Write Books! Win Books!

Exciting news today from two witchy novelists!

First up, Laurie Faria Stolarz, author of the The Blue is for Nightmares Series will be teaching three writing workshops for teens in Massachusetts this spring and summer.  The first one is this Saturday in Salem (appropriately enough) for $75.  I know, it's such late notice, but do not despair!  For she will be in Marblehead in July, offering a 4-day writing workshop on the 13th, 15th, 20th, and 22nd, with an afternoon session for 9-12 year olds from 4-5:45pm, and an evening session for 13+ from 5-7:45pm.  See the Books Make Great Lovers blog for more details.

Secondly, the latest book in the Seer series is coming out in October (the first book, Don't Die, Dragonfly is on deck to be reviewed here soon!) and author Linda Joy Singleton is having a contest!  You can win a full set of the first five Seer books, plus a complete set of her Dead Girl trilogy.  Also, if you're a YA or MG writer, she will critique the first chapter of your book!  Check out her blog for the full details of how to enter.

And finally, for those on the West Coast, you get your own really short notice alert-- Nancy Holder, co-author of the Wicked series, is appearing at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this weekend.  Admission is free, and her schedule is on her blog.

(Isn't it reassuring to know that this isn't turning into a full on comic book blog? ^_^)

Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Stacy Brown is a traditional witch who practices folk magic, taught to her by her grandmother.  Lately she's been having nightmares that tell her that her best friend Drea's life is in danger.  Her other friends try to tell her that they're just dreams, but she can't believe that.  Not after what happened the last time she had nightmares...

Stolarz does a fantastic job of working in Stacy's magical practices as a tool in helping her solve the mystery of the identity of Drea's stalker, instead of treating it as a cure-all.  Stacy's friends (and potential boyfriends) are totally 3-dimensional and relatable-- who doesn't have a sassy, flirty fashionista like Amber in their life?  And who wouldn't want a quirky clown like P.J. as a friend?  Most importantly, the suspense is palpable--from the first nightmare, to the first time Drea recieves a lily (the flower of death, Stacy tells us), till the heart-pounding climax--Stolarz ramps up the the tension until the very end.

One stumbling block for me was that it all takes place at a boarding school, which took some getting used to.  But even if you didn't attend boarding school, you soon realize that the social dynamics are the same as at any other school.  It's also in present tense, which I know puts some people off.

There is an excerpt of the first two chapters up on the Flux Books website.

Blue is for Nightmares is the first in a series that includes White Is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, Red Is for Remembrance, and the graphic novel epilogue Black is for Beginnings.

    (out of five)