Cover reveal: OLIVIA TWISTED

I am so excited to share the cover and official blurb for my book, OLIVIA TWISTED, which debuts November 5! Thank you to the entire team at Entangled for your support, and especially to Kelley York for the spectacular cover.

Olivia

He tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his, his thumb brushing lightly across my lips. I close my eyes. I know Z is trouble. I know that being with him is going to get me into trouble. I don’t care.

At least at this moment, I don’t care.

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…

Z

I can picture Liv’s face: wide-eyed, trusting. Her smooth lips that taste like strawberry Fanta.

It was just a kiss. That’s all. She’s just like any other girl.

Except that she’s not.

Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted.

Check it out:
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17343436-olivia-twisted
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1622660285

“Like” my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/vivibarnes.author

 

Enter to win a $10 iTunes gift card: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner of Entangled book giveaway!

Congratulations to….

DAWN M.

…for winning an Entangled book of your choice! Dawn is listed as =P in the comments of my last post, and I knew that was her because we worked together years ago and she used that symbol all the time. At the time, I had no idea what it meant, so I just called her “equals p.” (Yes, we called ourselves “junior high friends” since that’s pretty much how people saw us.)

Congratulations, Dawn! You’ll be happy to know that my son Jack did the drawing for me and pulled your name (although he said, “Whatever Mom”)! I will be sending you My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century since it released the day I did this post and was edited by my awesome editor, Stacy Abrams.

Equals P.

Thank you to everyone who entered! I really appreciate all the kind words and best wishes. You all are the best!

A special announcement and a giveaway!

I can’t believe I’m posting this. Seriously, it sounds so cliché to say this but I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M POSTING THIS:

I am excited to announce that I have signed a contract with Entangled Teen!

As soon as I heard Entangled was interested in my story, OLIVIA TWISTED (a retelling of Oliver Twist about a foster child who finds friendship in a gang of hackers), I delved into the research. I contacted five (yep, five) of their authors, all of whom couldn’t say enough great things about the company. Entangled doesn’t get paid until their authors make money, so you can bet they put everything they can into each book. In fact, I classify this company as “extreme type A personality,” as I’ve never seen a group of professionals have such a go-get-‘em, dedicated attitude as they do for their authors.

And then I spoke with Stacy Cantor Abrams, the editor. Stacy came to Entangled after seven years at Bloomsbury/Walker Books for Young Readers. She was incredible and very enthusiastic about my story! I called my agent, Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, and said let’s do it (cue Wild Thing music). Here’s the announcement from Publisher’s Marketplace:

They have an amazing group of authors (check them out at http://www.entangledteen.com/authors/). In fact, one of their YA authors, Rachel Harris, is celebrating the debut of her book this very day–My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century!

To my fellow chicks and critique partners and family and beta readers and agent and Twitter pals and work team members who have helped me reach this goal (and put up with my insanity), thank you!

And now, the giveaway: To celebrate my joining the Entangled team, I’m giving away an Entangled Young Adult (or any Entangled) book of your choice to one lucky winner! If you would like to enter:

• Leave a comment on this post.
• Include the name of the Entangled book of your choice (you can find them at EntangledPublishing.com). You can say “any” if you prefer the fun wild card method.
• Include your email address (or Twitter handle, if you prefer). Spell your email address out so spammers don’t attack you with laser beams.

Comment by midnight EST on Monday, Sept. 24. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

To be (happily) continued…

The Answers You’ve Been Waiting for

How many of the ten 70’s and 80’s sitcoms in 18 parodied scenes were you able to identify on your own? Now watch this version to see the answers revealed.

Do What You Can

Video Contest to Win a Kindle Ends Monday.

Like the pursuit of me, the Muse, the current 4 Chicks video contest may have you a bit confused. What sitcom could THAT possibly be? you might press your spouse. I know some of the sitcoms and other scenes seem vaguely familiar, but TEN? you might test your office buddy. What in the world ARE those crazy Chicks doing? you might wonder reasonably to yourself.

Do NOT be discouraged! As with life, help presents itself to those who look for it. Seek, and you really shall find–especially on YouTube.

But like any creative undertaking, the most important thing is to DO WHAT YOU CAN. In this case, email what you know–to chickstories@gmail.com. Don’t forget to Subscribe or Like first to be eligible to win. Remember, one random winner will be drawn from those who have the MOST correct sitcoms named, and as of now, NO ONE has guessed all ten!

