Young Adult Chicks discussion

Here you can discuss In Shadows Of Magic By Alison Prince. Beware, Spoliers are allowed!

Hi Everyone! I am so excited that my book has been chosen for discussion in this awesome group! I look forward to answering any questions you may have, and discussing the writing/publishing process if that is of interest to anyone. I can even share some additional scenes that were not included in the final copy of the book if you all would like!

Thank you so much! I hope you all enjoy In Shadows of Magic. :-)

Alison In Shadows of Magic

I will be purchasing In Shadows Of Magic tomorrow!! I could say I'm more than excited!!!

I am a younger person,but Im always writing and I want to publish my own novel sometime in my life. People say Iam very good at writing.I am super interested in how the publishing process goes. I have already been introduced to the writing process,and I know that it is very frustrating at times,but when you produce something of your own that other fellow human beings can have a chance to read, it is very
exciting! So Alison, how did you go about publishing your novel?

Hi Anissa! This is so awesome that you want to write and publish your own novel! If you are passionate about writing and you work hard, you will do it! It is definitely a thrill to see your name on a book that is available for sale, and to have others read your work.

Getting published is a very long and frustrating process. Persistence is key. After my novel was finished, I wrote a query letter. This is a letter I sent to many publishers introducing myself and describing my novel. This letter is crucial because it is what will determine if the publisher will ask to see your entire novel. These publishers are getting hundreds of submissions every day, and only have time to choose a few novels to read so it's important to stand out. Once there are publishers that are reading your novel, it can be a long wait to get a response. I was lucky that my publisher, Astraea Press, was very fast in getting a response back to me (within a month)! It is a tough process, takes a lot of patience and hard work, but it is all worth it in the end! Let me know if you have any more questions. :-)

What kind of novel would you like to write, Anissa?

That sounds very long and frustrating! But I guess in the end it is worth it. I have a friend that is a self publisher. He has gotten a lot of criticism on goodreads and off because he did not publish through a major company. (Lots of errors found in the book) That's why I am thinking about going through a company when I publish my first novel. How much profit do you receive from people buying your books online? Or do you receive nothing at all?

I love writing anything pertaining to the young adult genre, and also I enjoy writing murder mysteries. If I try to write anything else, I can't. It's funny:)

I've had this thought in the back of my head for a while. I am writing the first draft of my murder mystery right now. I thought about publishing it as an eBook until I am not a minor anymore. And so I don't have to pay taxes, I thought about offering it for free. What do you think?

Thanks for chatting:)

Anissa

I have just purchased In Shadows Of Magic! I am super excited to read it!!

My publisher was fantastic when it came to editing. I had multiple editors read over the novel and make corrections, check for errors, offer suggestions, etc. The publisher also provided the cover art (which I love!) Without a professional publisher, all of this would become your responsibility.

I think it's awesome that you are writing a murder mystery! Those are so much fun to read!

I hope you are enjoying In Shadows of Magic. :-)

Yes. (By the way I love the cover art too!)

Murder mysteries are super hard to write though:) But I do find them very entertaining and exciting:)

And I'm loving In Shadows of Magic so far!:)

Yes, murder mysteries are so hard to write! I would like to write a murder mystery with some paranormal elements. I think that would be a lot of fun, but very challenging.

I'm so glad you are loving In Shadows of Magic so far! I look forward to discussing it! :-)

Alison

I would defiantly purchase it if you would ever consider writing it:) I always like being challenged though;)

*SPOLIER*

Im at the part where Brianna is enjoying the stolen powers:( I wasent expecting her to go through with it:( I guess I will go finish the book! Expect to be getting a 5 star review in the next couple of days!!! I'm super into In Shadows Of Magic! I look forward to discussing it!!!

Anissa

Awesome! :-) So glad you are enjoying it!

I have just finished In Shadows Of Magic!!! I loved it!!!! Would you be willing to share any scenes that didn't make the final cut?

Hi Anissa! Thank you so much for that beautiful review! :-) I'm so glad you enjoyed In Shadows of Magic.

Here is a scene that I wrote that is a "flashback" to the twin's 13th birthday. This was the night that Brianna and Mandy's friendship was ripped apart. Let me know your thoughts. :-)

