So many amazing things happened in 2013. As a writer and a voracious reader, it’s not surprising that some of my favorite things occurred on the pages of novels, instead of in real life! With that said, I wanted to hear from a few of my favorite 2013 authors about this year’s best moments and what has them most excited about the year to come.
I loved hearing from them, and I hope you do, too!
KENNEDY: I fell hard for this first writer’s book Falling Into You. After stalking…ahem, befriending her at the RWA Conference this summer, I loved her for the generous, helpful and gracious person that she is. She’s made all the lists – USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NYT, Amazon #1 Bestseller – and MY list of 2013 faves. And I have no doubt her new Ever trilogy will land on my 2014 list. Without further ado, Mme. Jasinda Wilder.
1. What was your favorite moment from 2013?
JW: I think it probably has to be the moment that Falling Into You hit #1 on Amazon. That’s probably one of my favorite moments both personally and professionally.
2. What are you most excited about for 2014?
JW: All the incredible stories I have planned for this upcoming year have me pretty geeked out. I’ve got some surprises up my sleeve, as well as some just all-around great stories that I think will blow you all away.
3. FREE FAVE – Share any favorite thing. It can be a movie, song, new artist, condiment, LOL. Just something that tells us a little about you.
JW: Okay, so you’ll probably laugh, but one of my all-time favorite movies is Robin Hood; Prince of Thieves. The one with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater. I LOVE that movie, despite how cheesy and ridiculous it is. That’s part of what I like about it, honestly.
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KENNEDY: Jen Frederick is author of The Woodlands series (Undeclared & Unspoken), and co-author of the Hitman series (The Last Hit). I’m excited about the next installments of both series, since I was blown away by what she’s written so far. And out now – Snow Kissed! But let me hush. You tell ‘em, Jen!
JF: My favorite moment of 2013 was pressing the publish button on my first book. I couldn’t believe that I’d completed an entire story, and even better, there were people who liked it.
JF: I’m most excited about the wealth of choices we have as readers next year. Indie publishing is allowing people like me to bring our stories direct to the readers. I guess we all have a little Beyonce in us!
JF: FREE FAVE – My favorite song is Pretty Hurts by Beyonce. I like to play it followed by Roar by Katy Perry.
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KENNEDY: I discovered Jessica Claire (AKA Jill Myles) joined at the writing hip of Jen Frederick as co-author of Hitman series (The Last Hit). You’d definitely rather meet their hero Nikolai in a dark bedroom instead of a dark alley! He is badass…and tight ass! LOL! Love him dark and dangerous. And loved the great voice blend of Jessica and Jen. You’ve heard about Jen’s year behind and ahead. Now meet Jessica.
JC: My favorite moment [in 2013] was quitting my day job to write.
JC: What am I most excited about for next year? A new house!
JC: FREE FAVE – Right now I’m loving Laurann Dohner’s New Species series. I don’t think there’s a bad one in the bunch! Definitely one of my favorite authors of 2013.
KENNEDY: Claire Contreras’ Darkness series (There Is No Light In Darkness & Darkness Before Dawn) stayed with me long after “The End”. Then I read her latest book, Catch Me, and pretty much want to sop up everything she writes with a biscuit. I keep telling her to write faster! Good thing for us she’ll have more coming in 2014. Claire, take it away!
CC: My favorite moment from 2013 (non-book related): My 2-year-old saying “I love you” for no “reason”.
My favorite moment from 2013 (book related): Publishing Darkness Before Dawn.
CC: What am I most excited about for the coming year? Life! It sounds cheesy, but just life in general. I’m excited to see what 2014 has in store for me.
CC: FREE FAVE – Favorite Song: Hopeless Wanderer – Mumford & Sons
KENNEDY: I’m from Atlanta, so I had to have at least one Georgia peach in the mix. I kept hearing so much buzz about this Golden Heart winner, Harper Collins debut author and her towering talent. Romily Bernard’s a tiny little thing who only stands about this high, but her heart and smile are GARGANTUAN, and won me over from jump. Her debut novel, Find Me, is this tightly-woven, grip-the-edge-of-your-seat YA thriller that shows clearly what all the buzz is about!
RB: Fave moment from 2013 was definitely my critique partner Sally Kilpatrick’s sale to Kensington. It was so, so, so well deserved. She’s a brilliant author and I’m freaking giddy for her.
RB: I think I’m probably most excited about REMEMBER ME (follow up to FIND ME). It was a tough book. I hope I did it justice.
RB: FREE FAVE – Jalapeño peach cream cheese!!!
Last word from Kennedy…
It’s only fair that I share mine, too, huh? I’ll do my FREE FAVE first. Favorite new music artist is hands down the new Kiwi on the block Lorde. Onto the next one…Nothing says how blessed you are like having to narrow down your best moments of the year. As someone who has experienced a stretch of dark times, I’ll never again take that for granted. I’m going to roll a few best moments into one. Being signed by my agent Nikki Terpilowski & securing a 3-book deal with Grand Central’s Forever imprint. What am I looking forward to in 2014? Finding wonderful new ways to combine two of my greatest passions – writing and advocating for families living with Autism. I want to find ways to leverage every opportunity to help not just myself, but others.
What about YOU? What’s in store? GO GET IT!
Happy New Year!