The Lost Prince back cover summary

Woot! The back cover copy and inner flap of THE LOST PRINCE was revealed today.

Feast your eyes on the back:

























And even more exciting, le summary:

As usual, tell me your thoughts.  What do you think Ethan is going to face?  Who do you hope to see again?  (Note the "talking cats" reference in the summary. Yes, "he" will probably pop up somewhere in the story.  There's no keeping him out of it.)

-Julie

How to Train Your Chicken

Things I do when I'm bored.

So, you all know my background as a dog trainer, right?  Well, if you didn't, I was a professional dog trainer for several years before I became a published author.  My Australian Shepherd, Dodger, was my partner, and probably knows all the tricks in the book.  These days, he's taking his retirement seriously.






















So today I was feeding treats to my chickies, watching them jump up and snatch it from my fingers, and got to thinking, "I wonder if chickens are trainable?"

Then I thought, "I wonder if I can train a chicken?"

And so, here we are with The Great Chicken Experiment.

What I am going to attempt (and you may point and laugh if you want) is to teach one of my chickens to jump through a hoop.  I don't know how long it will take, or if it is even possible, but I plan to document our progress or lack thereof, and eventually, if I do accomplish such a feat, I will film it and put it up for everyone to see.

So, let's meet the subject of this experiment.

























After interacting with the flock and discerning personalities, I think this girl here has the most potential. She's not the friendliest of the five (that honor goes to the chicken who constantly wants to be on my shoulder), but she is the second most friendly and also one of the more active.  She's the smallest of the flock, but she loves food and treats, which is essential to this experiment.  (Also, the really friendly chicken seems to be the laziest of the group. When I put a treat on a stump, everyone but her leaped up to grab it. She'd rather I just hand her the food in person.)

The motivation.
























Yes, those are dead mealworms.  And the chickens LOVE them.  Like, they go crazy for them.  So yes, I will be holding a handful of dried worms while doing a training session.  You didn't think the chickens would go for Pupperoni, did you?  (Actually, they probably would) 


The secret weapon.























I do all my training with clickers, which is just a small noisemaker that produces a sharp, distinct click when pressed.  The basic idea is that when the animal hears the sound, they know they've done something right, and they will be rewarded for the action they were doing at the time of the click.  I've trained hundreds of dogs, a parrot, and even a cat using the clicker.  Now we'll see if it can successfully train a chicken, too.   

It begins.  Wish me luck. (And try not to laugh TOO hard.) 

Contest: A song for a vampire

So, Michelle over at Novels On The Run is holding an awesome contest.


Do you love music?  Playlists?  Can you fit the perfect song to any character or situation?


Michelle asked me, in her interview, if I could list the songs that could describe the characters in THE IMMORTAL RULES.  Allie, Kanin, Zeke, Jackal, Sarren, Allie and Zeke's friendship, Allie and Kanin's friendship, and a few others.  So, if you're curious as to what those songs are, head on over to her blog and you can listen to them all, as she was kind enough to put them up. 


However, she did manage to stump me with one question.  Allie and Kanin. 

Allison and Kanin’s Friendship:

Julie: I honestly could not find a good song for Allie and Kanin, though I know there is probably a perfect one out there somewhere. They have such a complex relationship, not really father-daughter, although Kanin is her sire and teaches her everything she needs to know about being a vampire. Possibly their relationship could be classified as mentor-student, but if anyone has the perfect song, I'd love to hear it.



Soooooo, that's where the contest comes in. 


Michelle: Now because I stumped Julie on this Q, I thought why not have a giveaway and ask the people. Julie has wonderfully accepted the role of judge and will choose 2 winners for this question. What song best represents Allison and Kanin’s friendship? Keep reading this interview then enter and Julie may choose you? I think she is rather keen to hear what you all think?





I am!  If you could find the perfect song for Kanin/Allie, I would love to hear it.  Like it says above, I'll be picking two winners for this contest.  Since this is on an Aussie blog tour, Michele's contest is for Australian and international followers only, BUT I will add my own contest here and make it for U.S. and Canada residents. 



So, if you are an Aussie or an international follower, head on over to Novels On The Run, listen to the songs, and enter the contest for a paperback copy of THE IMMORTAL RULES.



If you are a U.S./Canada resident, leave your answer in the comments below.  The prize will be a signed hardback of THE IMMORTAL RULES.  Remember, the contest question is:



"What is the perfect song for the relationship between Allie and Kanin in The Immortal Rules?"

Contest will run until June 7th.  Good luck!


-Julie

The Lost Prince and The Iron Legends covers

Two cover reveals in as many days?

Why yes, that is correct.  Why not?

So, today, I'm revealing the full cover of THE LOST PRINCE, the first book in the 2nd Iron Fey series starring Ethan Chase.  And, I'm also revealing the cover for the new anthology THE IRON LEGENDS, which will have the e-novellas Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing, as well as a brand new novella called Iron's Prophecy.  It also has an expanded guide to the Nevernever and a chapter of THE LOST PRINCE.

Exciting times!  Now, onto the covers.



First up, THE LOST PRINCE.  Ethan is not a toddler anymore:

Next up is THE IRON LEGENDS, just revealed today:

:



























So there you go, two Iron Fey covers in one day.  Which one is your favorite?  Let me know!

-Julie

Vampire for a night: Winners!

Okay, so it seems I have to choose winners for the Immortal Rules photo contest.

Why do I sound so reluctant?  Because it was SO HARD picking just three!

Seriously, you guys were all amazing.  I wish I could give everyone a prize.  But, after looking through all the photos and spending many minutes agonizing over several, I think I've made my desicion.

Again, they were ALL amazing. But here are my three favorites.





***





Winner 1: I can't help it, I'm a sucker for swords.  







