEMI SPOILER ALERT: I don't know what the trilogy will be known by in the long run, but you never see the maze again after Book 1. Although, I guess it makes sense that Thomas is and always will be a maze runner. He never gets demoted. :) END OF SEMI SPOILER ALERT

3. I hope very soon I'll be able to show you the covers for THE SCORCH TRIALS (Book 2 of MAZE, Oct 2010) and THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE (Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY, April 2010).

4. If you're new here and confused by the fact I have two series going on at once, please read the last few posts and I think you'll get caught up. But I hope you guys will go check out the recently released paperback of Book 1, THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS. You'll like it, I promise! CLICK HERE.

5. My family is going to San Diego in three days, planning to hit Sea World and Lego Land, other stuff. Any suggestions? My kids are so ridiculously excited, I fear they're going to suffer major anticlimacticicism. Hope not. If they do, I'll just beat them over the head with my many-kids-in-the-world-are-far-less-fortunate-than-you speech.

6. Did anyone catch that Cardinals-Packers game? Holy cow. Glad I did.

7. My friend and fellow author and agent sibling recently put up an interview with me on her blog. Joelle Anthony's book, RESTORING HARMONY, comes out this spring from Putnam. To read the interview and enter a chance to win my book, CLICK HERE. Thanks, Joelle!

8. I've seen lots of blog giveaways of MAZE out there. To find them, go follow me on Twitter - I always try to retweet when I see them. CLICK HERE to follow me. I'm really sick of all my author friends having more followers than me, so please help a guy out! I'm not that great at Twitter, but I try. Oh I try!

9. My friend Bree Despain's book is officially out and about now: THE DARK DIVINE!!! It's getting rave reviews and has started off very strongly. I'm going to do my very own giveaway of her book, signed, sometime next week, so now you have a heads up.....

10. I've really enjoyed the comments and the nice words about my book lately. Also, we've received some great questions. I'm collecting them and will do a big Q&A soon. Keep them coming!

11. Let's see how many of you actually made it this far: please leave a comment telling us which book or movie you are most excited about in 2010 (excluding my stuff. haha). Mine: ummmm, too hard. IRONMAN 2 for sure. Ummmmm, third book in HUNGER GAMES. And third book in the SHADOWMARCH series by Tad Williams.

Thanks and have a great day!!!

Goodbye 2009 - I Loved You

2009-12-31T11:23:00.003-07:00

It's been a great year. I know most people do all kinds of fancy stuff where they list all their most wonderfulest things of the year and all the most wonderfulest things they're looking forward to next year. And I love reading those!

But I'm too scared to do it because I know I will leave something or someone out and then I'll feel guilty until the end of the next year. So, here's a blanket statement: I really loved 2009 and I can't wait for 2010!!!!

But I will say this: 2009 was the first full calendar year in which I worked solely as an author. And for that, I am extremely grateful and consider myself one lucky dude. (In case you didn't know, I used to be an accountant. Oh, the horror.)

Here are a few things that might interest you:

1. Sorry for the late notice, because I thought it was tomorrow, but all day today and tonight, there will be commercials for THE MAZE RUNNER running during the Twilight Zone Marathon on the Syfy Channel. It's supposed to run 11 times I think. Set those DVRs!!!

2. The commercial will also run during an episode of Fringe (Fox) in a couple of weeks, on the 14th.

3. My book made it on another "best of 2009" list, this time from Barnes and Noble: CLICK HERE to see it. Thanks BN!!!!!!

4. I hope the word is getting out that the paperback for the first book in THE 13TH REALITY series is now in stores, from Simon & Schuster (Aladdin imprint). It's called THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS. I really think those of you who liked MAZE will like this book! Give it a try. Book 2 comes out in paperback in February, then Book 3 in hardback in April.

5. I've noticed a lot of new people are discovering my blog. Welcome guys! I'm really glad to have you here. If you have a question, please leave it in the comments and I'll answer them in a future post. You can also follow me on Twitter (CLICK HERE) and you can follow this blog (CLICK HERE).

Gotta run, but I really look forward to getting to know more of you and hanging out with you here on the blog in 2010. Happy New Year!!!

P.S. THANK YOU for all the nice words about The Maze Runner lately in the comments. I really appreciate it.

Catch Up (not Ketchup)

2009-12-18T09:07:00.003-07:00

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.

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

2009-12-08T09:55:00.002-07:00

...of the year.

Isn't it? Duders, we've entered easily the most favoritestest month of the year for me. I love December, and the only downside is that since it's begun, it means it will end. But that would be a really pessimistic way too look at it, so I won't. I refuse to think that the holidays will be over and then football soon after that. Oh, the agony!!!!

We got dumped on with the white stuff today. (That's snow, for you folks from my hometown in Georgia.) I spent over an hour shovelling it, and I actually enjoyed it, especially after my wife forced me to put on a hat and my ears discontinued their path to frostbite. But I still think we should get a snow blower. Maybe. Or not. Maybe...

Hmmmm. So what's on my mind today?

1. Still knee-deep in revisions. On two books (The Scorch Trials and The 13th Reality Book 3: The Blade of Shattered Hope.) I'm not a big fan of revisions, but I'm so glad I'm not an idiot and recognize the importance of giving it my best shot. I feel very good about how these books are coming along!

2. My drums are awesome. Really, really awesome. I love playing them. Sometimes my ears hurt.

3. Remember that Droid phone I ranted and raved about? Well, it died after two stellar weeks. Now, Verizon does have incredible customer service and gave me a brand new one. (Wait, wasn't my first one brand new still?) So we'll see. But having said that, I really do love this phone! (My second one, not the first one.)

4. Please, please, please go check out this EXTENDED version of the book trailer for The Maze Runner. It's twice the awesomeness! CLICK HERE. And please spread the word because these guys worked so hard on it.

5. A lot of people have asked me about a certain comment left in the last blog post of mine. Patience, my friends! Patience. All will be revealed very soon.

6. Could someone please explain to me what's up with the movie The Road? I'm dying to see it, and have been for at least a year, and I know it's been released, but it's still not in any theaters around here. Viggo aka Aragorn, could you please remedy the situation? I'm also looking forward to Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, Up in the Air, and about one hundred other movies.

7. People keep telling me in the comments that I'm not posting enough. I have slowed down a bit, huh? Okay, I'll try harder.

8. Note to everyone in charge of college football: You're not smart. Sorry, don't know how else to say it. You're just not very smart. If we had a 16 team playoff to look forward to, it'd be the most amazing thing since the spaceship was invented. Can you imagine the talk and hype over the first round alone??!?! Please quit your jobs and let people with brains take over. That is all. And sorry if I was rude. I'm usually not, really.

9. Had the fortune of attending the book launch party for BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl last week. Amazing authors, amazing book, amazing buzz. One of the greatest perks of being an author is hanging out with other authors. You should all do it! Seriously! Go write a book. It's awesome.

10. Remember to follow my blog (CLICK HERE) and follow me on Twitter (CLICK HERE).

Have a great day. Lyrics and Q&A next post, coming soon....

Kirkus Best Books of 2009

2009-11-30T07:45:00.003-07:00

I know you guys get tired of hearing good news and feeling like you have to say congrats (which you don't, I swear), but I sure love getting it!

This is one of the biggest honors we've received yet: THE MAZE RUNNER has been selected as one of the best young adult books of 2009 by Kirkus. You can see for yourself by CLICKING HERE and looking at page 4. Or, here is their writeup:

Warning: Not for claustrophobics, or those who worry about being killed by techno-demons in the night. An elevator door opens and an amnesiac boy stumbles out into the Glade, a sanctuary—as glades have been since antiquity— surrounded by a devious, humongous maze. In the Glade, Thomas, the newcomer, finds a company of similarly amnesiac boys, some of them residents for up to two years, with their own rules and a decision-making Council. Defeating the maze is foremost and made especially difficult by its population of Grievers—half-machine, half-animal horrors—that patrol its corridors. James Dashner’s moody, complex narrative manages to maintain a jet-propelled, jaw-wiring intensity. “The Maze Runner was heavily influenced by two books I loved when growing up—Ender’s Game and Lord of the Flies,” says Dashner. "Throw in Holes and the television show Lost, and you get the flavor of the story—frightening but hopeful.” The characters prove a gutsy bunch who use their heads. “The boys show an uncanny, gritty determination not to give up in the face of obstacles,” says the author. “Something I hope all of us would do when it came down to it.” (Ages 12 & up)

We're all very excited and honored by this selection. THANK YOU Kirkus!!! (Congrats to my good friend Sara Zarr for also making the list with her book, ONCE WAS LOST!)

Here are some Q&A from the comments:

Jade, I would LOVE to come to Australia. Make that happen, would ya?

LT Elliot, I really, really love the Droid phone. Love, love, love it.

Alyssa, there might be a chance of me coming to Atlanta in April for the release of Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. Stay tuned...

One Cluttered Brain, don't know yet about St. George. Sorry!

