Girl on a Wire

It’s ALIVE! Girl Release Day!

Books, Girl on a Wire / By /

*pops out of a cake*

Why, hello there. So unofficial e-release was last month, but now GIRL ON A WIRE is officially a book!

My third, which is a little boggling. I'm so so grateful to anyone who's picked up one of my books, and I very much hope you'll pick up this one too. I know we're not supposed to have favorites, but this is mine of my books so far.

Here are some handy ordering links, if you don't need the rest of this and just want to go. get. the. book:

Girl on a Wire
by Gwenda Bond
Skyscape – Oct. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1477847824

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Powells

The audio book is also out today and if you have the e-book, you can whisper-sync it up. The hardcover and the paperback are both gorgeous. (Also, it's currently still in the top 25 overall on Kindle and #2 in Teen — not too shabby for release day! ACK. All the love to my Skyscape team and y'all. <333)

OTHER THINGS you might want to gander:

  • I did a Big Idea post about where this book came from over at the inimitable Scalzi's, in which I confess that I actually loathe the romance in Romeo & Juliet among other things;
  • I also did a newsletter, which you can read online, and which has details on getting signed books (Morris Book Shop or Joseph-Beth Booksellers can hook you up), the big launch party on SATURDAY at Morris Book Shop (be there! FB RSVPs encouraged for toast-estimating!), and etc. etc. There will be a side contest running here starting tomorrow as part of the YA Scavenger Hunt and you can get the dirt on that too, plus some other updates.

Need convincing on the party (or the beateousness of the finished copies), look at this:

 

And I think the best convincing comes from readers, so I'll leave you with this:

It’s ALIVE! Girl Release Day! Read More »

Ack! A Few Quick Things

Books, Excuses, Excuses, Girl on a Wire / By /

Hello, my lovelies! I'm officially in that pre-launch state where life stuff and book stuff and future book stuff and et ceteras are combining into what can only be a state of madness. (Hopefully the divine variety.) There is not enough time in the day, but somehow, magically, the next week will be lived through and everything will get done.

A few little things:

Are you in the Lexington area? Then come out to the Girl on a Wire launch party — this isn't just going to be any old launch — the details, which were just confirmed and I did a little dance:

Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.: Girl on a Wire launch party–circus-themed, of course–at Morris Book Shop in Lexington, KY. "Join us as we celebrate Gwenda's success with Hors d'oeuvres, drinks and surprise appearances." Come early! Because the surprise is that the Tinderbox Circus Sideshow will be performing (!!!) before I kick off the official portion of the evening, and sticking around to perform later while I sign books. And there will be cake and festiveness!

That's right — fancy circus cake, sideshow performers, books for sale. It should be a memorable time, and fun for all . . . just like the circus itself.

And, by the way, my heartfelt thanks to those of you who've already read the book, and who've reached out to let me know and/or reviewed the book. Word-spreading is appreciated as always if you enjoy it, especially as we enter officially-out-time. Your support, no matter what form it comes in, is always noted. I'm particularly glad so many of you are digging this one. <3

Meanwhile! A few other exciting things:

  • The YA Scavenger Hunt is coming next week, timed conveniently with Girl on a Wire's launch. I'm on Team Blue and I'll be giving away another one of those schmancy Paperwhites here on the site and a signed hardcover too. There will be SIX teams. So you don't want to miss this one, YA fans.
  • I'm super-excited to be going to Winter Institute in Asheville in February. (Also, I just got a new phone, and YES, ordered a custom case with my Lois cover, because OF COURSE I DID. 😉

Speaking of giveaways:

And I think that's it for now. *falls over* More soooooon.

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Pretty Picture + Newslettered

Girl on a Wire / By /

I'll be sharing some images that inspired and quotes from Girl on a Wire for the next few weeks. Here's the first one:

BirdGirl

This is Jules on her hero, Bird Millman, pictured right. (Also at Tumblr, so reblog if you like, or share wherever takes your fancy.) And, of course, the book's out now in e-book, in other formats October 1.

I also commited newsletterdom over the weekend, which you can read here.

