Umbertouched is due to come out 11/6/2018, and it’s time to reveal the cover and description. Isn’t it gorgeous?   Here’s the cover description: The mission was a failure. Even though Zivah and Dineas discovered a secret that could bring down the empire, their information is useless without proof.  Now, with their cover blown and their quest abandoned, their only remaining hope is to get home before Ampara brings the full might of its armies against their peoples. As Shidadi and Dara alike prepare for war, Zivah and Dineas grapple with the toll of their time in the capital. After fighting alongside the Amparans against his own kin, can Dineas…

Edit: The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winners: Tiffany H, @thebookenigma from twitter, @owlsneagles from twitter, and @book.words_ from instagram Rosemarked is finally here! The good news:  I think Rosemarked is the best book I’ve written thus far, and readers seem to agree.  It’s been chosen as an Amazon best book of the month, RT book reviews called it “an engaging, mesmerizing read,” and School Library Journal says  it’s a “fast-paced, well-written, can’t-put-down fantasy that will appeal to a wide audience.” It’s also been chosen as the featured book for two subscription boxes. The bad news: Rosemarked’s opening week sales aren’t quite as strong as my first two…

I’m so excited to reveal the final cover to ROSEMARKED! What do you think? Preorder ROSEMARKED: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Blackwell’s And here’s a giveaway for an advanced review copy!

Edit: Signups are now closed. Congratulations to @vixenreads for winning the prize pack!   We have a final cover for ROSEMARKED! It’s gorgeous 😀 I’m excited to share it with you all, and we’re trying something a bit different this time: a crowdsourced twitter, instagram, and facebook reveal.  And there are prizes for participating! Here are the details. When: June 8, 2016. Who can participate: Anyone with a twitter, facebook, or instagram account can participate.  If you’d like to be eligible for the prize though, your post needs to be visible to the general public. What’s involved: On June 8, I’ll email you the cover and the link to a…

DAUGHTER OF DUSK is out in paperback today! Purchase the paperback from: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Blackwell’s (free international shipping)

My entire Story Writing Workshop is now up on Teachers Pay Teachers!  There are seven lessons total. You can also get the complete bundle for a 22% discount. CHECK OUT THE SERIES AND DOWNLOAD THE FIRST LESSON FREE! Lesson One: Introduction to Storytelling (Free download) Lesson Two: Freewriting and Idea Generation Lesson Three: Building Strong Characters Lesson Four: Plot Lesson Five: Setting and Description Lesson Six: Revision Lesson Seven: Book Cover Design

  We’re on a roll!  My lesson plans for Description and Setting are now available on Teachers Pay Teachers. How do writers bring an entire world to life through simple words?  In this lesson, students learn the secrets of precise and descriptive prose, and how to filter a description through a character’s point of view.  Then they’ll go on to explore their story’s setting and how it affects their characters and plots

The fourth installment of my Creative Writing Workshop is up on Teachers Pay Teachers. Lesson four is about plot. What drives a plot and keeps the reader engaged? Students will learn basic plot structure, from inciting incident to climax, as well as tips for organizing everything in between. Then, they’ll draw plot charts for their own stories.

And the third lesson plan from my Story Writing Workshop is now available at Teachers Pay Teachers. Lesson three is about characterization. Students learn the tips and tricks that make a well rounded character.  Through brainstorming exercises, mock interviews, and character autobiographies, students develop their main character’s life experience and personality. Then after they’ve nailed down their protagonist, students explore how supporting characters complement and challenge the protagonist.  Finally, students learn about the ways  which characters grow and change throughout a story. Check out the rest of the series as well: Lesson One: Introduction to Storytelling Lesson Two: Freewriting and Idea Generation (The writing prompts in this lesson are also…