Laura and Nichole, about those drums. My best friend, Ben Egan, had a set when we were teenagers. He was very good on them, I was very bad. But he taught me how to play, and I got to where I could kinda do it. Then I went to a studio with my brothers last summer and played for awhile and fell back in love with them. Hence the gift. And I'm getting better and better, but not quite band worthy yet. Haha. My ultimate dream is to jam with Stephen King and his band of authors.

As for a video? Hmmmm. Maybe. Maybe.

dcaprice1224: YES! There is going to be a second book AND a third book. THE SCORCH TRIALS comes out next October, and THE DEATH CURE comes out in October 2011. Just think, when that happens, we'll only have 2 months left to THE HOBBIT in theaters!!!

Debbie, yes, I like celebrating for as long as humanly possibly. I milk it like you wouldn't believe. Just ask my wife.

Deb, don't count out the Falcons just yet. If they beat Phillie next week they are back in the playoffs.

Alyssa, you can see all my books by scrolling down and looking at the right side of my blog.

Kirsten, you know I can't show favoritism or it becomes too obvious!

Most of all, thank you for the birthday wishes. I only have 2 more before I quit counting.

If you haven't "followed" me on this blog yet, please do by CLICKING HERE.

And if you haven't followed me on Twitter yet, CLICK HERE. I promise to get better at it!

Lyrics of the Day:

Don't waste your time on me,
You're already the voice inside my head.

I Miss You, Blink 182

Checking in...

2009-11-24T10:13:00.004-07:00

Hey! Ah, man. I averaged three posts a week for that one week and then ruined it all by averaging zero per week last week. And I used the word "week" four times in that last sentence. Bad writing.

Not a whole lot going on, but here's what's on my mind:

1. My birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. Which is good in the sense that I can eat lots of food and sit around watching football all day, but bad in the sense that I get a two-for-one special day situation. I know, not as bad as Christmas, but still. My wife made it up to me by celebrating early and getting me one of the coolest surprise birthday presents of all time:

2. I'm slightly addicted to the drums. And really getting pretty good if I do say so myself.

3. I had a great time in Michigan last week. Thanks to everyone involved: the schools, the students, the teachers. Thanks to both Barnes and Noble and Borders for hosting events and to all those who came. And I really enjoyed my luncheon at the Borders headquarters. Awesome people and it looks like they're going to promote The Maze Runner a lot this Christmas. Sweet!

4. But most of all I have to thank Mr. XXXX XXXXXXXX. (He insists on staying anonymous.) I didn't know people like this still existed in the world. He is genuine, funny, and completely and absolutely selfless. He personally funded this entire trip so that many students could have the experience of meeting an author (we did 5 schools). And he is by no means rich. I was truly blown away.

5. Mr. XXXXXXXXX also kept me laughing the entire time with constant one liners and countless "sayings", like "kill one cockroach and a thousand come to the funeral" and "women are like streetcars, a new one comes along every 15 minutes." (Don't get mad over that last one - his dad told him that when he got dumped one time to make him feel better. Haha.)

6. Thank you XXXX. I couldn't possibly say it enough times. You are a good man.

7. I've really sucked it up on Twitter lately. I promise to do better!

8. Especially considering my new phone makes it easier. So, I've always coveted the iPhone. But I held off because I LOVE Verizon so much. You can't beat their coverage and their incredible customer service. So when they came out with this new Droid, I couldn't resist. I don't know if it's as good as the iPhone, but it's awfully close. I love, love, love it!

9. I know all you iPhone users will look down on me. I don't care. I win.

10. By the way, I'll be 37. That is freaking old.

11. Maze was chosen for the Texas Lone Star Reading List. It's quite an honor and we are thrilled! Thank you Lori Loranger and everyone else on the committee!!!!!

Q&A from the comments:

LT Elliot asked which kind of cheese I prefer: Well, honestly, I'm a blue collar cheese lover. Cheddar and Pepper Jack!

Erin G: Yes, I knew you were kidding! Haha.

Diva Donna: Yes, I know I owe you guys dinner. Soon!!!!

Shannon O'Donnell: Yes! I would love to come to Montana. I'll email you....

FirstRainbowRose: Nothing in Provo anytime soon. Sorry! Stay tuned for all events....

Matt Hayes asked if I like 13th Reality or Maze better. Hmmmmm. Too close to call!

Dave asked who is publishing 13th Book 3. Shadow Mountain will do the hardback in April, Simon & Schuster the paperback.

ErinG asked if I would still write books if no one paid me for it. Easiest question I've ever gotten: YES!

DkuzNY asked if Maze is going to be made into a movie. I certainly hope so, and though nothing has happened yet, there's definite interest and I really think it will happen.

Jack Porter, great usage of the Maze slang words!

And Aaron, no, I did not die. Thanks for your concern!

Good News, Michigan, and Q&A

2009-11-13T09:11:00.005-07:00

Happy Friday! I'll have you notice that I've blogged THREE times this week. That is 3. Three times. Which means this week I'm averaging three times a week. Thank you.

I have two bits of AWESOME news. Then I'll answer some of your questions from the comments.

1. I am very honored and excited to announce that THE MAZE RUNNER is listed #1 on the Indie Next List for this winter. This is done by Indiebound/American Booksellers Association, which represents all the many wonderful and supercool independent bookstores across this great country.

You can read about it (CLICK HERE) and see the full list of selections (CLICK HERE). Congrats to all my other author peeps as well (I'm looking at you Bree Despain)!

Now, I'm not sure what it means that I'm listed as #1. But considering I've never seen myself listed as #1 on any type of list, I will take it and love it.

2. I'm also being honored by the Hudson Booksellers Book Committee. We've all seen their stores in the airports, have we not? It's one reason I don't mind being early for flights! I hang out in that place till the last second.

They've chosen MAZE as one of five best books for young readers for 2009 and it will be prominently displayed in their stores in December and January. I can't wait to see that! That'll definitely be one of those surreal moments for me. Anyone need to be picked up at the airport?

3. So, a very heartfelt and sincere thanks to Indiebound and Hudson. You have certainly made my week.

4. Important Appearance Notice!!!!!

I will be in Michigan next week, visiting some schools (all arranged by the very cool Charlie Stratton) and having a luncheon with the good people at Borders corporate. I also have two public events - please come see me if you live within 1,000 miles!!!

Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 pm
Borders Ann Arbor - Waters Place
3140 Lohr Rd.
Ann Arbor MI 48108

Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm
Barnes and Noble Huron Village
3235 Washtenaw Ave.
Ann Arbor MI 48104

5. Now, for some Q&A:

Mr. Vincent and Mary asked when THE MAZE RUNNER will be released in the UK. The rights have definitely been sold there (Scholastic/Chicken House), but I don't have a release date yet. I'm guessing spring or summer of 2010?

Erin G asked if I still love peanut butter toast with tomato soup. YES!!!!!!

CTW asked if I'll be doing any signings in northern Utah this Christmas. Nothing scheduled as of right now. Sorry! Always check back here on the blog for events.

Many people have asked about the release date for THE SCORCH TRIALS. No exact date yet, but probably October of 2010. Or that vicinity. I put up a countdown on the right side of the blog.

Blue asked if it's not better to just wait until a series is done and then read the whole thing at once. Hmmmm. I don't know. I think there's a definite joy in waiting and anticipating something you look forward to. Agonizing sometimes, yes. But fun. Fun to talk about the story and speculate while you wait. Fun to long for it. Isn't that the magic of Christmas? The waiting?

Lula didn't necessarily ask a question, but made comments about the greatest college football team in the land (if not by record, by everything else), Georgia Bulldogs. Lula, you are wise and awesome.

Jen Jenkins asked if it's too motherly to say she's proud of me. Absolutely not!!!!! Nor is it too grandmotherly or first cousin once removedly.

Tamara Hart Heiner asked what it's like to be with more than one publisher. It is cool in many ways, most ways. I certainly would be a complete idiot to complain at all. I guess the only slightly hard part would be figuring out how to show them all your faithfulness to them. :)

Anonymous asked about advance copies of SCORCH. Those will probably be available in May. As for who gets them? Let the battle begin! One good way to set yourself up: have a book blog and talk lots and lots about how much you like MAZE. :)

MattE asked about my 13th Reality books. Matt, it's going to be a 5 book series. My favorite characters are Edgar and Mothball. Sally, too.

And to everyone else - THANK YOU for the comments. I read them all, often more than once. And they really help get me through each day. Thank you very much. I'm thrilled that so many of you are enjoying my books.

Lyrics of the Day:

And I don't want the world to see me,
Cause I don't think that they'd understand.
When everything's made to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am.

Iris, Goo Goo Dolls (Has there ever been a group of people more confident in themselves that they can go by Goo Goo Dolls and not apologize for it?)

Paperback Cover, The Hunt for Dark Infinity

2009-11-11T10:37:00.005-07:00

Oh, man, I'm so excited to show this to you guys! What do you think? This will be released by Aladdin (Simon & Schuster) on February 23, 2010. Just 3 months away! It's the second book in The 13th Reality series. The artist is Owen Richardson. I so love it!!!!

