Friday, February 8, 2013

Author Event: Dark Days of Winter 2013

Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, February 4, 2013 

Well, 2013 has definitely started off with a book bang! Less than two short months into the year, and I’ve already had the pleasure of attending two amazing author and publisher events. I have a few more in the immediate horizon, so I’ll be sure to continue to bring you updates and share some prize packs from each event. 

For this author event, I had the pleasure of attending the Pitch Dark Days hosted by HarperCollins at the Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach California. There were four amazing authors in the panel which I’m sure you’re all familiar with, including: 

Brodi Ashton author of Everbound; Cynthia Hand author of Boundless; Tahereh Mafi author of Unravel Me; and Veronica Rossi author of Through the Evernight
When I got there, I immediately picked up two books, which I’ll be sharing with our WinterHaven followers in a few, and I was able to grab a seat in the third row! The last time I attended a Dark Days event, there were over 400 people, and I got stuck in the sea of fans. But that’s not all! I was also able to sit next to my book buddy Rachel from The Readers Den, so getting there over an hour early and having some time to chat with Rachel turned out to be the perfect start to this fun night! 

The turnout for this event was great, but still intimate enough that the authors were able to share some insight into their books, characters and writing process. Some random facts I learned: 

· The authors all agreed that their subconscious plays a powerful force in their writing. So if instinct shares something, they run with it. 

· Brodi Ashton’s character Cole is probably the closest to her natural voice, so she finds it easy and fun to write his character. 

· Tahereh Mafi loves writing Warner’s character in her Unravel Me series as it allows her to share a very flawed character that has an ability to delicately balance good and evil. 

· When Veronica Rossi first pitched her Evernight series to a publisher it involved a cocktail event, an exchange of emails, limited writing utensils and her bra… nuff said. : } 

When the authors were asked what helps them get from completing the writing process for one installment and picking up to move on to the next installment, they all agreed that it takes a combination of candy, caffeine, deadlines and wine. Clearly you can see it’s the minor details that catch my attention, right? 

As far as how they feel about completing a series and wrapping up with the final chapters, there seemed to be mixed emotions among the panel. Some find it emotional, but Tahereh was clear to point out that she typically finds herself ready to move on and excited to start the next new story. 
As I mentioned, this event was somewhat intimate, so it really allowed the readers to chat with the authors when the book signing began. I’m probably not the only one that feels this way, but when I meet these authors, I often find myself tongue tied and star-struck, but these authors are so gracious and welcoming that they seem to put their crowd at ease. So awesome!

I was able to get all of my books signed and meet all four authors in attendance. So for today, I’ll be sharing two signed books with ONE lucky WinterHaven follower. For those wanting a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Boundless by Cynthia Hand and Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, simply fill out the rafflecopter below and share a thoughtful comment on these books, authors or event. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

81 comments:

  1. Hi Arlene! I totally didn't know that you were a blogger when I came up to say hi to Rachel before the signing! It was nice to meet you :)

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    1. Hi Nicole! It was so nice to meet you too! Thanks for stopping by. :D

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  2. I haven't read either one so BOTH!!!

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    1. Unravel Me was GREAT! Can you believe I haven't started the Unearthly series? After hearing Cynthia Hand talk about it, I really want to jump into that one soon. Good luck!

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  3. thanks for the awesome post and giveaway!!! I'm dying for Unravel Me :)

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    1. I hope you love it when you read it. Good luck Erin!

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  4. I havent read any of them so either one would do! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  5. Definitely Detergent. I'm dying to finish the series.

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    1. I'm behind on that series Dorothy. I've only read Divergent, and I love it. At this point, I might wait until they are all out.

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    2. I definitely would. Patience is a virtue; one I don't have, lol. If I chose not to read Insurgent, I would be fine right now. But since it's not my choice, I'm dying.

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  6. I just loved Boundless! And I can't wait to read Unravel Me! I would love to go to one of these Dark Days events. Love all of those authors and their books. Glad you had a good time!

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    1. Thank you Sara. The authors were very gracious. It was a good time. I hope you get to attend one soon. Good luck with the giveaway.

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  7. I loved reading about your time at the event. I myself went to the same author event here in NC a couple days ago. I should have my post up soon. ;) I to got all of the signed books and some wonderful pictures to be able to always remember my fun time meeting the author. Thanks for sharing. ;)

    I wont enter the giveaway since I already have the books. hehe ;)
    Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Beckie. I would LOVE to read your write up, so I'll check out your blog and see if you have it up yet. You are more than welcome to enter all of our giveaways!! I'm glad you had a chance to go!! XD

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  8. I haven't read Unearthly yet (but I bought it and it's waiting on my shelf!) so I'd have to go with Unravel Me for now (though I'm firmly Team Adam and from the sound of it, I may be very disappointed with this installment...)

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    1. Actually, I think if you're Team Adam you'll be fine. It's just those that are waving a Team Warner flag that will also get some new insight into this character, which was a nice element to the story. I hope you love it Christine. Good luck!

