If you’re wondering what makes me qualified to critique anything you write, that’s a very good question! I have at least a little bit of experience with writing and publishing short stories, through the rigorous Clarion West Writing Workshop (in the incredibly talented class of 2005); my participation in New York’s finest team of superwriters, Altered Fluid; and as a submissions reader for Sybil’s Garage and several editions of Ellen Datlow’s Year’s Best Horror. Many of the stories and novels I have critiqued have been published and received awards and critical acclaim, and I’m totally claiming some of that credit.

I also wrote a query letter and a novel that fooled at least one agent into taking me on as a client, which eventually resulted in my novel getting published, so let’s call that a 100% success rate, shall we? I’ve heard from more than one person that I’m pretty good at writing query letters, which are tricky things. My “specialties” are in science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction, but whatever your genre, this is a rare opportunity to get feedback from someone who should know better than to critique a stranger’s work. But hey, I’ll do almost anything for money that will support a good and worthy cause.

In any event, you’re almost guaranteed to get value for your dollar, depending on how much you bid and some definitions of value.

Bidding is open internationally through May 11, 11 p.m. EST. Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested and consider bidding. If you don’t have a story or novel ready yet, you can claim your prize whenever you do.

Best,
Eugene

If you live anywhere near Williamstown, I would love to see you there! A discussion and signing will follow the short reading, and there will be plenty of swag for the taking. I expect it to be a fun event, what with all the smart college kids and teachers around.

Apparently Christopher Reeve often performed in theatrical productions in Williamstown and was married there, so that’s kind of cool. Other notable individuals with links to Williamstown include quantum physicist William Wootters (best name ever!), the Barclay Jermain Professor of Natural Philosophy at Williams College; songwriter Cole Porter; Welsh actor Roger Rees; actor Matthew Perry; and SFF writer Paul Park.

[ETA: As of 5/8/12, this giveaway is now over! Thank you to everyone who participated in any leg of the race and for sharing your comments and wishes. I will randomly select the prize winners in the next few days, and will post your wishes on Tumblr in the weeks and months to come.]

Hello! The previous YAmazing Race with MGnificent Prizes was so fun and successful, we decided to do it again. If you’re here at my stop on the blog hop, you probably know what it’s all about already. But if you’re lost or have no idea what I’m going on about, please visit the Apocalypsies website to read the complete rules and get started. Please note that the contest does not begin until Wednesday, May 2 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

FAIR COIN by E.C. Myers

Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.

Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.

The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.

In addition to the signed copy of Fair Coin and the prize pack I’m offering in the Race, I’ll be giving away a signed bookmark, postcard, bookplate*, and custom Fair Coin coin case to three lucky winners on my own blog. All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is flip a coin, then leave a comment in this post telling me whether it came up heads or tails. (Don’t worry, the outcome won’t have any effect on your chances of winning. And I’m just going to take it on faith that you actually flipped a coin; you’re the one who has to live with yourself if you fudge it.)

You can also get up to 5 additional entries by completing one or all of the following:

1. Like my Facebook page at http://facebook.com/flipthecoin or, if you don’t do Facebook, link to this contest on your blog. (+1 entry)
2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Be sure to mention me (@ecmyers) and include the hashtag #faircoin. (+1 entry)
3. Add Fair Coin on Goodreads. (+1 entry)
4. Pop over to my Tumblr page and make a wish! (+2 entries)

Make sure you tell me which of the above you do for extra points in your comment so I can tally up your entries correctly! And don’t worry, if you already follow me, you still get credit for it. I’ll use some randomizer-thingey to select the winners.

My blog contest will be open until Tuesday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

When you’re ready to move on, click your heels three times (or this link once) to be whisked away to the quiz. Thanks for coming by, and good luck!

___________________________________________

*Still working on making those bookplates, but they should be ready soon!

I don’t know about how well Fair Coin will promote literacy, but I do know how thrilling it is to discover a new book and a new author, especially at a young age, and how much books have shaped the person I am today. I also know how difficult and challenging it is for teachers to get the texts they want for their students. When I was in high school, some of my teachers actually broke the law and photocopied some books at their own expense, because there was no room in the budget for classroom copies. I just can’t believe that schools and libraries have to cut back so much on books and reading programs when developing good reading and reasoning skills is so vital to lifelong success.

