The Princess and the Prom Queen book launch

I am so excited to help with the launch for Jaclyn Weist's book launch.  The Princess and the Prom Queen looks so cute. Here's the blurb:

Jenny’s had it with her life. Six siblings in an overstuffed house are enough to drive anyone crazy, and sometimes she dreams of escaping to some fantasy world. When she suddenly wakes up to find herself being kissed by a strange—but very handsome—prince, Jenny knows her life just got a lot more exciting. Now stuck in a medieval land of castles and royalty, when Jenny learns that the queen has agreed to marry her off to the prince, it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a quest to find out who dragged her to this time while trying to keep from falling in love with either of the boys vying for her attention. 

Princess Genevieve has only known life under her mother’s rule. She wants to do more than go to battle or deal with suitors. She wakes to find herself in a new world filled with gadgets, electricity, and moving carriages. She finally has the freedom to be who she wants to be with a family who cares deeply for her and a boy worth any sacrifice. It’s more than everything she always wanted. 

As Jenny and Genevieve settle into their new lives, they face an unknown evil which threatens everything they care about and makes them face tough questions—like who they are and what they really want their lives to become. 

Come join the online party tonight (April 29) here.

I even get to help with a giveaway.  My contribution is a 1st chapter critique.  I did win the MG 1st chapter contest last year at Storymakers, so that makes it a cool prize, right? (Say yes.)

Trusted Blog Tour

 I am excited to participate in a blog tour for the first time! It was fun getting to know Krista a little better.  We both participate in the same Facebook group, and she is always helpful, so I jumped at the chance to help spread the word about her book. Now it's your chance to get to know her!

Krista Wayment

ME: I get a lot of questions about how my book is getting published. So I'm asking you the same question.  How is your book getting published and why did you choose that method?

KRISTA: I am independently/self publishing my book. I chose to take this route because agents and editors have to sift through a lot to find the diamonds in the rough. I didn't want to leave the fate of my book up to chance. So I decided to take the risk myself and get it out there in the hands of readers.

ME: Self published books don't always have a great reputation. What steps have you taken to be sure your book is ready for publication?
KRISTA: Lot's and lot's of revision and editing. I wrote the first draft January of 2013. I then revised it. Next I had a group of writer friends read this second draft looking for little mistakes and plot holes. They gave me some excellent notes. And I revised again. Then I had a second different group of writer friends read the third draft followed by more edits and revision. The most important step though--I hired a professional editor. The amazing Tristi Pinkston. She went over Trusted with a fine toothed comb. When she was done I had lot's of fixes to make.

After that final polish, I proof read Trusted three times looking for typos. I also made sure to get a physical copy, a proof, and make sure that the cover was right and all the formatting looked good.

For the eBook version I checked the formatting in several programs and all different kinds of devices.

It was a long process and a lot of work. But because of all that effort Trusted is the best it can be. And I am proud of the final result.

ME: Dark chocolate or milk,

KRISTA: Yes. Basically if it is chocolate I love it. These days I do lean a tad bit toward dark though :)

ME: Where is the strangest place you've written?

KRISTA: Sitting in the hall way with my laptop on a step stool so I could watch my little one in the bath and still make my writing goal.

ME: Being a writer can be discouraging at times.  How do you get past those times when you're pretty sure no one will ever want to read your book? 

KRISTA: Being a writer is part of who I am. So when I don't have time to write I get depressed. It makes it rough when I'm discouraged about my writing ability. Usually what I do is start something new. Start with a clean slate and let the book I am unsure of rest for a while as I perfect my craft.

ME: Why did you decide to write for young readers (aka Middle Grade)?

KRISTA: When I was growing up I kind of skipped the whole middle grade section of the library and went straight to adult. Mostly because that is where I found the best Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Later, when I was all grown up I kind of "discovered" middle grade books and fell in love. So I decided to try my hand at writing one and loved that even more.

ME: What is your favorite book (that you haven't written)?

KRISTA: That's a tough one because I have read so many books that I love. I'll mention just a few. First, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinely and second, The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander. They have both inspired my writing a lot.

ME: Other than reading and writing, what else do you do?

KRISTA: I'm a mom and part-time computer programmer. Those are my main "jobs," other than writing. I also really enjoy playing video games (especially Zelda) and crocheting.

ME: I love Zelda too! My oldest is much better at it than me, though.  

ME: What is your favorite fruit?

KRISTA: I'm not much of a fruit person, I prefer veggies. But I do LOVE kiwi, and not just because they have a cool looking and sounding name :)

ME: Where can readers purchase your book?

KRISTA: Paperback:  Kindle: 

About the Book

Renick, the fifth son of a dragon breeder, crashes into an unexpected adventure that challenges everything he thought he knew about dragons, history, and himself.

Stranded in the massive Helath forest, Renick meets two other passengers: Thane, a noble training to be a dragon knight, and Lainey, the orphaned niece of a healer. Together they survive an attack by vicious wolves, rescue a baby dragon with a broken wing, and escape from a band of dragon hunters as they make a perilous climb into the mountains. What they discover there will change everything.

And finally, for those participating in Krista's scavenger hunt, here's your dragon scale!