Brooke Taylor

Obnoxious Repeat of Contest Details

2008-07-22T15:22:17Z

Win a signed copy of Undone + Brooke as your personal shopper in San Fran!

Let Brooke be your Personal YA Book Shopper at the Literacy for Life book signing event in San Francisco!

She loves YA Books, she loves to shop, and she loves you! That’s why she’s giving one person the opportunity of a lifetime! (Dramatic much?) You’ll get to pick your favorite YA authors (from the list) and she’ll seek them out, she’ll stand in line, and she’ll have them autograph the book any way you’d like!

Some of the super cool YA authors who will be signing include her Class of 2K8 pals: Regina Scott, Teri Brown, and Terri Clark (early edition of Sleepless anyone?). Some of her agency sistas like Ally Carter, Simone Elkeles & Kelly Parra. Even big names like Melissa Marr!

Other authors who will be there include:

Niki Burnham, Tera Lynn Childs, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Marley Gibson, Rachel Hawthorne, Lorraine Heath, Julie Linker, Lynda Sandoval, Dona Sarkar, Gena Showalter (who probably won't have her YA titles there--but I'll totally make it happen somehow!), Wendy Corsi Staub, and probably several more that I missed because the writing was so small--so consult the full list!

All you have to do to enter is post the book trailer for Undone on your site and then let her know by posting the link to any of her blogs: Brooke’s blog, Brooke’s MySpace, and Brooke’s Live Journal before high noon (CST) Friday July 25th.

P.S. I'm at the Class of 2K8 blog all week, and Reviewer X has a great contest/interview/ and review up:

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2008/07/pretty-damn-cool-undone-giveaway.html

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2008/07/author-interview-brooke-taylor.html

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2008/07/undone-by-brooke-taylor-book-qna.html

The Dets on the Contest!

2008-07-21T21:45:14Z

Okay, after sufficient Diet Coke and brainstorming, I've come up with the super cool contest details! Not only will I be sending the randomly drawn winner (from those who comment on this blog/MySpace/or Live Journal between Friday 18-Friday 25th with a link to their posting of my book trailer) a signed copy of Undone, but I will also be their personal shopper! That is, next week I'll be at the RWA's 2008 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing in San Francisco where I'll be signing copies of Undone along with hordes of other wonderful authors. And for your grand prize, I will go and buy 6 books from authors of your choosing and will have them autograph the book to you! Pretty cool, eh?

Some of the super cool YA authors who will be signing include my Class of 2K8 pals: Regina Scott, Teri Brown, and Terri Clark (early edition of Sleepless anyone?). Some of my agency sistas like Ally Carter, Simone Elkeles & Kelly Parra. Even big names like Melissa Marr!

Other authors who will be there include:

Niki Burnham, Tera Lynn Childs, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Marley Gibson, Rachel Hawthorne, Lorraine Heath, Julie Linker, Lynda Sandoval,Dona Sarkar, Gena Showalter (who probably won't have her YA titles there--but I'll totally make it happen somehow!), Wendy Corsi Staub, and probably several more that I missed because the writing was so small--so consult the full list!

Please be aware that authors typically only have their most current books, and quantities will be limited--so for the winner you will need to provide some alternate books/authors in the event that the title you'd pick are not available.

Okay so here are the rules again:

Post my book trailer for Undone on your blog, leave me the link in the comments (comments will be drawn from my blog, my MySpace, and my Live Journal and can be posted on any day this week) and once verified you will be officially entered to win. Winner will be drawn on Friday the 25th at noon CST.

If you win, you'll tell me which 6 books you want me to buy and have personally signed to you! And I'll do all the work!

Catching up and Contest

2008-07-18T17:55:20Z

I'm sorry to be such a cruddy blogger this month--but as you can probably tell from all the shameless linkage I've been doing--I've been busy! Here's a few more:

Interview and Review with In Bed with Books!

Also check out my guest blog at And Another Book Read to find out what is real and what is fake in Undone.

And Undone has already been spotted at one Borders!!! Squee!! Heading over to my local Borders right now!!!

Also, next week being my big launch week, I've decided to have a big giveaway--it will include a gorgy hardback edition of Undone, signed by me and will include a few other things, including a couple of my favorite books--full details on Monday, but the gist will be at some point between now and next Friday you will post my awesome book trailer on your blog or other networking site and leave me the link in the comments to be entered!

Amazing trailer:

Interviews and More!

2008-07-10T21:28:51Z

First with the more! Please stop by the Class of 2K8 blog and guess who tomorrow's super star guess will be and you could win a signed galley of said superstar! Gotta do it now though!!

Now for the interviews--I did two this week, how cool is that?