Winner 2: Love the post-apocalypse cityscape behind her.

Winner 3: The Blood of Eden tattoo on her shoulder did it for me.

 

So, there you have it. If the three of the winners would email me at juliekagawa@juliekagawa.com, I will send a signed Immortal Rules winging your way. Congrats to the winners, and thank you to ALL who participated. You are all some kick-ass vamps!


Julie

Immortal Rules signing and Twitter party

Just a reminder:

Tomorrow, THE IMMORTAL RULES hits shelves!  As it is launch day, I will be signing at The Summit Barnes and Noble in Louisville, KY from 4pm to 6pm EST, so if you're in the area and want to say hi, I'd love to see you.

The deets:
Where: Barnes & Noble, 4100 Summit Plaza Drive, Louisville, KY 40241, Phone 502-327-0410
When: Tuesday, April 24th
What time: 4pm to 6pm EST


And for those of you who can't come to Louisville, there will also be The Immortal Rules Twitter Party that night.   Follow the hashtag: #theimmortalrulesparty and hop onto Twitter or Tweetchat at 8pm EST to join the fun.  There will be giveaways, Q&As, discussions with me, and the exclusive reveal of THE LOST PRINCE cover at the end of the night. 

I use Tweetchat for these events, and it's super easy to use (although the speed at which the tweets roll by is mind-boggling).  Just go to Tweetchat.com, enter #theimmortalrulesparty in the box up top, and boom, you're in.  Yes, it will be crazy and yes your eyes will cross trying to keep up with all the tweets, but it will also be FUN, and that's what this is all about.

So, remember: Twitter party tomorrow night at 8pm EST!  And if you're in or around Louisville, drop by B&N to say hello.  Hope to see you there!

THE BIG NEWS

Today is ze day.


And you're here for just one reason, aren't you?


The NEWS.


Today I get to reveal the NEWS. The BIG NEWS I've been sitting on all week, and am about to explode with excitement.


Are you ready for THE NEWS?


Really?  You're sure?



Okay, read on, then.  Here it is.  The BIG NEWS:

Palomar Pictures Options The Immortal Rules and Blood of Eden Series

by New York Times Bestselling Author Julie Kagawa

*Cue wild flailing*

Yes, The Immortal Rules has been optioned for a movie!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!






















Now, before the questions start flooding in; this was just finalized last week.  I don't know when they are going to start filming, or even if they are going to start filming.  An OPTION just means that the studio posseses the rights to make the book into a movie; it's not a 100% sure thing that the movie will be made.  I have no say in producers, I have no say in directors, I have no say in actors.  I MIGHT be consulted for certain things, but I might not. 


Still, we have an OPTION.  The first step in getting THE IMMORTAL RULES to the big screen.


Here is the rest of the press release:

Los Angeles, CA; Toronto, ON – April 19, 2012 – Independent film production company Palomar Pictures today announced that it has optioned Blood of Eden, the newest series from New York Times bestselling young adult author Julie Kagawa.  The Immortal Rules, the highly anticipated first book in the Blood of Eden series, will be published by Harlequin TEEN on April 24, 2012.

The Immortal Rules is set in a future world where humanity, decimated by a deadly virus, exists merely as a food source and slave class to an elite society of vampires. When a young woman, a survivor who dreams of the day humanity will rise up against their supernatural masters, is turned into a vampire, she is forced to choose between becoming what she despises or helping those who would destroy her.

Palomar principal Joni Sighvatsson was passionate about The Immortal Rules’ film potential and quick to secure film rights for the book and the Blood of Eden series. “It’s simply a great story with an electrifying heroine for the 21st century.  It makes the series an ideal subject for a film adaptation," said Sighvatsson. "Julie’s ability to familiarize the reader with this complex world in a few pages demonstrates the cinematic qualities of her imagination and complements my own sensibilities as a film producer."

Julie Kagawa felt that Sighvatsson was the right producer to partner with because of his tremendous track record for getting his films made and his passion for her books. "Joni does not take on a project unless he really loves it," Kagawa said. "He's thoughtful and established, and I know he's going to make a great movie that respects my material."

Sighvatsson has acquired a solid reputation in the movie industry. With more than 40 feature-film credits under his belt, Sighvatsson has worked closely with a wide range of talent, both in front of and behind the camera. The trademarks of his projects are the pairing of visionary directors—such as David Lynch, Kathryn Bigelow, Nicolas Winding Refn and Julian Schnabel—with strong material. This has led to a body of work that is rich and diverse.

Natashya Wilson, senior editor for Harlequin TEEN, is thrilled that Kagawa's novels are finally coming to the big screen. "Julie writes in such a cinematic way, I have seen her books as films from day one. Her fans have been clamoring for Julie Kagawa movies for a long time and I am so pleased that they are finally going to get their wish fulfilled!"

About Palomar Pictures

Palomar Pictures is an independent film production company based in Los Angeles, California.  Owner and principal Joni Sighvatsson is a veteran Hollywood producer whose filmography includes WILD AT HEART, BASQUIAT, KALIFORNIA and ARLINGTON ROAD.  Since being acquired by Sighvatsson, the company has produced such films as K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson and BROTHERS directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal.  Palomar Pictures’ most recent feature was the action thriller KILLER ELITE, starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro.  Palomar announced a financial partnership with Grosvenor Park LLC in the fall of 2011 for three movies, including an adaptation of Stephen King's Rose Madder.

*

Follow the excitement on Twitter:

#theimmortalrulesmovie

@Jkagawa

So, that's my BIG NEWS.  I'm pretty stoked about it, if you couldn't tell.  I hope you are too, and I hope you share this with everyone you can, because the more people who are excited, the better the chances of seeing The Immortal Rules on the silver screen.

Let's make it happen!

~Julie