#Authorpalooza2010 Day featuring author Shannon Delany @Shannon_Delany

 Warm welcome and special Saturday shout out to Shannon Delany!!

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for years. Sometime around 4th grade I started to realize I liked writing and I had stories I wanted to tell. When my grandmother fell suddenly ill one during one family vacation I really started writing to relieve my stress and frustration at being unable to truly help my family at a difficult time.

How thrilled where you when found out 13 to Life was going to be released?

I was out of my mind. I kept thinking I’d finally broken with reality and that it simply wasn’t possible. The fact so much (contract-wise) happened around April 1st didn’t help my state of mind. ;-)

What's one day in the life of Shannon Delany like?

Most days vary according to the day of the week or conferences or conventions I’m traveling to. But often I get up early to see my husband and son off to school and I do basic farm chores (feeding sheep, chickens and geese, weeding gardens). Then I do some writing. I eventually find myself on Twitter or my blog or Facebook and try to round out my day with some research so my brain’s always chewing on new material. I read when I get a chance and end the day with more farm chores and family time.

Do you have a current project you’re working on or something you plan to begin soon?

I’m always working on something. When this posts, I’ll actually be en route to Columbus, Ohio for RT BOOKlovers’ Convention where I’ll be moderating a panel on Psychic Fiction, giving a workshop about goal-setting and serendipity and hosting an event with hostesses including Holly Black, Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, Carrie Ryan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Heather Brewer, Jackie Kessler and other amazing authors I’m thrilled to get to associate with. Book-wise, I’m working on something using a resource from 1724 (though my copy’s from 1926). It’s related to the other story I was working on that also was a finalist in the Textnovel.com contest that 13 to Life won. Other than that, my lips are zipped.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of being a published author?

Balancing my time between writing new stories and promoting my current works. I’m a Libra, so I really feel the balance issue some days.

What’s the most rewarding?

Knowing people actually have the opportunity to read something I wrote—and that they can buy it from almost any bookstore around.

If you could co-author a book with any of your fellow authors or anyone from anywhere, who would you choose and why?

Wow. Tough one. There’s a bunch of different authors I like to think I could work with (mainly because I imagine we’d have a good time working together and I’d become an even better writing from my involvement because of getting an insider’s view of their craft). Ann Aguirre (author of “Blue Diablo” and “Hellfire” and her YA debut “Razorland” hits shelves 2011) would definitely be at the top of my list along with my brother (who has no publishing credits but his brilliant mind completely makes up for that), Jeri Smith-Ready (her debut YA “Shade” comes out in May and she’s wonderful as a person and has different strengths in her writing than I think I do), Robin Wright (another brilliant and creative up and coming author and one of my very valued CPs), Judith Graves (her debut YA “Under My Skin” just released and she’s a hoot—we’d have lots of fun) and Kitty Keswick (her debut YA “Freaksville” released just recently and she’s wonderful, friendly and creative, too). And I can’t forget Mindy Klasky (“How Not to Make a Wish” and “When Good Wishes Go Bad”)—she’s a wonderful woman and she’s done some amazing editing work for her fellow authors—definitely a sharp mind and good eyes for story.

Describe your writing process.

Basically I read a lot (history, mythology, weird science and folklore) and ideas bump into each other in my head. I jot down the kernel of an idea and then allow room in my mind (there’s plenty of space up there) for characters and setting to grow. When they’re ready they sort of announce themselves and don’t shut up until I write their story. I’ve found that werewolves can be especially insistent. ;-)

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?

Hmm. The three most interesting cities for me are London, Stuttgart and Philadelphia. More specific spots? A particular colonial graveyard in Philly (not far from the hustle and bustle of South Street), Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (made my knees weak), and the university town of Tubingen in Germany (fab-u-lous!).

What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

An interactive website for my debut series will launch soon (follow me on Twitter, I’m @Shannon_Delany there, for more details). Book 2 of the 13 to Life series will hit stores in early 2011 with book 3 coming in summer 2011. After that we’ll see what gets contracted next—I have tons of ideas and several things in the works, but it will depend on what publishers want to produce next. Expect more things with a fantastical edge, though. I don’t think straight fiction or non-fiction is on my To Do List currently.

You can find out more about Shannon online here:

Website http://www.shannondelany.com/

Blog http://www.shannondelany.com/joomla/index.php/blog.html

Twitter @Shannon_Delany

Here's the blurb about 13 to Life

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

Thank you, Shannon! Btw... she can't be here today because she's on her way or already at RT Convention.

But she does have a great prize which consists of 13 to Life signed mini poster, magnet, pin and bookmarksfor one lucky commenter and international are eligible to enter.

Tweet about this giveaway post with #Authorpalooza2010 tag and include link to this post.

Follow and send Shannon a tweet hello and say V sent ya! @Shannon_Delany

Answer me this:

What new ya/teen author who's have read lately or who's book you are looking forward to reading this summer?