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Miscellany + Local Event

Girl on a Wire, Lois Lane, Nattering / By /

A few more Lois-y things:

Hmm, what else? I have an event this weekend at the Woodford County Library. These are always fun, not least because our PENS ARE ON FIRE (not really, that would be dangerous). The details:

  • Pens on Fire – Young Adult Authors: Come hear popular Young Adult authors talk about their work, writing tips, and paths to publication. Authors include Gwenda Bond, Sarah Combs, C.C. Marks, Katie McGarry, and Heather Sunseri. Free – Sign up today! 9/6/14, 2-4pm, Main Library.

And last but not least:

You can still enter to win the fancy Paperwhite with the custom Goawfinalcover featuring the gorgeous Girl on a Wire cover illustrated and designed by Neil Swaab: just sign up for the newsletter or comment on that post with something you love or hate about the circus. Contest ends Friday at noon.

If you snagged the book on special, read it and like it, please consider dropping a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads or spreading the word wherever you like best. And if you haven't snagged it, well, what are you waiting for? Lee Child totally edged me down in the rankings. *wink* I kid! Feel free to wait and buy a hard copy. Or ask your library to order it. Basically: please to buy or otherwise legally procure wherever you like, read, and let me or the world know what you think. Without you lovely readers, I don't get to do this. And I like doing this.

Now it's our tenth wedding anniversary, so there must be a little celebrating, and there's another book to finish. So *poof*.

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Surprise! GIRL ON A WIRE Is E-arly!

23 Comments / Girl on a Wire / By /

GoaWfinalBy which I mean it's a Kindle First pick this month, in advance of its official release October 1. What does that mean? Besides the fact I did some chair-dancing?

It means it's one of four books that you can read in e-book a month early, if you have a Kindle or use the Kindle app on one of your devices. Prime members can pick one free, and anyone with a Kindle or app can snag one for $1.99. It's that simple.

If your book is chosen for this program, obviously it means that more people are likely to see your book. But it also means that your editor writes something about it. And in my case, Courtney Miller wrote something so gorgeous and beautiful, I hardly feel worthy of it. It's truly been a gift to work with Courtney, Kate Chynoweth, Deborah Bass, Timoney Korbar and the whole Skyscape team, who have believed in this oddball book of mine since the start. And, of course, thanks always to my agent, Jenn Laughran, ringmaster of my career. So, do you like daredevils? Do you like feeling like the normal world is hiding secrets?

Go here to get your copy and read what Courtney wrote (or get one of the others — I'm sure they are all fabulous!).

Don't have a Kindle? Well, this week I'll be giving away this Kindle Paperwhite the publisher had made with an awesome custom cover *and* which is pre-loaded with the book. (I'll give away a couple more later on.)

Photo(3)

Champagne Not Included

What do you have to do to win? You can get up to two entries:

1) Sign up for my newsletter here by Friday, Sept. 5 at noon midnight. (If you're already signed up for the newsletter, you are already entered for this one.)

2) Drop a comment below with something you love (or hate — if you're some sort of deviant!) about circuses or daredevils.

U.S. only (as Steph reminded me to clarify in the comments). And if you'd rather have the print or audio edition (why not collect the whole set? ;-), then October 1 will be here before you know it.

p.s. *waves* to any lovely people I met at DragonCon — which was such a treat. More on that later.

ETA: Number four! Um, wow. That is a thing that happened. If you enjoy the book, I'd love it if you left a review at Amazon or Goodreads or otherwise help spread the word. <3

Screenshot

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New Girl Reviews

Girl on a Wire / By /

GoaWI dropped these elsewhere already, but I like to keep things where they're easier to find (aka here). So! A couple of nice new reviews of Girl on a Wire that made me happy and also have a little swoon at how soon this book will be out and y'all can read it. I can't wait to find out what you think. 

Booklist Online sayeth:

"With a skillful blend of modern-day circus tales, classically ill-fated love, and mystery, Bond gives readers scenes from the wire that will make them sweat alongside Jules as she steps out with no net, and teens will thrill to Jules’ adventures as the Princess of the Air."

