The Mayans Were Wrong!

Okay, so since the world didn't end on December 21 (that's the last time I trust the Mayans!), that means we have a little more time here on planet earth.

I realize I have not been blogging for a loooong time, so I am NOT going to tell you that I was secretly prepping for the end of the world (unless prepping for the end of the world requires frantically trying to meet deadlines while also procrasinating endlessly stalking ex-boyfriends on Facebook). Ahem. I have not been doing either one of those things. I have been very busy!

Since I last posted, I've finished my writing project with Francine Pascal (the update on Sweet Valley, first an e-serial and now in hardback... check it out The Sweet Life). I'm on to another project with more details to come!

And if you haven't read Tale of Two Proms, yet. Do!

I've also been keeping busy with 2nd Story, a storytellers group in Chicago. That picture is me talking about my ultimate Epic Fail: online dating. After getting divorced a few years ago, I was thrust suddenly back onto the dating scene. It was quite a culture shock.

Taken at Webster's Wine Bar by Michael Patterson.

I never thought I’d have an online dating story. You see, I married my college boyfriend, way back when Clinton was still in office. There was barely an Internet then, much less a Match.com. But, much like M.C. Hammer pants, my marriage did not last. Stop: Divorce Time. Things had changed a lot since I’d last been single.

Back then: I had a relatively flat stomach. If I knew how awesome my stomach was at age 23, I would’ve worn bikinis to work. Dress code? Shove it, Human Resources. There’s an expiration date on these abs, and I have no time to lose. Fast forward 15 years.
Now: Two pregnancies have turned my stomach into flesh-colored Play-doh. My belly button is no longer a button at all. It looks like the mouth of a really depressed hand puppet.

Back then: I could stay out until two in the morning.
Now: I can barely stay awake until 9 p.m.

Back then: My ride was a sleek black coupe.
Now: When I rolled up on a date, it would be in a silver minivan. Oh, yeah.

Back then: I actually knew something about current events and news in general.
Now: I am far more likely to know the name of a supporting character on Dora the Explorer, than a Supreme Court Justice. These are just facts. Sad, sorry facts.

For my new year's resolution in 2013, I will try to remember to blog more. But, for more timely updates, do friend me on Facebook (Cara Lockwood) or follow me on Twitter (@caralockwood).

The Girl Who Was On Fire -- Movie Edition!

Hi all,

Last week, you may have seen where I wrote about seeing The Hunger Games movie! Well, now, my new essay (and many others) are now available in the new and improved:

The Girl Who Was On Fire - Movie Edition!

And, for those of you who are growing tired of Hunger Games hype (is it possible? I'm not so sure), it might be time for a little parody escape with The Hipster Games.

My favorite line is: "I really miss brunch."

Enjoy!

The Hunger Games Rock

So, I went to see the Hunger Games Friday (technically, it was for "work" because my job is awesome). I have two things to say about this movie: it rocked. And, as I've told my friends, I may have to change my alliegance from Team Peeta to Team Gale. Have you seen Liam Hemsworth?

I think this technically makes me a cougar, but if this is wrong, I don't want to be right.

As a side note, why do movie producers seem to want to cast the less hot dude for the main love interest and the seriously, ridiculously hot guy for the one who doesn't get the girl? There must be a formula somewhere. Is this so we all feel like we get a shot with the rejected guy? I don't know.

What did you guys think of the movie? And am I the only 38-year-old who was standing in line on Friday? Actually, no, I wasn't. The Mom-contingent showed up strong. I actually saw more parent-types in the movie theatre Friday night than teens.

So, my "movie" essay on the Hunger Games is coming very soon (April 1, I think). So stay tuned. More details to come.

In the meantime, don't forget it's Prom Season, and I say why settle for one prom when you can have two? Check out A Tale of Two Proms!

Happy Hunger Games Week!

If you hear that high-pitched squealing sound, it's my inner 13-year-old girl going bonkers over the soon-to-be released Hunger Games movie. I, like millions of you, am a huge Hunger Game triology fan. I love Twilight, too, but come on, let's be real here. We all know in a showdown, that Bella wouldn't last five minutes against Katniss. For Katniss, it's not about pining over boys, it's about kicking butt. As the mother of two girls, I really do have to admire that.

