Inspired Kathy, blogger and book reviewer

One of the masterminds behind Best Reads in 2010 agreed to an interview and has offered to host a book giveaway here on Rita's World.

The book being given away is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you must become a follower of this blog and you must leave a comment to tell me your favorite book you read this year. From those eligible, I'll pull a name from a hat (or a bowl--it might be easier to use a bowl). Available to US residents only. End date is Saturday, December 18, 2010

With no further ado, I introduce Inspired Kathy, reader, book reviewer, and blogger at I am a reader, not a writer.

Rita: How did the blog Best Reads in 2010 get started?
Kathy: I can't take credit for Best I've Read. The event was the brainchild of Cindy from Books Complete Me.

All the participating bloggers met through our love of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. It's been fun putting the event together and the response from authors and publishers has been phenomenal. I sent out about 50 queries to authors and publishers asking if they'd be willing to donate books for the event. I was shocked when nearly all of them responded that they would. There will be 75 winners on my blog and over 400 books given away between all 10 participating blogs.

Rita: What's your favorite book and why?
Kathy: I'm such an eclectic reader it is nearly impossible to pick just one book. There are many books that are favorites for different reasons. As far as classics I love Jane Eyre and books by Jane Austen. Twilight is a favorite because it got me reading again and I've meet some incredible people by taking part in Twilight events (I even got to have breakfast with Stephenie Meyer). My favorite books to escape with are Marcia Lynn McClure's clean romance books. No one can write clean romance like Marcia. Then of course there are books like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and many others that are favorites too. A look at my goodreads shelf will show that I have many favorites:

Rita: Who is your favorite author?
Kathy: Another tough questions. I guess the number one spot would have to go to Marcia Lynn McClure because I adore her and her books. There would be so many close seconds I hate to start naming people because I'm sure to forget someone... Stephenie Meyer, Rachael Renee Anderson, Nicholas Sparks, Suzanne Collins, Janette Rallison, Shannon Hale, Bree Despain, Ally Condie, the list could go on and on and on.

Rita: I noticed on your blog that your goal is to read 240 books this year. How do you find the time? I'm imagining copious amounts of coffee.
Kathy: Last year I read 114 books and thought that was a lot. I've read double that many this year. I just finished my 235th book last night so I will easily exceed my goal of 240 books this year. I don't drink coffee or caffeinated beverages so that can't be the reason. So how do I do it? I've always got a book with me, it's my favorite form of entertainment. I never watch TV and only rarely watch movies. I listen to audio books which accounts for 1/4 to 1/3 of the books I read. I'm great at multitasking. When I'm driving, exercising doing dishes, laundry or other housework I listen to audiobooks. I usually finish a book every 1.5 days. I'm not sure I can read that many books again in one year. I'm starting 2011 with a much more reasonable goal of reading 150 books.

Rita: Which book really was the best in 2010?
Kathy: It is so hard to choose the best book. A book that is on the top of my list will be on the bottom of someone else's list. But here are some of my personal favorites from different categories.
Juvenile Fiction: Fablehaven 5: Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull
Young Adult: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Memoir: Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus
Romance: Weathered Too Young by Marcia Lynn McClure

2011 is looking like it will be a great year too. I've read a couple ARCs for upcoming books that have been fabulous.

As far as a surprise favorite that would have to go to Antony John's Five Flavors of Dumb. I really didn't expect to love his book but it was Five Flavors of Awesome!

Rita: Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white?
Kathy: Milk chocolate unless it is a Milky Way Midnight

Rita: Favorite donut?
Kathy: Maple Bar

Rita: What has been the best part of blogging about books?
Kathy: Reading books that I might not otherwise pick up. I've found some fabulous books that I would have missed if it weren't for blogging. I also enjoy helping less well known authors gain exposure for their books and helping out other bloggers.

Rita: Thank you, Kathy, for your time and for the giveaway!

Great Book Blog!

Nine bloggers who love to read and review books banded together to bring you a great site. Right now, these bloggers are doing a massive end-of-year book giveaway.

70 books from great authors!

Check it out!

Blog Review: The Clean White Page

Haven't we all faced an empty page or blank screen, wondering what to write? Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't. Sometimes the stories come crawling out of me, and I just watch them unfold before me. Other times, I find myself procrastinating, playing on goodreads or browsing the internet just to avoid a difficult passage.

The Clean, White Page is a blog filled with stories that defy that dreaded fear of the blank page. I highly recommend that you check it out.

Querying Agents

Jump through a hoop, dance on one leg, wiggle your toes, walk while balancing a bowl of water on your head--and don't spill or you are out of the game--run naked through the streets of Nome in January. It would be easier to do any of those things than to get published, I think.

I just read the Jaquelyn Wheeler blog's description of finding an agent, a highly amusing and informative read.

Like her, I chose self-publishing for this very reason, but I have since learned that it takes a team to be successful--to proofread, edit, create cover art, build websites, market a book. No one lives or dies or succeeds alone. Going the traditional route gives you an experienced team to make your dreams come true.

And sometimes experience just means stodgy.

Communovella

As writers, trying to build a fanbase, we need to learn how to create synergy, relationships, and dialog with our readers. Personally, I think people care more about being heard than they do about listening. So one of the best roads to marketing yourself is to give people a stake in what you offer.

H. Scott Hunt does this on his blog Communovella, which is turning into a really interesting story. Readers determine the plot by making suggestions and then voting on the suggestions. Writer and blogger Hunt then writes the story based on readers' suggestions.

Check out the communovella here and join in the fun.