And Publishers Weekly:

"The circus and its theatrical characters provide a fresh, vibrant backdrop as author and PW contributor Bond (Blackwood) impressively describes a range of circus performances, while threading enticing slivers of magic and romance into her story. It’s a fascinating and enjoyable foray into circus life as seen through the eyes of an ambitious and talented performer."

Plots and plans are happening for the fall and the words "sideshow performers" may have been uttered in relation to launch party: nothing set yet, but developing.

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Three Things: Clown Noses, Girls on Wires + Schedulizing

Adventures, Artsy, Girl on a Wire / By /

Home again, home again. With three things to report.

Thing The First:

The Virginia Highlands Festival was a complete delight; such a warm welcome from the creative writing day committee, and a series of truly fun events with fabulous writers and great, engaged audiences. Plus, I got to see the Greenman Press studio, and hang out with Karen and Charles Vess, and see the giant, gorgeous statue and fountain "Midsummer Play" that Charles designed and constructed across from the Barter Theater. It doesn't get better than that. I shared these photos elsewhere, but doing so here for kicks (and to begin the chronicle of the season of Girl on a Wire promoting).

These were my first readings from the circus book as a finished thing, and so it was a mega-relief that people seemed into it. I did the prologue for our first reading event, but for the joint workshop Charles and I did — me reading, while he drew projected on the screen behind me — I read from chapter eight, and Jules' first big outdoor stunt walk. The result:

 

GoaWsketch

 

(He says now after thinking more about it, he'd draw her face on, instead of heading into the relative safety of the bridge tower. But I all-but-gasped when I turned around and got a look at this, the tilt of the perspective makes me feel the nerves for her.)

And this sketch from before we started, which is totally getting framed and hung in the office:

 

JulessketchbyCVess

 

Oh, and then there was the nice older lady who carries a stockpile of clown noses (she once toured Russia as part of a clown troupe — with Patch Adams, apparently, so ack). She gave me, Charles, and Rita Quillen ones after our reading the first afternoon, and then helped direct the camera for a selfie, which came out a little skewed.

 

Clownnoses

 

And yesterday I got to talk at the local library to a room packed with young writers, who asked smart questions. It was an honor and a blast to be a part of all these events.

GoaWThing The Second:

Galleys — e- and print — of said circus book are limited, but if you need an early copy because you're a reviewer or a librarian, etc., then please to let me know, preferably in the next few days. I can make it happen. And for everyone else, it'll be here before you know it. Definitely before I do.

So. Soon. Where has this year gone? ACK.

Kirkus says: “The mystery is tense and nerve-wracking, and the acrobatics are gorgeously hair-raising.”

And the publisher made a teensy tweak to the shading on my name and "a novel," which gives me an excuse to post the cover again. *pets*

Thing The Third:

Here's my preliminary Dragon Con schedule (subject to change), with two panels and a reading. I hope to see a bunch of y'all there later this month.

Title: Urban Fantasy in YA
Description: We love a little magic, monsters, super powers—but rooted in the real world. What makes a compelling urban fantasy, and what are your faves?
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: A707 – Marriott
(Tentative Panelists: Delilah S. Dawson, Gwenda M Bond, Cinda Williams Chima, Bonnie Kunzel, Mari Mancusi)

Title: Reading: Gwenda M Bond
Time: Sat 1:00 pm Location: University – Hyatt

Title: Beyond Genre: Behind the Boom of Realistic YA Fiction
Description: The Fault is Our Stars is just the tip of the iceberg—realistic YA fiction is booming, and there’s a lot to love beyond genre.
Time: Sun 11:30 am Location: A707 – Marriott
(Tentative Panelists: Stephanie Perkins, Gwenda M Bond, Debbie Viguié, Michelle Hodkin)

And that's the three things. Now back to work!

Three Things: Clown Noses, Girls on Wires + Schedulizing Read More »

Upcoming Events – Highlands Festival

Adventures, Girl on a Wire, Real Life / By /

VHF-2014ThemeI've been experiencing a minor swarm of deadlines since we got back from Lisbon (oh, what a gorgeous city–it was fabulous), and so scarce around these parts. But I did want to drop a post to say if you're in or around the Abingdon, Virginia, area, well, I will be too Sunday through Tuesday, Aug. 3-5, for the Virginia Highlands Festival's Creative Writing Days. You should come out to some events and say hi.