Besides, have you SEEN the Hunger Games trailer? Says it all.

For those of you who don't know, I wrote an essay on the Hunger Games for Smart Pop's book The Girl Who Was On Fire (Most Awesome Assignment Ever). If you head over today, you'll find my essay up for 24 hours and can read it free! But if you haven't read the rest of the book, you should buy it. It's a must-read for every Hunger Games fan.

Pop Smart will also be releasing special movie-related essays. I'll be writing about science and the special effects of the movie. That means when I'm waiting in line to get into the movie theater Friday night, I'm actually "working." Did I mention I have the best job on earth? You know, not to rub it in or anything.

So, in summary, Happy Hunger Games Week!

And I haven't forgotten you Bard fans. I still have a few bookmarks to give away, so anyone who's interested, just email me your A Tale of Two Proms receipt and I will send you a signed bookmark!

Want a Signed Bookmark? Get one!

Hi all my lovely Bard fans,

I have just received a stack of limited-edition Bard Academy bookmarks and I will be signing about a 100 of them. If you'd like one (and, I get it, ironic to have one even though A TALE OF TWO PROMS is an eBook), but hey, it's signed by yours truly, so it's something that will look awesome hanging up in your room. Plus, you could put it into the pages of Wuthering High or The Scarlet Letterman.

All you have to do to get one is to buy A TALE OF TWO PROMS, available from all major retailers:

Amazon (shout out to the Kindle!): http://amzn.to/tdDEdB

Apple: http://bit.ly/uMkpKD

Barnes and Noble (Nook fans!): http://bit.ly/uNd6nG

Once you've downloaded it and gotten an e-receipt, email it to me, along with your snail-mail address and I'll send you a signed bookmark (Hello - collector's item!).

Don't wait!
Buy now!
:)

Want a Signed Bookmark? Get one!

Hi all my lovely Bard fans,

I have just received a stack of limited-edition Bard Academy bookmarks and I will be signing about a 100 of them. If you'd like one (and, I get it, ironic to have one even though A TALE OF TWO PROMS is an eBook), but hey, it's signed by yours truly, so it's something that will look awesome hanging up in your room. Plus, you could put it into the pages of Wuthering High or The Scarlet Letterman.

All you have to do to get one is to buy A TALE OF TWO PROMS, available from all major retailers:

Amazon (shout out to the Kindle!): http://amzn.to/tdDEdB

Apple: http://bit.ly/uMkpKD

Barnes and Noble (Nook fans!): http://bit.ly/uNd6nG

Once you've downloaded it and gotten an e-receipt, email it to me, along with your snail-mail address and I'll send you a signed bookmark (Hello - collector's item!).

Don't wait!
Buy now!
:)

Buy a Tale of Two Proms Now!

Hello all my very patient Bard fans,

Good news! A Tale of Two Proms is now available for purchase - just in time for Christmas! (The perfect holiday gift? Well, I'm not one to brag.... Well, okay, I am. It IS the perfect holiday gift - for yourself and every single person you know).

This is a digital-only book, but you can get it at every major digital seller:

Amazon (shout out to the Kindle!): http://amzn.to/tdDEdB

Apple: http://bit.ly/uMkpKD

Barnes and Noble (Nook fans!): http://bit.ly/uNd6nG

And the BEST part? It's just $4.99. Skip one Gingerbread Latte and you've saved up enough dough to purchase. This isn't going to break your holiday budget and it will be the best $4.99 you've ever spent! (Did I mention I'm prone to wild fits of exaggerated self-promotion? But you guys knew that about me already).

Read it on your Nook, Kindle, iPhone, iPad, or plain old PC. Remember, this is most likely the final book in the Bard series. I've promised to answer all your pressing questions (Will Healthcliff and Miranda end up together? Or split apart forever?) You've got to download it to find out. You won't be disappointed.

Spread the word among your family and friends. I'll be holding a contest for those of you who get your friends to download and buy A Tale of Two Proms as well. Stay tuned for more details!

Bard 4 is coming soon!

Hi to all my (very) patient Bard fans:

Fear not. Bard 4 - A Tale of Two Proms - will be out before Christmas! Here's a sneak peek of the new (and decidedly bad-a cover). As you can see, in the last installment (most likely) of the Bard series, some serious stuff is going to go down.

