Teaser Tuesday

Hi again. First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes I received yesterday; you guys rock! So, thank you everybody! Tis Tuesday, therefore tis teaser time. (Say that five times fast, I dare you). Today, we learn why its never a good idea to piss off a faery queen.


I felt my legs getting longer, thinner, my fingers turning into cloven hooves. I screamed again, but what left my throat was the agonized bleat of a deer.





Now its your turn to post a non-spoilery teaser from your current read. And, if you have requests for next week's teaser, just put them in the comments and I'll try to oblige. :)

A very sushi birthday!

Hey everyone! No Faery Interview this week (cause I was bad and lazy and didn't get questions out to anyone), but I was celebrating a birthday this weekend so I'll use that as an excuse. :) Last night I went to Longhorn Steakhouse (Mmm!), then to Borders to pick up a copy of Ballad. But Borders, staying true to its tradition of never having books out on their release date, didn't have it in yet. So I picked up a copy of the Everafter, instead.




I also got a copy of Mini Ninjas for the PS3.













I love this game so far! Think "Tenchu Assassins" meets "Super Mario Brothers." Apparently, its really short, and I'm kinda sad that it isn't longer, but other than that its amazing and funny and just plain fun, which is what a game is supposed to be. I highly recommend it.

Tonight, continuing the birthday extravaganza, we're going out for sushi with my parents, and the day after THAT we're going to the zoo and then to Sake Blue for ... you guessed it ... even MORE sushi!









If you can't tell, I looooooooove sushi! I also want this cake.

Interview with Grimalkin

Recently, I was interviewed by the wonderful Sharon of sharonluvsbooksandcats, but I wasn't the only one. She also interviewed Grimalkin, the clever, favor-collecting cat from my book THE IRON KING. (I had to promise Grimalkin a favor to get him to do it.) Interview is as follows:


Welcome to my very first cat and author interview post. For my very first catterview I would like to welcome young adult author Julie Kagawa and the cat from her debut novel The Iron King, Grimalkin. To learn more about Julie and her debut novel check out her website.



This is how Julie described Grimalkin to me:


Grimalkin: Big, longhaired gray cat with golden eyes. He's actually a Cait Sith (pronounced cat shee), which is a type of faery cat. He can be somewhat condescending and arrogant, and thinks cats are vastly superior to anything else. His favorite trick is turning invisible (much like the Cheshire Cat), and has the habit of vanishing abruptly when you're not looking. He looks out for himself, and will not put himself in danger if he can help it, but he knows more about Faeries and Faeryland than almost anyone. But his help usually comes with a price; Grimalkin is big on collecting favors, and has many, many creatures who owe him something.
Other than that, he is a normal cat. He likes napping in the sun, chasing small creatures, and other feline activities. Don't try to pet him, though, or you might recieve a swat.


Grimalkin:


1. Describe a typical day in your life in five sentences or less.

Grimalkin: *Yawn* I wake up. I eat. I sleep. I contemplate the state of the universe and then sleep some more. I snack. Sometimes, if I am feeling devilish, I will even consider a nap. Exciting life, is it not?

2. Do you have any other Cait Sith pals, or are you a solitary cat?

Grimalkin: I do not have “pals,” human. And I find my own company vastly superior to anyone else's.

3. What is your favorite thing to eat?

I am rather partial to freshly caught piskie. If you can get past the piskie dust and stringiness, they are surprisingly tasty. I have always wondered what Tinker Bell would taste like.

4. Can I please adopt you?

*Snorts* Adopt? As in, claim ownership of me? What a ridiculous notion; no one can own a cat. I will consider an application of servitude, however, if your credentials pass inspection.

5. Do you think that you could beat the Cheshire Cat in a fight?

Please. Where do you think Lewis Carroll got the idea for the Cheshire Cat? I found him wandering around Faerie one day in a daze, about to be eaten by ogres, and led him back to the mortal realm. In return, he put me in a book. Crazy mortal.

And now, it is time for my nap. Goodnight, human. If you have anymore questions, please do not hesitate to ask my human over there. She will take notes.

Julie:


1. Describe a typical day in your life in five sentences or less

Wake up. Check email. Get breakfast. Check Twitter, contemplate writing. Bang head on desk, plead with characters to do something interesting, stare into space, check email, write a few sentences, erase what I just wrote, sigh, rinse and repeat.

2. Are you glad that Grimalkin is just a fictional cat, or would you like to adopt him too?

Oh good god. He would drive me insane. And I'd be in debt up to my eyeballs, trying to meet his demands. He could probably take over the world, if wasn't such a hassle.

