Catching my breath

Gosh, it's been a whirlwind lately.

First, in case you missed it, I wanted to share the "Behind the Scenes" video Steve and I made in Cambridge this past summer with the help of Harry, a grad student at Corpus Christi College. Though the video is expertly edited by Flatline Films, it soon will become very clear to you that Steve and I are not professional filmmakers. (Brace yourself for babbling and shaky cam!) Still, I'd love for you to see the setting of The Dark Between, and I know you'll be charmed by Harry.


My favorite part is the Monty Python-esque "Huge amounts of land" moment! Of course, Harry also shares details on murder, brothels, punting accidents, and somehow even manages to work Beyonce into the conversation.

So what else has been going on? Well . . .

-- I went on tour with Tessa Gratton, Tara Hudson, and Myra McEntire.


We hit Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Tess recapped the trip for Publishers Weekly!

-- I had a wee launch party at Barnes & Noble in Norman, and a signing at Best of Books in Edmond.


We enjoyed a Dark Between cake at the "after party" in Norman, and at Best of Books there were Dark Between cookies created by Amber Loberg. :)

And this week, Tessa, Tara, and I will make 11 library visits in 5 days. Insanity, right? And yet, so cool! Here's a poster for our Blanchard stop (click to enlarge):


You can find all the details at the Pioneer Library System webpage or check the events calendar at my webpage.

Big Hugs to all of you who came to events! Hope to meet more readers in the coming days.

P.S. If you've read The Dark Between, would you please consider reviewing it at Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble? It doesn't have to be a long review or a 5 star review, just an honest assessment. (I've developed a thicker skin. Really.) This sort of thing helps tremendously, and I'd be ever so grateful.

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Introducing the YA AdVANture Tour!

Four Authors, Five Cities, ONE MINIVAN.

That's right -- I'm doing a wee book tour with Myra McEntire (author of the HOURGLASS Trilogy), Tara Hudson (author of the ELEGY Trilogy), and Tessa Gratton (author of BLOOD MAGIC, BLOOD KEEPER and THE LOST SUN) in a supercool minivan (yes, minivans ARE cool!) to visit bookstores and libraries in the South and Midwest.

Thursday, September 5th: Irving, TX
Barnes & Noble, Frisco, TX @ 7:00 p.m.
Stonebriar Center Mall, Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 668-2820

Friday, September 6th: Little Rock, AR
Barnes & Noble @ 6:00 p.m.
11500 Financial Ctr Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211
(501) 954-7646

Saturday, September 7th: Memphis, TN
The Booksellers at Laurelwood @ 7:00 p.m.
387 Perkins Extd Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-9801

Sunday, September 8th: St. Louis, MO
Left Bank Books @ 4:00 p.m.
Off-site library location TK

Monday, September 9th: Kansas City, KS
Mysteryscape @ 6:30
7309 W 80th St Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 649-0000

Won't you come see us? :)

Mountain retreat

Last week I joined 10 other writers for a retreat in Black Mountain, NC. Here's a quick photo essay of the highlights:


Gorgeous scenery!


Wooded walks


Sunset views


Cozy writing corners


Dinner table chats


Indie bookstore events (photo shamelessly stolen from Malaprops' Twitter feed)

My sincere thanks go out to Natalie Parker for planning this epic retreat, to all the participating authors for sharing their wisdom, warmth, and humor, and to Malaprops for hosting a fabulous YA author event!

[Cross-posted from Livejournal]

Haunted Seminary Tour

This past Friday I met up with pals Brandi, Martha and Karen for the Haunted Seminary Tours in Tahlequah. I was scheduled to do a reading, accompany the first tour and sign books, but it felt more like a visit to an old friend than an "author appearance." Now that it's behind me, I can tell you that returning to the setting of The Revenant on a dark and chilly October night was the perfect way to celebrate Halloween!


How can you not love Seminary Hall in all her spooktacular evening glory? To those familiar with the book -- Willie's room is in the right turret, second floor. We had to laugh because the lights were on, but on the wrong side. And yet, do you notice a funky light in Willie's window? Or is that just me? (Click to embiggen) I know the right turret was completely dark when I took this picture.


Karen, Brandi and Martha admire Seminary Hall at night. So atmospheric! (Notice statue of Sequoyah behind them.)


Posing with Martha and Karen (& the book!).


Marie Madison, graduate student in English at Northeastern State University, was my contact for this event. Proceeds from the Haunted Seminary Tours enable NSU grad students to attend professional conferences and present papers. As a former starving grad student, I'm all for that!


You guys, I PHOTOGRAPHED AN ORB! A GHOSTLY ORB!

Okay, maybe it was just a flash effect, but Brandi (& others) heard ghostly typewriter sounds on the third floor. Apparently, many of the hauntings at Seminary Hall are auditory.