As the title suggests, there's not one, but TWO proms, and there's no end to the romantic drama. Will Miranda end up with her fictional love Healthcliff? Or will Heathcliff be drawn back to Catherine, the love fated for him Wuthering Heights? Oh, yes, I'm bringing Catherine back for the finale. You knew I would, didn't you?

I promise I'll answer all your big questions:

Are the faculty freed? (Answer: You'll have to read to the end to find out)
Can Heathcliff leave Shipwreck Island? (What do YOU think?)
Does Parker finally get what's coming to her (YES, in a big way)
Is Miranda's little sister Lindsay still annoying? (Probably)
Does Miranda's Dad finally get a clue? (You betcha)
How many one-liners does Blade throw out during fight scenes? (A lot)

Oh, yes, I promise I will deliver a delicious, good-old-fashioned, creepy Bard funfest. Tell your friends! I'll have a link to purchase shortly - I promise. In the meantime, if you're not already on my mailing list for news about Bard, join now!

Are YOU the next ME?

Do you have what it takes to be a bestselling author?
Cara Lockwood is now taking your submissions

Hi, friends! A new site called Edit-My-Novel.com launched this week. For those of you who may be budding novelists, I'm branching out and offering some freelance editing for you would-be fiction writers out there. It's time to dust off those half-written manuscripts that have been growing cobwebs on your hard drive. Maybe all they need is a sharp editing eye by yours truly.

The great thing about Edit-My-Novel is that there are several editing packages. One for nearly every budget. It's also a great excuse to get to talk to me, so check it out:


Edit-My-Novel.com.


Okay, so for those of you in the strictly-reader camp, I do have Bard news. As you know, I am hard at work on the final installment of the Bard Academy series.

As I write this, I'm putting the final edits on A Tale of Two Proms, so it's very close to being done,

In A Tale of Two Proms, I answer your most pressing questions (Will the ghost faculty escape? Will Heathcliff be banished to Wuthering Heights? Will Hana ever get a boyfriend? And, perhaps, most importantly, will tattoo-obsessed Blade actually wear a dress to prom?) Stay tuned for the answers you've been waiting for. A release date is coming very soon.

And a special thanks goes out to everyone who submitted ideas for the last book. I will be including a shout out to you in the acknowledgments of A Tale of Two Proms. That's just one of about a dozen reasons to buy it! Stay tuned. More info to come!

I AM the Head Gamemaster!

I realize that this isn't Panem (at least not yet), but if you're in Iowa City this weekend, there WILL be Hunger Games. And I'll be hosting/trying to get out of the way of any tributes swinging inflatable boxing gloves.

It's one of three appearances I'll be making at the Iowa City Book Festival this weekend hosted by the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!).

I am Head Gamemaster, which means that I control everything, or at least judge who gets to win some cool prizes.

How, are you asking, did an author like me who is five foot one manage to land such a sweet (and potentially violent) gig? Well, as it turns out, I am a heck of a lot more available than Suzanne Collins. But to be fair, she's got that huge Hunger Games movie in production at the moment. She can't drop everything to referee Hunger Games fanatics who want to try out some Tracker Jacker sticker tag. I, on the other hand, have no major Hollywood productions in the works (unless you count my Netflix queue). So, count me in!

Plus, let's be frank. It's not every day you're asked to be a Head Gamemaster. I'm already heady with power. I'll be there gladly bossing people around in true, cruel, manipulative Head Gamemaster fashion. You will fear me, until you realize that I a) have no real power and b) don't actually own a hovercraft.

Come to Gibson Square at the University of Iowa between 1 and 4 p.m. and be a tribute for the afternoon. You get to "train" by learning how to camouflage cookies better than Peeta (already my favorite event), practice your aim with a deadly bean-bag toss, and learn how to call a Mocking Jay with some local experts on bird calls. During the actual games, you can expect extreme water balloon fights, giant plastic boxing gloves and lots of serious fun. I'll also be giving away five free signed copies of The Girl Who Was On Fire, too, so don't miss out - you might just be winner of the Qwell!

