Happy Full Moon New Year!

Tonight the full moon ushers in the new year! What a wonderful omen! A full moon is an excellent time for completion. I love to finish projects on the night of a full moon, whether they're small, like cleaning a closet (ugh), or major like typing "the end" on a manuscript. Sadly, I won't be finishing BURNED tonight, but I am working on completing a major scene. And there's always a closet that needs cleaning...

Here's hoping the close of this year brings a sense of completion to you, and also an excitement for adventures to come!

This lovely painting is called FULL MOON DANCER and it's by my good friend Allie Jensen (I own the original, and it's even more beautiful in person!). Allie's website is www.alliej.com. Please respect that this piece of art is copyrighted, which means if you'd like to post it you need permission from Allie to do so.

Happy New Year!
PC

I heart Scotland!

Check out who made the list - three times! Kristin and I are sending a big WE HEART YOU to Scotland (I mean even more than usual)!

Children’s Top 10 Scottish Titles 2009

1. Eclipse, by Stephanie Meyer.

2. New Moon, by Stephanie Meyer.

3. Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer.

4. Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyer.

5. Broons Annual 2010: Scotland’s Happy Family That Makes Every Family Happy.

6. Broons/Oor Wullie: v. 14: The Glory Years.

7. Marked – House of Night Bk. 1, by P. C. Cast/Kristin Cast.

8. Stick Man, by Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler.

9. Betrayed – House of Night Bk. 2, by P. C. Cast/Kristin Cast.

10. Hunted – House of Night Bk. 5, by P. C. Cast/Kristin Cast.

Chart based on sales of Children’s books in Scottish stores of Waterstone’s.

Happy Holidays to All!

I'm deep into BURNED (yes, looks like the release will be April 27th), but I wanted to take a moment to wish y'all happy, happy holidays! Here's hoping you receive the gift of your heart's desire.

Merry Yule!
PC

ELPHAME'S CHOICE

Lovely MIRA is the Mills & Boon (that's Harlequin for the US folks) imprint that's releasing all of my Partholon novels in the UK. Thought y'all would like to see their version of the cover, and this nice review from Night Owl. Oh, and the next novel in the series, BRIGHID'S QUEST will be released in March.

Happy reading!
PC


Title: Elphame's Choice
Young Adult Parthalon Books

Authors: P.C. Cast

Genres: * Young Adult - A YA Insider Review, * Sci-Fi / Fantasy - A SFF Insider Review

Available: Dec 16, 2009

Online Link: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=5415

Score: 5.00 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick

Review:

There is s much I want to say about this book I don't even know where to begin. First off, I LOVED the Parthenon series and P.C. Cast is quickly becoming my favorite author of all time. I loved her Goddess Summoning series as well, anyway...This book fits in perfectly with the Parthenon series, it is actually set a hundred and some years after Rhiannon. The characters in this book are so vivid and so devoted to their faith it almost makes me jealous, and wish that I could also have that kind of faith in something, anything really. P.C. Cast makes you feel like you are in the book and you are actually there with the people and apart of everything. While reading (even up to 25 hours without sleep) it was like I was watching a movie and you know one of the characters is about to do something stupid and you are yelling at the TV "DON'T GO IN THERE" but they don't listen to you, of course. While reading this book I squealed, I laughed, I cried (yes, I actually did), I yelled, and I absolutely fell head over heels in love with Lochlan. Wow, what a character...I love him, and adore him absolutely. I know I can get an older copy of Brighid's Quest but...I want to wait so my whole series will match the re-release from Mira. I can't get enough, I have to go read the Parthenon series again, just because I don't want to let this world go just quite yet. Oh yes, and P.C. Cast doesn't disappoint, her signature sexy steam is in this book as well.

OKLAHOMA TODAY INTERVIEW

As you guys know I'm working working working on BURNED so that it can make the release date of April 27th (stressssss), and I'm really not giving interviews right now, BUT when OKLAHOMA TODAY contacted me, well, I had to say yes. Cool home state magazine - absolutely! So first they sent over the photographer, Evan Taylor, and even I had fun during the photo session (I hate to get my picture taken. Seriously.) I'll post some of the pics he took when he gives me the okay. Oh, and for you Okies, the interview will be in one of the spring issues, probably right around the release date of BURNED. But check this out - Evan gave Kristin and me his business cards, and on the back of each of them he has printed different mustaches! That you can stick on your lip and act goofy about! Naturally, Kristin and I had to play and take pictures ourselves. So, see, even while I'm in my writing cave I still have SOME fun!

XXXOOO
PC

My Amazing Agent

Many of you have asked about my agent, so I thought I'd post this excellent interview with her she recently gave on a literary agent blog. As an intro, Meredith Bernstein has been my agent since 2001. Since then we have also become close friends. If you've read many of my interviews about the House of Night you'll know that Meredith came up with the idea for the series (Yea Meredith!). Meredith's sense of commercial timing is always impeccable. She is honest, forthright, and savvy. If you want to know more about her and what kind of authors she is interested in representing you need to do your homework. A good place to start (after reading this interview) is THE AGENTS MARKET. Basically, go to the writers' resource section at your local bookstore or library and begin taking notes. Finding an agent is as important as it is difficult - but you need the right agent for you and your work. For all you aspiring authors out there: BEST OF LUCK!