First up was one with a fellow Twilight enthusiast Book Review Maniac! Check it out on his super cool site: interview here:

http://bookreviewmaniac.blogspot.com/2008/07/awesome-author-brooke-taylor.html

and review of Undone here:

http://bookreviewmaniac.blogspot.com/2008/06/undone.html

And Second we have a turn-about-is-fair-play interview with Little Willow at her site:

http://slayground.livejournal.com/396766.html

My interview with her can be found at the 2K8 blog here! Thankfully, she went much easier on me than I did on her!

YAY! Free Books!

2008-06-25T21:04:08Z

Visit the Class of 2K8 blog and enter to win all sort fo great books! Go here to enter to win an ARC of Undone!! You have until June 29th the comment and a winner will be announced June 30th!

And be sure to read all of the great interviews, because, um, all reviewers are not the same!

YAY free books!!

Book Reviewers!

2008-06-23T15:12:50Z

No, don't be affraid--they're friendly, really! Come see...

Ever wonder who does the reviews at ALAN Online , Teens Read Too, YA (& Kids) Books Central, The Edge of the Forest , Fuse # 8, Reviewer X, Off to Turn Another Page, Book Chic, Slayground, Reader Rabbit and many other places?

They're usually the ones who interview us, but for one week we turn the tables on several YA & MG book reviewers and ask them the hard questions! We even tackle bad reviews. You don't want to miss one answer!

Please check out the Class of 2k8’s blog for the Book Reviewer Hot Seat!

And if that isn't enough, we're giving away Class of 2K8 books--Two-A-Day! So please visit our blog be sure to leave comments after each interview and you could win! (Deadline to enter is midnight June 29th, winners will be announced on Monday June 30th)

Hope to see you all there!

LJ Users be sure to syndicate the Class of 2K8 blog! (http://syndicated.livejournal.com/2k8/profile) Thanks!

MySpace & Video for Undone

2008-06-19T17:59:36Z

I finally did it... caved in and set up a MySpace account! I know, I'm on the tail end of it aren't I? Well, please come visit and friend me if you're on as well! Also, incentive to go check it out... my book video is only up there! So go look, comment, tell me what you think of it!

Brooke's MySpace

First Chance to win an ARC of Undone!

2008-06-13T21:26:37Z

Have you been dying to read UNDONE? I know you wanna, LOL. Well here's your first chance to win an ARC of Undone--

Midnight Twillight's Book Blog Is holding a contest and all you have to do is comment! You could also read the great review she gave it :-)

Thanks everyone!!

On Revision

2008-06-11T15:22:24Z

I never really though about it--but revision--is re-vision, or a new vision. And that is why it is different from just editing. And that is why it is so freaking hard and takes so long. So if all you are doing is changing some sentences around or proofing--you are NOT revising. Don't know how important that is, but sounds important. Huh?

Okay, so I don't know if anyone noticed that Domi wasn't on board with my latest version of Book 2. The image was blurred because the camera couldn't even keep up with him tearing (literally) through the pages with claws fully extended to scratch the ink right from the paper!

Well, he's not the only one who has been ripping apart my work. I've just gone searching for an old scene that I want to try again and realized that not only do I have about 10 old versions of this story, but my official cut out file is a whopping 121 pages. That's almost half a book of cut out scraps.

I've never had a problem with writer's block--clearly with 121 pages of scraps, I am writing. But I do think I have plotter's block. And the sticky plot point just happens to be right at the beginning. Bah!!!

Anyhow... I am confident it will resolve itself with brilliance very soon. In the meantime, another kind of revision. Change of address. With my mom moving so will my mailing addy. See, I'm lazy--I've kept my family home as my mailing addy even though I have my own house and own mail box. Like most things with me, it's complicated. See my mailbox is a country one--which means it is 1/4 mile from my house and on the wrong side of the street--so I always have to park my car, cross the street and get my mail. In other words a pain. My mom's old house was just a block away from my day job--so I was there daily, dropping off my dog and what not. It was just easier to get my mail there. Now I must change. I'm not happy about this. And I'm most certain the new house owners will not be happy to be the "Or Current Resident" for all my catalogs (which for some odd reason all abundant).

So today I started to go address changing at all these catalog places--and guess what--you can't change you addy on the website. ??!!?? It is almost like the catalog has no connection to its own website! In this day and age calling and speak to a human to change my address is ridiculous. If only lazy people were capable of uniting (too much effort) this issue could be resolved.