If you missed it, the first book (The Journal of Curious Letters) will be released in paperback on December 22 of this year. Then Book 2 in Feb, then Book 3 (The Blade of Shattered Hope) will come out in hardback in April. Here is the PB cover for Book 1 (this was done by a different artist, John Picacio):

The hardbacks were actually done by a different artist as well, Bryan Beus. I'm so lucky to have had so much different talent to experience. :) These guys are all amazing. And a big thanks to my Aladdin editor, Emily Lawrence. She's awesome.

I know it's slightly confusing that I have two series going on at the same time. It just worked out that way. I actually wrote the original draft of The Maze Runner before The 13th Reality. If you've read either one, please try out the other! I really think you'll like both.

To preorder these paperbacks, you can CLICK HERE.

I'll answer questions from the comments in my next post, I promise!

How are sales?

2009-11-09T11:23:00.003-07:00

Hey guys. What's up? I know I didn't blog last week. I wanted to, but I was performing a social experiment to see how the world would react if I went a full week without blogging. No results of interest. Yet.

The Maze Runner has been out now for about a month. First off, that's hard to believe. I spent a year and a half counting down the days till its release, and now it's passed by, several weeks. I even remember thinking sometimes that once this book was out, life would never be hard again. Tee. Hee. Humans would be idiots if they weren't so darn cute.

Anyway, almost everytime I talk to someone, they ask me how sales are. People have asked it in the comments on this very blog. People have asked me in email and on twitter. Complete strangers have asked me at signings. Lots of people want to know.

Trust me, no one on Planet Earth wants to know more than I do!

It's a very, very difficult question to answer. Now, that sounds like what someone would say if the news is bad news. No bad news here. Random House, my agent, my editor, me - we're all very pleased at how it's doing and how it's building. Each week has pretty much had more sales than the one before it. And we're just about to hit the Christmas season.

But I can't share numbers with you. Not only because my publisher would kill me, but because they wouldn't make sense. The vast majority of people don't understand how this industry works. Just because I have a ton of support and marketing from RH doesn't mean I'm selling millions and hitting all the bestseller lists.

I know I have other books out. But for all intents and purposes I'm a debut author nationwide. Hence the B&N Discovery thing. Also, my book is packed into a genre with a lot of books and readers who are currently in love with romance. And series take time to build usually. Had you heard of Harry Potter or Twilight when there was only one book out, and for just a few weeks at that? Most of you probably just answered no.

Now, having said all that, my book is doing great! All the reviews and trending point to strong word of mouth. I have zero worries, and I'm the biggest worry wart in the history of time. (Ask my mom.) So that should tell you a lot. The numbers are solid and growing. I really think that by the time Book 2 (The Scorch Trials) comes out next year, it'll debut on the NYT list. And who knows? Maybe Maze will hit it before then. We shall see.

So, there's your non-answer. How are sales? Great. Is that good enough? I hope so.

I think I can tell you this one little nugget: You can go back and see that my announced first print run was 100k. That's usually a bit of an exaggeration, but my real one was close. And I heard from a little birdie that Maze is already in its 3rd printing. So there you have it. Speculate as much as you want.....

I can honestly say that what thrills me the most is how many people seem to be enjoying it. Even those who give it somewhat negative reviews usually do so because they're ticked off that it's a trilogy and they didn't know that going in. They accuse me of milking the industry for more money. Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Not true. This was a series from almost the very first. And series are what people love in my genre.

Anyway. Thanks for visiting, and have a great day! Wednesday I'll try to answer some of the questions you guys have asked me in the comments.

Lyrics of the Day:

Don't ask me what you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart
I, I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

Never Tear Us Apart, INXS

Updates...

2009-10-30T09:53:00.002-06:00

Here's what's on my mind the day before ghouls and goblins and Hannah Montanas invade my home:

1. We've sold THE MAZE RUNNER into two more territories: Germany and Spain. I'm very excited, as always! I can't wait to have my very own shelf where I display the book in different languages. I may even force my kids to learn them all so they can read them to me when I'm an old geezer.

2. We had a very nice review today in Newsday: CLICK HERE. Contains perhaps my favorite quote from any review I've ever received: "In the crowded field of post-apocalyptic young adult novels, The Maze Runner has the testosterone to stand out." I love that! Thank you, Newsday.

3. By the way, the above quote replaced by former favorite: "This book is boringboringboring. Don't read it unless you've swallowed poison and need to throw up." (Granted, this was not a professional review, thank goodness.)

4. I'm a bit stressed, but in a good way. I just happen to have revisions to do for both THE SCORCH TRIALS and Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. I can do this. I can do it.

5. I wrote a scene in 13th Book 3 that ended up being way too dark and they're making me change it. After a day or so to reflect, I can't disagree. I think I channelled too much of my Stephen King side and forgot that "technically" those books are not meant to terrify and horrify children and scar them for life. Dangit.

6. Did you guys know that the first book of 13TH REALITY comes out in paperback on December 22nd from Aladdin (S&S)? And that it has a new cover? You can preorder it pretty much anywhere now.

7. On the THE SCORCH TRIALS side, I had a great conference with my agent (Michael "Boom Boom" Bourret) and editor (Krista "Don't Call Me Dan" Marino) about the big picture, revisions to the book, plans for Book 3, etc. They are really pushing me and making sure I have every single duck lined up all in a row. And I know they and you tire of hearing me say it, but they are freaking brilliant. I really think you all are going to love Book 2 and how it all wraps up in Book 3 (THE DEATH CURE).

8. I hope everyone has checked out the incredible book video created for MAZE. If you haven't had a chance, please CLICK HERE and watch. Also, today is the last day to vote for your favorite video! Please go and do it.

9. Tomorrow at 3:30 EST, the Georgia Bulldogs have a chance to redeem their season. I expect everyone on Planet Earth to root for them against the Florida Gators, minions of the devil.

10. Oh, and please root for the Falcons against the undefeated Saints on Sunday as well. Thank you for your kindness in advance.

11. I'd like to apologize to Michael and Krista for the childish nicknaming. I won't do it again.

12. Everyone have a superb Halloween! One free word of advice: Never offer the bowl to the children for them to take the candy themselves. Those little buggers are greedy and will take it ALL!

Lyrics of the Day:

I'd buy you Rogaine
When you start losing all your hair
Sew on patches to all you tear
Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise
And you take me the way I am

The Way I Am, Ingrid Michaelson (Not sure I've ever heard lyrics so dumb and so sweet at the same time. haha. I really do love this song. So sue me.)

Are you there, Judy? It's me, James.

2009-10-27T10:13:00.004-06:00

That right there is me and Judy Blume. Me. Judy Blume. In the same picture. As Sherman Alexie once put it so eloquently (at the 2008 BEA Children's Breakfast): that's Judy f***ing Blume!

I've been thinking a lot about my 3-week, 8-city tour since coming home, and nothing seems to sum it up better than that picture. I met a lot of great booksellers, librarians, teachers, students, readers, bloggers, fans - and many amazing people at Random House itself - and I had so many incredible experiences. But meeting Ms. Blume was so surreal and unforgettable, and just seems to sum up how RH and The Maze Runner have changed my life.

Here's how it went down:

My hotel was just a few blocks from the Random House offices in Manhattan. I walked over and, after taking a break to eat a hot dog from a street vendor (something I'd been anxiously awaiting for months), I arrived to see this in the window right by the front door:

After shamelessly taking a picture and tweeting it, I entered the building, checked in with security and headed for the elevators. (At which point I popped in a piece of gum because that's what you do after eating a hot dog.) The doors opened, I stepped inside, and so did another person. A very nice, lovely lady.

I knew immediately that it was Judy Blume - I'd seen her speak at BEA, right after the colorfully languaged Mr. Alexie. I wanted to say something, shake her hand, hug her, get down on my knees and thank her for providing all those books that - more than any other author by far - made me fall in love with reading as a kid. But I did nothing.

The elevator dinged and we got off on the same floor. My publicist (the utterly fantastic Noreen Marchisi) was there to greet me, and the Delacorte Publisher (the utterly fantastic Beverly Horowitz) was there to greet Ms. Blume (from this point on I will refer to her as Judy because she is now my friend and you can't say anything different).

Noreen and Beverly made sure to introduce me to Judy, we showed her my book, exchanged a few pleasantries, etc. She was gracious and wonderful. But the real kicker came later. After I did a phone interview, someone came and told us that Judy had invited us back to have "tea and cupcakes" with her.

And that's when the surreal awesomeness of it all started. I spent the next hour chilling in the Big Boss's office (hi Chip Gibson!) with Judy (and several other great people, including my editor Krista and author and friend Carrie Ryan).

Me and Judy.

Judy and me.

Judy and James.

Double J.

J Squared.

She is so awesome, guys! Not a trace or hint of arrogance. Not a wisp of condescension. She made me feel like an equal and a friend. I loved hearing about her life in the Florida Keys and how she and her husband started a movie theater down there. (Which just made me love her all the more because I'm such a movie buff.) I really, really enjoyed every minute of hanging out with her. Even the cupcakes (Famous Magnolia's) were great!

When we were done, she made me promise I'd come visit them in the Keys. Now, I know she might say that to everyone, but still. Don't burst my bubble!