And if you haven't read the Hunger Games, I am sure you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. That's okay. If you're near Iowa City, come by to see me on Saturday afternoon. I'll be reading from my not-yet-published, brand-spanking-new Bard Academy Book A Tale of Two Proms, which will be out in late 2011. That will be at the University of Iowa Library at 1:30 p.m. At three, I'll be on a writer's panel with Joe Haldeman (The Forever War), who is a giant in the world of science fiction.

We'll be discussing science in literature, a topic that I am entirely unqualified to discuss, so you should come to laugh and stay to ask questions.

Calling all Bard fans.... get ready for Book four!

Hi all,

I'm happy to report that I am hard at work on the fourth (and likely final!) installment of the Bard Academy series. It's Miranda's senior year and she's about to graduate. But leaving Bard means leaving Heathcliff, possibly forever. Will Miranda find a way to keep Heathcliff in this world? Or will the sudden appearance of his old flame, Catherine, change everything?

I'm calling it "A Tale of Two Proms" and I will be resolving some tricky questions (Do Miranda and Heathcliff finally get together? Does Heathcliff get transported back to Wuthering Heights? Does he love Miranda... or Catherine? Oh, yes. I'm going there!)

I'm hoping to have the book done this year, and out before the end of the year, but we'll see how that all goes. Right now, I need your help. If you'd like to see (and read) A Tale of Two Proms, follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/caralockwood or here at this blog) to get the latest news on just when (and how!) you can get your hands on a copy.

Also, I'm doing something a little different with Bard 4 - I'm taking input from the fans! What is it that you're dying to see happen in (the most likely last) Bard Academy book? Want to see Heathcliff and Miranda together? Or Ryan and Miranda? Want to see Parker get what's coming to her? Or should Lindsay be class president? Tell me now. Some of your ideas might just end up in the book.

Post comments here, on Twitter or email directly at cara@caralockwood.com. Can't wait to hear your ideas!

Stay tuned for more...

En Fuego winners!

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great posts about the Hunger Games! And congrats to contest winners Carol from Pennsylvania and Kelly from Missouri. Keep checking back here or follow me on Twitter for more contests. I may run another Girl On Fire contest soon!

And remember, for those of you who didn't win, the good news is that the book is now available to buy. I really do love this essay book. For more info on how you can get your copy, check out Smart Pop books at http://www.smartpopbooks.com/book/the-girl-who-was-on-fire.

And if you're really hoping to win a book, I'm still giving away signed copies of Dixieland Sushi for anyone who helps out the earthquake survivors of Japan with a donation to the Red Cross (no amount is too small). I'm giving away 20 signed copies, so odds are good for winning! Just email me your receipt at cara@caralockwood.com and you're entered to win.

I am a serious Hunger Games addict. Can't wait for the movie. Did you hear the news that Katniss, Gale and Peeta have already been cast? Check it out:


http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/25019

Tell me what you think. On looks alone, I might have to change my Team Peeta to Team Gale! (Not really, of course). I seriously can't wait for this movie. What do you guys think?

I'm en fuego - and you can be, too! Win the new book.

Are you a Hunger Games addict like I am? Then you must check out the new essay book by Smart Pop books called "The Girl Who Was On Fire." It's unauthorized, so that just means it's totally awesome.

And today is your lucky day because we're giving away free copies. Just leave me a comment here about just why you love the Hunger Games and I'll enter you to win.

Read an excerpt from the book (and my essay) at http://www.smartpopbooks.com/3371.

Help Japan!

Hi guys,

Anyone who's been watching the coverage of the earthquake and nuclear troubles in Japan know how devestating it's been for that country. I still have ties to Japan - my dad's grandparents immigrated from the land of the rising sun. I still have distant cousins living there.

I've donated to the Red Cross already, but anybody who emails (cara@caralockwood.com) or tweets me a receipt of their own donation (of absolutely any amount) at www.redcross.org, I'll enter you to win one of five signed copies of Dixieland Sushi.

I don't yet know the odds, but last time I held a contest, they were really good (meaning you enter, you had a one in three chance of winning!).

Good luck - and remember, it's for a good cause.
Cara

I'm On Fire!

Okay, not really.