Catching Up

2008-06-10T16:28:19Z

Roxy at the watering hole 1 week ago

Sorry I've been a horrid blogger of late--I've been totally consumed with all sorts of crazy. First off Miss Puppy--I tried all of the great name suggestions, and as much as I loved Alaska, it just didn't fit her. She is and could be nothing else--Roxy (I call her Roxy Hart, my brother calls her Roxy Music). A little bit rowdy, very girly, and totally trouble. She is a lover of everything. She is also growing like a weed--2 weeks ago she had to haul herself up on her hind legs to drink water from the big tub, now she just has to walk up to it. She weighed 20.7 lbs at her vet visit last week and I'm sure she's grown even more since then. I go to work and she grows, she takes a nap and she grows. She'll be about 95lbs by the end of the year. Yeek.

Roxy about two weeks ago--still little

So, we've been hitting puppy kindergarten class. So much fun. It is hard not to totally die of cuteness when you attend puppy kindergarten.

Second, we are closing on the family house. After my dad passed (lung cancer) a year and a half ago, my mom set out to find a house where she could also keep her horses. We found this dream house about 6 months ago and have been working on it, getting it in shape and now we're in the final stages. The "old" house will be closed on tomorrow. It's bittersweet and the timing ((we found out almost exactly 2 years ago--so it was a fast but fierce fight--and today would've been his 65th birthday--Happy Birthday, Daddy!), brings up lots of feelings. But even sentimental ol' me doesn't feel like the "old" house is ours anymore.

Third, Book Two. It's been kicking my butt, but only because I know it has soooo much potential and I don't want it to be one of those books that "Had so much potential" LOL. So I'm reworking it constantly. I think I'm onto something and am putting into motion to see if if can make the leap from my head to the page and stay intact. A lot of my ideas seem really good in my head, but then as I write them I realize they don't won't have "legs" for the entire book. Some just come off corny or over the top on the page. You just never know.

Domi (Cats Against LiTTeracy Prez)--editing Book 2

So that's what I've been up to. Sadly haven't been reading much--except dog training books--recommended read for those is The Culture Clash.

Breaking Dawn

2008-06-03T20:38:21Z

The cover for Breaking Dawn was revealed (not sure when)--I don't like it as much as the other Twilight covers--but who cares because it has EDWARD CULLEN inside it!!! (I know, I can't help it).

Thursday Morning Book Club

2008-05-29T15:02:28Z

~Summer Edition~

Disturbing, gritty, edgy, dark, banned, forbidden--yes these are some of my favorite reads, but I'll let you in on a little secret, a guilty pleasure if you will-- I love beach reads. A LOT. Pretty much anything with a horse, a life guard, a camp, camping trip, sailing, lake, cabin, beach, an older boy crush who finally sees you as more than a kid, a summer that changes everything... I rip through these books and can feel the sun on my shoulders and the sand in my toes, and I always fall in love with the boys of summer. So in honor of summer here are some reads I'm looking forward to devouring!

OUT NOW! Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel:

And coming soon--a great new Island Summer series from Jenny O'Connell:

Newbie's First Interview

2008-05-27T20:29:54Z

Please go check out my first interview for Lux Magazine's blog--I was nervous about it, but it turned out great! Let me just *cough*cough* share a little:

"Pure and unadulterated, Brooke Taylor’s debut novel Undone, is entertainment. It is without trend, without “market focus”, without imitation. This book wasn’t written to appease a publisher; it was written to appease you. The reader. Her voice isn’t that current upbeat, sarcastic “chick” voice that is so dominant right now. It’s her own voice. Unique. Refreshing. Wonderful. Melodic. Humorous, Heartbreaking."

*blushes*

Okay--please go forth and check out the whole interview and scroll around to catch some other great authors interviews--Jordan Dane, CJ Lyons, Heather Graham, Kim Harrison (there's even an entry on Lipizzaner Stallions which is off topic but way cool):

http://luxmagz.com/lux_blog/

And here:

http://bethanyhensel.blogspot.com/2008/05/so-thrill-me-brooke-taylor.html

Thanks Bethany, for a great interview and for being such a wonderful advocate for books and their authors!

Thursday Morning Book Club

2008-05-22T15:16:54Z

One to read and one to watch for!

Madapple by Christine Meldrum

"THE SECRETS OF the past meet the shocks of the present. Aslaug is an unusual young woman. Her mother has brought her up in near isolation, teaching her about plants and nature and language—but not about life. Especially not how she came to have her own life, and who her father might be.When Aslaug’s mother dies unexpectedly, everything changes. For Aslaug is a suspect in her mother’s death. And the more her story unravels, the more questions unfold. About the nature of Aslaug’s birth. About what she should do next. About whether divine miracles have truly happened. And whether, when all other explanations are impossible, they might still happen this very day.Addictive, thought-provoking, and shocking, Madapple is a page-turning exploration of human nature and divine intervention—and of the darkest corners of the human soul."