Anyway. Maybe it's odd that I chose this one experience after all the incredible things I did over the last 3 weeks. But you have to understand. The words "Judy Blume" define my childhood. Plain and simple. This is not hyperbole: I love to read because of Judy Blume. She started it all for me, and to sit with her 20-something years later and talk and laugh and eat...

I'll never forget it. You may laugh, but it was as surreal as sitting down with Abraham Lincoln or Charles Dickens. Just amazing for me. I think only one event in my life could come close to matching this one, and maybe I should go ahead and shout this to the world as a plea: Could someone please make sure I meet Stephen King? As Judy defined my middle grade reading years, Uncle Stevie defined high school and everything after.

So, there you have it. I'll try to share more stories from the tour in the next days and weeks.

I do want to say one thing: Thank you to Random House. Not sure I deserved such fine treatment over the last few weeks, but I'm extremely grateful and I hope it was worth the cost. I hope my book makes you lots of money!

Lyrics of the Day:

Judy, Judy, Judy

You're so great, so great

Judy, Judy, Judy

You're the greatest great

You. Are. Great.

Judy, James Dashner

Maze in Publisher's Weekly - Twice

2009-10-22T16:43:00.002-06:00

I was so excited to see that The Maze Runner had not one but two articles in Publisher's Weekly today! And the writeups are so cool - really made my day.

Here is the first one: CLICK HERE.

And the second one: CLICK HERE.

If you missed my writeup about the new book trailer/video for Maze, please CLICK HERE. Go watch it, go vote!

The three week coast to coast tour is almost over - I have mixed feelings. I'm pretty exhausted and excited to be back at home for awhile with my family, but I've also enjoyed the whirlwind of this tour. So many experiences that I will never forget. And so much good food to make me fat. I do look forward to sitting around my office back home in my undies eating doritos, however.

I do want to say this in all seriousness: the future of the world is in good hands. As I've met with students from both middle and high schools, I've been very impressed and encouraged. Most of them know what they want to accomplish in life, and are stone-set to do it. You can see it in their eyes. I'm not so scared to grow old anymore (and sit on my front porch as a geezer in my long johns eating doritos).

Arizona has been so great. I head for LA tomorrow, appearing at Mrs. Nelson's bookshop in La Verne at 4:00. Then I'm speaking at the SCIBA conference Saturday night.

Hope all is well out there. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'll be much more responsive in the comments and on twitter once this tour is done!

Lyrics of the Day:

The selfish, they're all standing in line
Faith in their hope and to buy themselves time
Me, I figure as each breath goes by
I only own my mind

The north is to south what the clock is to time
There's east and there's west and there's everywhere life
I know that I was born and I know that I'll die
The in-between is mine.
I am mine.

I Am Mine, Pearl Jam

Book Trailer for The Maze Runner

2009-10-19T06:46:00.004-06:00

I've been tweeting about this like crazy, but in case you haven't heard: the official book trailer for The Maze Runner is now available online. It's part of the Kirkus Reviews 2009 Book Video Awards, sponsored by Random House and shown exclusively on the Barnes and Noble website.

To see the trailer, CLICK HERE, then select the one by filmmaker Brighton Linge. And I won't try to sway your vote, but be sure and vote for the video you like the most. For example, if you thought the trailer for THE MAZE RUNNER is the BEST, then you should VOTE for it by clicking that little button. Which is what I did!

I can't believe how awesome this video is. Seriously. When they showed it to me at the RH offices, I was totally wowed. I'm not sure what I had been expecting, but to see something so professional and terrifying and visually stunning blew me away. It's as good as any movie trailer I've ever seen, and has intensified my desire for the movie to be made by about, oh, a billion times.

I don't know a whole lot about the filmmakers except that they are film students and I have three names: Brighton Linge, Jordan Taratoot, and Keenan Porterfield. I'm sure there are more and I plan on finding out and letting you guys know about them all. I can't believe how talented they are! Honestly, I wish somebody would give them 100 million dollars and let them make the movie themselves.

So, everyone go watch it, vote, then let us know what you think here in the comments. Let's show these guys how much we love it!

Warning: it is very scary and not for small children. And just wait until you hear the sounds of the Grievers...

There's also an extended version that's twice as long that I really, really hope sees the light of day very soon as well. Stay tuned.

In other news, on to Week 3 of The Maze Runner tour! I'll be visiting schools and bookstores in Salt Lake City, Phoenix, then LA. I'll be at the West Jordan BN tonight (Mon. 6pm) and the Murray Borders tomorrow night (Tues. 7pm). For the full schedule, please CLICK HERE. I hope to see some of you...

Now go watch that trailer! And vote for the one that rhymes with The Schlaze Gunner.

Discover Great New Writers

2009-10-15T09:40:00.005-06:00

That is the name of the Barnes and Noble program for which I'm honored to say THE MAZE RUNNER is a winter selection! I've known this for awhile but couldn't announce it until now.

I'm incredibly excited about this. Last night we had dinner with some awesome BN folks (hi Kathryn, Jill, Matt, Ben!) and they told me all about the program. I'm sure you guys have seen the section in their stores - every season they select about 14 books by up-and-coming writers to display and promote nationwide. Jill also said that it's usually geared toward books for adults, and MAZE was the only children's/young adult book chosen for this winter.

So, from November 1 to February 1, you'll be seeing a lot of THE MAZE RUNNER throughout the BN stores. I'm so honored and probably said the words "thank you" a thousand times last night, many of them also targeted on Ben, their teen buyer who is really supporting the book.

But I'll say it one more time: Barnes and Noble, thank you.

In other news, I'm in New York City and having the time of my life. If you've missed the play-by-play, go check it out on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jamesdashner. One of my favorite moments: I had an incredible in-house event at Random House yesterday, something I'll never forget. I met lots of people, signed a lot of books, showed them my school presentation and did Q&A. It's like one big family there! Loved it.

Final thing: I saw the book trailer for MAZE yesterday, which will be revealed exclusively on bn.com very soon. It is incredible and frightening and is as good as any movie preview I've seen. I can't wait for you guys to see it. Stay tuned.

Final final thing: I know I told you the event tonight at BN (86thSt) with Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan, and Michael Grant at 7pm would be streamed live, but I lied. It will be filmed, edited, and then available on the web in a couple of days. Sorry! Stay tuned.

Still to go: Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, then LA. For the full schedule, please CLICK HERE.

Lyrics of the Day:

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough.

Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol (Cheesy? Yes! Great song? Also yes!)

Maze Runner Tour Update

2009-10-12T14:04:00.002-06:00

Well hi there. I know I've been relatively quiet on the blog, but I've tried my hardest to give regular updates over on twitter, so CLICK HERE to catch up if you missed it. You can actually read my posts without signing up if you want.

I thought I'd just hit a couple of highlights. For all the wonderful students, teachers, librarians, bookstore folks, escorts, etc. I've had the privilege of meeting - THANK YOU. I wish there were time to mention everyone.

Sidenote: Diane, Lili, Bill - I love you guys!

One of the greatest events of my author career occurred at Brookhaven Middle School, sponsored by Copperfield's bookstore. I first had lunch with this high school reading group, all of whom had read Maze beforehand. It just blew me away to hear them talk about the book - they really and genuinely seemed to love it. Which made me feel skippy.

Then I spoke and answered questions with the middle schoolers - at least 100 of them, all of whom stayed after school to hear me. That, too, was an incredible skippifying experience. Thanks to Shari - if every student in America had a teacher like her, we could forget about all those nasty world problems like violence, stupidity and hunger.

The other amazing event I experienced was speaking at the annual NCIBA (Northern California Independent Booksellers Association) breakfast. I got to go first as the rookie, which was great because then I could actually sit back and relax as Nancy Farmer and Berkely Breathed spoke. I absolutely loved every millisecond of their speeches.

I was brave and did my usual Top Ten list - and there were plenty of laughs, though I'll never know if they were real because I had strategically planted several courtesy laugh primers in the audience. Genius, I know. Then I basically got down on my knees (figuratively of course) and thanked those people on behalf of all children everywhere for enduring and prevailing in these tough book market times.

That couple of hours really proved to be a major never-forget in my life. Just a bunch of really awesome people.

So... what else?

The book's been out for one full week now. I really have no idea how it's doing yet, but since I'm so new on the national scene, I think it will take time to build an audience. But based on the reaction so far, I hope word of mouth will build. And this week the books are coming out in some of the major retail chains like Target and Walmart. So its distribution is vast - now we just have to hope people are willing to part with a few bucks.

I'd love to hear from you guys in the comments about... well, about anything! I love reading them even though I don't get to respond very much while on tour. I'll get better at that and replying to tweets once I get back.

I'm in Chicago, then New York, then Washington DC this week. Salt Lake, Phoenix, and LA next week. For the full schedule, please CLICK HERE. Come see me!

One event in particular I want to mention again, because *I think* you'll be able to watch it online: the post-apocalyptic panel at the Manhattan Barnes and Noble with me, Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan, and Michael Grant. For details, CLICK HERE.

So, yeah, I know that was kind of a laundry list type post, but there you have it. If you're new to the Dashner Dude, a very big welcome to you! I promise to be much more lively, responsive, and consistent once the tour is over.