3. Do you think that you could beat Grimalkin in a fight?

Grimalkin doesn't fight, but he does have “friends” that owe him a favor. (dragons, trolls, goblins, ect.) I wouldn't want to risk it.

4. Can I adopt you please? ;)

Just provide me with Arbys and an unlimited supply of Mountain Dew and I'll be happy.

Publishers Lunch on FTC

Publisher's Lunch on the new FTC regulations.



Today's Meal

FTC Requires Bloggers, Posters, and the Companies Who Woo Them to Disclose Free Review Copies

The Federal Trade Commission officially revised its "guides" which govern endorsements and testimonials, aimed squarely at the universe of online and word-of-mouth recommendations. The new rules have all the clarity you would expect from an 81-page government document, and in many instances they are either opaque, noxious or just ridiculous (the FTC wants disclosure within tweets as well).

The main point of essence for book publishers, and book bloggers and online reviewers, is the determination that "bloggers may be subject to different disclosure requirements than reviewers in traditional media." They judge that "a blogger's statement on his personal blog or elsewhere (e.g., the site of an online retailer of electronic products) qualifies as an 'endorsement,' -- i.e., as a sponsored message -- due to...the value of the merchandise he has received and has been asked to review by that advertiser," and that such a connection must be disclosed.

In other words, bloggers--as well as "reviewers" posting to sites like Amazon and LibraryThing, or receiving books through programs ranging from Bzz Agent to Nelson's 10,000-blogger initiative--who are writing about a book after receiving a free reviewer's copy are expected to disclose that information. And publishers who "sponsor these endorsers (either by providing free products - directly or through a middleman - or otherwise) in order to generate positive word of mouth and spur sales should establish procedures to advise endorsers that they should make the necessary disclosures and to monitor the conduct of those endorsers."

As the FTC admits, its "guides" are "interpretations of the law intended to help advertisers comply with the Federal Trade Commission Act" rather than binding law, and the burden of proof is on the Commission--but they have the ability to seek fines of up to $11,000 per violation. Monitoring the internet and enforcing the new guides will also be difficult to say the least, given the agency's staff and size of the universe they wish to regulate. As Wired writes, "the new rules are confusing, ambiguous and likely unenforceable in the real world."

The FTC's Richard Cleland tells Ed Champion in an e-mail interview that "looking at individual bloggers is not going to be an effective enforcement model." (Legally, we're not sure whether selective enforcement weakens the FTC's case in any given instance.) Cleland indicates that if a blogger or online reviewer gives away the book after reviewing it, then no disclosure is required since in their view the reviewer has no lasting compensation. But the new guides do also apply to affiliate bookselling links that provide a commission. Cleland's indication is that enforcement will target advertisers as well as large platforms.

******

I think that's fairly encouraging.

Teaser Tuesday

This week's Teaser Tuesday is at the request from Sharonluvsbooksandcats. She wanted a Grimalkin teaser. So, here it is:

"W-What do you want?" I asked, thankful that my voice only trembled a little bit.

The cat didn't blink. "Human," he said, and if a cat could sound patronizing, this one nailed it. "Think about the absurdity of that question."

*****

Sharon is also going to be interviewing me and Grimalkin soon, so be on the lookout for that! Should be ... interesting.

Random Sunday pic of my furkids

Sigh.

My sissified, wimpy princess of a papillon has decided he hates the cold and shivers when he has to go out in it. So for the first time ever, I've had to buy a COAT for the little wuss. Me, a professional dog trainer for years, who sneered at dogs wearing clothes and laughed at the pampered little yip dogs wearing matching outfits with their owners. Now, its MY dog who has to wear a coat. I don't know whether to laugh of put my head in a bag. It doesn't help that Stitch seems ridicuously pleased when he's wearing it.



It even has a fur ring around the collar. Sigh. I hear the cats and Dodger snickering behind my back.

A Very Faery Interview with Liyana of Liyanaland

A Very Faery Interview with Liana from Liyanaland

We’re back again, with a YA blogger that comes to us from the far reaches of Singapore! Please welcome Liyana from Liyanaland, who has graciously agreed to be the next victim/volunteer for a round of insane questioning by Meghan, Ash, and Puck, the characters from THE IRON KING. (Liyana, the panic button is by your left foot, just in case)

Hi Julie! Thanks for having me here. I’m not sure if I can reach that panic button, this armor, I meant protection, I MEANT SUIT, is pretty clunky. Lemme try. *stretches, panic button goes off* Whoops! Whoa, is that supposed to happen?