Blog readers know how much I love dark corners of the human soul--the cover also grabbed me.

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Another great cover and a concept that I wished I'd come up with--twins born on either side of midnight--one can see the future and one can see the past.

"Meredith and Mallory Brynn are mirror twins born on either side of midnight one snowy New Y ear’s Eve. They have always been inseparable. But after they are nearly killed in a mysterious fire on their thirteenth birthday, the bond that has always joined them unravels. They begin to have visions and dreams that reveal the deep secrets kept by the people around them. Meredith and Mallory realize they have each been given a gift: Mallory can see deep into the past; Meredith can see the future. But when they discover that one boy is not what they imagined, their lives will be changed forever. If they can survive . . . "

Marketing and Me

2008-05-14T15:44:38Z

When I thought about what the day to day life of being an author would entail I imagined sleeping in, putzing about in my PJ's with my laptop at the ready and characters yammering on my head... etc... I really didn't think too hard about marketing and publicity. I sort of thought I could maybe get away with being like that author (played by Jack Nicholson) in As Good As it Gets. Basically a recluse with a bad attitude, expensive apartment, and a cute dog (that I'd never put down the trash chute!). Not so. Last night I had a long conversation about publicity with Bella Stander of Book Promotion 101. It was in turns... painful and enlightening. And then when I went on her blog today I saw the following video (by Dennis Cass, author of HEAD CASE: How I Almost Lost My Mind Trying to Understand My Brain) and had to laugh out loud (LOL). All I can say is at least I'm not the only one.

Shift

2008-05-09T14:24:12Z

You don't have to be patient any longer Jennifer Bradbury's SHIFT is shipping from Amazon early! YAY!

It's Friday...I'm in LOVE!!

2008-05-02T15:37:02Z

With Miss Fluffy BooBoo, my new puppy who will be coming next week. I need a name. I've kind of been referring to her as Cookie. And CoCo is a cute name. I'd love to name her after a cool female character from a book, but my mind is blank. So far Roxy Hart and Harley Quinn have been in the running, but I need desperate help with some suggestions. If your name fits, I'll come up with a cool prize--like chocolate or books.

Onthe TBR Pile

2008-04-30T14:29:16Z

The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Check out the amazing book trailer below, it totally sells itself:

Cradle's Still Rockin'

2008-04-25T14:00:16Z

I actually watched some of last night's Rock The Cradle live... it has gotten better, more performance driven. The band is more involved. And the song choices better. I'm sad about the double eliminations, especially this round because at least one of my favorite people (Chloe Latanzi, Jesse Blaze Snyder, or Lucy Walsh) will be going. I voted for Lucy this round, because she just blew me away with her version of Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade. Beautiful song and I loved her voice. Just perfection.

I enjoyed Chloe's version of Freak on a Leash (and who doesn't love that song?) and I still think she is the most unique and unusual contender. And I do like me some unusual. But I also feel like I've seen enough to know I like her, she needs to work on controlling her vocals, and when she's polished up a bit I'd totally be buying whatever she's got to sell.

That brings us to Jesse Blaze Snyder. He's ready for something. Not sure what. Not sure I'm ready for the eighties rock star revival. I'd like to see him dress more modern, 'cus he's hot and I don't feel like crushing on a guy in patent leather. Been there, done that, got the t-shirts. So please, Jesse, I know you can do it--dress like you belong int his decade. Thank you! Ring of Fire was rockin' btw.

It's all about the ride...

2008-04-21T19:35:29Z

Every guy knows that chicks dig a sweet ride... but a Chinhook? Come on, Wills... stop reaching into Prince Harry's playbook...

"The prince, second in line to the throne, landed a Chinook helicopter -- normally used for transporting troops -- in a field next to the home of Kate Middleton, according to the News of the World tabloid." CNN.com

You have to watch the video!

Filming has begun...SQUEE!

2008-04-17T19:52:48Z

Found this from Trainspotting's Teen Book Review site, she pieced together clips from the filming of Twilight and set them to Paralyzer by Finger Eleven --isn't she an awesome video maker? And just from these tiny clips, I can totally picture the scenes from the book. Very cool. Can't wait. Twilight is probably the only movie I've ever wanted to camp out in front of the theater to be the first to see--so anyone in my general neck of the woods who wants to do the same--let me know and we'll get a posse together (Just remember--I get to be Mrs. Edward Cullen)!

Speaking of books that have been made into movies--what is your take? I enjoy it. Right now I'm reading Fight Club. I saw the movie first, so it may not have quite the impact that it could have. But then again, it may not be nearly as confusing--and while I love the writing, I can see how it might be confusing. Plus I know what is what with you know who.

