Todd Mitchell's Blog

For all you writers out there, this is from Robert McKee, the guru of story:

"Life teaches that the measure of the value of any human desire is in direct proportion to the risk involved in its pursuit. ...For we not only create stories as metaphors for life, we create them as metaphors for meaningful life —and to live meaningfully is to be at perpetual risk."

Here's another, more pragmatic, tip from McKee:

"Ask: What is the risk? What does the protagonist stand to lose if he does not get what he wants? More specifically, what's the worst thing that will happen to the protagonist if he does not achieve his desire?"

Anyhow, imagine a cheesy transition here (something about risk, and writing, and inspiration...) then brace for shameless self-promotion, because I'm eager to let people know about a great deal I can offer now on school visits. So here it goes...

Want me to visit your school?

To celebrate the release of The Traitor King paperback, schools having me out to visit will be able to get a huge discount on my books (40% or more through Ingram). Also, I'll donate $50 to schools that sell 50 books or more, and $100 dollars to schools that sell 100 books or more.

Please spread the word to interested teachers and librarians, and tell them to contact me through my website, http://www.toddmitchellbooks.com if they'd like to bring me out.

Enjoy your spring,

T.

Holy half-price, Batman, The Traitor King is now available as an ebook for less than $5!

At long last, the fantastical mystery steeped in Irish mythology that Booklist called "breathtaking" and School Library Journal deemed "a must for most fantasy readers" is released as an ebook (and soon to be a paperback). Check it out on Kindle or Nook.

And have a wonderful new year!

The Secret to Lying was just selected as a finalist for the 2011 Colorado Book Awards. Better yet, two of my favorite YA authors and Fort Collins friends, Laura Resau and Amy Kathleen Ryan, were selected as the other finalists in the YA category. (Oddly enough, we're all in the same writing group). Here's to the friends who keep friends writing!

The winner will be announced on June 24th, in Aspen.

Best wishes to us all!

T.

5 Authors. 5 Genres. 5 Awesome exercises. Go if you dare.

http://sylsome.livejournal.com/10718....

A big thank you to the 1291 people who entered my most recent Giveaway. I'll send a signed copy of The Secret to Lying off to the winner in the next few days. And I hope the rest of you will still check out The Secret to Lying (or consider buying it for the teen or ya book lover in your life this holiday season).

Have a wonderful week!

T.

If you're in the Fort Collins area, there are several childrens' and young adult authors here I hope you'll consider supporting, not only because they're awesome writers, but because a signed book can make a personal and unique holiday gift. I'm sure any one of these authors (myself included) would be happy to sign a book for you, and include a personalized note for the children, teens, or y.a. book lovers in your life. So here's a post introducing five excellent local authors and their books (I'll try to include links to cover pics):

Local Authors:

It's one thing to shop local. You're supporting neighborhood businesses. When you buy local products, you're supporting both a business and an artisan - two entities within your community. That's why when you give a book as a gift this year, please choose to purchase one written by a Fort Collins author.

Here are some suggestions for kids and teens on your list. And if you don't have children, why not donate a book to your local public or school library, or give one to your Toys for Tots drive. They are always in need of gifts for teens.

By Colorado Book Award Winner, Laura Resau

THE INDIGO NOTEBOOK

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...

15-year-old Zeeta and her flighty mother live in a different country every year. This year, in the Ecuadoran Andes, Zeeta helps an American boy search for his birth parents. With him, she encounters adventure, mystery, love, and ultimately, the truth about what she really wants.

THE RUBY NOTEBOOK

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...

In this companion to The Indigo Notebook, Zeeta continues her adventures in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence, where she encounters captivating street performers, age-old secrets, and mysteries of love.

By acclaimed novelist, Todd Mitchell

THE SECRET TO LYING

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...

A teenage boy takes advantage of being the new student at school and reinvents himself. Things get out of control in a sharp, funny, poignant, and compulsively readable novel that gives a coming-of-age theme a surprising twist. Selected by the Texas Library Association for the 2011 Teen Reading List.

By WWII author, Teresa Funke

HOME FRONT HEROES

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...

The Home-Front Heroes Series are books inspired by the stories of real people during WWII. Ideal for history buffs and teachers, too!

By praised teen author, Amy Kathleen Ryan

ZEN AND ZANDER UNDONE

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...

Zen is the "good" sister with a black belt in karate and a newfound penchant for kicking heads. Xander is a wild scientific genius with a self-destructive streak. They have three things in common: they're brown-eyed blondes, they've noticed the boy next door has turned into a hottie, and they miss their deceased mom. Xander spirals into a vortex of late-night parties, scary men, and drugs. She's about to ruin her chance at college. Should Zen keep trying to protect Xander, or finally let her go?

By national best-selling author, Natasha Wing

HOW TO RAISE A DINOSAUR

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_taUL36yeazw...


For dinosaur lovers: a tongue-in-cheek guide to caring for a pet dinosaur with wild illustrations and fun lift-the-flaps.

Find these books at: Old Firehouse Books, Bookends, Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys, Reader's Cove, and Barnes & Noble on So. College. Nature's Own also carries How to Raise a Dinosaur.

Turns out the Texas Library Association just selected The Secret to Lying for their 2011 recommended teen reading list. Yee haw! Come on Texas teens and discover the secret. And if you live in Texas, please friend me (or see if your school wants to have me out for a visit). Many thanks to the TLA selection committee.

Here's the full 2011 teen list: http://www.txla.org/groups/tayshas

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

T.

I decided to try my hand at this new-fangled video stuff. Unfortunately, I don't have John Green's gifts for video charisma. So instead, I decided to make an anti-book-trailer trailer.

For all those who dislike book promotion or book trailers, here's my video on what doesn't work for selling books:

Secret to Lying Book Trailer

Thanks!