But I AM in a great new book of essays about the fabulous Hunger Games trilogy called "The Girl Who Was On Fire." It's unauthorized, so that just means it's cool. Honestly, you should buy it just for the cover. I mean how cool is that? (WARNING: May show signs of being Hunger Games Triology Ultra Fan. I am a Hunger Games Geek - Would that make me a Glunger? A Heek? I clearly need to work on that).

Anyway, check out the book of essays at Smart Pop:

www.smartpopbooks.com/3371

I write about genetic muttations (if you've read the Games, you know I'm talking about Tracker Jackers and other gruesome creations) and how we might be closer than you think to engineering our own freak genetic weapons.

Here's an excerpt:

I will admit right now that I am entirely too critical of most sci-fi. I’m the one sitting in the movie theater grumbling, “that could never happen.” Or, more concisely, I’ll just say: “Seriously?”

Could there be some crazy disease somewhere in a lab that would turn the entire planet into brain-eating zombies or sunlight- fearing vampires? No way. Beefing up shark brains to make them super-smart predators? I don’t think so. Crazed prehistoric- sized piranhas that will devour anybody with an inflatable floatie and a cooler? Please. They want us to believe this stuff?

Like take the insane DNA-spliced mutant monsters that make terrifying cameos throughout the Hunger Games. I’m supposed to believe that one day we could be ripped apart by mutant wolves with tribute eyes? Stung by poisonous and relentless tracker jackers? Or get devoured by giant lizard men?

Seriously?

As it turns out . . . maybe so.

If you want to read more, grab your copy of "The Girl Who Was On Fire" today!

Ah, summer reading...

So, I've been remiss in blogging for a number of reasons, but let's not dwell on the past, shall we? Let's move forward and think about the future - in a place where I don't procrastinate and I blog relentlessly every day.

It's nearly summer, and that means that it's time to crack open those paperbacks and enjoy a little beach reading. I love beach reading. It's my favorite kind. Add a margarita, an exotic locale, and maybe a fit pool boy named Paulo, and you've got my idea of a perfect vacation.

I'm going to say this about beach reads, however. Given that's pretty much all I write, I'm the expert on summer reading.

Looking for suspense? Check out the new one by suspense master Kevin O'Brien: Viscious. You won't be able to put this one down. It's so chilling you won't even need to crank the AC.

For those of you who don't want to grow up by have to (I'm definitely in this category), check out the very funny Accidental Adult by Colin Sokolowski.

My friend Allison Winn Scotch has a new one out, too. Don't miss this wise and absorbing book: The One That I Want.

And if you're looking for heartwarming and hilarious, be sure to preorder Stacey Ballis' latest, Good Enough To Eat, which is out the first week in September.

And, naturally, no summer list would be complete without some self-promotion. If you haven't grabbed a copy of Can't Teach An Old Demon New Tricks - you must. No beach will be the same without it. Trust me on that.

Happy summer, everybody!

It's here!

Well, everybody, the Cara Lockwood drought is over. The new book is here. Can't Teach An Old Demon New Tricks is now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It's getting some pretty good reviews by people other than my mom. Like Booklist says I have "engaging characters" and "snappy dialogue" (Oh you bet I do!).

Romance Reviews Today called CAN'T TEACH a "Funny, passionate, and full of magic and adventure... a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that will have readers quickly flipping the pages."

Need more proof? Check the word out here:

Fresh Fiction

Fallen Angel Reviews

Want to read more? Here's a glimpse of the back of the book:

Get an east Texas girl good and mad,and there’s going to be hell to pay!

Rachel Farnsworth doesn’t believe in the paranormal—she can find plenty of evil forces right in Dogwood County, like the Mega-Mart that’s driving her family’s hardware store into the ground. Then there’s her own little hell-raiser—a rowdy toddler who can turn his birthday candles into a blazing inferno with just one breath. But when her marriage goes up in smoke, Rachel discovers her husband, Kevin, isn’t just a deadbeat, he’s also a demon (a sloth demon, no less, which explains why he never helped around the house) with a renegade bounty hunter—a fallen angel named Sam— chasing down a powerful secret Kevin has kept for a millennium or two. Sam’s downfall was a beautiful mortal woman . . . and now, the heavenly attraction zinging between them has down-to-earth Rachel believing in celestial magic. But will it be enough to save her and her son from the dark forces Kevin has unwittingly unleashed on Dogwood County?