Going on Recon...

2008-04-16T20:50:03Z

YALSA (did you know they have a cool blog?) and readergirlz are partners in Operation Teen Book Drop (TBD). To celebrate April 17, 2008, Support Teen Literature Day, they've organized a massive, coordinated release of 10,000 publisher-donated YA books into the top pediatric hospitals across the country!

How cool, huh?

They've also rallied multitudes of teen lit authors (like me) to drop an autographed copy of their book somewhere in their community. So I'm getting suited up in my pink camo and going on a scouting mission for the perfect location to Rock the Drop... I may even get a Vanilla Frap while I'm on recon...

If you know an ill or injured teen or one with sick family members or friends, the following books are recommended by YALSA librarians:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793.
Aronson, Sarah. Head Case.
Bingham, Kelly. Shark Girl.
Brashares, Ann. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Crutcher, Chris. Deadline.
Downham, Jenny. Before I Die.
Hautman, Pete. Sweetblood.
Halpern, Julie. Get Well Soon.
Hamilton, Bethany. Soul Surfer: a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board.
Hopkins, Ellen. Impulse.
Koss, Amy Goldman. Side Effects.
Mass, Wendy. Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall.
McDaniel, Lurlene. Six Months to Live.
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. The Off Season.
Napoli, Donna Jo. Breath.
Picoult, Jodi. My Sister's Keeper.
Rapp, Adam. Under the Wolf, Under the Dog.
Runyon, Brent. The Burn Journals.
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie.
Voight, Cynthia. Izzy, Willy-Nilly.
Weaver, Will. Defect.
Westerfeld, Scott. Peeps.
Werlin, Nancy. Double Helix.
Zevin, Gabrielle. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

The books listed here are all about teens whose lives are affected by illness and injury, either their own or a loved one's. Some of these books are realistic fiction, some nonfiction, some historical fiction, some science fiction and fantasy. By reading these books, ill and injured teens, or those with sick family members or friends, will know that they are not alone in their battles against disease.

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

2008-04-10T17:00:48Z

So I've been hard at work on Book #2. And really banging my head on how to tell the story. What POV, How many POV's, how to handle past events, etc... and every day I either am soooo in love with this project or I HATE!!! it with a fiery passion.

I'm pretty sure I felt the same way with UNDONE, so I'm not going to try not to panic. BTW--today I'm in LOVE LOVE LOVE with it... apparently my love is as fleeting as a soap star's, though.

Jordan Woolley, AKA "Nick" on As The World Turns

I LOVE him for being so gorgeous and I hate him for leaving me after only 67 short episodes. Yes, it has been like 2 years (which is 14 in Soap Years) since he left, but I'm not over it.

Not be a long shot.

Super Cool Stuff

2008-04-07T21:12:06Z

Check it out--Flamingnet Young Adult Book Reviews has made UNDONE a Top Choice Book. I even get a little button and everything--go ahead and click it... I'll wait :O)

Super cool, right?!?!

So this weekend I checked out Cradle of Rock (MTV) off my DVR list, and was pleasantly surprised. I'd set it to record, but I thought it was one of those bio type shows--like E! True Hollywood or something. But it's like American Idol for the kids of rock stars. They all did okay, but I didn't agree with the judges on anyone, LOL. And I would've like it better if they didn't have a cheesy Karaoke backdrop and instead did something more like what Rock Star (INXS, Supernova) did. Anyway, my fave is Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe Lattanzi. I think she has the most unique look and sound. Granted she needs some work--I kept expecting her voice to go one way and it went the other, which was jarring--but everyone else just kind of had that cover song feel. She was an original.

Tursday Morning Book Club (Postponed until Friday)

2008-04-04T15:13:47Z

It's been a busy week with a few really exciting snoppy dancing things that I'm totally gruntled about. In fact it was a tressing and turbing week (aside from air conditioner repairs). Am I making no sense? That's because I'm currently reading The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. In it you'll find all sorts of neglected positives like gruntled, tressing and turbing. And even though I enjoy a good disturbing read, I'm totally enjoying being tressed by this one!

Also on the reading list... I went to the book launch of my dear friend Jordan Dane's No One Heard Her Scream and naturally got sucked into the Best of Books Young Adult section. I picked up an autographed copy of Peak by Roland Smith (not sure how a book in Oklahoma got autographed by an author from Oregon--but YAY me!) and I also bought The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Don't know why it has taken me this long to pick it up as it is touted to be "bitterly funny" among other great things.
Did anyone notice that two of the books have dogs on the cover?