Life After Twilight » Author News

Interview with Kaleb Nation

BMarie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:43:53 +0000

Interview with Kaleb Nation by B. Marie

B.Marie: “In your bio on KalebNation.com, it is mentioned that you began writing as a child. What types of stories did your young mind come up with? How did you share these stories with others or did you keep them to yourself?”

Kaleb: My first story (the one I was forced to write by my mother, because back then I hated writing) was about a certain person named King Kaleb who rode in a submarine under the North Pole and met with aliens. After I finished it and realized just how much I enjoyed writing (after all, in my stories I could be King all I wanted) I wrote mostly science fiction before moving to fantasy for a while, then finally years later starting on Bran Hambric. I shared them with my siblings by printing them up in little booklets.

B.Marie: “Do you share any similarities with your character Bran Hambric or do you consider yourself to be a complete opposite?”

Kaleb: I actually think Bran has a lot in common with me, but only in indirectly similar ways. For example he likes to draw, I like to write. We also talk similarly. I’m not sure how it happens, but I think almost every character an author writes will always have a piece of them in it.

B.Marie: “I know writers have little things they do, eat, or listen to while writing to help them focus or draw in inspiration. What are some crazy things you do or have around while going through the writing process?”

Kaleb: When I write, I’m always listening to a movie soundtrack, usually something by Thomas Newman or Harry Gregson-Williams. And when I’m having a particularly hard time concentrating I chew on Eclipse mints, because they’re crunchy. Then I found out you’re not supposed to have more than three or four of those a day or you get stomachaches. But at least it’s better than the energy drinks I was addicted to while I wrote the second Bran Hambric book!

B.Marie:: “How is Chilla doing?”

Kaleb: She’s doing very well. She’s getting much fatter. Right now she is sleeping beside her food bowl. This could be a big reason she is getting fatter.

B.Marie: “Are there any moments in Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse that didn’t make it into the book that you wish did?”

Kaleb: There was one scene in the first Bran Hambric book (The Farfield Curse) when Bran goes to see Larak the Baker. It had been in the book since the beginning, and had to be taken out. Luckily I got it into the second book in a shorter form. Also, much of the first chapter was cut out, with Trolan, Ben and Mr. Brewer talking about the Wilomases. That was one of my favorites, but it had to go.

B.Marie: “I have to say you have been busy this year in 2010. Do you have a favorite moment so far from this year?”

Kaleb: Vidcon 2010 in Los Angeles was easily one of the best times of my life. I can’t even explain it. A conference entirely made up of Youtubers like me? I think I met all my idols in a single day.

B.Marie: “The next book in the Bran Hambric series, The Specter Key is scheduled to come out this Fall. Can you give us 3 words from the book? Or 3 words to describe the book and what to expect?”

Kaleb: Hello, Bran’s father.

I suppose that works? Three words that could speak for the book in a way. The plot thickens in this one. You get to see more of what’s been going on in the background through The Farfield Curse. Plus, how to disarm a gnome trap.

B.Marie: “There is a section on the BranHambric.com website called, “Alvondir” where the readers can learn how to read and write magical words or phrases just like in the book. There is a process and a formula to be followed; how long did this take you to figure out? I saw in one of your videos “On Finishing a Book [PART 1]”, the original chart (or what I assume to be the original chart) in a note book. Was it a trial and error sort of thing or did it just naturally come to you? I admit to have been playing around with this; it sure is a lot of fun.”

Kaleb: I was sitting outside with a pen and notebook and randomly came up with the system. It wasn’t hard for me, because I had been using a similar code for some time (what teenager doesn’t write things they don’t want their parents/friends reading?). I wanted something that looked like gibberish, but if you knew the code, it would be extremely easy to read in a line what the magic words meant. Now I can read lines and lines of Alvondir without skipping, because it’s easy to rearrange in your head.

B.Marie:: “You once created a “In 2009, I Will” video where you talked about all the things you would do. If you were to create a “In 2011, I Will” video, what would be some of the things you hope to accomplish?”

Kaleb: In 2011, I want to be on the bestseller list, at least for a week. That’s one of the things on my list of dreams.