I do feel conflicted about personally advertising a Donors Choose project to raise money for a teacher to buy copies of my own book, since it seems a little self-serving. But it’s also, you know, for kids. So if you do have some money you can part with to get children excited about reading and young adult literature and science fiction, I hope you’ll consider donating. Or even consider giving to another classroom for a worthy cause; I’ve given to other projects at Donors Choose to purchase needed books, and the teachers and students have always been very appreciative–and I like knowing that my gift is having a direct impact on learning.

Gratefully,
Eugene

I really enjoyed this one. We talked a bit about books and writing, of course, but we also covered a range of topics from Back to the Future to Quantum Leap, two topics I can discuss for hours. Barry even slipped in a reference to the classic SF film Short Circuit! Given that the format for the program is “a chat over a cup of tea,” you might be wondering what my beverage of choice was throughout the half-hour interview.

It’s obvious, really. I was, in fact, sipping Earl Grey.

Please give the program a listen and leave some feedback. It’s short, it’s entertaining, and perhaps even enlightening. Many thanks to Barry for the great conversation!

While you’re at it, you can also check out interviews with my fellow Apocalypsies, Sarvenaz Tash (The Mapmaker and the Ghost, due out this Tuesday, 4/24!), J. Anderson Coats (The Wicked and the Just, just released!), and Lynne Kelly (Chained, due out 5/8/12).

When words fail to describe how you feel, a screencap will do.

I had some other things I’d planned to blog about today, but when you find out that io9 has not only reviewed your novel, but given it a great review, that kind of distracts you from everything else.

I usually make many stops at io9 throughout the day (except for the one day I’m on it, apparently–Google Alerts, you fail), so I consider being featured there, with even the tiniest mention, as one of the ultimate, nigh unattainable achievements for a geek like me. Achievement unlocked. My book is on the front page! (I took a screenshot. It happened.)

But most of all, I’m thrilled that in her review, Charlie Jane Anders really gets the book in the way that every writer hopes readers will, and I’m so glad that she enjoyed it enough to recommend it to others. And call it crack. Well, don’t say she didn’t warn you.

There’s also a spoiler warning, so proceed with caution.

Thank you to everyone who visited the three participating blogs and read all the great posts, commented, entered contests, and helped make this such an exciting, educational, and interesting online celebration. Big thanks to our hosts, who pulled this amazing thing off: That Hapa Chick; iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books; and My Words Ate Me. I was honored to be included in this.

I hope we can continue to think about, discuss, and promote diversity in young adult fiction, and in all areas of our lives. In the meantime, if you missed some of the posts, you can find links to all of them at the main website:

http://livelaughlovebook.blogspot.com/p/all-things-asian.html

Many of the giveaways are still running through April 30. I’m looking forward to sending a Fair Coin prize pack to one lucky winner!

Stay frosty,
Eugene

WHEN: Wednesday, April 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Exton
301 Main Street
Exton, PA 19341
610-524-0103

There will be discounts, contests, and giveaways, as well as two special presentations:

5:00 p.m. – K.M. Walton: How to Get Your Students to Write Like They Mean It
5:30 p.m. – Beth Kephart: Story Topics That Involve the Whole Class at the Same Time

Followed by a mega signing with eight area authors:

Monica Carnesi – LITTLE DOG LOST (picture book)
Ame Dyckman – BOY + BOT (picture book, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino)
Amy Garvey – COLD KISS (YA)
Beth Kephart – UNDERCOVER, HOUSE OF DANCE, NOTHING BUT GHOSTS, THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE, DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS, YOU ARE MY ONLY (YA)
Elisa Ludwig – PRETTY CROOKED (YA)
E.C. Myers – FAIR COIN (YA)
Dianne K. Salerni – WE HEAR THE DEAD (YA)
K.M. Walton – CRACKED (YA)

So, if you know any teachers, please let them know about this exciting event!

All thanks to fellow Apocalypsie K.M. Walton and Stephanie, the community relations manager at B&N Exton, for putting this whole thing together. I’m looking forward to meeting many other authors and educators!