Lois Lane

It’s A Book (!) + YASH + Stuff

Lois Lane / By /

Yesterday was very exciting, because I was informed there were two mystery boxes on the front porch when Christopher arrived home from the bookstore.

It looked like there might be finished copies of Fallout inside. So then I had to wait hours and hours and hours to see. (Also, yes, the porch needs painted. We know.) But lo! Behold!

This is a seriously beautiful object. A world of thanks to everyone at Capstone/Switch Press and especially the designer. (The under-the-dust-jacket — cover? I’m not sure of the terminology — binding, as you can see a bit above, is newsprint themed, and the end papers are alternating red and sky blue and there’s raised and shiny elements on the cover and the spine and it’s just gorgeous. There’s something about the first time you hold a finished copy of a book you wrote in your hands that feels a lot like magic, and this time I felt that more than ever. And so I’m giving away the very first copy I took out of the box (magic maybe included!), and you just have to RT the tweet below to enter:

Local folks, you can preorder through Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington starting now — anyone at a register can help you if you’re in the store or you can call them up. If you’re a Gives Back member, you get 30% off, and 20% otherwise. And, of course, I hope you’ll come out to the official launch event on Friday evening, May 8. We’re working on a link so anyone from afar who wants to order signed copies and have them mailed can do so (you can always call the store if you want though). If you’re interested in the book at all, please consider preordering or picking it up at the beginning of May and telling a friend/the world: word of mouth plus early sales = good things for Team Lois. (I know many of you already have. I heart y’all.)

What else? Oh, there’s a nice new review in from Voya. Snippet: “A bit of romance, plenty of adventure, and intrigue add up to a tale that will engage most teen readers.”

Now that we have all that out of the way (seriously, how did I get so lucky?), I’m really here to say that I’ll be taking part in the YA Scavenger Hunt, which begins tomorrow at noon Pacific. I’ll be contributing a signed copy of Fallout to the Blue Team prize kitty, and hosting special content from Martina Boone. I wrote an essay about Lois that will be hosted at the fabulous Colleen Houck’s site, and I’ll include a link there in my #YASH post.

Blue-Team-1

The second Lois short story is coming very soon (perhaps today, but definitely soon!). And so it has — links here. Other things also coming soon, including the book! I’ll try not to wear out the megaphone, but, friends, I AM EXCITED so I make no promises.

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New Lois Lane Short Story!

6 Comments / Lois Lane / By /

I told you guys there would be two Lois Lane short story extras, and lo! the first is now posted. You can find “A Real Work of Art” on Wattpad as previewed below or on the Switch Press site (over on the left under previews; bonus: prettier formatting).

There’s also a 25 percent off preorder code at the end for Fallout that you can use at the Capstone/Switch Press site. Preorders from here, there or anywhere (I like doing it through my local indie stores, but anywhere is awesome) help tell the book gods you’re excited about something. And when the book gods are happy, I’m happy.

Now for a little about these stories and the idea behind them…

These are stories to help introduce this version of Lois, obviously, but they also detail incidents mentioned in passing by Lois or others in Fallout* from her storied (ahem) permanent record. But, of course, her school administrators never know the real story. Only you get that. (And, yes, there might be a little more SmallvilleGuy in the second one…) Both take place before her move to Metropolis and each one stands alone.

I hope you have as much fun reading these as I had writing them. I thought of them as a gift to y’all for being so patient waiting for the book. As always, I appreciate the spreading of the word, and hopefully these will also reach new people who haven’t heard about it yet. And now I’m going to hide under my desk biting my nails for a bit.

*These little easter eggs were added after the first ARCs, if you won or have one and are stumped about the mentions. That’s why!

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Three Quick Things

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

The first is that in the midst of traveling I forgot to mention that Girl on a Wire made the Locus Recommended Reading List for 2014, in very good company indeed. *beams* Which means you can also vote for it in the Locus Awards if you’re so inclined.

The second is a new interview about Lois Lane: Fallout up at Dynamic Forces. (If it seems like I’m a little cagey about some details here, it’s because I did this not too long after the announcement. Thanks again to Byron and DF!) Also, I honestly can’t believe that it’s now just two months before release (*breathes into bag*). I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here yet, but there will be two free short stories coming very soon–one each month–to help introduce this version of Lois that take place pre-move to Metropolis.

Last but not least, if you haven’t yet backed Ninepin Press’s The Family Arcana: A Story-in-Cards by Jedediah Berry on kickstarter, why not? An extra incentive: I’m going to be contributing a horoscope story, along with eleven way fancier authors, as a new perk. Jed’s work is always wonderful, and I can’t wait to see the final results of all this excitingness.

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Starred!

2 Comments / Lois Lane / By /

LoiscoverSo, hey, it turns out I can reveal the March 1 news early, because the review was posted online today. Here goes…

Lois Lane: Fallout got a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus!

Kirkus! Snippet:

"This lighthearted and playful tone permeates the novel, making for a nifty investigative mystery akin to Veronica Mars or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Readers are in for a treat. A spectacular prose start for DC Comics' spectacular lady."

