tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-309374362012-01-25T09:10:19.801-08:00Website for Marta Acosta, author of Dark Companion, the Casa Dracula novels, and Nancy's Theory of StyleMartanoreply@blogger.comBlogger31100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30937436.post-10585942751854496602012-01-04T12:14:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:14:32.696-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyOBQWk93cY/TwSxfNJUqdI/AAAAAAAADWc/vDJeVo9wnhU/s1600/January+blooms+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyOBQWk93cY/TwSxfNJUqdI/AAAAAAAADWc/vDJeVo9wnhU/s400/January+blooms+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">my </span><i style="color: #444444;">'Monsieur Tillier'</i><span style="color: #444444;"> rose today</span></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; <br />I can't believe the holidays are over and it's already 2012! I suppose I'll have to take down my Christmas tree&nbsp; -- even though I wish I could have colored lights up all year round. Thanks to everyone who subscribed to my new site! The winners of my contest for signed ARCs of <i>Dark Companion</i> and cover flats are:<br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #134f5c; color: #f3f3f3; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kelly H &amp; Lelelia</b></span></div><br />Congratulations! I'll be emailing you for your mailing information. I'll also be having more contests for <i>Dark Companion</i> swag when it's available.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.deannamoffitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/14_2-255x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.deannamoffitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/14_2-255x300.jpg" width="170" /></a>Even though I'm looking forward to my new writing projects, I haven't forgotten my old pals from the <i>Casa Dracula </i>series. In fact, I have great news -- the <i>Casa Dracula</i> books will be coming out as audio reads! I'm really thrilled that actress and comedian <a href="http://www.deannamoffitt.com/"><b>Deanna Moffitt</b></a> will narrate <i>Happy Hour at Casa Dracula</i>. Deanna has toured with one of my very favorite comedy groups, Chicago's famed <b>Second City</b>, and she has the smarts and the snark to bring Milagro to life.<br /><br />I've always wanted my books to be recorded, but my publisher owned the audio rights.&nbsp; When I was finally able to get those rights reverted to me, I didn't have a clue how to get them made into audiobooks. So I did some research and found out about <b>Amazon ACX&nbsp; (Audiobook Creation Exchange)</b>. ACX gives book rights owners a way to connect with audiobook producers and talented voiceover artists. I listened to several actors and when I heard Deanna (who made me laugh), I knew she would be fantastic as my narrator Milagro.<br /><br />I think ACX is an amazing opportunity for authors. Publishers are hoarders as far as audio rights are concerned: they collect them in overwhelming piles until they've forgotten what they have, but they still don't want to give any away. Since producing and packaging CDs is expensive, only really big books ever made it to audio. However, digital technology changes the whole game -- more and more people are joining sites like <b>Audible </b>to get MP3s of novels. There's no shipping or shelf-space required for a digital recording.<br /><br /><br />Creating an audiobook means that I have one more chance to go over my manuscript, make tweaks and corrections.&nbsp; I'll update you about the process and share the new cover art when it's available. (And I met a marvelous illustrator at a friend's latke party!)&nbsp; The audiobook should be available in Spring 2012.<br /><br />Best wishes for your New Year! <br /><br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l148/kha02a/marta_sig.jpg" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/30937436-1058594275185449660?l=www.martaacosta.com' alt='' /></div>Martanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30937436.post-65911583314567395182011-12-14T10:54:00.000-08:002011-12-14T15:42:28.283-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyecgCkU9qg/Tujt2MeU3zI/AAAAAAAADVw/PSaPPhpxrxM/s1600/Dark%2BCompanion%2BARCs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyecgCkU9qg/Tujt2MeU3zI/AAAAAAAADVw/PSaPPhpxrxM/s400/Dark%2BCompanion%2BARCs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My fabulous editor surprised me with a few Advance Reader Copies of <b>Dark Companion</b>! The cover looks wonderful and will look even more amazing when it's published in hard cover. Above, you can see my trusty typewriter and the ARCs. I try to type out haikus every day on 3x5 cards. My haikus are not very good, but writing them makes me feel artistic. My dog Betty von Snoggles disagrees and often chews up my poetry. But Betty's issues with my writing are another story.<br /><br /><b>I'm having a giveaway and you can win a signed ARC just by subscribing to my blog updates</b>. (Use the form in the column at left.) I'm giving away TWO COPIES, plus miscellaneous bookmarks and postcards for my other books.<br /><br />The contest runs through <b>December 31</b> and is limited to the US and Canada. Winners will be selected by random draw.<br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l148/kha02a/marta_sig.jpg" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/30937436-6591158331456739518?l=www.martaacosta.com' alt='' /></div>Martanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30937436.post-66877127952947000842009-11-09T16:55:00.000-08:002011-12-08T12:10:20.122-08:00I'm in the process of updating my blogs and website, and I'll be back online soon with a new design.<br /><br /><i><b>Dark Companion</b></i> will be released by <b>Tor Teen</b> on July 3, 2012!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Companion-Marta-Acosta/dp/0765329646/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323295400&amp;sr=8-4">Pre-order it at Amazon! </a></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l148/kha02a/marta_sig.jpg" /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/30937436-6687712795294700084?l=www.martaacosta.com' alt='' /></div>Martanoreply@blogger.com