Vasilisa the Brave: Celebrating Joy Preble!
One of the very best things about being a writer, at least in Central Texas, is the company. There are SO MANY amazing writers here! And if you are lucky enough to live here (and come out of your writing cave occasionally), you get to meet them, talk to them, and learn what amazing people they are in addition to the whole “genius writer” thing.
Last year, I had the chance to go to a retreat with a bunch of friends at a place we like to call the Lodge of Dead Things. It was wonderful, of course. But one of the best parts was getting to know author Joy Preble.
Seriously, she is funny, smart as a whip, kind, generous, and her writing! Gah! If I hadn’t loved her so much, I would have had the tiny teeth of jealousy tearing at my innards for weeks after that retreat. She’s a rockstar.
And she has a book coming out – the third in a series! Which I own, and NO I am NOT giving it away on the blog, it is MINE ALL MINE. But… when I was talking to Joy, we realized that we both have the character of Vasilisa the Brave in our books, both of which are coming out in the next two weeks — so I thought we should celebrate.
Don’t worry if you don’t know the story of Vasilisa. It’s okay, and you’re not alone. Heck, I know at least one reviewer/kid with an advance copy of Sinister Sweetness who had never hear d of Hansel and Gretel, and they still got the story. BUT, dear friends, if you get this book and THEN read Joy’s or my books?
YOU WILL BE CHANGED FOREVER.
Okay, well, maybe if you read it, then Joy’s book. My book mostly just makes people hungry, then nervous.
Anyway… HERE is what I AM giving away to celebrate: One brand-new copy of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, by Marianna Mayer.
I will also throw in a bookmark of Joy’s , one of mine, and maybe even a few other little goodies because I love Joy that much and want to celebrate her awesomeness.
So, in the comments section, tell me what your very favorite fairy tale is for one entry. And if you tweet about this, tell me that, too, and I’ll enter your name another time!*
So, hooray for Joy! And hooray for you, dear readers — August is filling up with fun fairy tale-ish b0oks!
*This contest is good for North America only, please! Contest will end on 8/14.
08/07/2012 at 4:02 pm
When I was growing up I was IN LOVE with Hans Christian Anderson (okay, I was actually in love with Danny Kaye who played him in the movie, but let’s not nit-pick). So though I was a ghoulish kid and loved Grimm’s Fairy Tales because they were scary and usually didn’t end happily ever after, I would have to say my favorite was still The Little Mermaid. I always thought it would end better if I re-read it over and over. Still, wasn’t that happy with Disney’s remake even if the music was great. Some things just shouldn’t end happily ever after. Then we work harder. That is my wacky reasoning anyway.
08/10/2012 at 9:43 am
Love fairytales. I will always come back to them, because they are the essence of story. Congratulations on this lovely book!
08/10/2012 at 10:06 am
All time favorite is East O The Sun, West O The Moon. But I do love the Baby Yaga stories, so this sounds awesome! I am tweeting!
08/10/2012 at 3:42 pm
I wasn’t exposed to many fairy tales growing up (unless you count Disney movies) and never really developed much interest in them. BUT I am completely in love with the cover for Sinister Sweetness (oh the power of a great cover!) and have already added it to my TBR list. With that glowing review of Joy’s work, I’ll have to click over and investigate her work as well. It’s always fun to be introduced to new authors. Thanks so much for this post.
08/13/2012 at 1:42 pm
I am not sure what my favorite fairytale is, but I have a very soft spot for Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. And I have a HUGE soft spot for gorgeously illustrated folktale and such.
Congratulations to you and Joy!! Only a week and a day until some Sinister Sweetness goes out into the world!! Can’t wait!