Leave me comments to keep my company while travelling about, okay? Don't make me beg!

Lyrics of the Day:

And so there's a change
In your emotions
And all these memories come rushing
Like feral waves to your mind...
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You know that she'll break you in two

Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event

TMR Tour: Day 3

2009-10-08T17:59:00.002-06:00

I have a weensie bit of time (is weensie a word or did I just make that up?), so I thought I'd pop in and update the blog.

I'm not going to give you guys many details, because I'm doing my best to do that on Twitter and it's way too overwhelming to think about doing that on here as well. Much easier in short doses. So you guys were right - Twitter is good! It's easy to sign up and follow me: CLICK HERE.

Yesterday was Seattle, today through Saturday is the San Francisco/Oakland area. I've had to get up at 4:00 am for two days in a row, so sleeping in until 8:00 tomorrow will be pure bliss. Yeah, I know, wah wah.

I have no idea how my book is doing sales-wise, and I'm trying really hard not to worry about it. Notice I used the word "trying" because actually I'm spending every free second of the day worrying about it. Just being honest - I can't stop! This has been building for a year and a half, and I'm just sincerely hoping it meets my publisher's expectations. (The previous statement will cause several people to send me emails telling me to cease and desist immediately and might use such words as "idiot" and "pathetic" and "do shut up!" But I'm trying people.)

Nah, it's not really that bad - I'm mostly kidding. I can honestly say I'm enjoying this all very much, and I do believe in my story and that it will connect with many readers out there. I do believe that. It might take time to develop word of mouth, but it WILL happen.

(Hey, I should go into motivational speaking. What's that tall dude's name with the straight edged iron jaw and perfect hair? Yeah, I should be that guy. I'll go around asking people what they want in life and then tell them that it WILL happen, emphasis on the word WILL, all caps preferably. Maybe I'll even pull out all the stops and do the quote thingy with the first two fingers on each hand for certain words.)

Anyway. I'm sorry - this blog post has told you absolutely nothing. I hope my brain's not frying already after only two days. I guess I feel like I've spilled a lot of details on Twitter and I can't bring myself to repeat.

So... I don't know. What do YOU guys want to hear about? Let me know in the comments so I don't embarrass myself with such a pathetic blog post again.

My sincere thanks to everyone involved so far with the tour. I don't dare mention names - I just can't do it. I would leave someone out and I can't risk that. (So instead I mention no one? Great logic Dashner!) But so far every aspect of this trip has been wonderful and you've all made me feel important and loved. Thank you very much.

See you all over on Twitter and back here very soon. Thanks for reading!

THE MAZE RUNNER: Now Available!

2009-10-06T08:34:00.003-06:00

October 6th. I just looked at my cell phone, and it definitely says October 6th.

It actually came. This day actually came! I'm pretty sure I don't have to say this, but I will: I'm very excited.

So I've been thinking all morning about clever things I could say - especially considering that (hopefully) we'll be getting a lot of new visitors to the Dashner Dude. I began this blog 2 years ago, offering a glimpse into the life of a struggling author. At that time, if you would've told me where I'd be in 2 years, I'm pretty sure I would've dropped dead on the spot. (Which brings up all kinds of trippy space-time continuum condundrums, but let's not go into that.)

But, maybe for the first time in my life, I think I'm speechless. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to expect, either. Random House is throwing an unbelievable amount of support behind this book, and I know the goals are high. So I do feel a ridiculous amount of pressure for Maze to sell.

But I also know I can only do so much. The story is written and brilliantly edited, the cover beautifully designed (yay RHCB design team and artist Philip Straub!). The distribution and bookstore support is overwhelming. I guess we just sit back, wait, and see how it does!

I wanted to thank a few people in this post, and even started it, but then I realized I was just repeating what is already well stated in the acknowledgements of the book. But I do want to say the names of my wife Lynette, my agent Michael Bourret, my editor Krista Marino, my publicists Noreen Marchisi and Emily Pourciau, my publisher Beverly Horowitz, and my international rights agent Lauren Abramo. People, I love you and thank you.

And to all those bookstore and librarian folks out there who have already thrown your support behind Maze, thank you thank you thank you! I love you, too. :)

Okay, so tonight is the launch party and then I head off for the release tour. I have a very busy schedule, but I'll try to blog whenever I have the chance. Here are a few items of interest:

1. I plan on using twitter a lot during this tour - I think it'll be fun for people to have a glimpse into what it's like. If you'd like to follow along, then go to http://www.twitter.com/jamesdashner.

2. I'll be coming to the Salt Lake City, Seattle, San Francisco/Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, and Phoenix areas. I'd really love to meet as many of you as possible! CLICK HERE for the full schedule.

3. The official launch party is tonight at The King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City at 5:00 pm local time. I'll be doing a reading and Q&A, but we should be there until 7:00 if you can't make it on time. The address is 1511 South 1500 East. And my wife is making treats!

4. Look for details soon on the post-apocalyptic panel that will be streamed live from the Barnes and Noble in Manhattan on Thursday October 15th at 7:00 EST. The panel will include me, Scott Westerfeld, Michael Grant, and Carrie Ryan.

So... I guess that's it. My book is out and I hope you'll give it a chance and read it. Thank you so much for doing so!

I read all of my blog comments via my phone, so please let me know where and when you see the book or buy it, what you think of it, anything. I'd love to hear from you guys as I'm out and about.

I'll end this post with the tagline from the book that's on the bookmarks and ads, which ironically also describes what The Maze Runner and Random House have done to my life:

Everything is going to change.

Launch Party at TKE and etc.

2009-10-01T08:25:00.002-06:00

The latest:

1. We're just five days away from the release of THE MAZE RUNNER! I'd like to personally invite everyone on Earth to the official launch party, to be held at 5:00 pm at the very excellent indie store, The King's English in Salt Lake City, Utah. The address is 1511 South 1500 East, just north of the Starbucks.

Please come! It'll be the first chance to get a signed copy of the book. Also, since it's kind of early in the day, I'm a little worried about the turnout (that's called neurosis). I'll be doing a talk and Q&A at 5:00, so come on time if you can - but we should be there until 6:30 or 7:00.

2. Then I head for Seattle, then San Francisco/Oakland, then Chicago, then New York City, then Washington DC, then Salt Lake again, then Phoenix, and we wrap up in L.A. For the full tour schedule of events, please CLICK HERE.

I would really love to meet as many of you as possible!

3. I received my schedule for the tour - wow. I'm going to be one busy dude. Lots of interviews, lots of school visits, lots of signings. I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited.

4. One event is going to be pretty incredible that I think all of you can experience, no matter where you are. I don't know all the details yet, but on October 15th at the big Barnes and Noble in Manhattan, I'll have the honor of serving on a panel discussing post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction with three other amazing authors: Scott Westerfeld (UGLIES, LEVIATHAN), Michael Grant (GONE, HUNGER) and Carrie Ryan (THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH).

The event will be filmed and streamed on the B&N website. I'll post the details once I know more.

5. In other news, I received my editorial letter and manuscript comments from Krista (Marino) yesterday for THE SCORCH TRIALS, Book 2 of the trilogy. I don't think she really reads my blog, so I can say this without anyone accusing me of brown-nosing: she is freaking brilliant. I can't tell you any specifics because it would just be spoilers, but she nailed so many things that will enhance the book and take it to another level, just like she did with the first one. I am a lucky author to have her as my editor.

6. I can't sleep at nights. I mean, usually I can, but I'm just too excited and antsy this week.

7. Did you watch the series premiere of FLASH FORWARD? As a die-hard fan of LOST, I'm really hoping this can fill that series' shoes once its done for good next spring. I am officially intrigued, especially by that brilliant ending of the first episode. Oh how I loved that!

8. That made me think of something: I'd like to take this opportunity and thank the people responsible for DVRs, TiVos, etc. You are more important than Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Peter Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Mother Teresa all rolled up into one. That is all.

9. Speaking of LOST, I'm going to be so, so, so sad when it's over. Any writer should study that series on so many levels to learn about storytelling, characterization, how to structure chapters (the individual episodes are so brilliant!), etc. Sidenote: people don't realize how important the music is in that series! If FLASH FORWARD had the same music person, it would've been twice as powerful.

10. Well, that was kind of a random end to our list today. I have so many thoughts and feelings churning inside me as we get closer to launch day. I'll share more of those soon. I hope everyone is enjoying the best time of year: fall.

Banned Books Week

2009-09-28T08:17:00.002-06:00

We all know about the battle against censorship. We all know the importance of free speech. My publisher supports this battle all year long, but this is a special week in which to shout from the rooftops and draw lines in the sand.

Imagine if the censors had their way throughout the years. There'd be no ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT'S ME MARGARET by Judy Blume, or THE GIVER, by Lois Lowry, or THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier or A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE by Robert Peck. Countless others. Some people even wanted to ban HARRY POTTER, which is the silliest silliness in the history of silly silliness.

Please spread the word that we can never let ourselves take the first step on that treacherous slippery slope. Check out this website by the Random House First Amendment Committee: CLICK HERE. I love the part where you can read quotes from authors like Judy Blume and Lois Lowry about censorship.