This is my first-ever starred review, and I reacted with complete class and composure when my editor called to tell me. I believe my exact words were: ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?

This is perhaps embarrassing to admit, but true and so I will tell you that mere days before I got this news I had told some friends that I'd come to terms with the fact that I would probably never be the kind of writer who got starred reviews. Thank you, universe, for proving me wrong. Lesson: Complaining works. 😉

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We Have A Winner

Lois Lane / By /

Well, all of you are winners in my book and in my heart. Thank you for being so excited for Fallout and being so game to participate in this impromptu contest. I'm a whimful creature, and so I didn't give you much warning. But it was so much fun to read everyone's posts and see your favorite Lois and Clark moments.

I thought I'd highlight a few of your super posts, before getting to the business of who is taking home this ARC:

 

I'm giving this baby away in a quick Galentine's/Valentine's #FalloutARC contest!

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 13, 2015 at 6:23am PST

 

Here's a sampling of entries, and you can find links to a whole bunch more at twitter by searching the #FalloutARC hashtag (tumblr tags not cooperating as well for some reason, but I'm almost 100 percent certain I managed to track down all the posts made there).

And last but not least, I loved this Tumblr gifset of reasons why Lois would make a great friend. Honestly, every single entry made me grin. You guys are the best valentines and galentines ever.

To choose the winner, I made a good old-fashioned paper drawing, giving every entry one slip. I wish you could all win, but there can be only one and that person is…

::drumroll comprised of clacking keyboards in a newsroom::

SHADES OF LIMELIGHT aka @CertainShadesL! DM me your address on twitter and your signed ARC will be en route tomorrow.

Thanks again to everyone, and you can always preorder the book if you haven't (something tells me most of you have). And there will be lots of news and sneak peeks and other things coming soon as we get closer and closer to release. Stay tuned! <3 <3 <3

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Hello & Galentine’s Valentine’s Fallout ARC Contest

Lois Lane / By /

Hi there! I’m back, after a week writing like mad in sunny Mexico on retreat with several of the smartest, most awesome ladies and writers I know–Holly Black, Cassie Clare, and Sarah Rees Brennan (along with some also awesome boys). And then I went straight from there to Winter Institute to do my first Lois Lane: Fallout event, meeting lots of wonderful, amazing booksellers, as well as the wonderful, amazing Capstone marketing ninjas Shannon and John, and seeing friends old and new. Especially glad I got to catch up with one of my oldest friends Ms. Kelly Link (whose new collection you have already purchased, RIGHT?), Maria Dahvana Headley (we have been ships passing in the convention bar night for years!), Megan Shepherd (who is very fancy), and Nova Ren Suma (her new book is just as amazing as you’ve heard and we got to share a signing table!), and and and so many other people I will miss someone and feel terrible.

It was a great time, is what I’m saying. And then as soon as I got home, my fabulous editor Beth called with a piece of AMAZING news that I can’t tell you until March 1.

Post-signing photo from Winter Institute — and keep reading for quick contest details to win a signed ARC of Fallout:

Signing done! #loislane

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 10, 2015 at 4:54pm PST

And what was I signing you might ask? Why, shiny brand-new for this occasion ARCs of Fallout, and I might have slipped one in my purse and hatched this plan for a quick Galentine’s/Valentine’s giveaway. Read on for how to enter!

I’m giving this baby away in a quick Galentine’s/Valentine’s #FalloutARC contest!

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 13, 2015 at 6:23am PST

This contest will be open through midnight Eastern tomorrow night, US entrants only, and it’s going to be supereasy to enter — how easy?

1) In honor of Galentine’s today, tweet or Tumblrize or Instagram a reason you think Lois Lane would make a great friend and use the hashtag #FalloutARC so I can find it.

2) In honor of Valentine’s tomorrow, and Lois and Clark being the number one comics couple of all-time, tweet or Tumblrize a reason/fave gif or image set or Instagram about your favorite thing(s) about the Lois and Clark relationship and use the hashtag #FalloutARC so I can find it.

Each tagged post will count as an entry, and since this is only running a short time, feel free to make as many or as few as you want on whichever place is your fave. And if you don’t win, still be EXCITED because it’s out in May, which is SO CLOSE!

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Beauteousness

Books, Lois Lane / By /

When people ask me what my favorite part of the publishing process is, it is very easy to answer:

It's working with all the talented, amazing, smart, funny, generally wonderful people that it takes to make a book a, well, book. From agent to editors to the publicity and marketing teams and art directors, et cetera, seeing how much they rock their jobs is a joy. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Book people are the best people.

And I've been so tremendously lucky this year to work with some of the greatest of the best people. In fact, I just came back from mailing them all presents.

(The opposite of all this is true too, by the way; a big part of being a happy writer is feeling that your work is in the right hands. And I think that's true whether you're an indie and that's your own and your hand-selected team or a traditionally-published author and working with a publisher.)

Which is to say, the importance of the care the right hands take can't be underestimated. An example is the reason for this post. I LOVED the great cover Switch Press designed for LOIS LANE: FALLOUT — so much it's my phone case and I constantly show it to people (glance over to the right for a refresher). But great was not great enough for them, so they kept working on it and voila…

I LOVE IT EVEN MORE.