This is my favorite part -- I remembered it well from the first tour I attended over 2 years ago. Our guide shared the story of a professor who was alone on the third floor and heard someone running up and down the hall, but she could never catch the offender. Apparently, this is one of the most common auditory hauntings. Years ago, when the wiring above the drop ceiling was getting an upgrade, these footprints were discovered on the original plaster ceiling. Aren't they creepy? Is this a ghostly residue of the primaries who once ran up and down the halls?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!

(I will announce the winner of the signed copies of BLOOD MAGIC, HEREAFTER, and THE REVENANT later today!)

Weekend recap

Had a great time with Tara Hudson, Tessa Gratton and Natalie Parker this weekend. Our events at Full Circle Bookstore and Norman Public Library were intimate and lively.

Clever Natalie created a banner from a photo she took at Full Circle Bookstore -- yay!

We chatted for quite a while with the group at Norman Public Library. I love Tessa's mischievous expression here -- I think she's channeling Josephine from BLOOD MAGIC.

Ha ha!

Today I am ever so grateful for independent bookstores, local libraries, and author friends.

Stay tuned for a giveaway!

Writerly weekend with a spooky twist!

This weekend Tara Hudson, Tessa Gratton, and I will be appearing at two events in central Oklahoma. Here are the details:

Saturday at 3 pm -- Full Circle Bookstore, 50 Penn Place, 1900 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City

"Supernatural Extravaganza!!!! Full Circle proudly presents three of Oklahoma’s premier authors in their first ever joint book signing! Young adult fiction authors, Tara Hudson, Hereafter; Tessa Gratton, Blood Magic; and Sonia Gensler, Revenant, will sign copies of their thrillers in the café. Join us if you dare!!!"

(Hey, they made Tessa an honorary Oklahoman. Actually, she's from Kansas, but Oklahoma is proud to have her!)

Sunday at 2 pm -- Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster Ave, Norman, OK.

"Tales of ghosts and ghouls will fill the air of the Norman Public Library, with three paranormal fiction authors coming to the library to share their stories.

The library will host authors Tessa Gratton, Tara Hudson and Sonia Gensler at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, in Room A/B of the library, 225 N. Webster Ave." Check this link for more details.

Hope to see you soon!

Last minute things . . .

First off, I wanted to remind you to watch Zen on Masterpiece Mystery starting July 17. Entertainment Weekly calls it "PBS' best mystery import in years."


It figures that Rufus Sewell, one of my favorite imaginary boyfriends, would make a critically acclaimed appearance on American TV the week after I leave for the UK. Oh well, that's what DVRs are for.

And now, a few photos from my signing at the Clarksville, TN Borders this past Sunday:


Me and my 94-year-old grandmother, Ruby. Like I said on Facebook, she was a writer long before I was born! It was so lovely to have her there.


My dad's family -- my brother Ernest, husband Steve, me, Dad, his wife Jing, and my stepsister Dionne (a.k.a. "Dr. Peacher" - yay!).


My mom's family -- my brother Jason, Ernest, Mom, me, sister Heather, and the little ones are my darling nieces Samantha and Shelby.


My ex-stepmother Rosemary and her charming friend, Kim.


Childhood friends! Glenda, me, Leigh and DeAnne. Michelle arrived later, and we all had a chance to sit and chat. Perfect ending to a really nice event.

I was so pleased to see so many friends and family members (as well as family members of friends) at the signing. Fellow Elevensie Victoria Schwab made an appearance, bearing a gift of the most delicious cake pops I've ever eaten. Thanks, V! Also met book blogger Shannon. Hooray!

Thanks to everyone for making it a very special day for me.

Finally, I wanted to remind the writers out there that Novel Novice is hosting a fabulous ghost story writing contest (sort of like ghostly "flash fiction"), in which copies of The Revenant are being offered as prizes. Check it out here.

Okay . . . next time I'll be writing from Oxford!

Writerly weekend

This past weekend my critique group enjoyed our annual writing retreat by Lake Tenkiller in Tahlequah.


One of our activities was to visit the Cherokee Heritage Center, which now features a wonderful temporary exhibit on the Cherokee Female Seminary. Above you see Martha, me, Brandi (w/ baby Alexandra inside) and Dee Dee standing in front of the remains of the original seminary structure, which stood in Park Hill until it was destroyed by fire in 1887. (See an eerie 19th century photo of the remains here.)

Fellow crit buddy Kelly took the photo, and Lisa arrived at the lake later in the day. Part of me hopes Brandi Barnett will post a photo of the entire group on her blog, but another part would prefer not to be reminded of how rough I looked over the weekend (especially after our amazing/terrifying/death-defying tube ride on the lake).


On Sunday the gang joined me for my Tulsa B&N signing with the wonderful Tara Hudson. Lots of lovely friends stopped by, and we managed to sell out of books! It was great hanging out with Tara -- not only does she write Okie ghost stories (learn more about Hereafter here), but she's a kindred spirit in other ways, as well. Hooray for writerly friends!