Have a great day. I'll return to my normal giddy ranting about how close we are to my release day soon.

Quickie

2009-09-25T10:23:00.003-06:00

Just a quick post to say that The Book Academy conference was truly amazing yesterday. Over 300 attendees and very well organized. My favorite part was Brandon Sanderson's keynote address. I had a lot of fun serving on a panel and teaching a class, too. Kudos to the folks at UVU!

Also, THE MAZE RUNNER had a great article about it in Publisher's Weekly yesterday. To read it, CLICK HERE. My sincere thanks to Shannon O'Connor at Doylestown Bookshop in Pennsylvania.

If you missed the new cover for The 13th Reality paperback, CLICK HERE.

Eleven days to Oct. 6. Eleven days. Can't wait for single digits!

Lyrics of the Day:

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be a sun
In somebody else's sky
But why
Why
Why can't it be
Why can't it be mine?

Black, Pearl Jam

Cover - The 13th Reality Paperback

2009-09-23T08:49:00.004-06:00

I wanted to show everyone this awesome cover by John Picacio for the paperback of Book 1, to be released December 22, 2009 by Aladdin (an imprint of Simon & Schuster). I really love it!

I'm kind of waiting until THE MAZE RUNNER comes out to give an in-depth introduction to this series so that I don't have to do it twice. But here's the short version because we're getting more and more new people to the Dashner Dude:

The 13th Reality is a 5-book series by a small publisher called Shadow Mountain. The first two books are out in hardcover. (Book 1: THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS), Book 2: THE HUNT FOR DARK INFINITY)

Simon & Schuster purchased the paperback rights to the series, so it's now a joint venture. They made the decision to publish the PBs with different covers, but keep the incredible inside illustrations by Bryan Beus.

So, here's the assumed schedule for the series:

Book 1 pb: December 22, 2009

Book 2 pb: February 2010

Book 3 hb: April 2010

Book 3 pb, Book 4 hb: April 2011

Book 4 pb, Book 5 hb: April 2012

Book 5 pb: April 2013

Yeah, I'm sure you have that memorized now. Would've been a lot easier to say they'll come out every April till it's done.

Anyway, if you end up liking MAZE, I think you'll like this other series of mine. It's full of mystery, riddles, action, other realities, futuristic weapons, monsters, teleportation, and things called barrier wands, tingle wraiths, gnat rats, fangen, ragers, shurrics, sleeks - oops, I'm getting into Book 3, better stop.

Well, I guess I explained it in more detail than I thought. Maybe I'll just link to this in a month or so for our (hopefully) many new Duders once MAZE comes out.

I know it's kind of confusing that I have 2 series going on at the same time, but there you have it. Any questions?

In case you missed it on Monday, we got a great review from Publisher's Weekly for MAZE: CLICK HERE to read it.

Lyrics of the Day:

One day, one night, one moment

My dreams could be tomorrow

One step, one fall, one falter

East or west

Over earth or by ocean

One way to be my journey

This way could be my Book of Days

Book of Days, Enya (yeah, that's right. Enya.)

PW Review of The Maze Runner

2009-09-21T08:45:00.004-06:00

We were very excited to wake up this morning and see that Publisher's Weekly gave us a great review! Here it is (don't worry, no spoilers beyond back-of-the-book blurb):

The Maze Runner James Dashner. Delacorte, $16.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-385-73794-4

Dashner (the 13th Reality series) offers up a dark and gripping tale of survival set in a world where teenagers fight for their lives on a daily basis. It starts when Thomas, a teenage amnesiac, wakes up in the Glade, a fragile oasis in the middle of an enormous maze. Here, a group of teenage boys eke out a hazardous existence, exploring the Maze by day and retreating to the Glade at night. No one knows how they got there; no one has ever found a way out (“Old life's over, new life's begun. Learn the rules quick,” the group's leader tells Thomas). Bizarre technological monsters called Grievers patrol the Maze's corridors, almost certain death for any who encounter them. Thomas struggles to regain his memories, but the arrival of a young woman with an ominous message changes the rules of the game.

With a fast-paced narrative steadily answering the myriad questions that arise and an ever-increasing air of tension, Dashner's suspenseful adventure will keep readers guessing until the very end, which paves the way for the inevitable continuation. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)

You can see it online, too: CLICK HERE.

We've had 3 trade reviews now, all extremely positive. I hope you guys agree!

In other news:

1. The Falcons are 2-0. Yes.

2. I had an awesome time at the LUW Roundup conference, and I'm looking forward to the Book Academy conference this Thursday at UVU.

3. We had another foreign rights sale: Spanish (North and Latin America). Yes! Spanish! I'm really, really excited about this one.

4. You can see all the details of my upcoming tour for MAZE by clicking HERE. I really hope to meet a lot of you - come see me!!!

5. Two weeks to release day. Two weeks. TWO WEEKS!

Don't Read Spoilers

2009-09-18T11:20:00.007-06:00

I have a small concern. I've been reading many of the advance reader reviews on the internet (something Sara Zarr keeps telling me to NOT do) and I'm really surprised at how some of them are chock full of spoilers. A few are even telling things that happen clear up to the very end.

THE MAZE RUNNER depends heavily on surprise and intrigue. So... two things. Please put SPOILER ALERT before you spill the beans on significant plot points, and for those of you waiting to read it, please don't read the spoilers! I promise your experience reading this book will be so much better if you know little going in.

I don't know, is this a reasonable concern? I'm very thankful for the reviews and the time that went into them. Very much so. Especially you awesome bloggers out there (most of whom are totally great on warning about spoilers). I just want readers to have the best experience possible, and if you know certain things, the book might be ruined. In my opinion.

It's like when someone told my mother-in-law how THE SIXTH SENSE ended. Unforgivable! That person should've been sent to jail for life. Wait, I think it was my wife... haha. Love you sweetie! No, really! I do! Fine, I'll do the dishes...

In other news...

1. Okay, the winner of the forum thingy from my last post is Alysa. (Congrats!) So now I owe books to Jenn, LouMac, and Alysa. Make sure I have your address (email addy is in last post). Also, I'm waiting to see if they have more ARCs. If not, then you'll just have to get a hardback I guess.

2. If you missed the thing about the forum, go over to http://www.randombuzzers.com/ and sign up. I'll be doing official chats over there starting on Sept. 28th.

3. We are 17 days and 21 hours away from the release! Roughly.

4. My full tour schedule is up on the new website, http://www.themazerunner.com/. I'll be coming to 8 cities, and I hope to see many of you while out and about. Just click on the author section to see the tour details.

5. If you haven't played the game on there yet, do it! Even the great Shannon Hale got addicted to it and ignored her children. Serious, they were taken by the state child services just last night. Isn't that awesome?

6. I received some fun stuff in the mail: bookmarks and teaser chapter booklets for MAZE. Here's a picture (sorry my camera phone is so sucky - not sure where that glare came from):

7. I'm off to the LUW writer's conference at the Homestead in the mountains for 2 days. It's gonna be fun - I get to MC the awards dinner. Let's hope I don't make a fool of myself.

8. Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

James Dashner Forum

2009-09-15T09:24:00.002-06:00

Okay, for months we've been toying with the idea of making a forum for all the faithful Duders. Well, we finally have our chance! Random House has their own forum website for its young adult authors, so this works out perfect.

It's called Random Buzzers. aka www.randombuzzers.com. There are a couple of links for my stuff on the main page.

All you need to do is register with the site (it's free) and then you can post, reply, whatever. They already have a section set up for us. (Beginning Sept 28th, I'll be doing a weeklong series of chats with the random buzzer members. But we might as well get things started!)

CLICK HERE to go to the section for my name. (You have to join and login before you can do anything.) I figure this will be a great testing ground to see if a forum is worth the effort. Duders, don't let me down! If you join, please leave a comment telling us your user name, and I'll give away a book or two.

That reminds me - Jenn, I know I owe you a book! And I never announced the winner from those of you who left silly comments over at Aprilynne's blog contest for my book. The winner is... LouMac!!! Please email me, dashnerjames, gmail.

Okay, we'll see how that goes.....

By the way, if you missed it, please go and check out the official website (www.themazerunner.com), which just went live on Friday. The online game is so awesome and addicting. Let us know in the comments if you're able to achieve all ten missions!

Lyrics of the Day:

You wear guilt
Like shackles on your feet
Like a halo in reverse
And when our worlds they fall apart
When the walls come tumbling in
Though we may deserve it
It will be worth it

Halo, Depeche Mode (Trying to give the young whippersnappers some lessons in music)

Maze Runner Website

2009-09-11T14:38:00.002-06:00

Holy crap! I know I just posted a blog this morning, but you guys gotta go check out the official website. It just launched:

www.themazerunner.com

Be sure and go to the "join the discussion" link because they're giving away 5 ARCs. Also, they have the entire tour date schedule up.

And you HAVE to play the online game. It's amazing!

Wow, I am just blown away. THANK YOU RANDOM HOUSE!!!!!