The cover deities have smiled on me once again. Trivia: I do believe that the newsprint is now a little snippet from the book itself, from a scene inside the videogame, which is a nice touch. Also: I've had a glimpse of the entire jacket and it's spiffy.

That's all for now, but I'm putting together my last newsletter of the year to send later this week so sign up if you want it. (Tidbits will include: Girl on a Wire made the First Lady of Kentucky's Top 10 Winter Reading List. *beam*)

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Pre-Holidaze Update

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

Um, oops, sorry to disappear, though I can't pretend it's going to get better soon. Deadline swarm happening. But I have hatched definite plans to really and truly finally overhaul my website for early spring (in time for Lois launch madness!) and I'm sure the result will be so awesome that I'll update constantly (or at least more consistently).

And there are things afoot. SECRET THINGS of which I can say no more at present.

But there are also non-secret things, of course, though I can barely remember what I've posted here and what I haven't, but here are a few things just in case:

  • I did an interview about Girl on a Wire and e-books and things with the Kids Ebook Bestsellers site;
  • There have been some recent Girl reviews that made me glow too: from Mieneke at A Fantastical Librarian ("I loved Girl on a Wire and with her third novel Gwenda Bond has firmly landed on my must-read author list. If you enjoy fast-paced, fun YA with a dash of mystery and romance then do pick up Girl on a Wire, as it offers this in spades."); from Lisa at Lisa Loves Literature ("I loved this story."); and from the Book Feed ("This story is truly a modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling at its finest. … The way Gwenda told the story not only kept me interested, but completely hooked me, so that I couldn't put the book down."). Thanks to EVERYONE who's read the book and reviewed it and recommended it to others. It means the world.
  • And, as always, if you so desire, you can get signed copies of my books for the holidays (or whenever!) from Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Morris Book Shop in Lexington, Ky. And if you've been delaying getting copies of my first two books, especially in print, you might want to get on that this month. (Which is all I can say about that for now.)

And I will end with these lovely tweets that made my last week from Tim Hanley, who wrote Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine:

*beams* *crosses fingers* *and toes*

Seriously, I still can't believe I get to write Lois Lane and anytime a Lois fan enjoys the book, it makes me the happiest girl in the world. Pre-order links here!

More soon…ish. In the meantime, happy holidays, everyone. I hope you get to spend them festiving or lazing, whichever is your preference. (I will be spending mine writing, as usual.)

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Is This Thing On? And World Fantasy Schedule!

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

Hello, my darlings! I'm sorry to have vanished, but between launch month for Girl on a Wire and doing Lois edits (turned in Friday!) the month got away from me. First though, I want to say thank you to everyone who has read, bought, checked out from the library, reviewed or told someone about the circus book of my heart. If you haven't yet, well, there's no time like the present. *bats eyelashes* Especially after watching that Nik Wallenda city walk over Chicago. Wasn't that something? Thrilling.

It's been so long since I updated here, I've forgotten what I have and haven't mentioned, and I know I've missed a bunch of stuff too. So a rundown of a few things and info on what I'm doing at World Fantasy this coming weekend.

Girl things:

There have been a couple of really wonderful early reader reviews of Lois Lane: Fallout over at Tumblr, both thorough but not in the least spoilery:

  • Here's the first from Maya; snippet: "Fallout exceeds everything I hoped it would be. Bond has captured Lois’s voice, infusing her with the Lois Lanes who have come before yet creating a fresh character with her own purpose."
  • And here's another at Godzylla's Head; snippet: "It’s extremely nuanced, for all that it moves at a swift pace and is a fast read — because you simply do not want to put it down once you’ve started it. Once you have finished it, you’re hungry for more. Best of all, this book is for everyone — long-time Lois Lane fans and someone who may never have heard of her. It’s engaging, smart, and fun."

I'm reading instead of paneling at World Fantasy, early Thursday evening — I can promise a little circus, a little Lois, and if there's time maybe a snippet of something else Christopher Rowe will pitch in a voice for. We'll see! Here's the details:

Reading: Gwenda Bond

Time: 5:30pm-6pm, Nov. 6, Fairfax

If you'll be there, you should come. I'll probably give away a copy of Girl, and I'll be happy to see you.

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Antics & Etc

Adventures, Girl on a Wire, Little Movies, Lois Lane / By /

Deadlineville here, so mostly this is a quick wave, but a couple of fun things from the weekend.

I was at the Books by the Banks festival Saturday, where I met many fabulous readers and other writers and got to catch up with some old friends. Many thanks to the excellent Joseph-Beth Booksellers, festival staff and the great volunteers. Also! There was a Teen Scene event with the local circus school and I got to do this:

 

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I wire-walked!

View on Instagram

Thanks to those who assisted me, both in staying upright and in grabbing the video and some photos. (Yes, I'm using Instagram a lot more now that I have a  phone that will, um, use the app without crashing.)

Annnd there was this, which made my yesterday:

 

*beam* And now back to work on said pass! If you're going to the Kentucky Reading Association conference, I'll see you there on Friday.

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