A. G. Howard Book Signing Wrap Up + Giveaway

February 19, 2014 Bookish Events, giveaways 11

On Friday, February 7th, A. G. Howard was in town and there was a book signing. I wasn’t aware that the bookstore had a separate building for bookish events and was surprised at how dead it was. I browsed a bit and then Howard herself walked into the store and was told she was in the wrong location. So there she goes and I’m following her! Good thing it was in the same vicinity! On arrival I bought 4 copies: 2 of Splintered & 2 of Unhinged. The cashier mentioned she was a book blogger too, but I didn’t get a chance to get her blog name and exchange info.

The highlight of the evening wasn’t only Howard, but meeting Danielle from Consuming Worlds! We’ve talked before and haven’t had a chance to meet up and yay for this event! It was awesome finally connecting with another blogger and I had fun chatting with her and her husband.
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I tried to get a few more pictures of Howard before the event, but alas I failed miserably! I can say she’s super cute! I admit, I was sad I hadn’t finished Splintered before the book signing because she was awesome and if I had been in the audience with zero clue as to who she was, I would have bought the books right then and there.

Some of the answers are written in third / first or a combo of the both. The reason for this is partly because of the way my notes were written. I was scribbling like crazy in the background while she spoke.

What drew you to write about Alice?
Inspired by the Tim Burton movie and how vivid it was and wanted to be in that world. For Splintered, wanted it to be a departure but part of the original Alice.

Are you writing book 3?
Deadline for book 3 is in March. 4 ½ chapters away from finishing for a January 2015 release date. Might write another novella to tie people over.

Did you conduct research on Alice?
Yes, read Alice I Was. Did some online research but did not want to know too much. Used Alice’s middle name Pleasance to set the series in. Included Easter eggs throughout the books for those who are fans of Alice to recognize. Unhinged uses a lot of Through the Looking Glass.

How did you get the idea for litter box to kill bugs?
Have to take elements of the real world. Researched how to preserve bugs.

Is the font purple or black because I can’t tell?
It’s purple.

Can you tell us a little about the Splintered book cover?
First cover was a bit anime looking and felt it moved away too much from the story. First cover looked like she was Eve in the Garden of Eden and wanted her to look more wild and as if she’d been through a journey.

Interesting writing quirk?
I keep Hoops & Yoyo on my writing desk. Use to have a blue agate ring because agate is good for forming words but then lost it. Needs to have music to write. Listened to classical for Splintered with no words because it would bother me. Now can listen to music with words and playlists used while writing on my website.

ETA: Howard kindly clarified the music question. So disregard what I say above: “I actually listened to vocals music w/Splintered. I have a playlist here, if you ever want to hear the songs: http://splinteredbook1.blogspot.com/p/playlist.html

It was the very first books I wrote, early when I was learning to write, that I listened to classical. In the beginning songs w/vocals got in the way of my own thoughts. But then, once I finally had the craft down, something clicked, and it didn’t bother me to hear music w/words after that. ;)”

Favorite character?
Morpheus. Only because he challenged me and never bored with him. I never know what he’s going to do. As a writer you have to rein him in and some of the twists in Splintered are because of him. I adore Jeb. He’s my knight.

How many times did you rewrite Splintered before it was accepted by a publisher?
6 people read it and rewrote it maybe twice. With an editor it was one rewrite. My editor and I can see eye to eye on a few things. So maybe 4 times rewritten by the time it was published.

Advice for writers?
Don’t delete any book you’ve written because you never know when you might be able to use parts of it. I have things saved at least in 5 different locations.

Anything other than the Splintered series written or planned?
Yes. Wrote 7 books before being published and got agent for book 4. Trying to find a publisher for a historical fiction book set in Victorian England. It’s a love triangle and might be paranormal New Adult.

And as some of you know, the tradition of getting a character inscription continues. I asked Howard for a Morpheus inscription because he holds my heart (sorry Jeb fans!) and even joked that I wanted a train to run Jeb over. LOL! She was very kind to honor my request and said she knew the perfect inscription that he wanted me to have.
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giveaway
One person will win a signed set of Splintered & Unhinged plus your choice of button (either Team Jeb or Team Morpheus) and a necklace. It is for US only (sorry everyone international. Shipping is expensive! I do have a few signed Howard bookmarks though so keep an eye out for a giveaway for them). Giveaway ends on March 1st at 2 am EST. Good luck!

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11 Responses to “A. G. Howard Book Signing Wrap Up + Giveaway”

  2. A.G. Howard

    What a great post! Thank you for coming to the signing and taking such FAB notes on the questions! BTW, I actually listened to vocals music w/Splintered. I have a playlist here, if you ever want to hear the songs: http://splinteredbook1.blogspot.com/p/playlist.html

    It was the very first books I wrote, early when I was learning to write, that I listened to classical. In the beginning songs w/vocals got in the way of my own thoughts. But then, once I finally had the craft down, something clicked, and it didn’t bother me to hear music w/words after that. 😉

    It was so nice meeting you and I hope maybe we can do it again for book 3. 🙂 I loved Alamosa Books!

    Reply

    • Jessica

      Thanks for the clarification regarding music! I usually write wrap ups the night of the event so I don’t forget anything, but alas I waited on this one. I’ve modified the question above to include your comment. 🙂

      Ah, maybe by the time I finish Unhinged I’ll be Team Jeb. 😉 It was lovely meeting you too and hopefully we can meet again for book 3.
      Jessica recently posted…A. G. Howard Book Signing Wrap Up + GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply

      • A.G. Howard

        Yep, I noticed that you crossed out the original answer. BTW, if you want to post my playlist link up there along with my actual answer, I don’t mind! I like for readers to experience the music that inspired the scenes.

        Also, please keep me posted about whose team you’re on after book 2! You can tweet me anytime! I love chatting w/readers. <3 Thanks again so much for the post. 🙂

        Reply

      • A.G. Howard

        OH, just noticed that you did give them the link to the playlist! Thank you! 🙂 Hope you enjoy book 2. I’ve also posted your giveaway on my website in the contests/giveaway page so maybe we’ll get lots of traffic over here. 😉

        Reply

  5. Rylee Pies

    I absolutely loved Splintered! I love A.G. Howard’s twist on the story. She has to be my favorite author yet this year.

    Reply

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