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  9. These both look great but I've gotta say Unravel Me.

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  10. Both! But Boundless a little bit more... I would love to read them, omg. <3

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    1. I really need to read that series Angela! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

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  11. I'm looking forward the most to the last book of Wither, Matched and Unravel Me ♥

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    1. Oh I have Sever to read!! I'm so eager for that one. Loved the Matched series too!! Good luck Hana. XD

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  12. I haven't read UNRAVEL ME yet but I've been hearing so many great things about it, so I can't wait to!

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    1. It's really good Karielle. I hope you end up enjoying it! Good luck with the giveaway.:D

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  13. Definitely Unravel Me! By the way, in your post, you say "Tahereh Mafi loves writing Warren’s character", just a minor correction but the character's name is actually Warner :)

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    1. EEEP! AND I'm Team Warner!! How did that happen? Thanks for the catch and I love that you read my post so carefully. You rock NARA!! And I fixed it BTW. Thanks for the catch. :)

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  14. While I am sure I'd love both, I am more interested in UNRAVEL ME.

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    1. Good choice Holly. My fave by far!! Good luck!

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  15. Thanks again for saving our seats, Arlene! Lenny & I had a blast with you. :) Btw, I love how you laid out the pictures on your post! It looks great. You ladies are almost at 1600 followers. Wow! That's amazing you deserve it with all the great posts. :)

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    1. You're welcome!! And thank you so much for the tea. So good. :) I always have a blast with both of you. Love our mini book club moments. :) Thank you so much Rachel!! I'll see you tomorrow for round TWO!! XD

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  16. I'm really looking forward to Unravel Me! :D

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. Unravel Me! I absolutely loved Shatter Me! :D

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  18. I'm looking forward to Unravel Me. I loved the other two in this series.

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!

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  19. Unravel Me! Oh how I can't wait to see what happens next!!!!

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  20. Gah! I haven't read either of those books, so BOTH! How awesome was it to meet all four of those authors? I'm a little envious. ;) Thank you for the amazing giveaway.

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  21. There are so many books I'm looking forward to this year. The Goddess Inheritance, The Clockwork Angel and The Collector...just to name a few. Thank you for the awesome giveaway

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  22. I'm eager to read them both, but I'm more excited for Unravel Me!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  23. I can't decide between the two. I'd love to read both of them!

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  24. Unravel Me. Even though I wasn't blown away by Shatter Me, I am still anxious to read the rest of the series, I think it is going to get much better. Plus, I had a weird dream about Warner last week and now I'm desperate to read more about him lol.

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  25. Unravel Me!! Wait..Boundless! So hard to choose!! Thanks for the chance to win!
    Brittany S

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  26. Can I say both of them?! LOL
    Thanks for the great giveaway! It looks like you had lots of fun at the event!

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  27. Unravel me. Thank you so much for the giveaway! :)

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  28. they both sound good! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  29. I wanna read unravel me!! :

    rachelanniramos at yahoo dot com

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  30. That must have been amazing to got to I wish I did!

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  31. Both of these are a def read for me, but Unravel Me would be my top top pick!

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  32. Wow the book signing must've been awesome! I'm most definitely excited for Boundless! It's the end after all!

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  33. Both but Boundlessis the last one in the series so I cant Wait to see how it ends

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  34. Although I haven't read Shatter Me, I would have to say Unravel Me just because I heard it was really good. ;)
    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  35. UNRAVEL ME all the WAY!!! I just read Shatter Me and I loved it!

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  36. I'm dying to read Unravel Me!! I loved Shatter Me though I may have to do a reread before getting to Unravel Me. Sounds like you had a fun time!

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  37. I'm looking forward to Unravel Me :)

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  38. UNRAVEL ME!!! the buzz about chapter 62 is driving me crazy!

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  39. I've already read Boundless, absolutely loved it! Can't wait ro read Unravel Me!
    Thanks for a giveway! :)

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  40. I already read Unravel Me and it was AWESOME! I really wanted to have a signed copy of it. And Boundless looks good too. :)

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  41. Oh, Unravel me, that's for sure! I love WARNER!!! *-*

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  42. I have heard Unravel Me is the one to wait for! All the reviews are AWESOME! I would love to have a signed copy, that would be wonderful! Awesome Giveaway!
    Jenna_bearden_10152005(at)yahoo.com

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  43. I cant wait for Unravel Me!!!

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  44. I want to read Unravel Me so bad! That chapter 62 everyone seems to be talking about!! *A*

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  45. Looking forward to reading both books. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. I can't wait to read Unravel Me! I'm so excited to read Chapter 62! lol

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  47. I am really looking forward to Unravel Me! I heard that it is Warner's book and he was probably my favorite character in Shatter Me =D

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  48. Both! I've read the books in both series!

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  49. I'm looking forward to September Girls and Light (by Michael Grant)

    Thanks for the chance!

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  50. I'm looking forward to With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent(:

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