I've never been to the festival before, and I can't wait. Whee!

Here's where you can catch me there:

  • Sunday, 3-4:30 p.m. – "Words and Music: Classical Music Sunday": Readings by three of the Writers’ Day participants: poet Rita Quillen and fantasy writers Charles Vess and Gwenda Bond will alternate with classical music performed by Keith Hungate, violinist, and James Spraker, pianist. (Books will be available and so will we to sign afterward.)
  • Monday, 8 a.m.-5 pm. – Writers' Day (follow the link to see the full schedule of fab stuff, get locale info, and register):

    – 1:15-2:45 p.m. workshop with me, "How Do We Change the World?" Capturing reality can seem challenging enough, so let’s discuss some ways to approach work that departs from it. Whether you’re a beginning writer or just looking to try out something new, we’ll talk about how to get started writing fiction and fantasy stories. (This will be fun: promise.)

    – 3 p.m. Gwenda Bond and Charles Vess, combined workshop: Our combined workshop will be a continuation of what Charles is exploring in his previous session, “What Does That Word Look Like Anyway?” Only this time, the audience will experience Gwenda reading from one of her stories as Charles draws what he sees there.  Before and after we can discuss the effect that a vivid descriptive passage can have on the reader, and how just a few well-chosen words can pull the reader into a writer’s world and keep them wanting more. (Ed. note: How excited am I about this particular session? Charles is basically my hero, and so that's how excited.)

  • Tuesday, 11 a.m.-noon – Creative Writing Youth/Teen Workshop with me, at the Washington County, Va., public library: As always, the public library wants to get readers excited about books and provide an opportunity to encourage young writers. This program is for middle and high school students, but all ages are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. (Refreshments, y'all. Just saying.)

And, yes, I'll definitely be giving a preview of Girl on a Wire (aka the circus book) in my readings. So…y'all come! If not for me, then for Charles Vess. Because HE IS AMAZING, as we all know.

More soon — including, oh *whistles innocently* about Secret Project. SOON.

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Mini-Update + Reviewed

Girl on a Wire, Hangovers / By /

This week is a little on the crazy side, because C is at Syc Hill and my mom is recovering from surgery in town and I am on deadline. There isn't even any time for Secret Shames (that post has some fun comments if you need ideas for truly guilty pleasure-esque things to do when the significant other is away). But the good news is this deadline means (probably) the last of revisions on Secret Project, and I'm also filling out the author questionaire for it, which all means it is closer to being revealed to you and a secret no longer. 

Yesterday was a lonnng day spent editing at the hospital while waiting to move my mom over to the rehab hospital, and then being entertained by her roommate at the new place, a woman in her eighties who reminds me of a little of Gray Gardens and a little of Maurice Sendak in prime lovable grouch mode and answers all unwanted questions with "Damned if I know" and so is clearly a genius.

Then I came home to a good surprise, in the form of a very nice first review for Girl on a Wire from the July issue of School Library Journal. Here's a little snippet:

“With a thrilling mystery, a hint of magic, and a touch of romance, Girl on a Wire takes readers into the fascinating world of circus performers. It is clear that Bond has done her research, especially with Jules’s idol, Jennadean Engleman, aka Bird Millman, a famous vaudeville tightrope and city walker.”

*beams* I just updated the buy links on its page, should you want to pre-order.

And while I'm talking reviews, a new one for Blackwood popped up on a blog maintained by UNC-Chapel Hill libraries, featuring books set in North Carolina: "Bond infuses the original legend of the Lost Colony with quite a bit of imagination. Blackwood is perfect for readers on the look-out for an intelligent young adult novel." It makes me happy to see people still discovering that book, and I'm always especially pleased when North Carolinians (and librarians!) like it.

 And I will leave you with this oldish but new to me video of the Chinese State Circus doing an incredible acrobatic version of Swan Lake (also, not really related, but I am so happy that So You Think You Can Dance is back):

 

 

(Seriously, if you haven't seen that video watch it. She goes en pointe on his shoulder!)

Now back to work.

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