B.Marie: “Last question (or challenge, really), please decipher the following using the Alvondir system. “Werito Meoro Binra Hicambri!”

Kaleb: Write more Bran Hambric!

5 “Fun Facts” about Kaleb Nation!

1) Until last year on my book tour, I had never eaten Indian food. Now Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my favorite dishes.

2) I buy Eclipse mints by the half-dozen so I don’t run out.

3) Authors get free copies of their books when they go to print. I have so many, they’re in piles against the wall.

4) The homepage on my computer is Yahoo.com.

5) I do not like Klondike bars.

(I have a video with a list of strange facts about me going up in a few weeks, after I hit 50,000 subscribers. I got some of these from that list, which is why they’re so random )

Check out Kaleb’s Youtube Channel by clicking here!

You can get more information about the Bran Hambric novels by clicking here!

Be sure to keep an eye out for Bran Hambric: The Specter Key coming soon on 10/10/10!

Follow Kaleb on Twitter! @KalebNation

I just wanted to Thank Kaleb again for his time, it was really fun interviewing him! <3

-B. Marie-

BlogTV with Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!

BMarie — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:18:01 +0000

Kami and Margaret are having a BlogTV!

Join them on August 17th @ 5:30 PST at their BlogTV channel for

Chat, Q & A, Giveaways, and more!

Click Here to visit their BlogTV Channel.

Get more information about their novels here!

Maggie Stiefvater Tour Round-Up

BMarie — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:54:56 +0000

Maggie posted some amazing photos and video from her current tour.

Below is the video but you can check out her awesome blog by Clicking Here!

Also LAT would like to say Congratulations to Maggie for having Linger at #1 on the NYT!

We love you and you deserve it!

Check out more photos and awesomeness from Maggies Blog!

07.27.10 Life After Twilight

BMarie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:50:57 +0000

Another LAT Video Update!

Check it out for the latest news!

Be sure to Subscribe to get the latest Book Reviews and More!

Click Here to check out the Channel!

Also, LAT has a NEW channel just for news, updates, and special projects!

Click Here to Subscribe!

Kelley Armstrong Reveals New Website!

BMarie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:24:17 +0000

Kelley Armstrong tweeted about her new website (which looks awesome btw) and a new contest.

Below you can check out the screen image I took of the site.

To actually visit Kelley’s new website click the screen shot or Click Here.

You can get more information about the contest by Clicking Here!

Follow Kelley Armstrong on Twitter:

@KelleyArmstrong

Suzanne Collins on Tour

Livia — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:08:20 +0000

“The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins will be going on tour this fall, to talk about the third and final book in her trilogy, Mockingjay.
Scholastic announced Collins’ 12-city tour this morning, along with news that Mockingjay would get an increased first printing of 1.2 million copies.”

Cities she will be visiting: New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Northern California, Seattle, Vancouver BC.

Read full Examiner Article HERE.

New Shiver Site Revealed!

BMarie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Maggie Stiefvater revealed the brand new website for the Wolves of Mercy Falls.

You can visit this site by clicking the screen shot below or by Clicking Here to get more information on the Books, Maggie, Music, Mercy Falls, the Characters, and much more!

Below is a screen shot of the new micro-site and I have to say it looks AMAZING!

Follow Author Maggie Stiefvater on Twitter for your latest Shiver Fix!

@mstiefvater

Life After Twilight Twitter:

@LATBooks

Pretty Little Liars Premieres Tomorrow Night!

BMarie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:41:56 +0000

Some exciting news for all you Pretty Little Liars fans!

Tomorrow, June 8th at 7:00pm (central), ABC Family will premiere the new television series “Pretty Little Liars” based on the popular novels by Sara Shepard.

About the Show

Rosewood is a perfect little town. So quiet and pristine, you’d never guess it holds so many secrets. Some of the ugliest ones belong to the prettiest girls in town — Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily, four estranged friends whose darkest secrets are about to unravel.

One year ago, Alison, the Queen Bee of their group, disappeared and the girls swore they’d never tell what really happened that night. They thought their secrets would bond them together, but just the opposite is true. Then again, who’s to say what the truth is in Rosewood. It seems everyone in town is lying about something.