Three Exciting Things

2009-09-11T10:48:00.003-06:00

Just a quick post to report some good news:

1. I finished the first draft of THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE, Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. It clocked in at 97,230 words, 63 chapters, and lots of coolness, death and mayhem. Now for editing..... Bleck!!!

2. My agency sold rights to THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy in Brazil. Publisher: V&R Editora.

3. Then they sold rights to the United Kingdom (which sounds so much cooler than UK, but not as cool as The British Empire). Publisher: Scholastic/Chicken House. (Interesting sidenote that I thought was neato: the acquiring editor is Barry Cunningham, who discovered Harry Potter when he was at Bloomsbury in England.)

This is now the current list of foreign rights, in order of sale:

Russia, Ast
France, Pocket Jeunesse
Greece, Platypous
Taiwan, Sun Color Culture Publishing
Brazil, V&R Editora
United Kingdom, Scholastic/Chicken House

I'm so excited at the prospect of my book being available across the world like this. One of my favorite things for sure. Hopefully more will be coming soon. A big thanks to Lauren Abramo and Dystel & Goderich (and the foreign agencies and publishers of course - I don't really know much about you, but thanks!)

Lyrics of the Day:

I was struck by lightning
Walking down the street
I was hit by something
Last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more
Everybody's coming
Leave your body at the door

Dead Man's Party, Oingo Boingo (Delightfully creepy lyrics from an 80's song)

Kirkus Review of The Maze Runner

2009-09-08T07:58:00.006-06:00

We're really excited to have such a positive review! WARNING: Major Spoiler Alert!!! If you don't want to read the synopsis part, scroll down and I'll post the last couple of lines only.

THE MAZE RUNNER

Dashner, James

Boys come to the Glade via an empty freight elevator with no memory of how they got there or of their prior lives. This disorientation is made more frightening when they realize that to survive they must lock themselves in every night to avoid the horrors of the Grievers, beings that are part machine, part animal—and altogether deadly. The boys in the Glade send out Runners each day to find a way out through the Maze that surrounds their one patch of safety, with no success. Life goes on until one day the elevator delivers a girl. She brings a message: She is the last child to be sent, and there will be no more deliveries of food or supplies. Now the Glade is cut off, and as the Grievers gather for an all-out attack, it’s clear that it’s now or never—the Maze must be solved. Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

End of Spoiler Alert!!!

Here are the last couple of just-reviewish lines:

Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

In other news, I received a copy of the hardback from Krista! (My box of author copies will come later - I'm guessing Krista stole this one out of the very first box to RH and got it right in the mail so I could see it. She's so awesome!)

Here are some pics. Notice the front flap says "A Junior Library Guild Selection." Did I ever tell you guys about that? I can't remember.

T Minus 33 Days and Counting

2009-09-03T06:59:00.003-06:00

A few things:

1. 33 days. The Double Triple. Eleven Times Three. Ye Olde Thrice Thrice. It's coming!

2. Good friend and fellow author Aprilynne Pike (WINGS, being made into a movie by freaking Disney with freaking Miley Cyrus!) is being so kind as to give away a signed copy of THE MAZE RUNNER on her blog. To enter, you only have to comment (about anything!) on her blog.

We should have code words to show who made it over there via The Dashner Dude. Hmmmm. Since Aprilynne is a friend and understands my idiotic sense of humor, let's do this: Say what you want in her comments, but sign off by saying something absurdly ridiculous and silly, like, "Wee Willie Winkie had a stinky pinky." Come on, be brave! Anyone who does it will be entered into my own contest for another copy of MAZE.

To visit her blog, CLICK HERE. The contest is open through Labor Day weekend.

3. Now, I'm pretty sure nobody's gonna classify MAZE as a romance anytime soon, but luckily The Romantic Times has a broad vision of books they like. In our very first trade review, we couldn't be more pleased! They made MAZE a "Top Pick" for October and did a really nice feature, including an interview with me. Look for it on magazine shelves at your local bookstore or library. Thank you RT!!!!!

4. I'm very, very, very close to completing the first draft of Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. It may even happen today. Or tomorrow. I'll definitely tweet about it when that happens, and probably update this blog post. That's always an exciting moment in which my wife and I celebrate by running naked through the park and tackling old ladies. If you'd like to join us, give me a call. My number: 555-555-5553.

5. College football starts tonight. Pro football starts a week from tonight. Georgia is ranked #11, the Falcons should build on their playoff season from a year ago. And there was much rejoicing.

6. Have a wonderful weekend!

Lyrics of the Day:

Why can't we have unhurried hearts?
To beat in time with our stops and our starts.
Why can't we have unhurried hearts?
To keep the time when things fall apart.

Unhurried Hearts, Harlem Shakes

Best Day of the Year

2009-09-01T08:48:00.004-06:00

The latest:

1. I would argue that today, September 1st, is the single best day of the year. (You could argue that it is not, but then you'd be making a complete and utter ninny of yourself in front of all these people. Don't do it!)

It's the best for a lot of reasons: It begins my favorite time of year, the four months of Sept-Dec. It's the official unoffical beginning of Autumn, Football, Crisp Air, Leaves Changing, Halloween, Thanksgiving, My Birthday, Christmas (or your respective Holiday), New Years, Snow, Skiing, etc.

And now, of course, I have another awesome thing to add to Fall (at least for the next 3 years): the release of a book!

2. Today is also awesome because CATCHING FIRE was released. I was very fortunate to read an ARC of this book, and I can vouch that it's very good. If you haven't read the first one in the trilogy, HUNGER GAMES, get on that bandwagon immediately! (or you'll look as stupid as the neo-Nazi child-hating ninnies who argue against Sept. 1)

3. Today also marks exactly FIVE weeks until the release date of my very own book, THE MAZE RUNNER. For those of you scratching your heads trying to do the math, that also equals 35 days. It's also equal to 3.5 Decadays, a term I'm pretty certain I just made up. Epiphany: it's also exactly one half of a Decaweek! How cool is that?

4. I had a really awesome experience this past Saturday - participating in the 2nd annual Writing for Charity event in Ogden, UT. We had a lot of people show up and raised $8,000, which will go to the Treehouse Museum (am I the only idiot on Earth who forgets what order the "e" and "u" go in that stupid word?) and to put books in the hands of needy children.

5. Evidently I AM the only person on Planet Earth and The Solar System and The Galaxy that didn't know what the word "docent" meant. I was ridiculed and spat upon by the other authors for said ignorance.

6. At dinner afterward, I had the singular pleasure of being forced to pay for Brandon Mull's dinner because he "forgot his wallet." I only tell you this to embarrass him.

7. Shannon Hale was the MC, and she is one funny gal. Anne Freakin' Bowen organized the whole affair, and did just an amazing job. Kudos to her and all the staff at the Treehouse Musuem (ha! I did that on purpose!)

8. Here's a picture of the participating authors, all of whom volunteered their time. The person who can name the most authors in the picture gets a signed copy of THE MAZE RUNNER. If someone gets them all, the contest ends at that very exact second.

9. I'm smack dab in the middle of writing the climax for Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. Right now the book stands at about 90,000 words and I'll probably finish the first draft this week. It has a very strange ending, but I've come to expect that from myself.

10. I think I tweeted this, and maybe I even blogged it, but just in case: I've decided to postpone my ACL surgery until after my release tour (8 cities, schedule coming soon!) so as not to take any chances that complications could ruin the whole thing and make me wallow in misery for the rest of my life.

11. If you haven't followed me on Twitter yet, please do! CLICK HERE. I promise I never mention anything about going to the bathroom. Well, I did once, but it was special circumstances. I'll also never mention the words "Demi" or "Moore".

Lyrics of the Day:

No, his mind is not for rent

To any god or government.

Always hopeful, yet discontent,

He knows changes aren't permanent.

What you say about his company,

Is what you say about society.

Catch the witness, catch the wit,

Catch the spirit, catch the spit.

Tom Sawyer, Rush

T Minus 6 Weeks and Counting

2009-08-26T10:33:00.006-06:00

Here's what's on my mind today:

1. Six weeks from now, THE MAZE RUNNER will be in stores! I can't believe it's getting so close. Don't you remember back in the day when you'd get report cards every six weeks? And you'd wonder who the h%$# sent a hornet up Ms. Hudson's beehind to make her give you a D in "Conduct"? That's how long we have. I don't know what that means, but we're definitely getting closer.

2. I received my preliminary schedule for the release tour. I'll be going to (in this order): Seattle, San Francisco/Oakland, Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Los Angelas. Look for specific details as we get closer to October 6. (Sorry, Mom, no Atlanta.)

3. I attended a really fun get-together with book bloggers over the weekend, organized by the great Natasha Maw. Instead of giving a report myself, you should read this hilarious account by fellow writer Brodi Ashton, who apparently has a magic ability to digest ice cream upon swallowing: CLICK HERE. She also gives a nice list of other reports if you're interested.

4. THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE (Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY) now stands at 85,000 words. I'm right in the heart and meat of the Big Ending. Something very disturbing happens. What a surprise!