It was their 13th birthday, and their parents had agreed to let them have a more grown up party. After clearing out the living room furniture, they hung a disco ball in the center of the ceiling. Strobe and spot lights turned the room into a mini dance club. The twins selected the playlist that would provide music for the evening.
The twins helped each other get ready. Brianna braided Mandy's light brown hair. Mandy helped Brianna curl her long locks. When nothing in Brianna's closet seemed right, Mandy let her sister borrow her new black dress. “This will look great on you.”
At 7 o'clock, their friends started to arrive. Mandy smiled at Brianna when Chad entered the room. “You look amazing,” she whispered. “He's definitely going to notice you tonight.”
“You look beautiful too. Maybe you and Logan will kiss tonight!”
“Logan is just one of my best friends!” Mandy insisted.
“Yea, right,” Brianna laughed. “It's funny how everyone else sees it, expect for the two of you! One day you guys will wake up and realize that you're in love.”
As if on cue, Logan arrived, holding two messily hand wrapped gifts. “Happy Birthday girls.” His smile was genuine as he handed a present to each twin. “I spent hours making your gift, Mandy. I really hope you like it.”
“You made it?” Mandy impulsively peeled back a strip of the loose decorative paper to reveal navy leather. “What is it?”
“You don't have to open it right now,” Logan started, but Mandy couldn't wait. Ripping off the wrapping paper, Mandy uncovered a spiral bound scrapbook. She flipped through the pages and found a collage of memories. Photographs from sleep away camp in the mountains, flat sea shells collected during their many trips to the beach, ticket stubs from countless movies and sporting events, even tassels from the handlebars of their first bicycles were meticulously arranged within the book's pages.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Mandy was always amazed by Logan's thoughtfulness and sincerity.
“Happy Birthday girls.” Chad Reynold's voice interrupted the sentimental moment.
“Hi, Chad,” Brianna's face flushed red.
Chad was the cutest boy in school. Brianna was one of many girls who had a crush on him, but he had been too wrapped up in sports to express any interest. Recently, he started to take notice, just like a lot of the boys their age.
As boys became enamored of girls, Mandy found herself showered with lots of unwanted attention. This was new to her. Their admiration initially made her feel very uncomfortable, and Brianna very jealous.
Brianna had once complained to her, “Why do all the boys like you, and none seem to notice me?”
Mandy assured her that wasn't true, but secretly wondered the same thing.
Tonight wasn't any different. While Mandy was surrounded by boys, whisked from one dance partner to the next, Brianna watched enviously from the couch.
Mandy had finally freed herself from her last dance partner. She was headed over to Brianna when she was intercepted by Chad. “I've been waiting all night. Could I have this next dance?”
Mandy was quiet for a moment while thinking of a nice way to say no. She came up with, “No, I'm going over to hang out with my sister. I'm not dancing right now.”.
Chad asked, “Can I come with you?”
Mandy couldn't think of a way to decline that didn't sound impolite, so she nodded. Brianna would be happy that Chad was hanging out with them anyway.
Mandy and Chad approached the couch where Brianna, Valerie, and Eva had observed the nights action. Mandy tried to make friendly conversation, although it was quite obvious that her friends were annoyed with her.
Mandy felt eyes on her, and turned to find Chad staring. He had this dumbfounded look on his face that she had never seen before. His brown eyes were full of wonder.
“You look very beautiful tonight, Mandy,” Chad complimented.
No, Mandy thought, don't do this. She frantically looked at Brianna, and her sister looked down.
“Doesn't she look beautiful, guys?” Chad addressed the girls.
No, no, Mandy thought. Don't make it worse. Valerie nodded. Eva looked away and squeezed Brianna's hand. Brianna looked up, and Mandy saw water in her eyes.
Chad was oblivious to the girls' responses. He didn't seem to notice anything in the room but Mandy. “So what are you doing tomorrow? Would you like to go see a movie or something?”
Brianna catapulted from her seat. She dashed past Mandy and Chad, out of the living room, into the hallway, and up the stairs. Mandy followed her sister. She heard the bedroom door slam as she approached Brianna's room. Mandy knocked on the door.
“Go away!” Brianna yelled.
Mandy opened the door and found her sister laying on her bed sobbing. Her face was buried in her pillow. Before Mandy had a chance to speak, Brianna rolled over and sat up.
“I hate you!” she shrieked. “You could have any guy in that room, Mandy, so why him? Why did you have to do that to him too?” She could scarcely get the words out between sobs.
“Bri, I couldn't help it. I don't know why that happened.”
“Yea right!” Brianna sneered. “You bewitched him and you know it! I saw the look in his eyes. Don't tell me he wasn't!”
“I know, Bri. But I didn't mean to do it.”
Brianna was implacable. “You're a liar! And you ruined my birthday!"
Brianna suddenly jumped up and pushed her. Mandy backed away. “I'm sorry Bri. I really didn't...”
“Get out of here!” Brianna screamed.
Mandy turned and walked out the door.

Wow:) I loved that scene!! It provided so much more information as to how Mandy and Chad got together. It also showed when the sisters good relationship with each other started to crumble apart. I do however understand why it was cut out. It had alot of fluff, and basically told the reader more about Certain relationships. In Shadows Of Magic made me wonder if certain characters would get together. I love books that are like that. They keep me thinking days after I have finished the novel.

Okay, so yesterday I got a friend request from some random person off in the Internet. I've noticed several people have added In Shadows Of Magic to their to-read shelfs ever since I got my review out there!!! I'm so excited for you!!!

Hi Anissa! Yes, I do think that your review has been contributing to sales, and thank you so much! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my book!

As for the scene, as a writer, I have a tendency to write flashbacks, but never include them in the final product. I write them for me, to get to know my characters, to really understand what happened prior to lead up until now. However, it is important to keep the actual book in the present time. A skilled writer can reveal the past through present interactions without actually taking the reader into a flashback. It's still fun to write them though!

:-)
Alison

Yep:) I enjoy supporting newly published authors, and I love YA books!!!

It does seem important for you to know your characters. If you don't, the reader sure wont!!!

Thanks so much Zeina! I read your review, and I really appreciated it!