Agent Advice: Meredith Bernstein of the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency
Posted by Chuck

Agent Interview by
contributor Ricki Schultz.

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Meredith Bernstein of Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency. Meredith has been an agent for over 25 years and has run her own agency for most of that time. (She has no agency website.)

She is looking for: both literary and mainstream fiction, with a focus on psychological suspense, medical and legal thrillers, and love stories. In terms of romance, she's looking for contemporary, historical, paranormal, and suspense. For nonfiction, she seeks authors who are leaders in their field with strong commercial ties. She does not accept e-mail queries. Please query with SASE: Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency, 2095 Broadway, Suite 505, New York, NY 10023.


GLA: How did you become an agent?

MB: It happened organically. I was working for another literary agent as a Gal Friday (not to date myself), and I really did basic secretarial-type things. A friend called and suggested we meet the following weekend at a writer’s conference in Long Island—and I asked my boss if he would “send” me.
As it happened, I met a writer who seemed like another Anne Frank incarnate, and she had written a book about the impact of keeping a journal. She gave me her “book” to read on the train ride home—and I fell in love with it. I knew one publisher because he was also a client of my boss, so I told him about the book, messengered it over, and he called me the next day to make an offer.

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

MB: Because I have been doing this for a long time, the things I have most recently sold are new deals for existing clients. That said, the most exciting “new” thing is the House of Night series by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast, which is in the YA category. It’s about a vampire finishing school and has been near the top of the New York Times bestseller list for well over a year now—and going strong with the latest title, Tempted. I have also just sold another parenting book in the bestselling No-Cry series by Elizabeth Pantley to McGraw-Hill.
And, I’m just completing an audio deal for my 2009 National Book Award nominee, David Carroll, for Following the Water: A Hydromancer’s Notebook from Houghton-Mifflin.

GLA: What are you looking for right now and not getting? What do you pray for when tackling the slush pile?

MB: I am always looking and praying for very compelling narrative nonfiction; and an unforgettable love story; and fiction that has a voice that you not only never want to walk away from—but that begs you to turn the page. If you are writing any of these—send them my way! I am also looking for literary fiction that has a haunting effect.


GLA: You represent a wide array of categories in both fiction and nonfiction, but I didn't see anywhere online listing you as accepting juvenile literature—yet the House of Night series is huge. Are you currently seeking young adult or middle-grade lit?

MB: Because of my success with the Casts, I am now getting and seeking more YA. As for middle-grade, I still don’t feel confident I really know enough about it.

GLA: Do you notice any trends in what you tend to represent? Subgenres or
elements that particularly grab you?

MB: I am extremely eclectic by nature, so whatever I represent that is of a “genre” is because I have responded to some element of that author’s creativity more than anything else.



GLA: Any topics that don’t capture your interest?

MB: Military history.



GLA: How do you prefer to be queried?

MB: Snail mail, please.


GLA: If you were teaching a class on nonfiction writing and submitting, what would be item number one on your syllabus?

MB: An inside-out knowledge of one’s subject matter. I also think that when one loves what they are writing about, it shows—and the reader can feel it. For example, when I read Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, I was simply transported. I look for a writer who can transport me.



GLA: What would writers be surprised to know about you personally?

MB: That I am extremely artistic—and I do a mean “Hokey-Pokey.”



GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers’ conferences where writers can
meet and pitch you?

MB: RWA (July 28-31 2010) in Nashville is the next one.



GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven’t talked about yet?

MB: I respect people that work really hard at what they do. If you want to stay successful in this business, you have to understand that there is always someone else ready to move into your limelight. If you look at some of the names on the bestseller lists that have been there for years, I assure you—it is no accident. These writers deliver the goods that the public wants. It is their job to keep the readership wanting it!

This agent interview by Ricki Schultz,
freelance writer and coordinator of
Shenandoah Writers in VA. Visit her blog
or follow her on Twitter.


Want more on this subject?

* How can you improve your query letter?
* Need to write your query to Meredith and want some guidance? Check out The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters.
* Have some questions on your road to landing a literary agent? Ask me! Join me for my "How to Get a Literary Agent" webinar on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 - and learn about queries, proposals, synopses, submissions, research and much more.

Back in the US!

Hi Guys!
Well, I've returned to beautiful, sunny, but cold Oklahoma. My Scotties mauled me, but now aren't speaking to me. My cat, Patchy Poo the Pud, is disdainful and actually being nice to Kristin (who he's hated for more than a decade) just to show how annoyed he is at me.

Of course I'm already missing Scotland! But I'm a lucky woman to have two countries I love so much. Speaking of - here's a picture right out the back door of the cottage I stayed at. This is what it looked like for, oh, about five minutes:


This is what it looked like for the rest of the time (when I could actually take a picture through the rain). SERIOUSLY. It rained for almost three weeks. Sigh. But it was good for writing.


I did go to Dublin for a couple days (loved it!). Popped into this great bookstore and signed stock:


Then I got my amazing tattoo from incredibly talented Alan who owns the Art House Tattoo Studio in Monaghan. No, I'm NOT showing you a picture of it on my body (jeesh, nosy people!), but this is the gorgeous sketch Alan did of it. Yes, it's a great big bull with a goddess within it. Oh, and it's on my thigh.


Okay, back to working hard on BURNED now. Looks like the release date will be April 27th, if I get it in on time. Wish me luck!

XXXOOO
PC