Deadline for Submissions Extended

We're looking for published authors who have astonishing, surprising ghost stories with a great twist. Leap Books only accepts work from agents, but we're having an open call for submissions. This may be your chance to get a foot in the door and help a charity at the same time.

For more information, visit our home page or click
HERE for more information.


All proceeds to benefit charity.

Meet Author Judith Graves

Want to meet the author of the Skinned Series? Judith Graves will be appearing at the following venues. Learn more about writing, technology, and the behind-the-scenes life of an author. Lots of programs to choose from. And best of all many of them are FREE.

 

May 14: Edson Public Library. Edson, AB. Four, 40-min. writing workshops. Behind the scenes with a YA author, Fiction to DIE for, and anything the fine folks in Edson want to chat about. Starting at 10am-2pm. Sign up at the Edson Public Library 780-723-6691.

May 28: Alberta Association of Library Technicians Annual Conference: 2011 Get Connected. Edmonton, AB. Author Visits to Die For. Judith Graves offers an overview of what makes a virtual author visit successful, the technology basics, and how to connect students or library patrons with authors willing to provide this wonderfully interactive (and inexpensive!) service.

May 28: Young Alberta Book Society’s AGM. Red Deer, AB. Imagery to DIE for: Booktrailers, vlogs and more. I will introduce the importance of engaging readers online through the use of enticing booktrailers, informative yet entertaining vlogs, as well as how to create podcast readings that leave them craving more. Beef up your social media presence using these tools and watch your promotions go viral (but not in a zombie apocalypse sorta way).

October (dates TBA): Young Alberta Book Society TALEBLAZERS Lit Fest. Touring schools and libraries across Alberta, discussing my journey from singer/songwriter to Young Adult Paranormal fiction author. I explore what makes fiction to DIE for, how to develop characters that ROCK, and how to REVAMP your work (revision with BITE!). I can’t wait to meet all students, library staff and teachers.

November 18-20th: Pure Speculation Fest (Edmonton). I’ll be connecting with my inner geek and being general fangirl at this amazing sci-fi/fantasy convention. Can’t wait to sit on more panels with the Steampunk Scholar and other wonderful authors. If I get myself in gear (pun intended), there’s a chance I might actually have a steampunk costume to DIE for. ;)

Want a Free Book?

 One of the authors who is contributing to Leap Books forthcoming Spirited anthology, Linda Joy Singleton, has a FREE YA paranormal romance available for the month of May only. You can check out the book trailer HERE. Better yet, just pick up your FREE copy of Dead Girl Walking for the Nook and Kindle at Amazon.


And watch for Spirited this October.

FOR THE LOVE OF STRANGERS Goes to College

Students in Corning Community College’s Children’s Literature course got some unexpected help with their class book project when author Jackie Horsfall popped in. Jackie brought along a show-and-tell bag full of her 18 published books and foreign editions, magazine stories, examples of galley proofs, and talked about the inspiration behind her debut novel For the Love of Strangers.

The class had recently discussed YA magical realism,  read several Printz and Newbery award-winning books, and bombarded her with questions: How long does it take to write a novel? How do you find an illustrator? What’s your favorite genre?  Do you have an agent? What do writers earn? 

She also gave the class pointers on creating their class project—an illustrated picture book—and their individual book projects. At the end of the class period, Jackie was invited back for the party at the end of the semester, with the unveiling of their own books.

And if you haven't had a chance to read Jackie's wonderful tale of a teen adopted from a Russian orphanage as a child, you'll want to pick up a copy of your own. As Patricia Hermes (award-winning author of You Shouldn’t Have to Say Goodbye, Mama, Let’s Dance, and Dear America/My America series) says:

“For the Love of Strangers instantly drew me into this poignant tale of a Russian adoptee, then continued to intrigue as it masterfully interwove threads of past and present into a haunting, lyrical novel that echoes in the heart and mind long after the pages are closed.”

Interior and cover art by award-winning artist, Mary B. Kelly.

Canadian Book Week

To celebrate Canadian book week, we're featuring our Canadian authors and illustrators.

TAKE 2--

Next up is our award-winning, Canadian graphic artist, Val Cox...

Val is responsible for the cool and edgy designs in two of our paranormal books, Freaksville and Under My Skin. Watch for more of Val's work in upcoming books.

Here are a few of Val's designs:

Canadian Book Week

To celebrate Canadian book week, we're featuring our Canadian authors and illustrators this week. First up is Canadian author Judith Graves. Judith is the author of the Skinned Series. Her first book, Under My Skin, was a recommended read by the Canadian library journal, CM.

A singer, songwriter, author, library tech... Judith is multi-talented.

 To see Judith in action, here are a few videos you can check out. And be sure to visit her website.
 

http://dawn-ius.blogspot.com/2011/02/inspired-by-youthand-judith.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxrurf7cdzw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gest9o8Sslg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s3kQ4nnSEk

And here's a bit more about her books...

Praise for Under My Skin

"Under My Skin is a roller-coaster romp through a supernatural world filled with scary beasties, otherworldly magic, and characters you'll root for. Eryn is a tough but likable protagonist whose paranormal problems make a compelling story full of mystery, magic, action and romance. A fun and engaging read. I'm looking forward to the sequel."

~Rosemary Clement-Moore, award-winning author of Prom Dates from Hell, Hell Week, Highway to Hell and The Splendor Falls

"...fans of paranormal YA fiction will appreciate a protagonist with attitude and anticipate the next volume in the planned trilogy, Second Skin, to be released in 2011. Recommended."

~CM Magazine, The Manitoba Library Association

Book 2 in the series, Second Skin, will come out this year.

Winner at Princess Bookie

Congratulations to the winner of an autographed copy of Stakeout by Bonnie J. Doerr in the Princess Bookie Contest Craze.

Be sure to watch for the giveaway of For the Love of Strangers by Jacqueline Horsfall coming soon in the contest.