Puck: Huh. The lazer beams were a nice touch.

Meghan: Hi Liyana. Wow, you live in Singapore? How intriguing. Are there any cool, exotic places in Singapore you’ve been to? Or some you would like to visit?

Hi Meghan, it’s great to finally meet you! You know, after living in Singapore all these years, the cool, exotic places just don’t seem that cool anymore. One place I love to visit is Clarke Quay. There’s the Merlion, riverboats, hot guys on riverboats, the sun, river, shopping malls all around… ooh.

*singsongs*
Let's go down to the riverside, it's an unforgettable sight
To see the sunrise on a faraway isle, turning darkness into light

Puck: Selamat Datang, Lianna. Apa Khabar? Di mana tandas?
Author: I don’t think she speaks Malay, Puck.
Puck: No? *consults Malay dictionary* Saya minta maaf.
Author: PUCK!
Puck: Okay, okay. Liyana, if you could suddenly understand and communicate with one type of animal (dogs, cats, chickens), what would it be?

Puck, saya faham Bahasa Melayu! (I understand the Malay language… in Malay. LOL)*hi fives* I’d love to be able to communicate with my hamsters and find out what they mean when they’re looking at me with those big googley eyes. Or maybe that’s just what they mean. O.O

Ash: When did you first get into blogging, and why? What has been the best and worst part of blogging?

In March this year. It’s due to my huge TBR list that just seemed to be increasing. Talking about books has always been fun, so I just decided to open up an actual blog to yap about them! The best part is writing what you feel about the books, which can be construed as the worst part too, especially when you think of authors getting hurt by harsh reviews.

Meghan: What are some of your favorite books, authors, and genres? Do they get the same books in Singapore as they do in the States?

One of my favourite YA series is Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. It has a kickass, badass heroine. As for genres, I love paranormal and fantasy. Reading about something that doesn’t seem to exist (…or does it? Jeng jeng jeng!) in real life is really the best part for me.

For books sold in Singapore, the range is not as wide, and they’re usually sold sometime after its release date, but at least they’re being sold here!

Puck: Okay, Liyana, I’m going to throw out a series of words, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind. And then I will tell you something about yourself. Got it? Here we go.
Blue: Pink
Socks: Furry!
Rain: Mist
Scary: Movie 3
Winter: Clean, white snow.
Furry: Hamsters
Vampire: Diaries
Favorite: Character
Puck: You? :P

Puck: Huh, I was hoping to get a Puck: Handsome. Or maybe a Puck: Sexy. Or a Puck: Incredibly charming devilish rake who I would love to meet for a virgin daiquiri later to—ow! *Rubs head, glares at Meghan.*

Meghan: I saw that bottle of faery wine you snuck in here, Puck. Don’t even think about it.


Ash: If you could learn one skill, regardless of time or money, what would it be?

It’d have to be wakeboarding. Or horse-riding! Whoo hoo! *gets on a horse and twirls cowgirl hat*


Meghan: If you were suddenly sucked into a book, which book would you choose and what would you do in the story?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I’d probably be the one making harry lost in the maze. *snickers*


Puck: Someone has given you a time-travel device, but it can only be used once: one trip into the future or past, and back again. What do you use it for?
I can’t think of anything right now, so I’ll just save it until I find a use for it sometime in the future. :D


Ash: The Zombie Apocalypse has come. The undead are filling the streets in hordes and you must flee to safety, but can only take three things with you. What are they?

1) Ash, you can use a sword right? I know you’re not a “thing” but can I bring you?
2) A flamethrower that will never run out.
3) (My loved ones shrunk to Barbie doll size in) A suitcase full of tiny holes.


Author: Thanks, Liyana for the interview. Before we go, is there anything you’d like to ask Meghan, Ash, or Puck?

Who do you think will win in a deathmatch: Julie or Puck?

Puck: Oh, that’s easy! I’d just change her into a mouse, then change myself into a cat. End of story.

Author: Sorry Goodfellow. Those rules don’t apply to your creator. I know all your weaknesses.

Puck: Ah, hate to break it to you, but this guy called Willy Shakespeare made me famous loooong before you came along. Even you don’t know all my tricks.

Author: Don’t tempt me. I brought you into this world, I can take you out again.

Puck: Bring it on, chica.

Author: Oh, that’s it. WHERE’S MY KATANA?

Ash: *To Meghan and Liyana* My money’s on katana girl.

Meghan: I’ll get the popcorn.