Now, as the mystery surrounding Alison’s disappearance resurfaces, the girls begin getting messages from “A,” saying – and threatening – things only Alison would know. But it couldn’t be Alison. Could it? Whoever it is, they seem to know all the girls’ secrets, and seem to be watching their every move. The girls are friends again, but will they be there for each other if their dark secrets come to light?

Click below (or here) to Meet the Characters, View New Stills, and get more information about the show!

A big THANK YOU to Meg, from New Media Strategies, once again for sending LAT all the goodies for Pretty Little Liars!

Meet the Characters

Aria Montgomery is back in Rosewood after being in Iceland for a year. It might as well have been a lifetime because Aria suddenly feels like an outsider in her hometown. She’s reconnecting with her old friends, but only time will tell if their secrets will bond them together or tear them apart. Luckily, Aria has a great relationship with her mom, but even her near-perfect family has its secrets. Aria has one of her own that’s too dangerous to share with anyone – so how can it be that “A” is already on to her?

Click Meet Aria to view a character promo video.

Hanna Marin goes after what she wants. The more forbidden it is, the better — whether it’s a pair of designer sunglasses, junk food, or her chastity-pledging boyfriend’s virtue. Rosewood High’s “It” girl is an expert at creating the façade of the perfect life. What would people say if they knew about her run-in with the law? Today Hanna rules the school, but “A’s” mysterious messages are unsettling. How easy would it be to topple Hanna’s reign, and just how far would she go to save it?

Click Meet Hanna to view a character promo video.

A classic overachiever, Spencer Hastings balances school, a high-powered internship, charity work, the field hockey team and maintaining uber-popularity status — all without breaking a sweat. This is the girl who could stand up to Alison when no one else would. But when she and her friends begin receiving mysterious messages from “A,” even the calm, cool and collected Spencer starts to show a little strain. And when she develops a forbidden crush on her sister’s fiancé you have to wonder if Spencer can keep it together.

Click Meet Spencer to view a character promo video.

Emily Fields’ life is picture-perfect. It should be. After all, her mom makes sure everything in their world is just so. So why does Emily dream of getting out of Rosewood? She’s a star athlete with a popular boyfriend, but Emily feels like an outsider. Maybe that’s why she’s drawn to Maya, the new girl in town. They become fast friends, but Emily’s feelings are a little more complicated than simple friendship. Question is how far will she dare take them? Or will she have to hide them, too? As “A” points out, it’s not the only secret Emily is hiding.

Click Meet Emily to view a character promo video.

Pretty Little Liars Stills

Sources:

Meg with New Media Strategies

ABC Family

Meeting Cassie Clare and Holly Black

Livia — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:54:21 +0000

“The signing event yesterday at Books & Books in Miami was AWESOME! Cassie Clare and Holly Black are two amazing ladies, hilarious and so dedicated to the fans, always smiling and in a great mood.

They started by acting a con, celebrating Black’s White Cat. Black played one role and Cassie the other. Black took an stuffed octopus to play the dog part in the con, which made it even more hilarious. Their friendship is obvious to all and the intimacy they had with each other gave a whole new feeling to the event.

Both read from their books: Black from White Cat and Clare from Clockwork Angel (see videos below).

After the reading we got to the signing part. The line was humongous and each person in line had at least 3 books in hand (I particularly had over 10! lol) They gave each fan as much attention as possible. I had a blast! I didn’t want to leave. I got even my LAT shirt signed!

I was a huge fan of Black and Clare, but now I entered some other level!!! I feel like stalking them on their next events… lol”

Livia

Suzanne Collins among “Most Influential People”

Livia — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:37:40 +0000

The 2010 Time 100 list was released and Suzanne Collins shows up in the artist category. Other authors like Neil Gaiman are also present.

As curiosity, here are some numbers from the list:

1- Lady Gaga

26- Barack Obama

31- Oprah Winfrey

46- Neil Gaiman (author of Coraline and The Graveyard – among others)

85- Emma Watson (plays Hermione in Harry Potter Movie Series)

161- Suzanne Collins (author of the Hunger Games Series – among others)

See full list HERE.