Congrats to the winners!

Congrats to the five lucky winners of the You Pick! Contest:

Angie, Kate, Mandi, Kitty and April!

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry. I'm feeling generous. Lord knows I could use some good karma these days. How about I give away five signed copies of my new book, out at the end of the month - Can't Teach An Old Demon New Tricks? Just shoot me an email at contest@caralockwood.com and I'll enter you to win. I'll pick winners on April 2. I was going to go for April 1, but I don't want to be mistaken for some elaborate April Fool's gag. And anyway, I'm pretty sure the joke's on me. SO... shoot me an email and I'll enter you to win.

And if you're a discerning contest enterer (that's definitely not a word) and want to check out Can't Teach An Old Demon New Tricks head to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Don't forget you can get the prequel to Can't Teach An Old Demon New Tricks... Every Demon Has His Day, which is on sale now at your local bookstore for the ridiculous price of $5.99. I think the only thing cheaper than that is a Happy Meal.

My book may not come with fries, but it won't glob on to your hips, either. And that's got to be a good thing, right?

Til next time.

Get Your (cheap) Books here!

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of winter. It might have something to do with the fact that my down-filled coat decided to explode this morning, leaving me looking feathered (sans tar). Goose down does little to enhance an all-black outfit, FYI.

So, to chase away those winter blahs, I've got a little ray of good news. Three Cara Lockwood titles have just been re-released in cheaper, mass market paperback editions. I Do (But I Don't), Every Demon Has His Day and Pink Slip Party make their re-debuts (I just made up that word) this week in a book store near you. Pink Slip Has this lovely new cover (see right), and the others have their same old covers, but an even better price: $5.99. You can't beat that, folks.

So, if you've been always meaning to read "those other" Cara Lockwood books, well now is your chance to do so on the cheap. I mean $5.99? That's like half a movie ticket. And like 1/100th of a new down coat, which I will no doubt have to buy, seeing as how I live in Chicago, and it can snow here pretty much til June.

Ahem. But, my point was, go buy some books! And so I don't look completely like the shameless self-promoter, I'm going to do something generous now. I'm going to extend the contest deadline for those five lucky winners who get to pick ANY single book from my backlist (that's eight glorious choices people!). Said winners get to pick their books, I sign them and send them to you. Boom! Free signed book. Of course, I can't promise it'll even fetch $5.99 on Ebay, but you at least have a nice, personalized signed book and when was the last time Danielle Steele did that for you? Exactly.

So, if you haven't already, email me at contest@caralockwood.com, and I'll enter you in the drawing on March 1, 2010.

Happy Post Holidays!

Ah, the sound of James Brown blaring at Starbucks. It must be post-holiday time! The Christmas tunes are off, and now we're back to some odd ecclectic mix of James Brown, the Beatles and some Irish Rock Indie band I've never heard of. It's good to be back!

If you're not so happy that the Christmas music is gone or if you're still fuming about that package of coal-colored Fruit of the Loom that Santa brought you, then fear not. I've got a little post-holiday contest to lift your spirits.

Several of my books are being re-released this month in mass market paperback (I Do (But I Don't), Pink Slip Party and Every Demon Has His Day). In honor of the re-release, I'll be giving away five titles from my back list - winner's choice! You can have one of the three new re-releases, or you could pick one of the Bard Books, or you could just spin the book wheel and let me decide. In any case, you'll get an autographed copy of a Cara Lockwood masterpiece. Okay, well, if not quite a masterpiece, then a piece. Of something.

Ahem.

But, hey, it's a free book. Signed. By moi. You could get worse things. Like a pair of underwear.

So, just shot me an email at contest@caralockwood.com to enter the January Book Giveaway and I'll pick five winners on February 1.

And remember, if you don't win, you can always snag a copy of one of the re-releases. They're only $5.99! That's what I call a sweet deal.

(Actually, I secretly call it my "retire in Hawaii" deal. But with the amount of money in that account, I can't actually retire at the moment. Given the hits my 401K have taken this year, I might have to call it my "Retire to Work as Wal-Mart Greeter fund" but I digress.

Email me! Enter the contest. Win a signed book!