5. I'm getting better at the Twitter thing, and I plan on doing it quite a bit on the tour so everyone can get a taste of what it's like. I'm also gonna do an intense "Typical Day of an Author" thing soon. To follow me, CLICK HERE. (Twitter name is "jamesdashner")

6. If you don't live in the Rocky Mountains, this is what you missed on Sunday:

Lyrics of the Day

The fire in your eyes

Keeps me alive

I'm sure in her you'll find

The Sanctuary

And the world and the world

The world turns around

She Sells Sanctuary, The Cult (No idea what those lyrics mean, but I challenge you to listen to this song in the car and not feel like something really awesome is gonna happen to you wherever you end up.)

Modnar (That's Random Backwards)

2009-08-20T11:32:00.003-06:00

1. Sorry so quiet this week. I'm not even sure why. But here's a catchup.

2. I finally went to the doctor about my knee injury. I won't know for sure until tomorrow, but my doctor would bet his life savings and every one of his children that I have a torn ACL. He said I have two options: a lifestyle change where I don't do stuff like basketball, skiing, tennis, etc. where your knee twists a lot, or have surgery. Mmmm, let's go with surgery.

3. Did the MRI tube thingy yesterday. It's really cool. I felt part Neil Armstrong (spaceship sounds), part cadaver (rolled into an enclosed space, like a morgue), part Tiger Woods (he did this last summer). I highly recommend it.

4. I have the choice of using a tendon from my hamstring or a tendon from a cadaver to rebuild my ACL (that's Anterior Cruciate Ligament for you big dummies out there - haha). It'd be so awesome to have another human living inside my body! Especially if he was evil and slowly started to take over the rest of me, finally my brain. But, nah, doc says it's better to use your own hammy. Will do.

5. In other news, I'm at 78,000 words on Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. It's going really well, and I'm definitely at the fun part. I hope to have it done before Krista (Marino, my editor at Random House) sends me her revision notes for THE SCORCH TRIALS, sequel to THE MAZE RUNNER. I hope I don't cry when I get those.

6. My agent has already finished SCORCH, and called me to say he really liked it. You don't know the amount of relief that fills you when you hear something like that. He also gave me some really good news that he won't let me tell you. He's so freaking mean!!!

7. I've been reading a couple of modern classics that I've heard about so many times but never read. The first, SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, is simply amazing. I don't like to make blanket statements, but I can honestly say it's the single best example of a developed character that I have ever read. Melinda. She is real, and I like her.

8. In the middle of THE WESTING GAME, a Newbery winner by Ellen Raskin. It's really good! Reminds me so much of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie, one of my all time favorites.

9. I also want to let you know about a book called THE ADVENTURES OF HASHBROWN WINTERS by Frank Cole. I read this manuscript and blurbed it for the publisher, and now it's out. I LOVE this book (duh, that's why I blurbed it). If you're a fan of Judy Blume (hello? who isn't?), then you need to read this one. Prepare to laugh. A lot. Frank himself is hilarious and does school visits. You should totally check out the website: CLICK HERE.

10. We have less than 50 days until the release of MAZE. Less than 50!!! I can't believe it's coming so soon. We should start seeing some trade reviews here in the next few weeks. If any of you are reading this, I only ask one thing: Please give me a really good review and tell everyone to go buy it. You don't even have to actually read it - I don't care. Just the really good review. Thanks!

The Winners

2009-08-14T10:06:00.004-06:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway this week. I really enjoyed reading all the lyrics - and I was totally amazed at how varied the selections were. And I was a little embarrassed because a lot of the stuff I'd never heard of.

Speaking of music, it really hit me the other day how varied my own taste is. I always keep a list of random songs I might hear here and there so I can get them off iTunes later. Ya know, you'll hear some song on the radio or at the mall or whatever that you hadn't thought of in years.

Well, the last time I bought songs, I got stuff from the Kenny Wayne Band, Rage Against the Machine, The Cult, The Airborne Toxic Event, and, um, Blondie. Yeah, that's right. Blondie.

Anyway, enough rambling. It's time to announce the three winners of ARCs for THE MAZE RUNNER. These will be coming directly from Random House to you, so enjoy!

BAM Book Reviews
Q
WhatBriReads

Congrats! Please send me your address and I'll forward it to my publicist (the totally wicked rad awesome Noreen Marchisi). My email is my last name, then my first name, at gmail dot com. Very simple.

Also, if you didn't win, try this other giveaway of MAZE: CLICK HERE.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Authorpalooza Pictures

2009-08-12T17:34:00.005-06:00

Okay, first of all, I'm very angry at myself because I totally forgot to do pictures until it was basically too late. And the people I wanted to get one with the most, the awesome people at Barnes and Noble (I'm talking about you, Brandi, Melyn, Michelle, Sylvia, Courtney, man, it seemed like you had about 40 people working yesterday!) I never got because I'm an idiot.

Anyway, a big thanks to Brandi for spearheading this amazing event, in which over 30 local authors came to sign and hang out for three hours. It was really fun.

The giveaway (3 ARCs of THE MAZE RUNNER) continues until Friday at noon, at which time I'll announce the winners. CLICK HERE to read about it, and you can leave a lyrics comment there or here to enter. We broke 100 comments for the first time on the Dude - congrats faithful Duders!

Speaking of, I think 7 or 8 of our long time faithfuls came out to the store last night. It was really great to see you guys.

Okay, sorry I missed so many of my peeps in these pictures, but I did get a few good ones:

J. Scott Savage (FARWORLD), Bron Bahlmann (BONE WARRIORS, published before he has a driver's license), me

Frank Cole, creepy as always (I'll be blogging about his HASHBROWN WINTERS book very soon)

JN Future Author (not sure I can say his real name, one of THE most faithful Duders. Another one, #1, is supposed to email me the picture she took of us)

Laura Bingham (ALVOR, I blurbed her excellent book)

Last but not least, Jessica Day George (DRAGON SLIPPERS, PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL, etc.) looking like she'd rather be gored by a rhino than be seen with me

One Year Anniversary - MAZE Giveaway

2009-08-10T10:57:00.006-06:00

This weekend marked one year since I was able to become a full time author. (See, the news made this guy in the picture happy! OK, actually that's some dude from the fifties, but I laugh every time I look at it.)

I still feel thankful each and every day to write for a living. I am one lucky dude! To do something you love for money is a thing I only dreamed about during those miserable few years as an accountant.

(I must stop here and apologize to all my former bosses and co-workers. I really liked YOU. Just not the work. I'm already looking forward to my chastising phone call from you, Doug Lyons.)

Anyway, let's celebrate!

My publisher still has a few ARCs of THE MAZE RUNNER held especially for this blog, so let's give away... three.

Hmmm, how to qualify.....

I feel dorky making people follow me on Twitter or whatever to enter the contest. If you're going to follow me on Twitter or follow this blog or whatever, I want you to do it because you want to, not because you wanted to win a free book.

Okay, so since I recently resurrected the "Lyrics of the Day" thing, let's make that our theme. To enter the drawing, please give us a few lines of a favorite song in the comments. Those will be fun to read during my breaks this week. The contest ends this coming Friday (the 14th) at noon, at which time I will announce the three winners.

REMINDER: Come see me at Authorpalooza at the Orem Barnes and Noble tomorrow night (Tues the 11th) at 7:00 pm.

Lyrics of the Day:

This land is your land,

This land is my land,

From California....

Okay, I'm just kidding. You guys will provide the lyrics this time.

May the best humans win!

(EDIT: One last thing: you guys gotta go check out the inside artwork for J. Scott Savage's upcoming book, FARWORLD: LAND KEEP. CLICK HERE to see it. The illustrations are by Brandon Dorman and really, really cool - like the book! I read it and blurbed it.)

Upcoming Events

2009-08-07T09:46:00.003-06:00

Hey, if you live in Utah, I hope you'll try to come see me at Barnes and Noble in Orem this coming Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7:00 pm. Brandi is the CRM there and she's doing an Authorpalooza and I'm really rooting for her to have a good turn out.

Other authors include J. Scott Savage (FARWORLD) and Jessica Day George (DRAGON SLIPPERS) and several others (sorry, don't know the whole list). Come see us! It should be a very relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time for chit chatting.

Also, another really cool event is coming up in Ogden UT on Saturday, August 29th. It's the second annual Writing for Charity writer's conference with big names like Shannon Hale and Brandon Mull. I'll also be there. It's for aspiring writers and every cent of the proceeds goes to support the non-profit Treehouse Museum. For more information, CLICK HERE.

I'm also doing a couple of conferences in September, but I'll give you more information on those as we get closer. And I think that's pretty much it until the release tour for THE MAZE RUNNER. Only eight and a half weeks away!!!!!!

You local Duders come see me in Orem on Tuesday. Please? Don't make me beg.

By the way, don't forget to follow me on Twitter now: CLICK HERE.

Lyrics of the Day:

She runs through the streets with her eyes painted red.
Under a black belly of cloud in the rain.
In through a doorway,
She brings me white gold and pearls, stolen from the sea.
She is raging, she is raging,
And the storm blows up in her eyes.
She will suffer the needle chill.
She's running to stand still.

Running to Stand Still, U2 (Not a clue what that means, but it sure sounds awesome.)