Keep in mind that only 18 scenes are parodies. With the exception of the parodied opening banner image, the sitcom scenes occur from the green-screen on. In between are just scenes of the Chicks being…well, their “normal” selves.

And while it’s never too late to start doing the things you want to do, time will run out for this contest. So get your email in by Monday, 1/16/12, 11:59 p.m. Reread full rules. And watch the video as often as you need or can stand, or until your kids offer to clean their rooms if you agree to stop playing “that song”.

4 Chicks and a Muse: The Theme Song

Here it is! The moment you’ve all been waiting for, including your chance to win that all-new Kindle. (Scroll down to find our regular posts)

In this video, the 4 Chicks pay homage to 10 different classic 1970’s and 80’s TV sitcoms, in 18 parodied theme song scenes. Think you can name the sitcoms?

1. First, subscribe to the 4 Chicks and a Muse blog (click “Speak to Me, Muse!”); or like its page on Facebook.
2. Next, identify the 10 sitcoms whose popular opening scenes are featured.
3. Finally, email your answers to chickstories@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012.

NOTES: One winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries. A correct entry is an email that lists the 10 sitcoms featured in any order. Because there are 18 parodied scenes, this means that many sitcoms appear in more than one scene. And remember, these are Chick interpretations, not exact reproductions. So you may have to use a little more, er, imagination to recognize some scenes. If there are no entries with all 10 sitcoms listed correctly, winner will be drawn from those with the most correct guesses.

Oh, and while I, the Muse, accept full glory for inspiration of this video, I must share credit for bringing it to fruition:

Vocals  |  the 4 Chicks

Eva Griffin, Peggy J. Sheridan, Tracey Jane Smith and Vivi Barnes

Music and lyrics  |  Tracey Jane Smith

Arrangement  |  Timothy Davis

Recording and mix |  Michael Smith

Videography and editing | Eva Griffin

Forklift operation | Chris Griffin

Child wrangling | Dave Jackson

Sports equipment | David “Spike” Barnes

Kindle Your Creativity in 2012

The 4 Chicks Contest: quite possibly your best odds ever to win the all-new Kindle e-Reader.

Greetings, Muse-seekers. You’ll soon have a fantastic chance to win the all-new Kindle, courtesy of yours truly.

Mark your calendars now for this coming Monday, January 2nd, 2012. That’s when the 4 Chicks will be debuting their theme song video.

As you might recall from “We Need a Theme Song!”, I chose to employ classic 80’s sitcoms as inspiration for this daring Chick-venture. My little Muselettes have been singing, dancing and laughing their way across Orlando ever since. The results are sure to be entertaining.

To be eligible for the giveaway, you’ll first need to follow the blog, one of two easy ways:

1. Subscribe to receive blog updates directly from 4chicksandamuse.com (Just click “Speak to Me, Muse!” on the top right); OR
2. On Facebook, simply Like the 4 Chicks and a Muse page.

Can you name this sitcom? Then you're off to a strong start.

Then on January 2nd, you’ll be asked to identify and email the names of the sitcoms featured in the video. A random drawing will be taken from all correct emails. More details to follow. Meanwhile, subscribe or like today. Even if you don’t win the Kindle, you’ll sure to receive creative encouragement in 2012. I guarantee you’ll be inspired on some level, or my name’s not the Muse.

* TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Spouses, parents and progeny of the 4 Chicks are not eligible to snag the Kindle. However, all other 4 Chick and a Muse subscribers and Facebook fans are. So if you’re already officially following the Chicks, just stay tuned for Monday’s video.

The Winner is…..

Thank you to all our new subscribers, existing subscribers and those following us on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.  We’re so glad to have you “here” as part of our creative community.  Also, we are pleased to announce the winner of our first giveaway – writer JA Humm.  The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is winging it’s way to her now.  Don’t forget to check out her blog!

The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron – Giveaway-CLOSED

Many of us wish we were more creative. Many of us sense we are more creative, but unable to tap that creativity. Our lives feel somehow flat. Often, we have great ideas, wonderful dreams, but are unable to actualize them for themselves. – Julia Cameron

Subscribe and you might be the lucky winner to win the groundbreaking bestseller “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.