Big Things Happening Here!

I've done this before, but I'm doing it again- with a different set of writing buddies: The Next Big Thing.

I have to thank my friend and fellow writer (who's also an illustrator magnifique!) Leeza Hernandez. Leeza is also our regional advisor for the New Jersey Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Here's her link, so check out her work and show her some author/illustrator love:

http://leezaworks.blogspot.com/2013/03/ive-been-tagged.html 

 My 'Next Big Thing:'

1) What is the working title of your next book? Hopefully Sirenz 3, Myth Appropriated will be out in ebook in the fall, and Blonde Ops (Thomas Dunne) will be out in winter, 2014. As for solo stuff, I'm working on a sci fi titled Lethal Dose.

 2) Where did the idea come from for the book? Sirenz is a collaboration of Natalie Zaman's and my ideas, the basic premise of Blonde Ops was our editors' (yes, 2 editors! Peter Joseph's and Kat Brzozowski's idea. Lethal Dose was my 2012 NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project.

 3) What genre does your book fall under? Everyone knows Sirenz is Greek mythology in a contemporary setting. Blonde Ops is a spy thriller adventure set in Rome. Lethal Dose is an NA (New Adult) sci fi.

 4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? For Sirenz, Nat & I agreed that Ian Somerhalder IS Hades. (sigh). I would have liked Candice Accola (Caroline) for Sharisse but by the time Hollywood calls, she'll be too old (no offense, Candice!). As for Meg, Nat like Selena Gomez. For Blonde Ops, we haven't decided yet (maybe we should do that asap!). For Lethal Dose, I would so love Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies, Jack the Giant Slayer) to play Dalen Steele.

For Adara, I want  Ksenia Solo (Lost Girl, Black Swan).

 5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Sirenz 3: When the girls need him, this time Hades appears--but there's always a price to pay and Sharisse and Margaret will have to commit the perfect burglary--quickly--or they miss the prom and die. Blonde Ops: Thrown out of yet another school for hacking, Bec Jackson's skills come in handy when in Rome--because someone's after the First Lady. Lethal Dose: Little more than a nomad, Earthling Dalen Steele helps support his family as a poisoner--but someone's targeted him and the prime minister of the Planetary Council.

 6) Who is publishing your book? Sirenz: it'll go to ebook and we'll get back to you when it's finalized. Blonde Ops: Thomas Dunne (St. Martins). Lethal Dose: stayed tuned! 

 7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? Sirenz: still working on it! Blonde Ops: six months. Lethal Dose: one month! (That's the joy and terror of NaNoWriMo!)

 8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Sirenz: the Goddess series by Aimee Carter. Blonde Ops: the Heist Society series by Ally Carter (maybe I should change my name to Carter...) Lethal Dose: hmmm. I don't know at this point, this is my first sci fi. I'll let you know when I broaden my reading pile. 

 9) Who or what inspired you to write this book? Sirenz: it's just so much fun; Hades is deliciously bad, and my character is so snarky; I wish I was that cool. Blonde Ops: our agent was approached by Peter and Kat about this project and she suggested us! For Lethal Dose, I'd been wanting to write a sci fi because one of my fave authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, has a badass sci fi series called The League and it gave me the courage to try since she started in fantasy/mythology.

 10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest? Sirenz: more Hades, of course! Blonde Ops:  think teenaged 'Jane' Bond, computer hacker, Rome, sexy Dante, mysterious Taj, and a First Lady in danger. For Lethal Dose, Dalen Steele is a guy no one can touch- he's literally poison to everyone, but Adara's  not lettting him go, he's got to answer for attempted murder...

So now I tag Zoraido Cordova: I met her at the Romantic Times Convention in Chicago, but she lives in New York. Her first book, Vicious Deep, was just coming out.

And Ami Joan Pacquette: author and agent, Ami and I know each other through the SCBWI and she's got lots of stuff coming out.